Melodious Jingles

Leg with a plaster

2011-12-29T17:02:00.001+05:30

With a greatplan me and my uncle’s family started from our house for shopping. After a long gap, I was going out without mykids. And that too for shopping. I was very excited. Two three hours of fun, I wasmaking plans of what all to buy and all.

Just somefifty metres from my house, there is a main road. We had to cross the main roadto board the bus. I was waiting for the vehicles to clear off and to cross theroad. When there were no vehicles, I startedto cross the road. And Dimmmm.. I feel down .. I myself didn’t knew what hadhappened. I tried to get up and stand back, I was not able to .. Fell down onceagain. Oh my leg was hurting. Both the legs. One near the ankle and one nearthe knee. I understood. I had sprained my ankle. I tried to get up again. I was not able to.With the help of my uncle I got up and sat near the bench.

I saw myleg, one leg is gone, it was bleeding. Mmm..A small one, I need not worry about that. The next leg which was hurt nearthe ankle had swollen.

Yes. Therewill be a fracture. Uncle told. Immediately we rushed to the hospital and therest all followed. Ankle fracture, plaster, bed rest, Review in one week, Medicine chart .. blah.. blah.. blah ..

After anhour or so, we started back from the hospital. On the way back, my husbandstopped the car near the medical shop and was adamant on buying a walker. I told him it is not necessary becauseI will get better soon, and then it will go for a waste.

When wereached home and I tried to get out of the car, I realized that I am not ableto walk. I am not supposed to put my plastered leg down. How will I walk withone leg. Impossible. With a smile my husband came with the walker and asked meto use it. With much difficulty ..Iwould say ..much ..much difficulty I limped, jumped and did all that to enter my home. By this time the neighbors had all assembledto enquire.

“My god,what happened. I just saw you walking and going somewhere …”

“When ithappened.. “

“Whathappened ? “

So manyquestions. I was not in a mood to answer. I left all that to my relatives and Itried my level best to reach inside and sit on my bed.

I wasjumping with the help of my one leg and the walker , my daughter started crying.I tried to console her. No use. She was crying loudly now.

Son , who isonly two and half year old years saw fun in me jumping like this and he startedlaughing out loud. Seeing this we all busted out laughing. A smile can ease all the tension. I got energy.

Later wheneverything got settled, my daughter came and sat near me and asked

“Mamma, Isit paining ?”

“No dear,its not..”

Mamma, I amsad .. Seeing this big plaster in your leg.

“Nothingdear, it is a small wound. Just that they have put a big plaster.So that I shouldn’tmove my leg”

“mmm.. thankgot that you didn’t hurt both your legs. If that was the case, how you wouldhave walked”

Yes..Correct ..See that is the positive way of taking the things. I realized. Thankgod that atleast one leg is spared for me to walk and all.

Now mywalker is my close friend. I simply love it. It helps me a log now a days. To walkhere and there.

You know, its very diff to sit confined to some place for thewhole day. It is difficult. It is frustrating. Are you able to understand. ?

What did I do? Did I Run ? Jump ? Skipped ? No.. I simply walked. Then Why thishappened.

Suddenly I remember the quote

When you are the anvil, Bear

When you are the hammer , Strike

Yes, I am now positive. I am taking it as a goodchance to sit and spend time with the kids. Yes, One thing is that I am notable to take them out. But here , sitting here at home I am thinking of ways inwhich I can keep them occupied. Playing with them, learning with them and doingmany things. Good times .. Happy times

Namma Metro

2011-11-17T23:49:00.001+05:30

Waiting in front of Citibank on MG road, I checked for anybuses to come to my place, that is ITPL. Waited for five to ten minutes, noteven one bus came. I understood that this is not the main bus route. I was onmy first trip to M G Road alone. This November 23^rd , it will be 10years since I first landed in Bangalore. Shocked to hear this ? Yes, I myself was shocked. I never had a needto go to M G road ALONE, Please note the word ALONE. I had visited it with mybrother, and husband many times. But this was a time when I am going alone andthat too in the bus. So thrilled with my excitement I stood there watching the Metro trains goingthis side and that. Yes, it clicked me. I will try metro. So I checked thelocality of next station. It is near to Brigade Road. Walkable distance. Istarted walking.

Nearing the metro station I started feeling the difference. It was well maintained. I entered and aftersecurity checking, went to the ticket counter. “Byappanahalli” - I said and got a token. That is the ticket.I asked when is the next train. “Every 10 min there is a train” – got thereply.

I went inside and sat on the platform seat. Many people werethere to board the Metro with me. I looked at the crowd. Some normal passengers– means they are travelling on a day to day basis on this metro. Some are newpeople, who wanted to try the metro. One lady who was pregnant has come withher husband. She was happy and it was visible In her face. A father was tellingabout metro to his little one. An old couple waiting anxiously for the train tocome with a water bottle in his hand. One whole family out on a jolly trip. Theywere taking photos sitting and standing.

There was announcements going on about the train arrival andthe stations. Eager passengers were again and again going to the end of theplatform to see whether the train is arriving or not. The security persons at the platform where continuouslywhistling and making sure that none of the passengers were crossing the yellowline which was meant as the lakshman Rekha.

At the end , the great Metro train arrived. There was a hugenoise as people were trying to align themselves with the door which will beopened. I saw that the train is driven by a girl. I felt good seeing that. Sheis capable of taking such a big responsibility. Felt good. People rushed and got inside and was runningfor seats. I also tried to find one for me, so that I can enjoy the journey. Igot one and made myself comfortable. The train started moving. Oh ..So great itwas . Same as that of metro which I travelled when in germany. I really feltproud that I am travelling in a metro in India and that too in Bangalore. So good.

Stations came and went. Trinity, Indira Nagar, Halsuru ..andByappanahalli reached very fast. I enjoyed the scene and the journey withsatisfaction of my heart. The trainjourney ended and I got down. Decided that I will come back with my familysoon. When coming out, we have to give the token there. Only then the door willopen. Superb, all set up very good. Stations are also very clean and neat. Hopethis remains like this for years together.

However I felt very proud and happy that I could travel inNamma Metro. I came out of the stationmaking plans for my second travel in the metro.

Happy Children's Day

2011-11-14T14:42:00.001+05:30

Today is Children’s day. Morningas soon as my daughter woke up, I wished her Happy children’s day. She was veryhappy. After sometime, I wished her again. She was even more happier.

She asked me “How many times youwill wish me , mamma “ ..
“Today I will wish you a lot many times dear” She smiled and I know that she was very happy to hear it.

Evening I am thinking of buyingsome gift for her and also my little cuttie one (who is very small and don’t understandthe meaning of this day).

I am thinking of the way in whichI am bringing up my children. Sometimes I feel that as a mom, I am a success. Ido the things which they want, I play with them. I take care of them, I feed them..etc etc .. Numerous things which we do as a mother. Which cannot be countedand also which cannot be rated in any scale.

But there are times when I feelthat I am not a good mom. When I try to impose something which I feel correctand which will do her good. But at my child’s age which will be difficult for themto understand and absorb it.

For example, my daughter doesn’t liketo write words repeatedly. She feels it as a punishment. But for her to learn,she will have to write. So to make her write I will have to adopt somestrategies. Sometimes the strategies will be good. She and me will enjoy doingit. Like

· “See, now ifyou write within five minutes, you will get an hour to play.” -- She gets excited and she writes it veryfast.
· “If youwrite it good, you will get a star. If you collect five stars, you are entitlesto one chocolate. “ – Good, she writesvery fast
· “Full marksin this dictation, we will go to playground today” – yes , this also clicked.

Sometimes all this will not work , then the following things come out

· “If you don’twrite now, I will send you for tution” -- I have told her that tution is for people who don’t learn at home, andthere they will make you write 5 – 6 pages everyday.
· “See, YourMaam have send me a mail asking about you. If you don’t write, I will send areply to her. “ - Paap she gets afraidand she will write
· “If you arenot writing, I will send you to boarding school and will bring you only inApril”

I know this is not good, because sheis getting afraid and she is writing out of fear. I am sad that I will have todo like this . But sometimes It happensjust like this.

When I am sitting idle andthinking I feel that I shouldn’t have told like this. This is bad parenting. Iadmit. And I am sad about that.

Similarly there are many a timeswhere we do something which will give fear to the children and will make themdo the things. No, this shouldn’t be the case. I should also not do that. Also asmall request to the parents. Please refrain from doing something like this.

I have seen worse parenting inmy neighborhood also. Where they beatthe child like anything and that too in the face and also torture him likeanything. Reason : the child is not writing.And want to know what is the age of the child. 3 years. At the age of threeyears, the child is not so grown to hold the pencil properly. Let them grow. Allowthem to grow. Please don’t force them like this.

Now a days, it is a custom to putthe child at an early age to school. Latest by Two years and 8 months, thechild should be in school. The early the better, is what parents thing. Please don’tdo such thing. Let the child enjoy. Letthem live their life happily.

Children are like butterflies.Let them fly to their heights. Don’t stop them, Don’t impose anything on them.If you want to teach them also, teach them in a fun filled manner. Don’t makethem feel bad. They are very sensitive. Small little cuttie minds. Don’t let abit of sadness strike their minds. As a parent, let us take this as a oath totry to do this.

Bangalore BMTC volvo

2011-11-14T13:31:00.001+05:30

BMTC Volvo buses which are plying across all roads of the Bangalore.. Awesome to travel.. AC Inside, easy to get in and get out , Reach fast ,neat ..etc etc ..yes, we do have n number of reasons for this ..I had travelledin this Volvo buses and is still travelling at times .. I found it verycomfortable. Also when I was travelling, the most advantageous factor was thatthe buses will stop wherever you want.

I am talking about ITPL buses. It will stop in front of allthe IT companies. Rather the stops are also called as per the companies name.Very easy for techies like me. Just can get out in front of the gate of ourcompany. So good, rite.

Also if we want to get in to the bus, just show your hand. Superb..

But never have thought the disturbances all these arecausing to the outside world. By Outsideworld I meant the people who are not travelling in the bus.

The reason for me to write this today is that I was drivingto my office in my bike and by luck I escaped an accident which would have beencaused by the Volvo, which follows the rules which I mentioned before. And notonly me, some other two wheelers and also one car would have met with anaccident because of the carelessness of the Volvo. Very reckless driving of thedrivers.

I wanted to stop and shout at them today, but couldn’t. Asthe traffic was very huge and me stopping the vehicle was out of question. Hencedumping the frustration here.

2011-07-28T23:48:00.001+05:30

Sitting here, I waited for him .. He is not to be seen .. Why is he not coming .. He was supposed to be here by 3.00 ..Now the time is crossed 5.00 ..

Tried calling him ..Mobile not reachable .. .Where will I go and search for him now .. Cant he give me a call and tell me that he will be late ..

Let him come, I will tell it ..This time it is going to be serious .. This is not the first time he is doing like that ..Always I am the person who waits for me ..

" Dear, today also abhay is late ?? " Uncle sam asked ..

"Yes Uncle ..he hasnt come till now.. "

I was sad .. But Uncle Sam was smiling .. He knows everything .. He has been seeing us for the past few years .. Few years ..My god .. years have passed ..Still we havent changed this place .. Our meeting place ..

"Sam's Paradise" .. Yes ..this is indeed a paradise .. Just sit here , sipping some coffee , chat and also relax .. Dont know how many hours we have spend here ..

Now Uncle Sam knows our likes and dislikes .. He brings us what we need .. And you know, he has a very interesting story to tell us .. A love story ..His life story .. How he met maggi aunty and how he fell in love with her and their life together till now ..

There she is coming ..With a beautfil smile ...Her dimples is the most attraction of her face .. The way in which it deepens when she smiles ..

"Hello Darling .." She wishes me with a smile ..

"Hello Maggi Aunty, how are you doing ? " ..

"Gods grace, I am doing good " .. She comes and sit with me .. I feel good ..She is the person who gives me company when this idiot abhay cheats me with this time ..

Maggi aunty chats with me, tell me stories of her childhood, asks about me ..and we continue our chats for hours ..

Its really interesting the way in which people meet and they become a part of our life .. an indispensible part ...

Maggi aunty started talking again .. and Sipping my coffee, I sat there listening to her .. Smiling :)

Cheerful Smile

2011-07-28T23:41:00.001+05:30

A cheerful face attracts attention always .. Yes, she was also cheerful .. She was a waitress of a restaurent which we had gone for dinner in germany ... From the beginning, she grabbed my attention ..She was very energetic ... She had little bit of difficulty in conversing with us in english .. But somehow she was managing it with actions and all ..For some lamb dish, she made the sound 'Baaa... baaa.. " and all .. And at the end, when I asked her permission for a snap, she readily agreed with a beautiful smile ..

