Musings of a wandering mind

An Ode to remember

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

A few years ago, I discovered my passion to write. Taking the blog world as my stage, I began to scribble. Regardless of the issue, argument, whatever it may be, I just kept writing. From a mindless rambling in the younger years to certain sensible discussions, I am proud that I kept it going for all these years. Growing up, everyone transforms. Life's experiences and the mind's decisions will tell you if its for better or worse. A chronology of this transformation is evident in my blogs. Nobody is perfect, but I am on my way to it.
PS: Today, my blog turns 7 :)

A brand new offshoot!

2011-08-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

I am relatively new to the fun world of culinary experiments. After trying my hand out at haphazard recipes for sometime in my past, I can safely say that now I am a good cook who loves to use fresh ingredients and is very passionate about food. I felt the urge to chronicle my culinary adventures, whether phenomenal or disastrous! with this thought in mind, I release my most recent baby, an offshoot of the elder one, my very own food blog, www.dishingentertainment.blogspot.com . That is right yàll, I might be no Paula Dean in the kitchen, but while I continue to experiment new recipes I master the ones I already know. Hence forth, I will be sharing not only my culinary adventures but also reviews on some of the restaurants I visit. Hoping to provide a lick and slurp reaction to my audience :)

Oniomania- Compulsive Shopping Disorder

2011-08-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

When you notice that you find way too many clothes, shoes and bags that still have the price tags on them, It is far more complex than a financial disorganization or irresponsibility. Compulsive buying disorder or Oniomania is a little-studied addiction that could consume the person's life.

What triggers it?

The reasons for the behavior are varied but the essence of the problem stems from low self-esteem, insecurity and inadequacy. There are also people who do these things because they don't know how to get what they need emotionally or in any other way.

Are you a compulsive shopper?

A lot of us spend money in cheering ourselves up. A relaxing day at the spa or an occasional shopping for an evening gown without spending away your fortune does not make you a compulsive shopper. Do you want to know if you belong to this category? just answer the simple questions found below. These are questions from the psychotherapist Olivia Mellan who is also a compulsive shopper herself. Answer them with 'often', 'sometimes', 'rarely' or 'never'.

1.	Do you buy things you want, whether or not you can afford them at the moment?
2.	Do you have trouble saving money? If you have a little extra available to save or invest, do you tend to think of something you'd rather spend it on?
3.	Do you buy things to cheer yourself up or to reward yourself?
4.	Does more than a third of your income, not including rent or mortgage payments, go to pay bills?
5.	Do you juggle bill paying because you always seem to be living on the edge, financially?
6.	Do you tend to keep buying more of your favorite things even if you don't have a specific need for them?
7.	If you have to deny yourself or put off buying something you really want, do you feel intensely deprived, angry or upset?

If you answered "often" or "sometimes" to four or more questions, you're probably a compulsive spender, especially if you answered "often" or "sometimes" to the last question, Mellan says.

How should we deal with it?

OK, you've figured out that you are a compulsive shopper, now what? well, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS!! the first step to improve any situation is to acknowledge its presence, the process that follows this is comparatively easy. Retail therapy is a widely used term for a very good reason. The excitement of making a new purchase, teamed with the adrenaline of doing so on impulse, can be an addictive form of escapism from whatever has been getting you down. Figure out what bogs you down and work on improving it.

Low self esteem is one of the most commonly found characteristics in the studies of a shopaholic. Shopping is a way of trying to improve self esteem, particularly when the desired object is associated with the image of what the shopper wants to be. Hence, building self esteem would curb your impulses.

Shopping addicts often suffer from anxiety or depression. Hence, effectively managing the emotional pain would do good to them.

Now don't get me wrong here, there is nothing wrong with shopping and having nice material possessions if you can afford the luxury, but if there is an underlying issue that needs addressing, your purchases are never going to cover that up. Why in the world would you want to let an addiction get the better of you?

How would you categorize yourself in terms of 'Shopping'?

When you're done with it, pass it on- Recycling life with Organ Donation

2011-05-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Most of us are blessed with a life that is complete in every sense. While some choose to make a mess out of the almost perfect life laid in front of them, there are those less fortunate souls who wait to be given a second chance to continue to live. To be told one fine day that you will not live unless you are donated a heart, a liver, or a kidney is an unforeseen tragedy. We have all heard this in movies,but to witness it is a whole new experience. Nobody expects to live short, but by giving a second chance, you will help them see life in dimensions they've never wondered before.

Organ shortages are a global problem, but Asia lags behind much of the rest of the world. Reader's Digest did an Asia-wide study of organ donations, and found that India lags far behind other countries in this regard.In 1994, the Government of India passed the Transplantation of Human Act that legalized the concept of organ brain death and, for the first time, facilitated organ procurement from heart beating, brain dead donors. However, this concept has not caught on well in India for want of public education and awareness.

The process leading from donation to transplant is complex and is influenced by many factors, such as legislation, training, public attitude, and cost. These factors also influence organ donation. The worldwide shortage of donated organs is the major challenge currently facing transplant programs around the world. In some cases, transplanted organs present the only means to treating the end stage of a disease. Should we allow individuals to die because of our lack of awareness?

Think of it this way, when a loved one passes away it doesn't just end there, he continues to live through the people to whom he has given the ultimate gift of his organs. Donating an organ doesn't cost you a thing, yet the ability to do so gives you the power of giving a life to someone. There are everyday heroes who save lives, and, you have the chance to save upto 8 lives. When you're done with it, pass it on.

There are organ donor cards that you can fill out and carry in your wallets. The proof of willingness on your part makes it easier for you to be a donor if--God forbid--something should happen to you. When you care enough to give a life to someone or to keep a part of you alive through someone else, click here to pledge your organs.

PS: The video found in this blog is an advertisement for Eye Donation by the Sri Lankan Eye Donation Society. The director's expression of the visually challenged little boy's yearn to see the world touched me.

Beating Back Aches and Pains

2011-04-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Do you like a cushy lifestyle? a job where you sit in an air conditioned office and go home to slumber sweetly on a soft foam mattress. Do you find yourself to wake up with back aches and sleep with back aches? Do you pop a pain killer everyday to cope with the excruciating back pain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this is the right time for you to take precautions and get back right onto the 'Healthy' track.

Most people suffering from neck, mid back and lower back pain are of the belief that the pain stems from bad posture, being overweight, wearing high heels, having a sedentary lifestyle with no exercise, too much exercise, dancing, pregnancy, stress etc. While all these could be true, most of the times the root cause to back aches/pains is having a WEAK BACK.At some point in our lives, we all have experienced the pain. It is better to be aware and know how to handle one than be caught off guard.

