Boredom @ work # 2 : The Long Process of Applying Mehendi (Henna)

So once again I found myself staring off into space and trying to stop the continuous shake of my leg (which incidentally, my colleague finds very annoying) when I also realised that the mehendi (henna) I had applied (well my neighbour really) was very dark! No seriously! The colour was Super dark! And mind you this was couple of days after it had been applied. So imagine the colour on the day I had applied it!

Note: Yes I do often find myself bored @ work don't I? Don't get me wrong its not that I don't have work; its just that I have a concentration span of 5 seconds, so I easily get distracted. And yes don't think that the thought of me being chucked out of my workplace hasn't crossed my mind. It has. In fact, its been a constant Damocles' sword over my head- if you know what I mean?

But for now, lets put it all behind us and temporarily live and let live... And pray my boss doesn't read this.

So here's pics of my pretty mehendi (henna) decorated hands- lets take time to appreciate this fine art; although I do despise the smell. I kid you not- it is absolutely revolting!

                      Left: Inner Right Hand                   Right: Outer Right Hand

Outer Left Hand & my (grandma's, but now mine!) Precious Infinity Ring

Inner Left Hand (duh!)

My colleague took these photos; she's so nice!

Its all very pretty isn't it! But let me tell you this- its hard work!

First of all, you have to painstakingly sit still through the whole process without fidgeting! (Can you imagine that?!) Sometimes (well every-time) I wonder if its really worth it, but then if this is the result,... then I guess its fine.

Next is the agony of being unable to use your hands until the mehendi (henna) is completely dry! And even then you still do not have the capability of fully operating of your limbs.

 And then of course your stomach decides to betray you and get hungry and do all sorts of somersaults inside. Absolutely painful when you can't eat with your hands. (You sort of start to realise how lucky you are to have two fully functional hands; although you're still cursing the hunger!)

Now even after your hands are all dried up, they say it (the  henna) should not be immediately washed if you want to achieve desired results such as the colour in the pics above. (But here's the thing- I don't really believe this! I think a couple of hours or three does the trick as long as you don't immediately wash your hands with soap! And if you're really desperate to get an amazingly dark colour, rubbing a little bit of eucalyptus oil on your hands can go a long way- I think...)

But amidst all this is the test of your patience. Like I mentioned before the smell is repulsive! I don't know how some people like it (yeah there's people who actually like it!) So let me warn you- during all of the above stages, keep your hands away from your nose! As far as possible.

I repeat: Keep hands AWAY from nose, at all times.

You'll see what I mean when you go to brush your teeth the next morning and have your hands in close proximity to your nose.

Piece of advice- Take a deep breath before starting to brush; be violent; and be quick!

See how much trouble this is!

But we women like to torture ourselves- so be it!

Go enjoy some more pretty pics.

(Well, It is pretty isn't it?)