Aint she beautiful ??

Aalo Bonda

2011-07-28T23:11:00.004+05:30

For the past few days, dont know why am so very interested in cooking .. Trying out different different dishes .. Inspiration from the following

1. Aayi's Recipe

2. Maria's Menu

If people like these maintain blogs like this, who not will be interested in browsing and trying out different differen things ..My god, I appreciate the patience of Shilpa and Maria and the n number of others who maintain food blogs .. How they take the pics and write in detail about the preparation ..Some even post photos of each and every step ..

I am somehow not of that type ..I want to finsih cooking fast .. Tick tick tick .. I want things to be done ..because i feel I am wasting too much of my time in kitchen , while I would be doing some productive things outside ..

But for the past few days, (as I was on leave and didnt had much work to do) I spend so much of time in the kitchen.. So this idea of food blog was in my mind .. I tried out diffrerent recipes ..But no, didnt had the patience to take photos, upload it and write it ..

Today somehow got enough time, so prepared Aalo Bhonda .. And thank god, was able to take a snap ..So here goes my first food post ..

Aalo Bonda

==========

Oh ..I should write the recipe also ..See now I am becoming a little lazy .. mm .. But a blog wont be complete without that .. I will write short

Boil Potato.. and take off the skin ..

Cut onion in to small pieces

Cut Ginger and Chilli in to small pieces

In a frying pan, Pour some oil and splutter mustard seeds

Put cut onions and let it fry till brown.

Add the ginger and chilli pieces and fry it till that good smell comes :) .. You are getting the smell .. haa ..good :)

Add salt to taste ..

Now smash the potatoes and add that too .. Mix well and keep aside ..

It will look like this

Now take some Besan powder, add some chilli powder, little salt, and Hing powder and mix it well with water .. Let the thickness remain

Another frying pan, boil oil for frying this..

Make small balls of the above potato mix, Dip it in the besan syrup and put it in the oil and fry well .. Aalo bonda ready .. Mine looked like this .. (photo not good .. i took it in a haste, as my kids were waitng to grab it and run )

How is it ?? Tasty .. Serve it hot and eat it hot .. Goes well with some spicy mango pickle ..Try it out and let me know how it was .. :)

HEy ... I have created a new blog for all the recipes which I am trying out .. You can read the blog here
http://aaloobonda.blogspot.com/

2011-07-20T10:04:00.001+05:30

From the day I got some nellipulli from my neighbour, I was waiting to post this in my blog ..But couldnt do it as I got little busy..

Nellipulli brings with it very sweet memories for me of my childhood .. Back in kerala, at my tharavadu, here was a plant of nellipuli (plant/tree – I think it is a tree) . We used to wait for the tree to start bearing fruit . And the afternoon’s were for eating those .. Just shake the tree and it will fall down .. Pick it from the ground, and eat it with salt .. Mmm . . Fresh and Juicy .. How can I forget the taste .. Still in my mouth ..

Happy day today

2011-07-12T00:22:00.002+05:30

Scribbling about a day spend good ..

Morning started with a good walk in the park .. Fresh air gushing through the nose and rejunuvating the nerves and cells, Body moved and warmed by work out.. The energy which was gained is in me till now 11.30 PM – wooow .. But I am damn sure that tomorrow I am going to get up late ..I am lazy now itself. No morning walk tomorrow .. May be evening , I will give it a try

Tried Paneer Manchurian today…Was feeling crazy to eat it .. Fried paneer with corn gravy .. Fried vegetables - onion, tomato, capsicum – with ginger garlic paste , Mixed with Tomato Sauce, Soya sauce and vinegar .. Mmmm ..it was yummy  Photo ..Sorry, I couldn’t take it .. May be next time when I make I will take it. . my friend Swapna maintains a good blog with beautiful pictures in it .. The pictures are awesome and mouth watery ..Do check this out here

Happiness of finishing the book “Dance upon the air by Nora Roberts” ..

This is the nth time I am reading this book.. I don’t know why I like that book very much ..Whenever I am in a bad path of my life, and I read this book, I feel good ..Very energetic ..and I feel that whatever be the circumstances, I will be able to come out of that .. This time also the same feeling .. Today, closed that book, finishing the last page .. Started reading four days back ..Not bad … Reading speed has improved ..

Evening went to my friends place .. She had a collection of churidar pieces for sale ..Bought three ..Didnt look at the prices ..Just bought it as I liked the colors .. One was purple ..Somehow like purple very much now a days ..

After that me and kids went to the terrace of our house .. Mine is a rented house and we are staying at the ground floor. First floor owner is staying and he has got a good garden.. Somehow I had not felt like visiting as I had a feeling that it was theirs and not ours .. I was happy with a small pot of Thulasi which I was having in my house .. Now, that had also dried out long back, so was left with some lifeless plastic flowers , which looked like original , still it was not with life .. It was there from the day when I first kept it and still there . ..Is it giving any beauty ??

At the terrace, kids had a good time … I gave them the job of watering the plants ..Both of them enjoyed a lot … How well, I had played with water and all in my childhood ..Now a days, with this concrete life style and the busy time schedules, kids are missing many things .. I was happy that I was able to do something like this..

I found out one small Thulasi and planted it in a new pot .. Gauri , my daughter also wanted to plant something ..So she was in that mode .. Krishna, my son was fully in watering the plants .. Gauri’s science subject starts with the lesson “Plants around us” and the second lesson is “Leaves and Flowers” ..So she was trying to relate the things which she had learned… She was so happy to see seeds and flowers and the leaves of different shapes and sizes ..One hour went just like that ..

Night again normal chores of Homework, My school ..Haa.. Now for gauri, all the school work will come updated in the portal Myschool.in.com . Everyday evening so the task is to login to the portal and check it. What all ways to learn ..And they can see her class mates,write some comments, like some comments, upload photos .. a mini facebook … Good ..Good . ..technological advance ??

So the usual learning time .. Say the spelling of computer .. Oh mother, how many times I will have to tell.. Dear, you have to learn it well, else how will I write it tomorrow for the test

“I don’t want to go to school tomorrow .. Our maam told that she will not leave us home if we talk In the class. “ - Gauri says

“ Don’t talk in the class …Simple” I replied with a smile

“I don’t talk in the class.. But my friends talk , so the teacher told if one person itself talk, she will not send anyone of us in the evening ” .

And she started crying ..

“What will I do sitting in the class the whole night ..I feel like seeing you ..I will miss you mamma .. “

Now a loud cry ..

“Dear, it is not like that ..Teacher as just saying it to frighten the children who are talking .. and not for you “

“no ..I don’t want to go to school .. please mamma ..please call maam and ask her why she is doing like this ..already I am going to school with much difficulty and she is telling like that .. “

No raksha ... Non stop cry ..
“Please call mamma ..Pls call her and tell “

I took the mobile and send an sms to my husband’s mobile .. Gauri narrated it for me … “Dear maam, please send all the children to home everyday .. Else, Sudha will come to school tomorrow.. Gauri will not cry in school tomorrow ..She will smile” .. and press send ..

Thankfully husband understood the context and he replied ,”Ok ..Sure .. Good Night Gauri” ..

She was very very happy to see that and slept happily .. Putting son to sleep was another episode .. half an hour spend in that ..

Now, am sitting here , trying to arrange the thought inside my head and putting it down … Time is already 12.20 .. Good time to sit and write .. Silent outside .. Leaves murmer is being heard .. I am sure there is cold breeze is being blown .. I go to the window and stand there .. Yes, coool ... it cools me .. and my face .. I feel happy .. Small precious things are free of cost .. But how and when all we see and enjoy those things .. am happy that I did some things today ...

But can we be happy everyday ..No, not at all ..see my case... the past few days were very bad ..and may be because of that today, I am writing so elaborately on being happy ... Attitude towards life is very important and it really matters how we look in to things .. I am realizing it now .. Precious moments of life .. not to be wasted in silly things .. Life is short ..and to be lived fully .. Enjoy each and every moment of life .. It will not come again

Learning again

2011-06-24T14:26:00.000+05:30

“Dumma, come ..Enough of play … see the time ..We will have to study now. There is lot much homework to complete “ - I called

“ Coming maa ..two minutes “

She has also learned my style of procrastinating by two min .. I should avoid it. I noted the point.

“ Dumma come, no time to waste. Only if we start now, we will be able to finish and then go to sleep early “

Hesitantly she came ..

“Take the books. And where is your diary “

She handed me the diary.

“What was taught in the class during the first period - English .. “

“We copied what maam had written on the board “

“What was written on the board”

“I don’t know .. it is there in the book maa” and she is searching for the book. “Oh ..book, maam kept it for correcting “

“Next period , maths “

“Downward counting .. I finished the home work too “ ..

“Good dear .. “ I replied and felt proud of her .. Relieved of one subject

“Next period .. Hindi “

“Home work is there .. read page 14, 15 and 16 “ She said

“Only reading ?? “

“Yes..Only reading “

“here is the hindi book ..Please take page 14 and read”

“Hamare Pashu” She read with difficulty .. and slowly she read it full .. of course with my help ..

Next page .. “ hamare Pakshi”

“maa ..waht is this ?? “

“Murgi ..means Hen ”

“Marugi” she repeated ..

“Not marugi .. Murgi” …

“Marugi … “

Paap ..she was not able to say it properly ..

Leave it ..Next word ..

“Cheel” .. Cheel ..what is it ?? I started thinking .. “Pappeeha “ .. whats this ?? next, next .. I don’t know the meaning of these words ..

Haa ..Kaboothar ..I know .. Dove ..

Thanks to the famous song .. Kaboothar jaa ..jaa ..jaa .. :D

But I don’t know the meaning of the other words..

“Dumma, why don’t you go and play for some time “

She was so happy ..and she ran away .

I immediately rang my co-sister and started asking meaning .. 10 min , reference to the dictionary and all , she was able to give me the meaning of all the words ..

I also want one dictionary badly .. I told her ..

Sure..Will get this this weekend ..she smiled 

So many things to learn and prepare and memorize ..

Its not long since I came out of college ..And again, am in to that mode of learning .. .

School again

2011-06-01T11:32:00.004+05:30

Last post which I wrote was about vacation.. So soon the vacation is over ..And my daughter, niece and all are going back to school. I started thinking of my old school days ..and wrote a small piece ..Just scribbled ..

Month of June .. comes with a mixed feeling ..

Sweet vacation got over ..

New school year begins ...

Got pretty new things ..

School bag, Pencil box, Erasor and Sharpner

And new books ..Smells fresh .. Mmm ...

Wearing the uniform I rush to school

To reunite with my friends ..

To talk and discuss about the holidays

And of course share the lunch with them ..

Class teacher coming ... Sweet good lady ..

Teaches nothing for the day .. No home work too ..

Noted down the time table .. PT is on wednesday ..

History period in the afternoon, so diff to sit ..

Rushing back home, I talk to mother

About the class and the friends ..

Relaxed for the day, as there is no homework ..

But tommorow I am lazy to go ...

Last year also I had written a similar post (read it here)..and now as I read it I realize that it is almost the same ..feelings are the sam e.. how can the feelings change ..When the same person is writing it .. The memories are the same .. Everything is same ..

Now, this year the only difference is that My daughter is going to first standard ..One year is gone ..So soon ..Will wirte about it in the next post .. "Just before you go to school " ...

Vacation : A short poem

2011-03-30T11:51:00.003+05:30

A poem which I wrote for my niece ..They are enjoying their vacation now

After a long wait Started our vacation
No hurdles of waking up No need to open Books
Simply play, Do masti, Watch TV and play games
Chat , Mail and Phone calls To keep in touch with friends

How I wish this vacation Never ends in this life
Oh God, please grand me A life full of Vacations

Sarah Kay : Spoken Word Poetry

2011-03-29T05:54:00.001+05:30

http://www.ted.com/talks/sarah_kay_if_i_should_have_a_daughter.html

"If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she's gonna call me Point B ... " began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis -- from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York's Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project V.O.I.C.E. -- and gives two breathtaking performances of "B" and "Hiroshima."

I really liked this video .. I heard it many times .. Her style of talking, expressions .. I liked it very much .. Also I got to know about Spoken word poetry .. Wonderflul

Sarah, I liked the way
You spoke in Ted
Your expressions, Your smile
Is simply wonderful

You put up the things
As if you feel it
Make us feel also
In the same angle

Your eyes lite up
When you talk
And make us wonder
And Say Wow ..

Hey ..Super.. See, I was able to write one small poem in a minute .. (wink ..wink .. )

Thank you, My dear aunties

2011-03-29T05:35:00.001+05:30

This is a poem which I wrote for my daughter's annual day .. A thank you poem for her teachers ( Whom they call Aunties) , as she graduated from her school ..