What is the difference between back ache and back pain?
A usual assumption is that aches are less severe than pain, which is true, you also need to know that aches, when not paid attention to, could lead to pain. Any ache in your back is an early sign of impending back pain, and hence now is the best time to take action. Relieving back pain now is simple and quick, all you need to do is target the muscles that are tiring and ease their tension.

So how would you ease the tension?
For starters, you need to improve the blood supply to the concerned area.This can be temporarily helped by going for a gentle walk, which helps improve circulation and allows you to change position and ease muscle tension. Rubbing the area in a circular motion for about 15 seconds can stimulate the nerve and blood supply to a few lower back muscles. Doing this once or twice a day can help relieve ache/pain, there are many kinds of ointments that help alleviating the pain, warm water compresses could also help you, but again these are only temporary measures. In case you find that these techniques don't work and aggravate the pain you feel, an immediate consultation with your physician is recommended.

How to pick up heavy stuff without hurting your back
No matter how hard you try, avoiding all the situations that may be stressful to your back is impossible. Sometimes you have to lift heavy objects. Of course, as the weight of the object increases, so does the risk of injuring your back. However, the actual stress on your back is also related to the position of your body when you lift the object. Understanding how body positioning affects your activities is called body mechanics. You can decrease your chance of a back strain or injury by using good body mechanics. Here are some tips that you could follow when you lift heavy objects (the image below helps you picture them):

Keep your feet shoulder width apart. A solid base of support is important while lifting. Holding your feet too close together will be unstable, too far apart will hinder movement. Keep the feet about shoulder width apart and take short steps.

Lift close to your body. You will be a stronger, and a more stable lifter if the object is held close to your body rather than at the end of your reach. Make sure you have a firm hold on the object you are lifting, and keep it balanced close to your body.

Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Practice the lifting motion before you lift the object, and think about your motion before you lift. Focus on keeping your spine straight; raise and lower to the ground by bending your knees. Never bend your back while lifting things (most of us tend to bend our spine, thus letting it bear most of the weight that is being lifted)

Tighten your stomach muscles. Tightening your abdominal muscles will hold your back in a good lifting position and will help prevent excessive force on the spine.

Lift with your legs. Your legs are many times stronger than your back muscles--let your strength work in your favor. Again, lower to the ground by bending your knees, not your back. Keeping your eyes focused upwards helps to keep your back straight.

If you're straining, get help. If an object is too heavy, or awkward in shape, make sure you have someone around who can help you lift.

Measures to be taken to have a stronger back

Remember, however old (or young) you are, it is never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle. Here are some tips that would help you have a stronger back.

Front Plank Exercise- Facing the floor, support your body up on your lower arms and your toes, and try to hold it for a minute, eventually progressing to a minute 15 seconds, a minute and a half, etc. To create more instability, raise the right leg, then the left leg, holding for 10 seconds. That move strengthens the overall core. The plank helps people begin to increase the weight they lift because they have a stronger back.
Superman Stretch- Lie on your stomach, with hands and legs outstretched. Lift the arms and legs at the same time, hold for 10 seconds, come back down and do it again. Work up to doing sets of those 10-second intervals for a minute. To add more resistance, do this while holding water bottles or cans of soup. This especially targets the lower back.
Don't sleep on a mattress that is too soft or mushy (its better to have one on the firmer end that supports your back well)
If your job mandates you to have a sedentary lifestyle, take a few minutes to get away from your desk for a quick stroll. This helps ease your back muscles and relaxes them.
Have a balanced diet- Overweight people tend to exert a lot of pressure on their spine. So make sure you eat right.
Exercise right - Do not be a couch potato. Push yourself to have some amount of physical activity everyday. A 30 minute aerobic walk at the park would do you a lot of good.
Have a stress free life- Spend time to figure out ways to keep yourself free of stress. Yoga can be a good way to De-stress for those with a hectic lifestyle; It will help you stay in control of those stress hormones.

For those of you who have an already injured back, please discuss with your physician before following the tips mentioned.

If you know of other ways to have a stronger back, feel free to pitch in with your suggestions. If you have a back breaking incident that you'd like to share, let me know how you coped with it.

Unsung Heroes, we salute you

2011-04-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

In a world where you find people executing mindlessly insane activities only to get some publicity to eventually become a celebrity, a world where we have people who would loose their head over achieving fame and ultimately end up being known for all the wrong reasons, it is heartening to see that there are those handful of heroes to whom we owe more than we can possibly know. Here is an ode to those unsung heroes who don't often make it to the headlines. the doctors who sacrifice their personal lives to enable the sick to be around their loved ones, soldiers who serve our country with patriotism, the care takers of the Fukushima Nuclear Plant (Japan) who were trying to stifle the imminent explosions by working around the Plant that might have blown up anytime, social reformers who have dedicated their lives to dissuade female trafficking ; to mention just a few who risk their lives so the rest of the world wouldn't get affected adversely.

These are people who do not have a lot of money, who do not have access to power, and some are not even liked by the leaders of their communities. They live a simple life of humility. Yet, they achieve the unthinkable and conquer the unimaginable with the richness of their minds. Each one woke up one day and decided it was up to them to start filling a need, these are truly extraordinary people. How many of us spend a few minutes to think of someone else much less the underprivileged?

To the Devout- God exists through these great individuals
To the atheist- Benevolence does prevail amongst some corporeal beings

Thanks to the media, these unsung heroes are now being appreciated for their selfless acts. Hollywood award shows come with glamorous stars, popular bands and tearful acceptance speeches, and laurels from CNN offered all of that along with a rare humanitarian twist. A celebration of regular people who toil against the odds to improve the lives of others.

If you know of any unsung hero that you think deserves more recognition and support, click here and fill out the form. If he or she qualifies to be a CNN Hero, they would not only be well known for their altruism, but also supported financially for their benevolence. If not anything else, nominating a hero is the least we can do to support our society.

Whats the Purpose?

2011-03-16T09:33:00.001-07:00

"A goal in life is the only fortune worth finding"

At work I often used to be a witness to interminable cribs from some of my colleagues. I find it intriguing since these are some of those who have a good career and a good family life, then why the cribbing??I know an ace student who has been successful in all her endeavors till date. Yet, she feels that she isn't doing something that is keeping her happy. To her, work has just been completely devoid of passion. Its OK to vent it out when you are frustrated, but if this has become a habit then I think that the way of life needs to be reinvented.

