Sometimes, all you need to buy is 'time' for yourself.

I often complain to my friend in US, everytime I see his pictures on Facebook, 'Dude can't you upload some soberer or maturer photos of yours? Why do you have to carry that college boy look all the time? Life is certainly not a party.' Today I realised, how wrongly I had perceived life. Atleast out there, he was living it while here, I was just busy evaluating it. It's said, 'don't be a slave to your heart, likewise, don't let your mind rule you either.' At times, we do need to break free from the chains of wisdom, maturity and righteousness to be an imperfect being experiencing the creative imperfections around us, set in the most aesthetic manner and to share a hearty laugh thinking of those bygone days. There is a child in each one of us. No matter, how old we grow up, but there would be some very childlike desires in us till the end. Today, I didn't listen to my rational side for once, and followed where my eager footsteps and intrinsic credulous desires led me. Truly, it's the moments, we live in each breath which make us worth living!

When you grow up reading Enid Blyton's 'The Famous Five', like me, you can very well relate to the thrill and enticement caused by the snowfall. Today, when I woke up in the morning, as I was leaving my cosy bed and glanced amorously at it and sighed, 'if only I could spend some more time lazying on it' but with time ticking fast for my ponderous daily routine, I hurried up. Winters can be so cruel and I don't agree to the phrase 'long winter nights'. I go to sleep each night and in no time, my morning alarm goes off and then I push the infamous snooze bottom as my automatic reflex or defence action against time. In the morning with languid steps I reached my window to draw back the curtains, as I looked out I saw soft white flakes falling on my window sill. Since this was practically the first time I was witnessing a real snowfall, I had no idea about it, I rubbed my eyes and blamed my late night reading habits for making me see suspended particles in the atmosphere owing to my poor eyesight. I rushed to get my glasses and then I realised it was actually snowing and the joy of seeing the first snowfall of my life grew by leaps and bounds. For a minute, my heart pumped more excitement than blood. Quickly I picked up my overcoat, camera and gloves, and headed straight outside. It was snowing in Aachen and I couldn't miss out on the fun. Even if I had caught a cold or had to soak my feet in warm water tub with a thermometer in my mouth or had to gulp down my throat those nasty cough syrups, today there was no stopping me. It was my first snow moment and I lived it fully.

I decided to take a day off for myself and be lady Wordsworth (the famous 19^th century English Nature poet), exploring nature and adventuring explicitly on my own, the way I wanted to. The feel of soft, white snow is beyond explanation and I was so enamoured by it, that I actually tasted it too. Ahem!! then I frantically turned left and right to make sure no one caught me in the act. It was a day, when I happily forgot my age (women in any case are geniuses in concealing their real age) for a change I was an amused child. Having frolicked on the streets and open fields, I thought, it was best to hit the nearby Moss Café before I freeze myself in the snow and turn into a snow woman. As I sat in Moss, (which I think sells the best coffee I have tasted so far) sipping my cuppa cappuccino, I felt a mix of emotions running past me and suddenly who's this fellow to disturb my train of thoughts? I saw a middle aged man smiling at me and asking, Journalistin?? I smiled back Ja! He stood there and I felt uneasy, I whispered to myself, 'Get going dude! I am no fool, can't you see I am here for some news.' As he took his seat near my table he turned back and replied, “Genau.” What! He understood it. I turned red in embarrassment, next time I better whisper in my head. We Indians are too loud even while whispering. 'Whatsoever, I won't be bugged off even if the whole universe conspires against me today' I told myself and there you go, my eyes caught sight of the Schwarzwalder (Black Forest cake), 'Boy!! café is too distracting a place'. Next moment, I was gobbling up a big slice of it. Unexpected treats are always a big delight to both your taste buds and your tummy, besides, when it comes to Schwarzwalder , I rate Germany no.1 (named after Schwarzwald area, world wide known as Black Forest area in South West Germany).

While most of you would shiver at the idea of winters in Germany or for that matter Europe, however, come Dezember (as written in German) and you could sense the festivities in the air. The colourful Christmas Markets and Fairs, are the best tourist pullers from across the globe. The bumper discounts even on luxury brands adds up to the celebration spirit. The atmosphere turns so jovial and blissful that neither the falling mercury nor the icy winds could hold back people from partaking in the merriment. I've witnessed all of it in one single day.

So what if my dishes remained unwashed today or my floor remained unswept

Years later, when I am old and wrinkled,

I would smile back at the time when I lived up my first snow moment in Germany.

And I would proudly show my grandchildren the photos I clicked today, which would be vintage by then.

Often people tell me, I act first and think later.

After this day I would say, I live first to cherish it later.

Who knew I just created a memory today!