Dont misunderstand ..She just completed her three years of montessori and is leaving the school .. They call it as graduation ..

My daughter recited the poems during the annual day .. I could see that the aunties were filled with love and affection as she finished reciting it .. They have played a very big part in moulding my daughter, who was very shy child .. After started going to First Step, (her school) , She became very smart ..

The main change which i love to mention here is that , in the play ground parents come and tell me ..She is a very smart child, which school is she going . . and I start my lecture on First Step..

This poem is a small tribute to the school and the teachers ..

Morning as I come to school
Namaste I say to aunties
With a smile, they take me inside
Holding my little fingers

Singing, Reading and Activities
We do all through the day
All we have is total fun
In our school first step

Today as I stand here
In front of all of you
My heart is filled with happiness
Joy and Gratitude

Thank you, my dear aunties
For all the love and care
Never in my life, will I forget
My days with first step.

Silent Voices

2011-03-21T16:36:00.002+05:30

Silent afternoon ..Some sound of the typing keys and sound of AC was prominent in the office .. Post lunch hours are always like this .. and I heard a voice ..

“You are not taking care of me now a days”

I turned around .. No one around ..everyone busy in their own world. .. I saw my neaighbour ..he is busy watching youtube.. the other neighbor is taking powernap .. now, Who is talking .. I wondered ..

Again, I could hear the voice ..

“ I am sad .. You don’t love me now “

“who is it ?” I asked ..

“See, you don’t recognize my voice also now “

I felt somewhat ..who is this ?? I felt as if the voice is so dear to me . .

“Please tell me who are you “ .. I pleaded

“Its me . . Your heart “

Oh .. I was relieved .. No one else .. My heart . .My very own heart ..

“Why did you scare me like this ? “ I asked ..

“I didn’t scare you .. of late, you don’t talk to me .. Hence you got scared .. “ - the heart said

With a smile I said “Sorry .. You see how tied up I am with this work “

“yes . I know .. but, you don’t care me now a days .. “

“Why you are saying so ?? I do ..” I replied ..

“No, you are not ..You always use your brain and work .. Not heart” .. It said sadly

“Yes, that is true.. I need to work ..only then I will have career growth. You know what my manager told in the last appraisal meeting “

“The Heart” was silent this time .. It didn’t talk ..

I felt sad .. But I was afraid of asking about its needs. What if it ask for something which is very difficult ? Which I will not be able to satisfy ? which will take too much of my time .. I have tight deadlines, .. you see .. No time to spare ..

Still I didn’t felt like leaving my heart and going back to work ...

I asked ..“What you want .. tell me .. “

“Nothing ..” it said..

And there was total silence between us ..IT was not ready to talk now .. I got the point ..

“I am sorry .. I know I was doing mistake in not listening to you. But the situations were like that … Promotions are near. If I don’t perform, I will not get one this year also.”

Again I was going to the same repeat story. I myself has got bored of this . then how this little heart will not be. Also I was feeling guilty for neglecting it like this for the past few days , no months all together .. I should do something .. After all its my heart .. Who will take care of it other than me ..

Immediately I took out the portal page and applied leave for the coming day .. Yes, there are deadlines ..and One report to be send tomorrow ..Now, I am not thinking of it now.. I need leave ..

The next day as I woke up and sat in the bed, I was feeling somewhat fresh ..Whats special today ? I thought … yes, today I am on leave .. No need to grab the tag and leave to office .. Will not touch the laptop today ..

Yes, definitely there are to-do tasks today also . but those are not my tasks ..But it was my heart’s lists.. yesterday night, I sat with my heart and made a list of things which it want .. I was really surprised to hear from the heart about the things which it wanted … the list went on like this

• Listen to the chirping of the birds

• A morning walk and feeling the cool air flowing past our face

• Watching the dew-drops in the leaves

• Sun rise and the clouds moving past

• Stand under the tree which was full of flowers and trying to catch the flowers as they fall down .

And the list continued ..with small small things …which I never used to do in the normal office days and also in the weekends as I get too tired with the week , I rarely thought of anything ..

By the end of the day, me together with my heart had done almost everything in the list .. I could feel that my heart is enjoying to the core each and every minute of the day .. And it was so happy as time passed by ..I also felt very happy .. I felt guilty that I never noticed the voices of my heart ..but thought that better late than never ..Atleast today I was able to take that step and be with my heart and enjoy the day .. and made a promise to myself that I will at times , listen to the heart and do whatever the heart want.. Because the life is too short and we should enjoy it as it comes, everyday

Lecture of inspiration

2011-03-17T14:58:00.001+05:30

Today I got a chance to attend a seminar which was being conducted by the present company which I am working on. From the day I heard about it, my mind was set to go. Somehow I felt from my inner self that I should go and attend. Atleast for one hour, I should go there and take a feel of that.

But till 10.45 today morning, I didn’t think that I would be able to go. Luckily a chat with my friend gave me a way to attend the seminar. And at 11.05 I am there at the seminar hall which is some 5 kms from the way I was at 10.45. Good.

I felt good as I entered the hall. Perfect Silence. Lecture is going on. Another 10 min that lecture was over. Announcement was made that the next speaker is Dr Deepak Pathak, Professor from IIT Bombay.

mmm.. not bad .. but what he will be talking about in a technical seminar like this …Anyway, I sat down to listen.

With a good smile, he came on to the stage and started his lecture. The topic which he has chosen was

‘Building India where dreams come true’

Journey to an exciting professional career

He started by mentioning that everyone will have dreams and our dreams will be somewhere around ,

• Education

• Higher studies

• Good job

• Excellent career path

• Happy life etc etc

We can also think of our nation too similar like this ..

• A prosperous Nation

• Just and civic society

• Full of oppurtunities

• Life of love and harmony

Now the question arises who will build such an india ? The normal human mentality is to talk about others. We hesitate to take the responsibility in our shoulders. But that shouldn’t be the case. Each and every one of us has to take the responsibility.

But how ?

Each one of us should try to excel in the field of their Primary Domain.

This will in turn help the organization which you are associated with or will improve the field which you are working with.

Solve Problems :

We should always try to solve problems and think about an alternative way to solve the issue in hand. Solving 10 simple issues is good. But trying to solve 10 difficult problems, without getting success in any one is the better option than this. Because, we will learn a lot many things in our approach to solve the difficult issues.

As an example, Dr Pathak mentioned about playing badminton with a person who doesn’t know playing and also with a person who plays well. Even though we lose in the latter game, we will learn many new things when we play with a person who is better than us.

What comes in the way ?

Attitude

It’s the attitude !!

Have you ever noticed a child and his attitude? Just imagine one child who saw a glass jar which is there on the table top. He is curious to see what it is and want to touch it and take it in his hands.

First he will try to take it with his hands. He might not succeed in the first attempt. But he is not ready to leave it . He has the perseverance and will try again and again.

With much trails when he is not successful, he will innovate some other ways in which he can reach the glass jar. He might pull some chair and try climbing, or take stick and try to put it down etc .. His mind will work with many sort of innovative ideas.

This is Child’s attitude and it is a very good attitude.

However, with the current education system and the parenting styles, we make the child lose his attitude. A child who is asking questions in the classroom is made quiet by the teacher who don’t want a disturbance in the class. Slowly as the child grows, his attitude is changed and it becomes a receiving machine.

We should try to regain the child attitude within us. Being curious about the world around us. How there is fire in firefly’s wings. How the water reaches the coconut trees’ top . How signal processing happening in our brain etc etc.

General thoughts and also thoughts related to our work should always make us curious enough to go and seek out for knowledge.

We should be ready to dedicate ourself and put hard work. There is no short cut to success. There is no optimized way.

To summarize,

To make a difference:

• Make Learning a habit

• Treat ethics as important

• Be trust worthy

• Innovate Constantly

• Believe in yourself.

• Have Passion in whatever you execute

“Read -> Think -> Discuss -> Write “

Dr Pathak ended his talk telling that he love Dew Drops which is very beautiful .. and would like to convey that

              D - Dream Big

                           Our Dreams limit our achievements

              E – Enjoy Life

                           Have fun in all the activities you do

            W – Work Hard

                          To create history

Yes ..that should be our spirit..

                         Dream Big !!

                                  Enjoy Life and

                                            Work Hard !!

Les is Wonderful

2011-01-25T17:42:00.003+05:30

I feel myself lucky that I got a chance to attend a talk by the renowned speaker Les Hayman.

Les Hayman is a distinguished global business speaker and advisor to government bodies and major corporations with a charismatic presence and an impressive business expertise gained during his lifetime executive career across all continents.
Currently engaged as SAP Ambassador, Les is responsible for representing the interests of the major software provider's board and those of SAP's eco-system of customers and partners in government and industry think-tanks and other discussion forums globally.
Furthermore, Les is chairman of ROC Global Consulting, co-CEO of Chief Executive Organisation and board member of Umantis-Ag and the French think-thank "Institute Turgot". From 2003 to 2005, Les was head of SAP Global Human Resources, and member of the SAP board. From 2002 to 2003, he served as chairman of SAP's Europe, Middle East, and Africa region and, prior to this, he was president and CEO for SAP in the Asia-Pacific region. He was appointed to the SAP Extended Board in 1999.

Mmm .. Excellent .. Isnt it lucky ? Yes, it is

I reached the venue early and placed myself in a comfortable position and waited for the session to start. The Session was started on time and I would say it was the best session which I had attended so far.
Les had planned to talk about the top 10 things which he had learned from his experience in his career. I am jolting down in simple sentences. But don't underestimate his speech. It was too good, he had put it in such a way that he had taken the audience in hands.

1. Don’t waste a day

Every day is precious. Today if you are 30 years old, it is like yesterday you were 10, today 30 and tomorrow 60. Days pass fast. Hence don’t waste even a day.

2. We can be an expert if we work for 10000 hrs

Expertise comes with skill. For that we have to work hard. To become an expert we have to work for minimum 10000 hours. For that spend little time everyday. The more you spend each day, the faster you will become an expert

3. TV is terrible

Les was totally against watching Television. The time spend watching TV is the time wasted. Most of the people watch TV with the hope that they will get some important / Interesting news. He was mentioning that the news will come to us from friends or via E-mail. Don’t sit simply in front of the TV to spend time. Choose your programs and watch and leave.

4. Get up an hour early

Many people complain about not having enough time for doing their tasks. Les’s suggestion was to get up one hour early. In this way, we get 7 hrs per week and around 1 month per year etc etc. 6 hours of sleep is more than enough for a good healthy person.

Morning 6.00 , 6.30 is the best time of the day and it is the time when our creativity is at the best. Don’t waste this time checking mails and replying. Try to do something for our own development during this time.

5. For unconditional love, get a dog

For all the other relationships, we have to dedicate our time and love. It is a true fact. We will have to realize this. Be it relationship with our parents, siblings, or boss, co-worker, we have to work towards building a relationship.

6. Vegetable, Friends and Laughter

As per Les, these are the three things which are there in abundance. Utilize them to the max. As per some study, a person can manage up to 150 friends at a time. Utilize the most.

Laugh a lot. Now a day, in this busy world, people laugh very less. A good laugh will take away all your tension and it will improve our health. Don’t waste a chance for a good laugh.

7. Don’t take life seriously

Take the tasks serious. But don’t be serious yourself. Have fun. Think of life as full of fun and tragedies come in between and go. Read exact here

8. Change is inevitable

Change is the way of life. If there is no change, the life is stagnant. Embrace change. Take it as it comes. Don’t be resistant. Whenever there is change in environment, change yourself too.

9. Life is best, never stop learning

Many people consider childhood as the period of learning and then it is period of doing things. Les has categorized it very well and has updated in his blog here. Learning never stops. Every day we should try to learn something new. Everyday we should try to learn at least something new. As per Les, it will be good if we try to learn something which scares us. For example, if we are scared of public speaking, try to upskill yourself with that and work towards that.

10. Try to be like Olympic Gymnastic.

Always we should be ready to take risk. Otherwise we become stagnant and predictable. We will not grow if we are like that.

Not only this, many more things .. In short, his speech was awesome :)

A sample video can be seen here
Les’s blog is also interesting : http://leshayman.wordpress.com/

Thanks Les for the wonderful session today :)

Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome - Simply Awesome

2011-01-13T14:12:00.003+05:30

Also visit the website http://1000awesomethings.com/

* Best Wishes *

2011-01-06T20:36:00.001+05:30

He smiled at her, she smiled back

Tears were in her eyes, he saw

His heart was weeping, she knew

Slowly the train started moving. She couldn’t control her tears. She started crying. He didn’t knew what to do.
“Don’t cry” ..He wanted to shout.. But the train had moved to a long distance ..She will not hear his words..