Everyone of us wants to ultimately achieve satisfaction and contentment, the ways in which we go about it sets us apart from the rest of the world. Sometimes we follow a path, a well established one, that was already laid down. This path lodges hordes of followers who believe they are running the race to achieve their goals in a relatively easier way and, occasionally, we are also met with the brave ones who define their own routes to success. Aping others' aspirations, although might prove to be serendipitous for some, is abortive to most. Until you find your goal, you will continue to feel lost.

Many of us view life in a myopic sense. We know what makes us happy now and just go with the moment. In certain ways, I've been that way too. But sometimes I wonder, What really is the purpose of our life? how do you find out what it ultimately means to you? some say that it is to be 'successful and happy', the meaning of which is very subjective. What is success and happiness? is it attributed to pecuniary rewards? is it to die with a clear conscience? is it to be an altruist who is known for his benevolence? or may be just leading a life of fulfilled duties/obligations (filial or otherwise).

Unless you are a part of the lucky few, you might not necessarily know the purpose of life. Whatever said and done, until you have carved your unique path to contentment, you will continue to be bemused and lost. This might seem overwhelming owing to the obscurity, but taking that chance and finding that goal is half the battle won. In the meantime you live, laugh and be merry.. at the end of the day, the question always comes back to you. I'm still figuring out my purpose. For those of you who have won half the battle, what do you think is yours?

Enduring Nature's Fury: Measures to survive an earthquake

2011-03-11T09:34:00.000-08:00

I was fast asleep at home in the wee hours of the morning when I was woken up to hear of the massive earthquake that had hit Japan a few hours ago. I turn on the news to see more on it only to find out the enormity of the impact that the 5 minutes of quake and its after effects as a tsunami had caused. The anxiety of those afflicted is insurmountable. It is such incidents that tell us how fragile life can possibly be, mother nature's fury is indeed difficult to fathom. There isn't much that we can do to prevent the occurrence of natural disasters, but we can always prepare ourselves to face one if need be. This post is to give you an idea of what you are expected to do in the event that you are faced with an earthquake.

Many cities in the Pacific Ring of Fire would be aware of the precautions needed to be taken for an imminent earthquake, that doesn't mean that no other part of the world is free from such natural calamities.

What actually happens during an earthquake?

The earth is made up of giant pieces of rocks known as plates. These plates form the earth's crust. The plates are always moving slowly and will sometimes bump into each other. Earthquakes may occur when the plates collide. They may also occur far away from these plates at cracks on the earth's surface.

What are the possible after effects?

Earthquakes have many ways to leave their mark on the land, and most of them are bad. Some of the after effects of an earth quake are:

Tsunamis - Giant tidal waves that can cause floods and are up to 100 feet tall. They often strike a long way away from the quake, and are very deadly. They are one of the most dangerous effects of an earthquake

Fire- Shaking causes broken gas lines. Then all it takes is a spark to start a giant fire. Fire was a big problem in the 1906 San Francisco quake.

Avalanche A sudden and rapid flow of snow down the slope of a snow filled mountain. In mountainous terrain avalanches are among the most serious objective hazards to life and property, with their destructive capability resulting from their potential to carry an enormous mass of snow rapidly over large distances.

Spills of hazardous chemicals, Flooding, damages to physical properties, death due the above mentioned factors (to mention some of them).

Safety Measures for an earthquake

If you live in an earthquake prone region, having an earthquake plan is an excellent idea. Make sure that all members of the family are aware of a centralized meeting place, pet evacuation plans with your neighbors, and keep stocks of emergency food (non perishable food, canned food that does not need to be heated to be consumed), water, medical, and sheltering supplies on hand. By planning ahead and remaining calm during an earthquake, you can greatly increase your chances of survival without injury.

If you are indoors when the earthquake occurs:

Move away from unsupported areas and windows
Try to get under a doorway or another area of the building which is held up by strong beams.
Shelter under a table or desk only if it is very sturdy, because otherwise it may collapse on you.
Do not rush for exits or elevators, because it is far safer to stay where you are.
Protect your head by wrapping your arms around it and curling into a ball, and wait for the shaking to stop.

If you are outdoors during the earthquake:

Move to an area which is as open as possible.
Avoid buildings, utility poles, and other objects which may fall during an earthquake and injure you.
Protect your head and stay low to the ground until the shaking ends and it is safe to move.
If you are in a motor vehicle, bring it to a stop as quickly as possible, avoiding bridges and overpasses.

After an earthquake, be aware that many buildings are destabilized, although they appear safe. If you are indoors, evacuate the building and assist disabled or injured individuals. Once outdoors, move well away from the building so that if it collapses, you will not be injured by debris. Wait until public safety officials indicate that it is safe to be indoors.

Have you ever witnessed an earthquake before? even a mild one on the Richter scale is OK to mention. Do you have any additions to the measures mentioned above?

Kids just wanna have fun!

2011-03-10T13:00:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I would go full throttle into things and have no qualms about the end results. I'd just give it my best and forget about the rest. As I grow older, I find myself to weigh my choices more scrupulously... so focused on the results that sometimes I forget to enjoy the path to it .
The act of balancing fun and maturity was not necessarily a cake walk when you were younger. But, you condition yourself to get better and eventually land there. At the end of all of this I now find that sometimes unleashing the kid inside each of us gets that much more difficult with all the maturity acquired over the years. Just a matter of being accustomed to changed priorities I guess. Mind you, its the kid that has as much fun as it possibly can (more than any adult).
There is a child inside every one of us, a child that is waiting to come out once in a while. It could be a courageous act, but let him get out now and then so you will know what fun truly means to you. How often do you unleash the child in you?