He took his mobile and called her… She is not picking the call .. Come on ..Pick the call ..I want to talk to you .. Why not taking my call .. He felt bad ..

The train is not to be seen now..What is she doing ? Is she still crying ?? Is she okay ? ? He felt the urge to see her now and see how she is doing ?

Suddenly he remembered something..

It was three days back, when he was in a meeting, he got her call. He came out of the meeting room to pick the call

“Hello Divya ..”

Silence ..

“Hello .. “

No response..

“When can we meet today ? “ she asked in a husky voice

“Evening ..Anytime when you are free “

“6.00 ..”

“Yes .. where should I come ? “

“Same Place .. Bye Ajay” .. She kept the phone..

When he came there, she was already sitting there… Same place, same bench .. Oh ..she is still the same .. How dearly I love her .. but no, you should not think like that now.. She soon will become some othr person’s darling.

He went near her. She was silently crying ..Tears were flowing from her eyes .. She rubbed off the tears and looked at him.. He tried to smile ..But couldn’t ..

Why I am doing like this ? She is the person whom I love most in this world and I am giving her such pain. Why god ? Why you are making me do all these things ?

He sat near him, but made sure that he put a small gap between them. Now, this is not like their usual meetings, where they used to sit close and stare at the lake for hours. Some days, she will be in a good talking mood.

“You know what happened today when I was coming .. “

And it used to continue .. He loved sitting and listening to her for hours together..

“Now ajay, you talk, I will listen “ .. She used to tell in between..But she herself used to continue again. He used to admire her beauty and listen to her attractive voice ..

There was not even one day when they haven’t met. Even on the busiest day, he made sure that he meet her. Love was all around her. They tried to spend time together for as much time as possible.. They both loved each other a lot .. Too comfortable in each other’s company .. Day by day, they became closer and closer…

He was able to understand her feelings well.. Also she cared and lover her to that extend that she was not able to think of anything else. Days passed like that ..Happy days ..

One day, she asked “Ajay, you will not leave me and go, rite ? “

He wanted to hold her tight and tell and say ..No, I Will not …Will not leave you ..you are mine ..

But he was not able to say that. Because he was sure that he will not be give her the commitment.

She looked in to his eyes and was eagerly waiting for the answer. He couldn’t sit there anymore. He got up and walked two steps.

Divya was shocked to see his behavior. This was not what she had expected. Even though not told or explained, she was sure that Ajay is hers forever. Now, why …why you are behaving like this.

She went near him and hold his hands.. Ajay, why you are not replying ?

How will I make her understand? Or will she understand. No, she will not. Even I am not able to understand, then how will she?

I cant .. I cant tell No to her ..But I have to ..

No, I will not be able to ..

He looked at her pretty face .. She was about to cry ..

“Please don’t cry .. I cant take it ..” he said ..

Tears started flowing through her cheeks.

“You love me, rite ? “ She asked

“Yes, yes .. I Love you a lot .. and you know it “ .. he instantly replied

“Then what is the issue ? “

After a small gap, he replied

“My parents , I am sure they will not agree. And I cant go against them” .

“Ajay, You know very well that I consider your parents as my parents and how much I care for them.”

“yes dear.. I know it … but they will not understand it”

“But why.. you can talk to them ..”

I had talked ..even fought ..and did whatever I can .. For the past few days have been very bad in the house ..At last, after a long struggle, I decided to end it all .. to sacrifice my love to my parents. To the parents who took care of me till now and who loves me a lot .. but she also loves me a lot .. Even I love her a lot ..

Oh ..god..I am getting mad ..

“Divya, please don’t ask me anything about that .. I don’t think, we will be able to continue our relation for long.. “

It was a shock for her ..She fainted and fell down… Divya .. Divya ..Please wake up.. Please .. for god’s sake ..wake up ..wake up…

Now it is over a month that incident happened. They didn’t meet after that… Divya had gone home, he came to know from her friend. Whenever he called her, she disconnected the phone. He tried to meet her also. No, not possible. Now, today she had called him and asked to meet.

“Ajay, See this ..” she showed her ring .. engagement ring .. Some name was written on that ..He didn’t wanted to see that. It hurt him.

“I am getting married in two weeks time .. “

He kept silent .. I am a loser, he thought .. Oh, I will not be able to take it ..She is going to be other person’s now …how will I survive this loss ??

“You have to .. You should suffer ..” His inner mind chanted.. “You gave pain to her, you will suffer all through your life”

She was staring at the lake .. And he was staring at her… Again, he felt like lying on her lap and crying .. He was crying inside .. Did one drop fell outside also?

“Divya … “ He called.. .

She slowly turned and looked at him ..

“God will do only good to you “

“He should .. Because I haven’t done anything wrong .. I loved you a lot “

This time she didn’t cry ..she was bold now .. But he started crying .. Like a child ..

Now she is gone .. She has left him and gone .. For ever .. He didn’t knew what to do .. He started walking .. He walked for two hours .. May be ..Or three .. Not sure .. he reached the lake.. he wanted to sit somewhere , now he is very tired ..He went and sat in the same bench .. He wanted to cry, but was not able to .. It was like chocking inside .. He knew that he will not be able to come out of this

“Oh god, please give Divya a good life and make her happy all through the life .. You can take all my happiness and give it to her .. “ he prayed .. I am going to suffer ..

In the train, Divya was praying for Ajay

~ !! Happy New Year !! ~

2011-01-01T06:05:00.001+05:30

Again a new year ..This year, the first day is special .. 1.1.11.

Busy with sending new year wishes to everyone and taking new year resolution .. My new year resolution ..No, I am not going to write about that ..It is a secret ..

When asked most of the persons replied that ..yes, I made a resolution to break .. :D Many were talking about breaking the resolution .. Why so ? Don’t know?

Is it very difficult to keep a resolution ? In some of my cases, yes .. In some cases, No, I was able to make it properly ..

Whatever be the case, A new year brings with it joy and happiness .. Everyone wishes for a great year ahead .. Everyone think about good things to happen to them and to others… Will try to be good, do good etc…

New year, there is something special in our office .. it all started as an idea of one person .. There are many house keeping persons in our office, who work day and night and help us keep the house clean.. This time, we employees have taken the initiative to do something for them.. Money was collected and they all were gifted.. Isnt it good ? yes . .. It was good ..

Something different ..Which will touch lives ..Doing something with which someone will be happy .. isn’t it that we should try to do always ..Whether it is our own family members, friends or others ..

So my dear friends, lets try to do some good act everyday .. At least one .. We will also feel good and also we can spread the happiness ..

That is my resolution for this week .. No, it is not a secret anymore ..

Wishing you a very happy, bright , peaceful, cheerful new year !!

Fog .. Fog.. all around

2010-12-23T18:18:00.002+05:30

As we woke up today morning, we noticed that all the window grills were having dew drops in it. I ran out to see the climate. It was awesome. Thick Fog has covered all over the place. Superb. I simply loved it. I called my daughter and son to show them that. They were seeing it for the first time in life.

I took them out and showed them the fog and explained. I also showed them to take breath and leave it through mouth. We could see fog coming out from the mouth. I had seen this before In ooty and some other hill station. This time, just standing in front of our house, we were enjoying this.

Both the kids seem to like it a lot. Superb .. A good way to start morning ...

I was really happy when I saw this photo today morning .. A beautiful picture .. It was taken by my friend Renjith .. With his permission , posting it over here .. Thanks Renjith :)

Yes, It was a good session

2010-12-23T15:14:00.002+05:30

I was anxiously waiting for the next book reading session, because I couldn’t attend the last one due to some personal reason. So as soon as I got the intimation, I blocked the calendar and waited for the D-day.

And today, even though I had an option of working from home, came to office and waited for the time to rush to the session. On the way, I saw her, a gracious lady with some white hair. Her face was pleasant, with a warm smile. I was happy to see her. I went and took my seat, as usual in the second row.

She came in and we all got up and wished her. Her expression revealed that she was very happy to be here. She had come with her husband. He was also a tall old gentleman with a pleasing smile.

Yes, the Book reading session with Poile Sengupta started. An introduction was given of her by Sumeet.

Poile Sengupta is one of India’s foremost writers and playwrights in English.

Her first full length play, Mangalam, won a special award at The Hindu-Madras Players playscripts competition.Poile is also a well known writer for children. In 1968, she began “A Letter to You”, a humour column for the children’s magazine, Children’s World - letters from a ten year old boy Perky. The column ran for nearly three decades and found a mention in the Limca Book of Records.

Poile Sengupta is also acting in her play Samara’s Song which is currently being staged at Rangashankara!

“Writer for children” - it caught my attention. Mmm ..interesting..

Mrs Poile preffered to talk without a mike and mentioned that she has a loud voice and her theatre practice has helped her in that. She mentioned that she started writing at the age of fifteen as her family was full of journalist. Hence writing came to her naturally.

She talked about Letter to you, the humour column for children. When she was talking about that , some mischief was getting visible in her face .. I loved it .. At this age also, she is able to take in that humour sense and the mischiefness. Wonderful. I should read “letter to you”, I noted .

I wondered how she is able to write so much from the children’s perspective. Yes, I have also written some, but somehow I am not able to continue, may be time constraints ..Dont know .. Whenever she talks, she tend to go in to that mode. She mentioned about bringing Rumpelstiltskin in to her story. She told that she felt sorry for him and give a place for him in her story.

Mrs Poile explained that there is lot much of gap in the literature for yound children. In English, we have many books, with beautiful illustrations for kids. Somehow in India, its not there. Also there are very less writings for teen age. And that is the age where the kids will have many issues and there is not much resources to guide them. She is currently targeting that area gap, it seems.

On answer to a question, she replied that what we can do as an individual is inculcate reading habit in the little ones, small children. Tell them stories, read books to them, gift books etc .Its not that they should see only books, but they should also be introduced to books and should enjoy that area starting from childhood.

Over all, the session was very lively with good audience participation.She was very happy to answer all our queries. She also read from one play. She read it in double voice, it was awesome.

As I came out by getting a copy of the book ‘Role call’ , I wished that she writes more for small children and also made a plan to go and watch the theatre play one day at Rangashankara !!

Thuravoor Temples

2010-12-20T07:52:00.000+05:30

Sree Vadakanappan temple , Thuravoor

T D Temple , Thuravoor

Oberon Mall - Cochin, Kerala

2010-12-20T07:23:00.000+05:30

A mall in Bangalore is not a new thing .. But one in kerala .. It is a new thing .. had heard about Oberon mall, but got a chance to visit it only this time..

Straight went to the parking area ..Seeing the crowd at the parking itself I could estimate the vastness of the mall..We went inside, we were spell bound ..The way in which the mall was maintained .. just like that of malls in Bangalore .. Indeed a little better, I would say .. (partiality towards my home town ;) )

Many shops lined neatly .. All branded items, Coffee Shop, chocolate corner etc .. Sweet corn , Candies all were available in the ground floor . .. Cool ..we all ate Sweet corn .. mm..tasty ..

We went to the upper floors ..superb .. My god ..cant believe ..Such a mall has come up in Kerala .. and that too its crowded ..People feel free to visit .. families, teen age girls and boys, chatting and roaming around .. “Change” ..so much of change .. mm ..Change is the way of life ..

Four Screen multipliex ..My god .. No comments

We noticed that there is Entertainment Zone @ 4th floor. Without wasting time we went there. Dashing cars was the first slot .. Husband and my daughter had good fun in that .. first time in her life, she is sitting in that.. She didn’t seem to enjoy much as she got a little scared with the dashing ..

Then we moved to the games area .. Where there were so many games at our disposal ..also moving trains, vehicles etc .. Kids enjoyed much in this area ..Also we elders had good time in throwing the ball and also knocking off the fish .. Overall, a good time there in the game area ..

From there we moved on and I was really surprised to see that there is Mirror Maze .. I had been to mirror maze in Innovative film city only ..and here , in kerala, they have set up a mirror maze. Scary palace too ..My goodness ..anyone , please hold me ..

We all went inside the mirror maze .. The place is full of mirrors with less lighting ..we will have to touch and feel the mirrors and find the way through that to the exit. .It was exciting ..we all had fun .. At the end, we will have to move through one place where there is laser light show .. It was amazing .. Oh . I will never forget that ..

Over all, it was a superb experience .. :)

Do visit this link for more information about Oberon Mall
http://www.oberonmall.com/

Poornathreesa Utsavam

2010-12-20T07:02:00.001+05:30

Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple .. A front view ..

Famous Panchari Melam

Seeveli

Royal Diety

~~ Sree Poornathrayeesan ~~

My sweet visit to Kerala

2010-12-20T06:02:00.000+05:30

Oh .. Am back from my vacation .. A long awaited vacation ..Where else, to my home town kerala.. Nothing is as refreshing as a visit to the home town …

This time it was a looong vacation , something different to the ones which we usually take. This time it was 6 whole days. Superb .. The last time I went on such a long vacation was five years back .. so after five long years, I was there in kerala for 6 long days.