You don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies

2011-02-07T18:03:00.000-08:00

Social networking websites have off late become a significant part of an individual's life. Having mechanical lives and being the 'Human Bots' that some are with their professional lives, social websites proved to be a boon to keep in touch with family or those long lost friends from memorable periods of life that are now separated by time. Not long ago did I blog about orkut , it was a time when I hadn't heard of facebook, a time when FB was probably in its primitive stages of formation. Now, it not only seems to have topped the list of social networks that people resort to (heck! Now Chevrolet boasts that the ability to check Facebook messages from the comfort of the driver's seat is the greatest addition to the automobile since the AM/FM radio) but is also used as an instrumental tool to modify the image of the world on you; Your facebook profile talks of the way the world sees you and sometimes it is rather interesting to notice how different one could seem on FB when compared with in reality... an evolution over a period of time or a profile that belies the innate qualities... you can't quite tell.
For the longest time I did not quite care who Mark Zuckerberg was until I heard that he was the youngest billionaire who was named the face of the year 2010 by Time Magazine. Some people harp on his social awkwardness, but give the guy a break... he is 26 and has achieved what most people don't by the time their graves are dug. I commend him for his achievements. But, from the looks of the movie 'Social Network', FB was not necessarily the idea of one great mind, rather, was a culmination of an idea brought together by a few friends from Harvard. Mark might've made a few enemies on his way to stardom, yet, thanks to him, many are able to rekindle their 'once lost social skills' or start it afresh if they've never had one before. What do you think is the best feature on Facebook? Mine would be to be able to post/receive comments on a status/photo!

Am I on a diet? really??

2011-02-06T17:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday
4 ice creams on sugar cones, Chicken pizza, Salmon salad, tea ... dinner at Jupiter followed by an evening at the movies with the loved one beside me and pop corn in my hands

Lazy Sunday
French toast, Chicken Biriyani, chocolates, Superbowl and black eyed peas concert! ahhhhh a contended weekend with no thoughts what so ever on any kind of a diet :)..... time to hit the gym soon!!

The best thing about going to places is the joy of coming back home

2011-01-14T22:19:00.000-08:00

" A man travels the world to find what he needs
to only come back home to find it "

However far i go, wherever i travel, my heart stays in India! i miss all the puchkas, Bhel puris, a visit to corner house/ creamy inn, Forum window shopping, Commercial street bargaining followed by the glee when shopkeeper decreases the price (although deep down you might know that he would've inflated the prices before seeming to decrease them for you), Shopper's stop/lifestyle sales, times when we go half way around the city to help roomy find a good pair of footwear, Crib about putting on weight and having solace that the entire gang is that way so all can together think of ways to loose weight, Festive Diwalis that are loud enough to annoy our neighbours, the innumerably special programs on the idiot box, Marina Beach with some makka cholam, raw mangoes and sundal, Besant Nagar beach with the wonderful dogs, Murugan Idli Kadai (Sluuuurrrppp), Being able to park at a place relatively closer to the destination in the city and not worried about the car being towed away or receiving a parking ticket, Watching thalaivar's movies, listening to Radio Mirchi in the morning, Listening to தமிழ் பாட்டு, long drives on ECR, Taking my dog for a walk and playing with him on a lazy sunday, family dinners/lunches that were filled with laughter and fun. Surprising cousins/friends on their birthdays and the search for the perfect birthday gift from a month before the day, tingling happy sensation that adorns you when you see the joy in their faces to have given them what they have been looking for over a long time, dramas, plays, EVAM, French, Alliance Francaise, Pondicherry.
My journey so far had indeed been an adventurous one..

Chennai---> Kolkata--->Hyderabad--->Bengalooru--->Sweden--->
--->Paris--->Bengalooru--->Chennai

and now living in USA. Whew! what a journey it has been....sigh.. i miss India .. having said that and thought this not very long ago, am I to be considered as someone who is homesick? well, lets just say that i have learned and grown a lot more in the past few years and appreciate home a lot better now than before.

My Culinary Experiments

2011-01-13T09:34:00.000-08:00

Who said you cannot be a good cook if you haven't spent too much time at it earlier in life? with the sweet tooth that i have, check out my yummy work of art :) mind you, i am only show casing the baking part of my skills in this blog.

Oatmeal & Raisin cookies, healthy cause of oatmeal and yummy/crunchy for a wonderful quick bite

Chocolate muffins topped with roasted Pecan nuts, i forget my waistline when i dive into this :) once in a while it is ok to loose control on any kind of diet.. this is just too good to resist.

The birthday cake! this was my first attempt at baking, ok i know the icing is a bit amateurish, but it tastes better than what it looks!

Chocolate Chip Cookies, My darling little niece apparently loves them so much, can't wait to make them for her sometime again.

Writer's Block?

2011-01-12T10:18:00.001-08:00

Work kept me too busy to find time to do anything that i enjoyed (apart from enjoying work by itself). Life became monotonous and mechanical that i found myself to slowly loose the creative part in me (the down side of an IT world I guess). At one point there was a sheer attempt to keep this blog from dying, BUT, i was surprised to find myself bereft of ideas to blog about (Geez!). What had come upon me? this girl who used to have her own diary in her childhood, who is very garrulous otherwise, who thought that at some point in her life she will write a book is now not able to think of something to blog about? it was then when i decided that enough is enough, i don't want that innate talent to eventually fade off and realize one fine day that i could never get it back. It was time to face the battles and bring back my strengths. Its been so long since i took time to pen down my views on things that i had almost forgotten how much i enjoy it! As I venture into this quest, I start by revamping my blogspot :) love the new look it now has. Looking forward to an interesting writer's (if i can call myself that) ode this year.

PS- Writer's block was officially broken y'day :)

Tadaaa!

2011-01-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Not so long ago I was in a different phase of life when i blogged this . Its been three years and two months since.... Here i am blogging for the end of one phase and start of another...
Can't believe its been around 6 months of connubial bliss already, still feels as fresh as the first day :) heres to 'Us'

PS: Feels like its been a decade since i last blogged, posted one of my favourite pics from the wedding album here to mark my comeback...ts good to be back! hoping to be more regular penning down my musings.

IT world's occasional serendipity?

2008-06-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Lost in work at the office, most of us in the IT world hardly get to see daylight except for when on our way to office. After many months I witnessed a sunset yesterday on my way home. Now how many of us get to do this often? not me! :)

One Level Up!

2008-02-11T03:48:00.000-08:00

I wake up on a Sunday morning after snoozing the alarm thrice, freshened up, took my books and walked a little down the puddled road before I spotted an auto rickshaw. I walked up to him and said “bhaiyya, JNC?”. A smiling face beemed at me replying "bhaito ma", and to my shock this auto wala reminded me of a 'Big B' who drives an auto for a living! Superstition has it that there are 7 people in this world who look alike… and gosh! If it weren’t for the way this auto wala carried himself.. he could’ve actually passed on for Amitabh Bachchan. Anyways, keeping aside this little rendez-vous, I get into the auto and 10 mins later… voila! There I see JNC. I enter it and I am suddenly reminded of my undergrad days. Students were bustling in and out of the class rooms, running around the corridors with their bags so they could ‘just make it’ for their classes. Brushing away this bout of nostalgia, I continue to walk up to the security and explain the situation to him and he replies: “Room no 24”. So I find my way through that mini maze of laboratories and class rooms and locate room number 24. I spot a lady inside, so before I go in, I say..

Me: “Excusez moi madame, est ce que c’est 1B? (Excuse me m’am is this 1B?)
She: “ oui oui, entré” (yes, come in)
And I am thinking “Alliance Francaise, Niveau un B… Voila!! Je suis prêt!!!” :) (Level 1B, I am ready!)

That’s right, I am moving on to the next level of French! and after my first class here, I realize that this is no cake walk when compared with level 1A!

PS- For the uninitiated, JNC is a college for UG & PG courses, however, Allinace Francaise has a tie up to conduct its classes here.

Birthday Blast

2007-12-27T23:18:00.000-08:00

2 years of happiness, joy, some sad moments, great leaps, first times, ventures, different chapters, different people.... 2 years of blogging. In case you are still wondering what I am refering to...I completed two years in blogosphere this December 22nd... belated birthday wishes to me! :)

A Solitary Feast

2007-11-22T21:29:00.000-08:00

Being a foody who is fond of the Indian Spices, I've always wanted to taste authentic Hyderabadi Biriyani. During my short stay at Hyderabad, all the attempts to excite my taste buds with a sumptuous meal of Hyd Biriyani were at vain, I was never able to get anywhere close to it. It was always the long hours of work, bomb blasts, bridge collapses, riots or the rains that proved to be impediments. Today I satiated my long lasted desire, yup! I had Hyderabadi Biriyani for lunch... in Karnataka! ..not so paradoxical after all huh...

PS- it wasn't all that great in a different 'state'. I still want to taste it the "Andhra Style" :)

Bonne Journee!

2007-11-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

If your wondering what that means its 'Have a nice day' in French. No, I am not going to France (not just yet...) but i'm learning French and thz wat the excitement is all about :) I've always loved the language and am enjoying every bit of it!

Singled Out!

2007-10-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

I come back home after a long day only to receive a call from an old friend. We kept yapping about the past and were busy catching up with each other's lives when I hear that she had gotten engaged and would be getting married early next year. Its been almost six months since I completed my post graduation and it is quite surprising to see the rate at which people I know are getting ready to tie the knot. I have received over 5 calls in the past 3 weeks from near and dear ones calling to invite me for their weddings/engagements, I open the various mail groups that I am a part of and I see soft copies of wedding invitations. In the past couple of months I have received so many of those "I'm not single any more" calls (be it marriage or otherwise). Its very strange how things change once your friends get hooked. Well who knows how much time I have left with the other 'single' friends of mine..... or may be they wouldn't be single by the time I finish this blog ;) ...

Minding my language

2007-10-18T06:53:00.000-07:00

"Mind Your Language" is a British comedy television series that started in 1977. It was set in a school for adult students in London, focusing on English as a foreign language. The class consists of foreigners with varying degrees of English proficiency from various parts of the world. The humour of the show is derived from the students misunderstanding English words or terms and plays up to the cultural stereotype of their individual nation of origin.

The "Thousand appologies" by Ranjeet Singh, knitting of cardigans by Jamila, Jolly good times that Ali has, Su Lee's interesting lounds of lolling(interesting rounds of rolling) the R's have all been a hit contributor to the humour in this series, one can never get bored watching Jeremy Brown (Bary Evans- the English language instructor) trying his best to convey the message across in English with poise. Its been over 10 years and since I last watched it in the late 1990s but still can't stop laughing at the funny one liners when i see it today . Kudos to Stuart Allen to have produced this all time comedy hit.

Hidden Truths

2007-10-13T22:44:00.000-07:00

Take up the following quiz..and read on..

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies, awards tarnish, achievements are forgotten, accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how this one goes:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

So party with them!!!

Home Sweet Home

2007-07-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

smooth drives, smiles to receive you, great tamil music playing all over, Thalaivar's poster everywhere, hot weather, long naps, late lunches, home cooked food, most hours spent lazing, catching up with friends, chatter of cousins, mom's love, dad's advice, niece's tantrumps, arguments with sibling, a visit to the frequented parlour after ages, a good book in your hands... how wonderful it is to be back home! no matter how independant you'd want to be, a trip back home does wonders to you.

Monotony Debarred?

2006-10-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

Internship here!!....Whew! finally!. Work has already begun. Its been two weeks now and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. Looking forward to learning a great deal here :)

Dinner with the Coast Guards!!

2006-09-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

Well well, I guess I just have to thank my lucky stars 'cause I GOT TO HAVE DINNER(well..... some commestibles actually) in a coast guard ship!! I have never set foot on a ship before and this certainly is one of those cherished moments. The captain was friendly enough to show us around the ship and explain the various parts of it. We visited all areas of the ship except for the deck. Man! these guys really have fun, They have the pleasure of going scooba diving,snorkling and what not whenever they can, winessing nature's beauty oh! how lucky. But this is just the glamorous aspect of living out of the sea...looks like the land can b gravely missed(cherished).

ps- what u see is not the coast guard ship.. just the view from the ship thats all :)... one isn't permitted to take pictures of coast guard ships ( the inside of it)

Onum Ashamsakal!!

2006-09-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who didn't understand the title.. wish you a very happy Onum.. yup thats right Onum celebrations are up... I've never celebrated Onum before.. but this year...with the flower arrangements and the sumptuous meal@ college... WOW.. it was great!!..

ps- well its been two days...i'd still like to wish you all :)

Bemused by the day!#%?

2006-06-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back after a loooong hiatus...feels good to be blogging again :)..been quite busy with exams and assignments so thought I'd just take a well deserved break for a few minutes :) ...well I've initiated the journey of a thousand miles...I'm doing what I think I want to do and at the same time keep asking myself "what I want out of life"..the answer to this question (sometimes) seems to never be a constant...well.. as long as I'm enjoying wat I do I guess it shouldn't be a problem..so I continue to do what I do with a slight nag of confusion pinned to the back of my mind with the hope that things would seem less hazy sooner or later... wish me luck!

Pinning Romantic Hopes..