What all we did ?

Yes, as usual visited 7 temples.. Somehow wont feel like coming back without visiting the god who has been taking care of us from the time we were born in this world ..

Of all the temples visited, the main ones to mention is the Thuravoor Vadakanappan Temple and THuravoor T D temple

Also how can I miss to tell you that this time it was festival season in Tripunithura Sree Poornathreyesa temple .. It was the temple where I grew up .. so attached to the Poornathrayeesan ..This time when we booked tickets to kerala, we made sure that at least one day we will be able to be there during the festival ..

And on 10th, the last day of the festival we were there .. Experienced the famous seeveli. . Pictures talk more ..So here are some snaps which was taken ..

This time It was differenct as my two kids were with me and I wanted to show them the happenings there in the temple during the festival time ... we were there in the temple for a long time and both the kids enjoyed a lot .. How I miss all those when I am here in bangalore ..

I took many snaps to add on to my memory and also for my kids to see and cherish ..

Photos in next post...

Grandpa in my pocket

2010-11-24T00:29:00.002+05:30

May be some 8 – 10 months back, one day when we were attending a get together, I realized that my daughter is not so aware of the cartoon characters.

One my friend asked her “Which is your favourite cartoon character ? “

My daughter didn’t know what to answer. So she looked at me.

I replied to that question telling that she doesn’t watch TV and the only characters she know is Pooh and Thomas and that too through books.

Oh ..My friend exclaimed. “Its good that the kids are not addicted to TV. My son will be always inside TV. There is one program called Chotta Bheem.. My god, its very addictive. Once the kids watch the program, they will sit hooked on to it. And Mr Bean . Oh , I hate him like anything. “

Her words was expressing all the frustrations which she had on this. I realized.

I thought about that. In one way, I felt good that my daughter is not addicted to TV. I feel that watching TV will diminishes the creative thinking of the kids. Because they need not think anything. Everything is shown as picture.

Rather, if we read something to them or tell a story, the child starts imagining. And it really helps in their growth.

But I was a little worried about one thing. What if , if her friends starts discussing about the cartoon characters and my daughter is left out because she don’t know about it at all.

Anyway, that thought process stopped there and I didn’t take it forward.

Now yesterday when I was putting her to sleep, she asked

“Mammani, can I tell you something”

Yes dear..tell me ..

“ This chotta bheem naa, if he eats some ladoo, will become very strong”

Is it .. oh .. good .. I replied.

Fine .. that’s okay ..if she watches the program at times .. I consoled myself.

“And mamma , when is king’s birthday” she asked

“It depends my dear.. Birthday’s are celebrated on the day the king is born”

“Today was the king’s birthday in Chotta Bheem”

“Ok.. fine .. Now time to sleep .. close your eyes ..and say prayers “

I sadly realized that my daughter is also in that track .. Should do something.

Today morning just to check I asked her

“Dear, what you studied in school yesterday” … She is in mont III now ..

“Don’t remember mamma” she replied.

Mamma asks next question

“When is Grandpa in my pocket dear ? “

“Its at 4 0’clock mamma and is there till 5.00. If you come early today from office, we will sit together and watch it. Its very funny. The grandfather will become small and will sit in the pocket and will help many people”

Ahh ..haa .. She remembers the timing of her cartoon and the duration , story and what not. The school things she don’t remember.

God, save me ....

Just Different

2010-10-29T11:45:00.002+05:30

There are many things which we see often in our daily life. And one fine day morning we see something different and it will catch our attention. Sometimes, we like it ..Sometimes, we don’t accept it . Some times we love it. I am just trying to re-collect some of such things which I had encountered in the past few days.

I had just shifted my house to a new place and was searching a library in the neighborhood. Saw an advertisement in the paper and decided to visit it. I was surprised as soon as I entered the library. Centralized AC, books arranged neatly in shelves. And there was some touch screen kept at the entrance. I went to the reception and asked the details. Immediately I took membership. I came to know that there is RFID identification of all the books and the issue and return should also be done like that. Superb 

Volvo buses..I have been seeing those buses for quite some days. Never got a chance to go in that. One day when I was waiting in the bus stop, the first bus came was Volvo. I jumped in to the bus. As soon as I got in, the bus started moving. I tried to hold somewhere. Saw that there are some hangers hanging from a rod. Got a grip on to that. Still no use. I was not able to balance myself and fell down. Somehow escaped from getting hurt. I could feel n number of eyes staring at me. I struggled myself to go and sit in a seat. The conductor came and gave me tickets. A small printed sheet of paper. The bus started moving smoothly. I started feeling good. AC, high bus. It will go fast. I started admiring the bus. Everyday I travelled in Volvo only.

Now I commute to my office in my own vehicle. I can see Volvo buses in the road. But I always avoid going near that buses. Reason. They put the break all of a sudden and if we are going at the back, we will not get that break so soon and there is a chance of accident. Also they don’t have any specific ‘bus-stop’. Will stop here and there. When I was commuting in the bus, I used to think of this as an advantage. But now I realize the difficulties caused by this for the others in the road and the way in which it is contributing to the traffic block. What to say and whom to say ?

Now again back to some good initiatives. Every bi-weekly I get a news paper at my house in the evening. It contain the local news , layout details and some knowledge articles. A new paper of 4-6 pages. I liked the idea. There was a mail id mentioned about the proprietor. I mailed him and contacted him and asked about the details. It’s a free news paper. But why do you do like this ? How do you get your revene ? I enquired. From the advertisements. Oh yeah, correct. I noticed that there are some advertisements also and from that, he is able to publish the paper for free. Good idea , rite.

My friend mentioned to me about this. A new library in the vicinity. As I was a member of one library, didn’t had much interest. Still, felt like seeing the details. Saw the website, the location was not mentined. Surprising. What is this ? Read more and found that this library doesn’t have an online presence and everything is done via online. But how can we take books ? You order books via online portal and they will deliver books at your house. Good .. indeed great.

"Ready for Take Off" - Sachit Jain

2010-10-28T13:53:00.001+05:30

Thanks to “Books Interest Group” in my company, got to meet one more famous person.

Sachit Jain.

As usual, the session started on time and introduction was done. He is the Executive Director of Vardhaman Group and author of “Ready for Take Off”. The attendies of this session will get a copy of the book and we had collected the book before the session. So I sat there with the book in my hand , eager to hear from him.

Sachit Jain has done his B tech in IIT , Delhi and completed his MBA in Indian Institute of Management, ahmedabad. To know more about him, you can visit the link here

His book Ready to Take Off is a leadership book which is narrated in the form of a Novel. He admitted that he had never written a single article and this book just happened like that. Sachit explained that even though the book is a pure form of fiction, it has hidden meaning to share with us about leadership.

I liked the way in which he was narrating his life story and also some incidents. He spoke very well and connected with the audience. Overall it was an excellent hour which we got to spend with him.

He mentioned the importance of communication and also the aspects which we should be aware of when we aspire to become a leader. His message was to take life lightly and do something which gives you happiness.

Listening to the snippets which was read to us during the session, I feel that the book will be interesting. I haven’t read that book till now, I have kept the signed copy of the book in my bag and is waiting to go home today evening and start reading. More updates after I finish reading.

PAN Number and Family Photo

2010-10-13T16:32:00.002+05:30

My Friend[1:43 PM]:

Going to kerala for the weekend ?

Naik, Sudha [1:43 PM]:

actually we were supposed to go tommorow ..

Naik, Sudha [1:43 PM]:

but cancelled ..

My Friend[1:43 PM]:

ohhh..

Naik, Sudha [1:44 PM]:

My daughter has an entrance test next week ..

My Friend[1:44 PM]:

which class ?

My Friend[1:44 PM]:

12th finished ?

Naik, Sudha [1:44 PM]:

Class 1st

Naik, Sudha [1:44 PM]:

(Crying smiley)

My Friend[1:44 PM]:

What ? Entrance ??

My Friend[1:44 PM]:

??

Naik, Sudha [1:45 PM]:

Yes .. She has to go through a written test for admission to 1st standard

My Friend[1:44 PM]:

Oh ..

Naik, Sudha [1:44 PM]:

(Laughing smiley) yes ..

For those who don’t know about this, here is a new piece of information for you. For putting a child to first standard to a school, he/she will have to go through a written test. Test, can you imagine ? A small five year old sitting and writing a test ..I don’t know whether I should laugh or cry.

Yes, but this is a fact and my daughter is going to write her first test next week. God only knows what will happen. I doubt whether she understands the word meaning of ‘Test’.

Some days back .. to be precise September 25th, Saturday me and my husband started early from home and visited around 7 schools in my vicinity. We talked to the concerned. Our main intention was to get to know about the dates in which they will issue the application forms. Different schools said different dates and we noted it down.

Very important piece of information. I came back and put reminder for all those dates.

On the D-day, we went and got the application form. Some parents were sitting there, filling the form and came back. We feel it as silly, why we need to rush in filling. We can fill it later aaram se and give it back ..

Later, we get to know that it is first come first served basis…So we also filled it fast and gave it back. I had taken passport size of my daughter. Now in this form, they need stamp size. I ordered for that. When they were collecting the forms they told that all the applications are in waiting list and this will be considered when there is some vacany I their current positions. Fine ..

Now another school. This time I have learned, so we went with all set up on the day mentioned. I had decided to fill the form and give it then and there itself. I went there. I reached 10 min early. But why there is no rush. A notice was displayed telling that the applications forms will be issued from 4th till 13th. And today is 11th. But how can it be. They had told us that they will start issuing only on 11th. When they changed this date ?

My god .. anyway I bought the application form and checked it. Things required

1. Copy of Birth certificate

2. Passport Size photo .. (ok, I have it)

3. Address Proof

4. Family Photo

Oh ..Now why they need a family photo with the application form. I don’t know.

The fees structure in the schools are pretty high. 75000, 90000 is quite normal. And one school frankly told that they have increase it by 8 percentage every year. For me to complete my whole education, including post graduate, it didn’t cost much.

Application form contain some different questions, other than the basic details. One school has the direct way of asking the salary of the parents. Father’s income. Mother’s income. One School asked it a little bit different. Father’s PAN number , Mother’s PAN number. Smart people. Wanted to just make sure that they are tax paying people.

Now I am not very sure what all they ask for when we go to the next school for admission.

2010-10-11T14:31:00.001+05:30

I like her books. The first one which I read was “How I taught my grandmother to read and other stories “. Good themes written in simple language. Each story had a message to give. Always used to wonder how she is having so many experiences. She travels a lot and hence gets to meet many people and may be that Is the reason. I thought.

Sudha Murthy is whom I am talking about. Yes, wife of Mr Narayana Murthy. We think of Infosys as soon as we hear his name. Sudha Murthy was here last week as part of Book Interest group session in my company. Usually for such sessions, a maximum of 30 -40 people will be present. But for Sudha murthy’s session, it was jam packed. There were many people and everyone was waiting anxiously.

She walked it , with her positive aura. On her way, she walked talking to some. During her speech she mentioned that it was her student she met on the way and she was talking. It was supposed to be question answer session, but once she started she explained many things and jumped from one topic to another. And jokingly told that you will not get the mike back as you have given the mike to a teacher.

Sudha Murthy told about her child hood days and that she was so attached to books. She used to scribble whenever she feels so. She was not worried about the fact that who will read her articles. She simply wrote. She mentioned that to write we need to think emotionally.

Her smiling face was captivating. Her speech was imaginative. It left me with good memories to cherish.

Canvas Painting

2010-10-08T17:07:00.000+05:30

Today got an oppurtunity to do canvas painting as part of Month Of service activity in my office .. It was as part of the Hospital Art organization, wehre in they try to brighten up the lives of patients with beauiful paintings .. (http://hospitalart.org/artwork_multiplecanvas.html )

We all were given canvas sheets to paint .. Colors, brushes, and all the accessories wre given..we had to fill color to all .. It was really a great experience .. Three hours ..enjoyed doing that art .. didnt realized how time fled ..

I had taken my daughter also .. she aslo enjoyed a lot doing colouring ..

Colours have an ardent effect on our moods ..Sitting in the room, doing colouring ..concentrating on the canvas, checking the colors, and applying it with utmost care .. To eb frank, it refreshed many like anything..

It was really a great experience for me .. The picture shows some of the paintings which were completed today ...

Guide to a Better Life

2010-09-27T16:09:00.000+05:30

A forward mail which I received today .. Just felt good reading ..

Randy Paush -- He died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, but wrote a book ‘The last lecture” before then, one of the bestsellers in 2007. What a legacy to leave behind…

In a letter to his wife Jai and his children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe, he wrote this beautiful "guide to a better life" for his wife and children to follow.

POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

Personality:

1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment

3. Don't over do; keep your limits

4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does

5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip

6. Dream more while you are awake

7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..

8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present

11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you

12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

13. Smile and laugh more

14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

15. Call your family often

16. Each day give something good to others

17. Forgive everyone for everything

18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6

19. Try to make at least three people smile each day

20. What other people think of you is none of your business

21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.

23. GOD heals everything

24. Do the right things

25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change

26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up

27. The best is yet to come

28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful

29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it

30. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with,

people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.

Not only will it enrich YOUR life, but also that of those around you.

Sir Ken Robinson's lecture in TED (Topic : School kills Creativity)

2010-09-21T09:47:00.001+05:30

Sir Ken Robinson talks about how a normal education system kills creativity of kids. According to him all kids are born with talent, and as a parent we will have to take care that we dont kill that talent by just forcing them to do the things which we feel good for them.

Always we should give room for them and also oppurunity so that they can develop their inborn talents.

This video is an eye opener and a must-watch video for parents.

Moments with Namitha - author of "The Music Room"

2010-08-18T16:38:00.000+05:30

First time in my life, I got a book signed by an author. Yes, the book is The Music Room and I got it signed from Namitha Devidayal.

She was here to our company on a book reading session. As soon as I got the mail for this, I tried for her book in library. Got it and started reading, and half way through.

The book talks about the author’s journey to Indian classical music world. It has several things at once. It is a multi-layered story. Touching many things like informal oral history, a social commentary, and even a multi-person biography. She starts with her life and then moves on to her teacher’s life and the story moves forward.

Today, as she came in I was just wondering whether is this the person who wrote such a composition. She was showered with questions and she was answering it. When asked about the book ‘The Music Room’ she went back to her old days and was talking from her heart.

Namitha read some pages from her book and I felt as If I was present in Dhondutai’s house at that time. She even shared a video of Dhondutai also.It was awesome. I was able to see the person whom I had only read and had a picture of in my mind.

This book has won the Outlook Book of 2007 award and Vodafone Crosswod Popular book award. First book winning award is not a small thing.

“After taste” is her new book which is the story of a business family. She talked a little about that also.

At the end, she distributed signed copies of her book to the audience. I grabbed the book ‘The Music Room’. It’s signed as “For Sudha, warmly Namitha Devidayal’. I was so happy to take it in my hand. As said in the beginning, My first author signed book.

Love you Forever

2010-08-18T16:15:00.002+05:30

A mother held her new baby and very slowly rocked him back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while she held him, she sang:

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

Just read this story in this link ..

Love you forever
by Robert Munsch

Was touched by the story ..

Mother's love to her little one .. even though the child is grown up ..or the child is doing whatever naughtiness, the mothers love will them unconditionally..

And when the child becomes a parent, he also feels the same for his child ..at that time, he realizes more about his parents love towards him ..

Truly, When I became a mother, I realize the depth of my mother's love towards me and my love towards her has increased ...Hence this story touched me in true sense

Visit to "The Habit"

2010-08-18T12:26:00.002+05:30

I was longing for this Saturday to come… not because it was a holiday ..but because I had a plan to go and meet a special person .. Yes, this person is special to me ..You may be wondering why ??

Because I met her some days back only ..maybe one or two month back ..

Wanna know how we met ?

Its via Blog ..

I was doing search for schools for my daughter and I happened to read a blog by her about a school review ..it was really informative and we started chatting and somehow , we became close ..

To be frank, it was not like making a new friend. It was like we knew each other for a long time ..and this relation was one which was there for a long time ..

We exchanged long mails .. had long phone conversations.. I mentioned about my current happenings, she talked about her home , her small library which she was maintaining ..

What ?? library … Oh ..superb .. Hey madam, I am coming there to meet you and see your library ..

“Anytime ..walk in .. “ she replied ..

So today I am going to visit her .. I called her and told…

And I started my journey .. On the way, I bought a flower for her ..

I reached her flat ..called her ..she guided me .. I got out of the lift and took a turn. She had asked me to take a right turn ..

Yes, its here .. Manikutty is standing on the door with a cute smile ..

“Hello manikutty .. “ ..I said ..

Hearing my sound , she also came out.

“Hello Sudha” .. She said ..

Hello .. I replied ..

I looked at her face..

Oh god I am meeting her for the first time ..Till now, I didn’t felt anything like that ..It was like I am very much familiar with her ..and I was coming to meet my good old friend ..

She called me inside .. We went inside and chatted for some time .. Both of us were very happy … and it was reflecting in the words

“hey ..come … don’t want to see my library”

Yes .. yes ..thats why I came ..

She took me to her library ..

Oh God .. I was mesmerized …

Love at first sight

So many books .. Arranged neatly in shelves ..When she had mentioned about the library, I had thought that it will be a small one ..Now this is .. a pretty big one ..she had converted one room as a library ..

“The Habit” - Well chosen name ..

Different sections .. Properly stacked .. All covered with plastic sheets .. beautiful ..

After the initial browsing, I sat with her to look at the collection of children’s books. She showed me her collection of books.. and many of them were those which I haven’t heard at all ..

Knowledge series , character building series , mathematics series .. She introduced me to the books..

I noticed .. She is very careful when handling books ..like we do when we take care of little kids ..And I understood her love and passion in this ..

I thought of noting down the book names and but it for myself ..Seeing that she volunteered to get me the books which I need.

Oh ..Thanks a lot, Smitha  It will be of great help to me ..Because it will be very difficult for me to go out and get it ..

I was so happy being there … Time went just like that .. One hour had passed ..Didnt knew at all .. I didn’t wanted to leave .. I felt like sitting there , talking to her ..seeing the books .. Browsing it .. and reading it ..

But oh ..I had to leave ..

However I made it a point that I will definitely come and visit again

"The NoteBook"

2010-08-12T16:49:00.000+05:30

I am in a very good mood .. want to know why ?? I finished the book ‘The Notebook’ ... and I was in some other world .. a world full of love and affection ..

What should I say about the book ..Super.. Superb..Excellent ..

I don’t know .. I don’t have words to explain my feelings .. On starting the book, I didn’t felt any difference .. I thought it is just another love story ..and was thinking About the ending and all .. But the book is taking us through the love in to such a depth. .. Woow .. Is the word which I had to say after I finished it today morning ..

He has portrayed Love in such a manner, I also felt that I have fallen in love ;) It gave warmth in my heart too ..

So many quotes also, which touched my heart .. this one the best ..

"Life is simply a collection of little lives, each lived one day at a time. Each day should be spent finding beauty in flowers and poetry and talking to animals. A day spent with dreaming and sunsets and refreshing breezes cannot be bettered. "

Am just thinking what inspired Nicolas Sparks to write such a master piece .. ;)

Arvind Gupta Toys

2010-08-12T16:07:00.003+05:30

Yesterday my friend gave me a reference of a website of Sir Arvind Gupta. She asked me to visit the website and look at the contents. Evening as soon as I became free, I logged in and checked the website... I was mesmerized with the contents.

Too many articles and there is a separate section for Toys. I clicked it and found a long list of colorful toys ..Clicked on one , and came the list of instructions on how to make the toys.

Let me take a moment to tell you that the toys are not simple playing toys. Yes, Indeed the toys are for playing only. But each toy is bringing with it a scientific fact for learning. And that is the worth of the toys listed.

I clicked here and there and read some .. Felt very good ..

From childhood onwards, I was interested in science and especially physics. I should thank my teacher Ananda Shankar Sir for this. He inculcated this interest I me. Learning science in a fun filled manner, for doing experiments and for many other things..

When I saw Sir Arvind Gupta’s website, that long lost interest in me came back. .. And I am thrilled. Today whomever talked to me , have heard about this from me

I read that Arvind Gupta is the 1988 winner of the National Award for Science Popularisation amongst Children, conferred by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. And a recipient of Distinguished Almunus Award 2000 from the IITK “In recognition of his outstanding and seminal contributions in developing low-cost science-base teaching aids for young children and thus doing a great service to humanity at large”.

Mr Gupta graduated from IIT-Kanpur, with a degree in electrical engineering, and had a short stint at Telco. He then decided to work and make science fun for school children. “Children develop distaste for science due to the sophisticated instruments in school laboratories,” he said.

These toys make children feel that science can be easy to learn. He shows some geometrical shapes that have been made using matchsticks and valve tubes from a bicycle. This model easily explains that a triangle is the most rigid geometrical shape.

His mission in life is “Give a happy childhood to children to have a peaceful society.”

His website contain a huge collection of material regarding popular science and education in general. Also the toys section is worth browsing

http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/

Cloud : A poem by my 5 year old daughter

2010-08-04T14:42:00.004+05:30

It was night and we were sitting outside staring at the sky ..and she said this poem ..I was so surprised ..and asked her to say it again ..

Cloud Cloud , Come here

Come down here

Take your friend sun

Up in the sky

If we have sun

We will have light

If we have light

We will be happy

According to her, the sun goes under the water to sleep. His house is there. And when it is morning, he will come up .. Thats why, during night, she is asking clouds to come down and take the sun with them ..

I dont understand this logic

2010-08-04T14:36:00.000+05:30

This is an article which I wrote long long back .May be two years back .. Today when I was browsing my system, i found this ... Posting it here ..

I was getting ready to go out. I wanted to check my weight. I plat my hair, put a Bindi. No, this one is not looking good. I will put a maroon one. Ha, now it is beautiful. Apply eye-liner too. Else my eyes will be looking like yellow of a bulls-eye made of egg. Eye-liners have some speciality to make our eyes look smaller. I don’t know whether this is true. But this is what I feel and I apply it only because of this reason. Last thing, let me apply some lip –glow. This one I bought it for Rs 110. So costly. Usually I won’t go for such costly cosmetics. But this I bought because I liked the color very much. I bought it two years back. Still it is with me. I rarely use it. Done. I smiled looking the mirror. Good.

“There is no use in applying all these. It’s the smile which is important. Smiling makes your face beautiful” My inner mind said. Yes, I will always put a smile on my face from now onwards. I decided.

I was searching for my hand bag and I heard “Amma .. Amma ..” .. Oh she woke up. I ran to the bedroom. My daughter Anju woke up. She was waiting for me to come.

“Did you wake up my dear?? Your sleep is over ??” I asked.

“No, sleep..” she replied. She is only one and a half year old and she havent learned to form sentences. She will attach two or three words together. That’s it.

Sleep means she want to sleep for more. But she will not sleep. I know that. Even if I try for one hour, she will not sleep.

“ Let me take some milk for you ? See your stomach is empty and it is crying asking for milk. You stay here in bed. I will go and bring milk for you.” I ran to the kitchen.

I took the milk can. It was too hot. I wanted to cool it before I take it in the bottle. I poured it in to a big vessel.

Oh..No .. What is this ?? What happened to this milk ?? It has become dark black Charcoal pieces. What is happening here ??

“ Ammaaaaa.,….” I called my mother who was reading news paper in the Front room. No response from her. I just turned around to see that the back colour charcoal has been changed to bright red shining crystals.

“wooow ..” this is beautiful. I thought. But what is happening out here. Is is some miracle like that ganapathi idols drinking milk. Oh my god.

Anyway, Now I don’t have time to think about all that because I have to rush to check my weight. I pulled my bag out and took my daughter and left the house.

I have to go to the aradya clinic where they have a weighing machine. I thought I will take the short route as I was getting late. Now itself the clock has stuck 5.00. I will have to come back before rain.

The climate was too good. Nice breeze. The sky was cloudy. Today it will rain for sure. But I havent taken the umbrella. Oh shit, how I forgot that. I don’t mind drenching in rain. But what will happen to my daughter. She is too small and is not used to that.

No problem. If it rains I will take shelter in some houses and will call my husband who will come and pick us in his car. I was relaxed with the thought.

We were walking through the road and my daughter stopped in between. “poova .. “ She told.

Oh.. She want flower. I went and plucked one flower and gave it to her. She was very happy. Everyday when we go for a walk, I give one flower to her. She likes it very much and will hold it in her hand till we come back to our house. Then she will give it to her grandmother and will say love you. This is the normal schedule.

“ Anju, walk fast. Come, I will take you in my lap” I lifted her up and started walking fast.

What is this? I have been walking for the past half an hour and why I am not reaching that clinic. Last time it took me only 10 minutes to reach there. I took the same route. Only then I noticed that so many things have changed in the way. There were no houses to be seen and the road was not tarred. I thought there might be some construction going on..But how come grass has grown till this height. Last time when I came here it was not there.

I stopped and looked around. I saw one shop – some Chinese name. I went to that shop and thought of asking the route. As I entered the shop, the smell of fried rice and Gobi Manchurian touched my nose.