2006-05-07T04:06:00.000-07:00

After a good night's sleep I woke up late on a lazy sunday morning. Getting done with the usual morning routine, I switch on the computer to check my mail(umm... ok.. I guess thz very much a part of my morning routine too :D) and I had a message from a friend asking me to check out this and I was wondering.. "romatic hopes on a software??"... hmmm....seems like google has classified "love" as just another search problem. Well I personally think that you need to give it more credit than just that! The 'search' problem is associated with the initial stages alone but there is definetly more to it. How can a software help you locate your soul mate?What do we actually look for in a relationship.. Do we think that opposites attract? Are we looking for someone who has a lot of things in common with our 'individual' selves? or do we believe that both the parties involved need to complement each other? if its the latter, then how would an algorithm help us?hmmm trusting a software for a soulmate.....weird?

Go Yuva!!

2006-04-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

View from the hill top(worth all the efforts of enduring the blindfold!)

After a year of an "almost boring life" I got to spend 3 fun packed days with a bunch of friends.The days started as early as 5.45AM and PROBABLY ended by midnight or much later. I had trekked,learnt salsa ;),directed a skit, acted in a play, learnt a little bit of yoga,taught a guy how to do some cat walk(now that was a HUGE success! :P hehe),pretended to be a mad man for about 15 minutes, danced away to glory with loud music around, attended a workshop conducted by Karthick Srinivasan(a part of EVAM theatre group), played some football and ended up with a hard hit on my face(my first time with football)but I enjoyed the game thoroughly.The trekking experience was kinda unique here though, It gave me a feel of how it would feel to be blind 'cause I was made to climb the hill BLINDFOLDED!(you see we were trekking with a theme and the theme here was that we were on an aircraft that had crash landed so there were a couple of us who were blind, a couple others who were deaf and a few who were dumb and a bunch of them who were all hale and healthy and we all had to get ourselves to the other side of the hill.So it was upto the healthy ones to guide the rest safely in their paths)..trust me guys.. it wasn't easy at all..with huge the rocks, thorn plants and slippery paths people had to help me all the way up and it certainly was a huge responsibility to the ones guiding me all through the way.All I had to do was trust them with their verbal directions(even if I was supposed to jump over rocks).Well...on the whole It was nice to spend 3 continuous days without a single minute of boredom pinned to it. Looks like the experimentations have paved out some new avenues in my life. As I pursue most of them, I still continue to be a lab rat! :P

ps-Yuva is what we called ourselves(me n the bunch of friends)hence the title...

The show goes on..

2006-04-14T03:45:00.000-07:00

I finally closed another chapter, it wasn't the easiest but I managed to successfully complete it. This one probably was the most eventful,I'm certainly book marking it :). I move on to the next chapter with a lotta anticipation and little bit of apprehension, I look forward for more exciting scenarios. Wonder how the book is gonna turn out to be!

ps-for the uninitiated....I wasn't referring to some book I read, It refers to the journey of a thousand miles that is to begin with my first step :)

Giddyap horsey!

2006-04-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

Pleasant weather, breath taking views, Feast for the eyes, long strolls by the forest with the wind singing in my ears. Visiting Kodai hills, Ah! what a wonderful way to kill the heat of the summer! The top story of the stay is that I learnt how do ride a horse!! Now, the last time I got a chance to sit on a horse was almost 10 years ago and I could hardly call it "me riding the horse" 'cause the horse tamer did all the monouvering and all I did was sit still not wanting to drop out of the horse's back! But now... OH WOW!... how wonderful it was to get to ride a horse!.. I was taught the basic monouvers and VOILA! the next thing I know is that Jhonny and I are out for a stroll by the lake side :).

Well thats Jhonny boy soon after the ride we had! Isn't he a cutie!! look at that hunk smirk ;) ... going by that smile, I guess I wasn't the only one who enjoyed the stroll :P . Horse riding is total mast! and in this case, definitely an experience worth relishing! :)

Its all behind the mask!

2006-04-03T23:13:00.000-07:00

As I was sitting on my bed due course of my "practically indolent" life I jus started to think about the people around ... just any common man. Its quite noticeable that many people seem to feel in a certain way about things and yet express something quite contradicting as their opinion.A euphemistic approach to maintain diplomacy once in a while is alright( in situations where u have no choice but to be politically correct) but when you are self contradicting ALL THE TIME... man!... that can be quite a discussion.Among the 'many kinds' of people I've known there are just a few who would call a spade..." a spade" (if u know what i mean) hmmmmm.. now whoz to blame for this? yourself? or the society?I guess one could just settle down with both shouldering a part of the blame.We all would like to be accepted ,loved and admired... but why not for who we are instead of who we are forced to potray ourselves to be?attitude is what we think of ourselves and reputation is merely what others think of us.Yet, sadly, we are forced to sell ourselves in this world of today where, sometimes the mask you wear plays a more significant role. All I'm saying is that appearances sometimes can be deceptive.Oh well Life is one big game...it could probably be fun trying to figure out someone's trueself (sometimes beneath all those layers of falsehood and prevarications..)...HEY! I'm not being totally cynical ... I do know of some sweet,honest,trustworthy and 'good to spend time with' people...I'm jus saying there aren't too many of those around...

The Feline that I am...

2006-03-31T22:45:00.000-08:00

Took this Feline test here ... well I'm just glad I was compared with one of my favourite comic strip characters!!

and this is what it had to say...

You're Hobbes. . You are kind, intelligent, loving, and good-humoredly practical. You're proud of who you are. At the same time, you're tolerant of those who lack your clearsightedness. You're always playful, but never annoying. For these traits, you are well-loved, and with good cause.

:D!!

Go on.... take a test and leave a comment as to which feline you were compared with...

A Fishy Delight

2006-03-28T21:07:00.000-08:00

Its been almost a year now since I stopped eating any sort of non vegetarian food.Last year I had made up my mind to give it up temporarily for a couple of reasons ...I told myself to never get tempted at the sight of chicken or any such animal food for the next year at least. "Its true that they taste delicious,but they are living beings too..." I thought,but then again..when you think about it you always kill someting for you to live,aren't plants living things too?why is it that we don't mind eating plants? so what if they can't scream out?... the fact still remains.... animals or not we kill in order to live! is this where "survival of the fittest" comes into play?... why is there so much hype about animals being killed alone? I don't have a problem with the protests against animal hunting ,infact, I am for it when it comes to the endangered ones,but why animals ALONE?We kill some living thing or the other at some point in order for our lives to sustain,so why not chicken or fish? well.. I finally tasted some fish after A LONG HIATUS and it didn't seem all that weird... VERY DELICIOUS actually ! ;)..YUM!!

It just goes on....

2006-03-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

"If you can't fly,run
If you can't run,walk
If you can't walk,crawl
But whatever you do keep moving"

-Martin Luther King

I believe that when it rains, it pours
I believe that sometimes it is better to unexpect the expected
I believe that trust is a must
I believe that I can't support hostility(sometimes not even remotely)
I believe that you are your own judge
I believe that the conscience has to be clear
I believe that to err is human
I believe that to forgive is divine
I believe that sometimes there is no control(limit?) over the above two
I believe hypocrites are sick
I believe that the past is not history
I believe that not every time is the future a mystery
I believe that everything happens for a reason
But most of all ...
I believe that Come rain or shine
Even if your stuck in a land of mines
Life just moves on....

This post is directed at that one person who i doubt will ever read this... u knw who u r.. lets c if theres a comment from u......
ps-a hint.... MAT***

I,Me,Myself..

2006-03-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

"Growing old is mandatory
Growing up is optional"
-some wise man..

An MBA aspirant that I am, filling up essays put forth by most of the B schools made me question a lot about myself and evidently I discovered a whole new perspective(in certain small ways) to who I really am.."How difficult is it to know yourself ?" you might ask but I say.. it is probably the most difficult yet at the same time the most easiest thing that can be done.I discovered parts of myself that I never knew existed.. that no one ever knew existed ..Its amazing when u realize the full volume of your potential .All you gotta do is loosen up a bit and cut yourself some slack now n then.Afraid of not being a perfectionist?..heck no one is!you get ur hands dirty, screw up once in a while.. n jus move with the cheese..scared of making a fool of yourself? scared what others might think of u.. frankly my dear.."no one really cares!",so you might as well turn it to your advantage.Experiment all you want NOW 'cause you may never know what is about to happen in the future.."live like there is no tomorrow" and most of all know thyself! after all you are going to be the person living with yourself the longest and you'll discover that there is no helping hand more available than the one at the end of your own arms.

Word Mania !

2006-03-13T01:33:00.000-08:00

A mixture of all the words in my blog !.. for those of u who want to try it out.. check this out..pretty interesting....

ps- look close.. ur names jus MIGHT b there :P

..And thereby ends another year..

2006-03-05T02:11:00.000-08:00

"If you think happiness is sunshine
Then wait till you've danced in the rains"

Most people cherish their school years when compared to any other time of their lives.I've had some memorable occasions during school,quite a few actually but, I have had even more such occasions in college.Every year on this day I am reminded of some of the sophomoric acts of the previous year but then, I also realize the wisdom carried forth since.I used to lead a carefree and monotonous life ,didn't quite experience many aberrations.I was more of a private individual with closeted thoughts and thats how life started out in college as well..but... when it was time to leave college I was struck by the 'transition in me' at the end of it all.These 4 years defined who I was goin to be in terms of personality and interests.It had made a world of a difference to me when compared with the 12 years of schooling....It was in college that I started to look well before I had to leap,it was here where I started to taste some of the bitter sweetness that life had in stock, where I broke open my protective shell,took chances,widened my horizons,sometimes took the road less travelled(oops... an overdose of that in the blogosphere :D),had "my first" shot at many things,it was here where I had this intense desire to "let go" and go full throttle into the world,where I sometimes felt like screaming"HEY MURPHY! quit playing with my life!",experienced the catch 22 situation of starting the journey (of life) with the destination in mind....the latter of which depends on the direction taken at the start of the journey,it is here where I fell down and picked myself up...college had made me stronger,wiser,happier,cooler.... I could go on and on.It is true that college had taught me more than it should have,but in the past one year alone I have experienced portions of it all ....joy,sorrow,love,hatred,jealousy,bond,trust and deceit..... more than what college had to offer in those 4 years...hmmm all of this in just a span of 12 months!... my oh my looks like my life is not just a concatenation of mundane events! :P .Today is the last day that I am 21.....I initiate the 22nd revolution around the sun tomorrow ! and to celebrate that.. I start off by drowning myself in a sea of gulab jamuns! :D

Am i insane?!

2006-02-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

I have a bird in the hand
Its probably worth two in the bush
I'm letting it go
I feel so foolish!
I regret it lots but I tell myself "shush"
Its all been done,watz left is just a push
I'm told its for my best
Yet am worried it wouldn't be a zest
A bare naked future lies ahead
I'm taking a chance and I hope to see some bread
Is this right or is this wrong?
I'm deafened with "the uncertainty song"
What might come of it
I don't know
Hope to see some sunlight
Amidst the snow
I believe I'm making the right choice
Decided to face the consequences with courage and poise
I've chosen my path,its the road less travelled
I just hope at the end of it I am less baffled!

-custom made

An apple a day..

2006-02-21T01:47:00.000-08:00

There were times when i didn't think much about my past, was oblivious to the future and jus enjoyed the present.This does sound kinda like a cool attitude..but i wonder how effective it actually is.Indeed,memories of your past and hopes of your future pave the way for ur 'present'..There have been phases of jus brooding over what has happened or jus dreaming of what will happen or jus thinkin of what is happening...oh what the hell.. no one is perfect!! but i guess a balance of the thoughts of the past and the present would do the trick of keeping your future from being tense!I've always believed in living in "an apple a day" style.. just not sure if its of complete worth ...

Voidness turned inside out

2006-02-07T03:54:00.000-08:00

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

This poem is usually interpreted as an assertion of individualism, but one might argue that it is a slightly mocking satire on a perennially hesitant walking partner of Frost's who always wondered what would have happened if he had chosen their path differently.
So true are Frost's words.I have a loving family,a circle of friends who i care about and yet i sometimes feel an emptiness inside me.... some sort of apprehension.Is it because of the unpredictability of the future?or is it the fleeting horizon that seems further away the more you approach it?Is it because of the choices I had made?The road I chose to travel?Is it because you sometimes feel useless or some other times when u feel you have been used?people who make u feel the latter two are worthless to be in touch with.. instead when someone helps u realize the futility of some of your actions.. then you certainly are lucky.I'm lucky I've always had someone to pull me out of the well right when i was drowning.But may be i wouldn't have fallen into it in the first place if i had chosen the road most travelled.Yet.... it is a lesson worth learnt with an experience! ....The emptiness sometimes just lingers,I don't know why.It disappears,sometimes for a long time, but then, it does reappear.

Been Orkutted yet?