Excellent!! This seems to be a good shop. But I havent seen this here before. A lady came near me, bowed at me and asked something. I couldn’t understand a single word. She was talking some other language. May be Chinese or Japanese. Ha, now I noticed she is not an Indian. She is from some other country. I was startled.

I asked her the route to go to the clinic. She pointed to a road. I was doubhtful because the road was a small walk way with bushes grown till man height. Anyway, I didn’t have any other choice and walked through that road. I walked for another 15 minutes and I saw the clinic. Thank god. I reached the clinic.

There was heavy traffic on the road and I stood there waiting for the green signal so that I can cross the road.

“ Suanya .. sunaya..” some one called me. I opened my eyes. Amma was there.

“You not going to office today ?? You only told that you have a meeting today morning at 8.30”

“ Yes Amma, I will wake up within 5 minutes” saying that I closed my eyes.

Oh .. all this was a dream. I smiled.

When I was brushing my teeth, I thought again of the dream. Why I saw such a dream ? I tried to remember each and every moment of the dream. Milk turning charcoal and Chinese lady etc .. But where I was running ?? To check my weight.

I got it. May be because I checked my weight yesterday I got that dream.

Yesterday while returning home I went to food court in ITPL and checked my weight. I always used to wonder why they have kept a weighing machine there in a food court. May be they want to make people realize that the food which we take is making us fat and you always be aware of how much you are carrying yourself all through your life. But wont that affect their business. If people realize it, wont they take less food. I don’t know. I didn’t understand the logic. Leave it. It is none of my business.

I have been on GM diet for the past one week. GM diet stands for General Motors diet which was developed exclusively for employees for general motors. You be on that diet for one week and you will lose weight at least 3 kgs. And this is definite. My colleague was talking about this during lunch time.

I havent heard about this before. Just after returning from lunch I went to Google and searched for GM diet. I opened wikipedia site and read all about GM diet. I read some blogs too. Some people lost 7 kgs, and some have lost only 0.5 kgs. That is great. For long I was trying to reduce my weight which I had put during my pregnancy time. But nothing was happening.

Exercise is not meant for me. One fine morning I will feel that I should exercise and I will go for a long walk. While walking I decide and plan for the coming days as to when should I wake up and what all exercises I should do. But the nest day morning I will not wake up at all till 8.00. I will be thinking that everyday we need not exercise. It is okay to skip one day and will sleep happily.

But this time I will do it. I will go on GM diet. I decided. I took the print out of the diet plan and kept it safe in my bag. I went to the food court and checked my weight. 78 kgs.

While going home I bought fruits much enough for me to survive the first day. The first day we are supposed to eat only fruits, the next day vegetables, the third day fruits and vegetables etc .. The diet plan goes like that .. The next day Morning when I woke up I was thrilled. I myself arranged my breakfast with one apple, one small papaya and one mango. Great. I ate it happily.

“Its filling yaar.” I told my husband. “I am feeling good. You can also try this” . I told my husband.

“ Ayoo ..Please leave me” . He told folding his hands, smiling and left.

Sunaya, don’t pressurize others. When they see the effect of this diet they will automatically take this. Don’t worry.

Third day. Today I am supposed to take only fruits and vegetables. I was shocked to hear my manager saying that today is team lunch and we will go to Zindbad, a restaurant in ITPL. Shoo .. today my diet will be a flop. NO sunaya, today is the day to show your will power. You should follow your diet. I went with the team and didn’t take anything else other than carrot and cucumber salads.

Four days passed. Today is the fifth day. Today is the feast day. You can take beef and tomato. Oh I am a vegetarian and so I can take rice and sprouts. Tomato I don’t like it. But that is necessary to burn the calories. Okay I will take two. I will not be able to take 8, which is the actual count.

I took some rice. I took two chappathi. Sunaya, stop my mind was telling. Its okay . Taking two chappathi will not add to your calorie. Little by little I took enough and I was feeling heavy. The next two days also didn’t go well with diet plan. But I took care not to eat heavy stuffs like chips etc. I ate less.

Yesterday the diet ended and now it’s the time to check weight. I went to the food court and put a one rupee coin inside that. “Stand” . the instruction read. I stood on the machine. “Your weight is …” the instruction started flashing. Come on, why this is very slow.

“Your weight is 80”

Oh... How can this be? 80 kgs. I was only 78 before diet. May be because I am holding my bag also. Oh I forgot to remove it. I took one more one rupee coin, put my bag down and again checked the weight.

“Your weight is 79.5”. This silly bag is only half a kilo. Damn it. I got angry. This machine is faulty. I assured myself and left the place. But how it can happen. I was on hard diet for one week and my weight is increased by 1.5 kgs. Sometimes I don’t understand the logic behind all these.

Indomitable Spirit

2010-08-03T15:55:00.001+05:30

A must read book for everyone .. Every page contain some information for us to think about ..

The contents of the book goes like this ..
Inspiring Lives

Everyone's life is a page in the human history irrespective of the position he or she hold or the work he or she performs.

My Teachers

Give me a child for seven years, afterwards, let the God or the devil take the child, they cannot change the child.

The Mission of Education

When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms, when creativity blossoms, thinking emanates, when thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit, when knowledge is lit, economy flourishes.

Creativity and Innovation

An ignited mind is the most powerful resource on earth, above the earth, and under the earth.

Art and Literature

Art is a benign expression of the inner beauty in nature. Be it a cartoon, sculpture or literary composition, it elevates the beautiful spirit of life for everyone to see and enjoy. Such a spirit silently but eloquently conveys the message of love, humour, affection, and peace ..."

Abiding Values

See the flower, how generously it distributes perfume and honey. It gives to all, gives freely of its love and, when its work is done, it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming despite all its qualities.

Science and Spirituality

Science is the best boon that God has bestowed upon mankind. Science with reasoning becomes the capital of society... The convergence of science and technology with spirituality is touted to be the future for both science and technology, and spirituality.

Tomorrow's Citizens

If India has to become developed by 2020, it will do so only by riding on the shoulders of the young.

Empowered Women

When women are empowered, a society with stability is assured. Gone are the days when women were considered subservient or secondary in almost all walks of life compared to men. It has now amply been proved that women are capable of executing any job as efficiently as men, if not more so.

Towards a Knowledge Society

Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. The acquisition of knowledge has been the thrust area throughout the world and sharing the experience of knowledge is a unique culture of our country.

Building a Developed India

We should all create a nation that is one of the best places to live in on this earth and which brings smiles to billion faces.

Enlightened Citizenship

Enlightened citizenship has three components: education with value system, religion transforming into spiritual force, and creating economic prosperity through development.

Creative Leadership

Creative leadership is exercising the task to change the traditional role from commander to coach, from manager to mentor, from director to delegator and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect.

Indomitable Spirit

Some quotes from this book can be seen here

A great motivating day -- I could meet Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

2010-08-02T17:35:00.000+05:30

Wooow .. I was able to meet Dr APJ Adbul Kalam. He visited us in my office on a Leadership Talk series. The announcement of his arrival for the talk series was done one month back. I had put some reminders here and there, just to make sure that I don’t miss and also to read more about him before that day.

At last, after a long wait, the day finally arrived. I was part of cheering squad, whose task was to wave a flag and welcome him Cheerfully. The advantage of being in that is that we will be able to see him in one-arm distance.

From morning onwards, I was so excited .. Got ready .. Read Wings of fire for sometime ..

He arrived and the TV broadcast was going on .. Goosebumps was already there for me. We all were watching him coming to the hall. And when we passed us, Oh god ..We felt very good ..

He gave his speech .. A long motivating speech ..All were listening very carefully… I noted down many points too ..

He mentioned about the incidents from his life .. I had already read those in his Autobiography ..This time it was different , I was hearing it from him ..So was great..

He made everyone mesmerized with his words .. Am sure, many from the crowd got motivated with his speech and his energy.

Some video can be seen in this Link SAP TV Blog

Am reading “Indomitable Spirit” – another wonderful book from him. Every page contain valuable information.

Read more about that book here .

Bump Top - unique 3D user interface

2010-07-31T13:00:00.000+05:30

Found an interesting video on TED today. About "Bump Top" - a pretty interesting user interface ..A brain child of the brilliant minded university student Anand agrawala, this fully featured desktop replacement is very amazing to see ..

Why wasting time reading my explanation, do view that video directly in TED

Video on TED

Anand proudly calls "Bump Top" as "Beautiful mess" and demonstrates his prototype.

Bump Top is now acquired by Google, I read here

Article about 4 kids updated in Facebook also

2010-07-31T12:43:00.000+05:30

Happy to see my article updated in their site ijn Facebook aslo :)

4Kids - The Library just for Your Kids

2010-07-28T17:37:00.001+05:30

How can I not write about “4kids” which is having a great influence in my life now.

I got the info from my friend telling about a new library which is started new and the main advantage is that it has home delivery.

I called the contact number and asked me to give the address, so that I can come and visit the library. I got the reply that there is no physical presence and everything needs to be done online. Oh ..but how will it will be.

I was not so happy. But home delivery option was good for me. I was a person who goes to my library in the weekend. And I had to wait for the weekend to come to get the books changed. So this option was acceptable for me.

Also there was a free trial option for one month. I jumped and logged in. I ordered some books and was happy that the books came that day evening to my house. Also I got a good file to keep the books. Everything was very professional. I started liking it. As soon as the trail period was over, I renewed my membership. And from that day onwards, every week two books come to my doorstep without fail.

They have a well organized website from which we need to order books. The books are organized in different sections - age wise, different category, famous characters ets . And I must say, the ordering is very proper. Good display of books, colorful pictures, we feel like browsing. For giving some books for gifts also,I login to 4kids and browse.

We will get reminders for book requests, which will make sure that we don’t forget to make a book request.
And making a book request is pretty easy, just two steps process.

All - in - all, I find many good things in 4 Kids.

"Billion Beats" An e-paper from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

2010-07-28T16:12:00.000+05:30

Our former president Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam launched yet another mission .. His e-paper "Billion Beats"

Quotting his words here
"The paper will celebrate the success of the people wherever they are. It may be from an agricultural village, or fishing village, it may be from a dairy village, it may be from the industrial or service sector," he said.

You can read more about this venture here
We need to log on to www.abdulkalam.com to access billion beats and subscribe.

Browsing through the site, I found many interesting things ..

There is one section called My Garden Smiles ..where in he has uploaded some snaps of flowers and had written catchy captions like

We Spread happiness ..
We give you happiness and the Language is Love ..
We compete in giving happiness...

Too good ..

I have read his "Wings of Fire" book .. Yet to read "Ignitted Minds" ..
If Mr. Luck favours. I will be able to meet him this friday :)

DD National - Good Old channel

2010-07-28T14:44:00.000+05:30

Cadbury's add .. How we used to love this add .. DD was the only channel then and we used to eagerly wait for the commercials to arrive ..

Life was very simple then ..No browsing of channels .. No changes ..

Got this link which has many more good commercials and programs which used to come in DD ...

http://ddnational.blogspot.com/

Amul -- Utterly Butterly Delicious

2010-07-28T14:38:00.001+05:30

I was reading the article in ET “ New marketing strategies by Amul milk and Tata tea making waves”, which talks about their new product “long-Life” milk. Out of curiosity, started browsing about Amul.

As soon as we hear about Amul, the first image which comes to our mind is the Amul Moppet .. who is a cute round eyed, chubby cheeked little girl.. I read about the origin of that campaign here

There was a hoarding on the way of my journey from college to my home .. And me and my friend used to wait for the hoarding to change ..We used to watch it eagerly to see what is the next thing which comes up ..Each one was better ..

Amul Surabhi is something which comes to my mind .. Charming smile of Renuka Shahane and the Wittiness of sidharth Kak.. Oh .. Used to love that program like anything ..

Yes.. this video is wonderful ..

Floating along ...

2010-07-23T15:24:00.000+05:30

How beautiful are songs !!

Just listen ..and float along ..

Some will make us feel good ..

Some will make us feel good, still will make us cry ..

For some unknown reason ..

One Song .. It is a romantic song ..but listening it to two-three times, will make my eyes wet ..even today .. reason, I don’t know .. I love that song very much .. (Youtube link here)

I had heard it some 10 years back and from that time onwards, it was one of my favourites .. Now after a long time, I got to hear it in youtube.. And see the power of that song, I got the same feeling which I used to have some years back ..

Oh ..so good ..

Am browsing for more songs ..and is listening to all my old favourites .. Oh ..I don’t want this to end .. 

Feel like going on a long ride , with these songs put in full volume .. High speed .. Straight road ..With some good scenary on both sides ..