2006-02-03T06:25:00.000-08:00

Google had quietly released a social networking service called orkut, named after Orkut Buyukkokten, a Google software engineer who developed the project during personal time allowed to him by Google.
A little while after its release most of us were bit by the orkut bug!"how interesting can it ever be when compared with having a real time conversation with a far away friend using a messenger?" i thought...but once bitten.. there is no escape. When you are quite bored and bugged,Orkut can help you with the 'temporary whiling away' of time.Its amazing to see the increasing number of users,so many new members everyday.I caught hold of a few friends i hadn't met in a few years now and have also become good friends with a couple of them since.Those who are engrossed in the "Great Indian IT Culture" seem to have time for nothing except an orkut scrap to keep in touch..looks like they are making the maximum use of the technology after all.With the internet becomming the ONLY resort for many things for most of us... i wonder if we'll ever get back the good old days of hand written letters!The race is on for the increase in the number of scraps.. i hit my first 4 digit number a few days ago..MAN! am i jobless or wat!For those of u who have no idea what i'm talking about.. jus wait and watch.. it isn't too long before your bitten by the bug!

The Butterfly Effect

2006-01-26T11:42:00.000-08:00

"It has been said that something as
small as the flutter of a butterfly's
wing can ultimately cause a typhoon
halfway around the world"
-Chaos Theory

inspired by "The Butterfly Effect"... which is truly a brilliant movie!one with a novel idea.. those of you who haven't yet watched it..u really should! an amazing storyline with unexpected twists....man! it makes u wonder about a lotta "what if" factors in life..its something i've thought about quite often(as futile as that might sound..).. but to see a movie made out of it.. WHOA!...was reminded of all those times in life when i was met with crossroads...its nice to see an entry away from the normal chain of monotonous flicks...

Finally been tagged :P

2006-01-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Alright guys,i've been tagged by sawai for a meme... If you dunno what memes are check out the post explaining what memes are.

Four Jobs You've Had In Your Life:
i am sadly only a student.. still unemployed!

Four Movies You Would Watch Over and Over:
Mission Impossible-1
Mouna Ragam
A Beautiful Mind
PKS(Pammal K Sambandam)

Four Places You Have Lived:
Lived all my life in chennai

Four TV Shows You Love To Watch:

F*R*I*E*N*D*S
Home Improvement
Full House
Kate and Ally

Four Places You Have Been On Vacation:
Shimla
Delhi
Pune
Most places in Tamil Nadu.

Four Websites You Visit Daily:
orkut
google
webster's online dictionary[:O]
gmail :P

Four of Your Favorite Foods:
Anything Indian
Anythin Chinese
Pizzas
Burgers

Four Places You Would Rather Be Right Now:
Jammu/Kashmir
Paris
Switzerland
Anywhere there is snow :P

Four Bloggers You Are Tagging:
Praveen
Indu
pavi
gosh i need more blogger friends!!

ps-sawai... 4 is too less an option for someone... a more difficult tag would sound more interesting dont u think :P..am guessin ur already at it! but heyyy dont get too techy man!

December!

2006-01-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

December! a month to celebrate... but celebrate what? the awesome year that is about to end or the better one that u anticipate to have a few days henceforth?Its that time of the year when u pore over texts during the last few days before exams n finish up with another semester,get updated with the forth comming new releases(of movies ofcourse!),camp in satyam complex / eat outs, have sleep overs,spend time planning outtings, get screamed at for the HUGE HIKE in phone bills,initiate certain "never been thought before" impulses,welcome christmas cakes,watch aids awareness/funding programs on TV,witness world aids day,tell grand mom that you'll learn to cook this hols n never visit the kitchen,try wacky coiffures,check out lifestyle sale,bug dad for an exciting trip the comming summer,hear all about the much 'hush'ed of the oscar winner this time,hope and pray to not have a tsunami,think of interesting ways to spend new year's eve or spend the eve jus watching tv with your loved ones,start to reminisce,think of resolutions to make for the comming year,try hard to remember the ones made the previous year etc etc..but when u think about it guys quite a lot spend most of December thinking of or asking others for their resolutions,well making resolutions is not hard at all,lets see how many of us ACTUALLY stick to them for the entire year, why is December the 'resolution mania' month?some of us don't even remember them through the course of the year ! seriously watz the funda behind waiting for the new year to begin to resolute?any day is just as good as January 1st ! my December last year was..ummm... weird/strange/nice/unique (if u know what i mean)... lets see how different the next one turns out to be!

Oh i only wish!

2006-01-13T09:14:00.000-08:00

Many a time in life u desire for the best,you work towards it and sometimes it jus becomes an "oh i only wish" incident.It kinda bugs to know that ur not in complete control of ur life.So many dreams have become reality and so many realities have become a nightmare,another one of those tortuous turns i guess...sigh!.."patience is virtue" i tell myself .....got my running shoes on... waitin to reach the end of the tunnel soon!(oh i only wish i knew how that end wud b! :P)

The Constant Variable of Life

2005-12-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

Ever gone through that stage when u felt u have to redefine too many things in ur life cause most things seem to have lost their meaning?... well i was having an intense conversation with a friend the other day.. he happened to catch me on one of those "not so good mood" days.The bottom line of our conversation revolved around "CHANGE". This is how our conversation went

ME :Don't you feel that sometimes changes happen too often,too quickly and that sometimes they can be too much for u to handle?
HIM :Hey..there isn't much that can be done...things change and u can't help it, people change n u can't help it
ME :Its not the change that matters!.. i welcome "a change for the better"..Its jus the lousy excuses given for and the occurence of certain ridiculous(unnecessary) changes..
HIM : Change is change..whether you like it or not! things, people and situations always change... with acceptance comes satisfaction.

This conversation left me musing... i guess change is an inevitable element in any individual's life.. Ironically change can also be the only constant variable in one's life.All your life u believe in certain things and then suddenly like a bolt out of the clear sky you are forced to think otherwise cause of certain "uncalled for and unpleasant" circumstances.Sometimes life hurls at u things which might leave you stumped but thats life for u!you whine,you crib,you look for some solace..sometimes its family and sometimes its friends or sometimes its neither.But u buck up and move on.. cause somewhere along your path you can hope for some shunshine.Is there nothing permanent in this fleeting world?..well there probably r a few constants in life...BUT.. those are fewer in number when compared with the variables and day by day the number keeps dwindling.Things I once believed were "permanent" are not a part of my life any more and things I once thought were "valuable" have lost their meaning, who is responsible for my checkered life?..me? well what can i do about things beyond my control?