And after sometime, it is drizzling .. And after some time, rain is heavy ..we reduce the speed of the car ..

One sad song is playing now …

Again ..The weather is becoming clear ..I can see pure white clouds floating in the sky ..they are moving fast ..like me ..

I lower the glasses of my car .. and cool air is blowing in my face .. I close my eyes and enjoy ..

Song is changed now .. A good romantic song .. Car is going fast now ..

Oh .. Super .. I am enjoying ..

Current Read : Henry and Mudge

2010-07-21T10:45:00.000+05:30

Current read of my daughter .. Henry and Mudge ..
Story of a boy who is alone ..and his pet Mudge .. Beautiful narration ...

Amazon link here

Today's Morning Whistles

2010-07-21T10:41:00.001+05:30

Morning as I was getting ready to come to office, I heard my son making some sounds to catch my attention.. I went near him .. He was playing with the ball and it had gone beneath the sofa .. I bend down and looked ..

Oh, I can’t take it with hand .. Looked around to find something lengthy ..Bat .. No , it is not to be found ..

I made a roll of the news paper and with much difficulty I took it out. I gave it to him with a exciting expression on my face … I wanted him to be happy ..and also in my mind, I was mentioning “See, your mamma, in spite of time crunch , took the ball and gave it to you” ..

He was very happy to get the ball back .. And he looked at the ball and then my face .. I also felt happy ..

Immediately, he bend down and pushed the ball again back to the same place .The ball, as if happy, went to the extreme corner of the sofa ..

“Oh ..ho .. What did you do ?? We will take it later .. I “ I started to go back ..

He started screaming .. he wanted the ball.

Again, with my new tool (read news paper) , I took the ball and gave it ..

He found this “GAME” interesting .. Pushing the ball down and mamma taking it ..

Even I felt good with the way he is enjoying ..

With all these drama at home, I took my Honda active and started to office .. I had to buy some biscuits for some children whom I see on the way to my office .. One day when there was a signal block, my bike was parked just in front of their so-meant-house .. I saw some 4 kids .. the eldest one may be 5 years ..

They were playing ..and one boy was looking at me ..I don’t know why he was staring at me .. and he smiled .. I felt like giving something to him ..But I didn’t had not even a chocolate with me .. That day I had thought I will buy something for them ..

So I stopped in a shop , bought two Tiger biscuits (Rs 20 each) , Four Boruborn biscuits (Rs 10 each)… Paid the money and left ..

Only after I travelled some distance I realized that the shawl I have worn is of a different churidar ..

Oh ..god..now what will I do.. I cant go to office with that ..Its not at all matching with the chudidar ..Anyone can make it out ..

I took a U-Turn and went back home.. Changed the shawl and again started ..

When I reached their place, I stopped and gave the biscuits to the kids ..They were so happy, grabbed the packet and went inside the house ..By the time , I start my vehicle again, some two kids came back and was looking around ..they had biscuits in their hand ..

I felt very good seeing their smile ..Its not that I did some great thing ..Indeed I was thinking why am I not doing some thing like this often ..

It cost me only 80Rs, which is the cost of the soup if I go for a lunch/dinner outside ..and some 5 min , to get the things from the shop, stop it and give it ..

Still, why I don’t do it often ?? I should do it ..I decided ..

Current Read of my daughter : Pooh's Valentine

2010-07-20T20:12:00.000+05:30

Currently my daughter is reading this book ..she has a liking towards Winnie the Pooh ..and likes reading those books ..

Even I have started liking pooh and piglet and went ahead and read the book
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh

Wonderful narration ...

I had already written about these favourite cutties in my blog before .. Read it here

Baby Pinky

2010-07-20T17:06:00.000+05:30

I am proud to present a picture drawn by my 10 year old niece Shreya .. She has named it Baby Pinky ..Isnt she beautiful :)

Dream and be a Dreamer ..

2010-07-20T17:05:00.003+05:30

It has been long since I wrote something on this blog .. And I feel somewhat .. I feel like I have left this blog out .. Oh no, dear blog ..I haven’t ..

You are like my family now .. I am very close to you now.. But am not getting much time to come and write ..hence I just upload some photos and leave … but I have many things to write ..So many things .. But many are not structured ..and don’t getting time to put across ..

Today one my colleague gave me a book - Dolphin, The story of a dreamer.. Finished it in 25 min .. good .. It’s a small book, but it gave a very good message .. Asking us to Dream and hold on to our dream and work towards it…

Yes .. I started thinking what is my dream ?? Do I have one ?? yes ..I do have one .. And it’s a secret dream .. Not to be published now ..

But am I working towards it .. To be frank, No ..I don’t .. I should do it .. Everyday we should put some effort towards it .. Should start working towards it ..

Yes, from today onwards ..Will do it ..

Some more Cards

2010-07-16T16:19:00.000+05:30

Customizable Cards

2010-07-16T16:16:00.000+05:30

Made some customizable cards which can be personalized with Photo, Name, Personal Message etc .. We can do it via SnagIt or Photoshop or MsPaint ..

In case any of you want some help, please get in touch with me at nayak.sudha@gmail.com

I would be happy to do it for you :)

my "Name"

2010-07-14T14:58:00.001+05:30

When you meet a person with the same name what do you feel ? Warm fussy feeling or some sort of irritation

For me, it is the second. Even though I know that there will be many people with the same name as mine, I feel somewhat when I see such a person.

The name is supposed to be uniquely yours. And it shouldn’t be shared with someone else.

Just imagine .. “Ok.. you three Sudha’s stand this side”

Oh ..ho ..I cant imagine ..

There was a great effort to find a good name for my kids. Before , I mean some years back, the names used to be a piece from Mamma’s name and a piece from Pappa’s name.

Fine, I tried that also ..nah ..no use ..Some weird names turned up .. "SuRa", "RaSu", "Jatha", "Matha"
Oh ..no ...

At last, went back to Google ..and started searching .. got n number of names .. all orgnazied and listed

Baby Boy, Baby Girl

Hindu Names, Christain names

Starting with A, B, …

Oh ..good .. Good collection…

Should it start with some particular letter ? “A” .. then everywhere they will come first ..in attendance in class to lists ..

Should it be name of a god .. Should we take numerology in to consideration ..

So many thoughts .. Many days ..at last short list some names ..again go back and search for more ..

Review the list ..

Try calling the name loud ..Is it sounding ok.. I should be calling them with this name all through my life ..

And also they (the kids) should be happy with their names. Later they shouldn’t come back and complain about the name ..

So much of homework and at the end finalize on one name.

After all these, in the initial years we call them by the pet names. The kid will not be knowing his/her real name unless until they go to school.

Slowly they realize that they have different names … Common pet name, Petname which daddy calls, pet name which mamma calls and one Real name ..

Later that name becomes their identity and it becomes the sweetest word for them.

Portrait

2010-07-14T06:01:00.000+05:30

This is my portrait, by the little artist - my daughter ..

On the days when we dont go out to playground, drawing in the verandah is her favourite activity ..Yesterday, this picture was drawn ..

Crow's kiss

2010-07-09T16:19:00.001+05:30

Everynight when I put my daughter to sleep, we give a "Good night Hug" and a "Good night Kiss" ..

Yesterday when she gave me a kiss, she had a doubht

“Mamma, how does the Crow’s kiss ??”

“What ??” I asked

“Their beaks are like this naa ..She depicted it using her fingers ..How they can kiss ?? “

“They join their beaks and kiss .. My dear ..”

Now close your eyes and sleep ..

Lazy Brain of mine ..

2010-07-02T18:14:00.001+05:30

Sudha .. She called me .. I was surprised and turned back to see who it was .. I had gone to another building of my office for some work and never expected someone to know me there .

She came to me .. Oh .. it was .. what was her name ?

Oh ..god .. I am not able to remember her name .. My god . I smiled and talked to her ..

But what is her name .. Can I ask her the name..No too bad .. Don’t do that Sudha.. It will spoil everything ..

She was talking to me as if we just met yesterday .. But in real, we had met long back, some three years back ..

How is your daughter.. she asked ..

Yes ..She is fine ..and did you knew I have one more kid now ..

Oh ..is it ..

And the conversation continued ..and after sometime we parted .. but somehow I was very irritated after that .. I got angry with myself for not remembering her name ..

Back at desk, suddenly I remembered her name ..

Oh ..Now a days , this happens to me many times ..Not able to recollect the names when in need .. Is this an illness.. I feel I am not exercising my brain as it is needed .

When I need to remember something, put a to-do list , add reminder, in outlook, or google calendar or mobile etc ..

Everything, I put it somewhere safe , so that I can refer.. This computer and internet helps a lot in that ..In that way, the need of memory in brain is very less now a days ..and in that my brain has become very lazy ..

No Sir, I will not allow you to be lazy ..You have to be active ..I will work on some brain exercises from today onwards ..Let me try and come back to you with the outcome in some days ..

Yummy Cakes ??

2010-07-01T13:42:00.000+05:30

I had written a post on Cakes some days back in my Cheerful Momz blog .. Cakes are yummy and we eat it with Love in the heart and Smile on the face..

However, what should we do when we see cakes like this ?? I wonder ..

The little one who demanded his cake should be this is very fond of snakes, Dinosaurs etc .. He can recognize diferent species of snakes and Dinosaurs .. Now he is behind Bat's. Vampire Bat , and .. I really didnt knew there are diffrerent varieties of bat .. I knew only one bat.. Initially when I heard, i thought about Cricket bat ..

Books of Choice

2010-06-30T22:49:00.000+05:30

Listed are some of the book which are my daughter's favourite ..she loves to read these again and again ..

Bubbles .. Cute little monkey

Pepper -- Naughty Puppy

Nini .. Sweet little Baby Sheep

Pooh's stories , Bruno and Pepper -- Collection of stories ..

Book Stand

2010-06-30T22:45:00.000+05:30

Just for fun, me and my daughter made this book stand .. One plastic box, covered with beautiful paper .. And stick some coloured cello tape .. Book stand is ready ..

Just an Update

2010-06-24T17:09:00.000+05:30

My Blog marathon initiative was broken because of many reasons. Anyway, Let me stop it here, I am not going to resume it now. Somehow I got a feeling that the quality of my blogs are coming down. I don’t want to happen that. So stopping it . Whenever I have the urge to write, I will write ..

Yes, I will write .. But only when I feel so .. ha ha ha .. I feel good ..

Today attended a session on Fire Safety in my company … What to do when some fire happens. I had already written it in my previous post : "Shocking News"

Similar things were told today also. And they taught how to activate Fire Alarms and also use Fire estinguisher. Also the importance of learning First aid was also mentioned.

I was surprised to hear that every quarter they have first aid trainings in our office and many were not aware. I have registered for the training.Should attend it when it is organized next time.

Have so many things to buy today when I go home .. Climate is very good outside .. Traffic is very bad outside ..But what to do, i have to get out and go home ..Both the kids will be waiting for me .. Should see their face when I go .. Sometimes feel guilty of coming to office ..

Working mom specials ..Not going into details of all these .. Chalo ..going now .. Have a nice time .. all of you ..who see this blog post :)

A malayalam Rhyme : My entry for Tulika Blogathon

2010-06-22T16:39:00.000+05:30

Thanks Smitha for sharing the info about Tulika Blogathon.

Here is my entry for that .. A small malayalam poem ..

Vaa Kuruvi varu kuruvi ,Vazha kai mel iru kuruvi
(Oh little bird, please come and sit in this branch)

Naaru tharam Chakiri tharam, Koodundaakan koodey varaaam
(I will give you twigs so that you cn build your house ..Even I will come with you .. )

Veyil alley choodalley, Thalalil irikkuka sughamalley
(Its a sunny day and is pretty hot ..Isnt it good to sit in Shade )

Nee veruthey pokaruthey, Thanal kittathey valayaruthey
(Please dont go like this and roam around without shade )

Thoughts from my Mind (NaBloPoMo Post 8)

2010-06-15T17:23:00.001+05:30

Thought which are in my mind right now

1. Too tired. Had too many tasks to complete today in office.

2. Need to go home now. Kids will be waiting

3. Should buy Toffee for kids while going

4. Should read some posts on Interior Decoration Tomorrow

5. Couldn’t go to gym today. Should go tomorrow

6. Think before you click. Read the post here ..

(http://sunaya.sulekha.com/blog/post/2010/06/think-before-you-click.htm)

7. Read NameSake in the night.

8. Sit with my daughter and make her learn Hindi Alphabets

9. It might Rain now and I will be drenched.

Sudha .. Run ..

Moments captured from my Kerala Trip (NaBloPoMo Post 7)

2010-06-14T17:05:00.000+05:30

A visit to Kerala, my home town is always very refreshing.. Even though the days will be jam packed, we feel rejuvenated. The above photo is a collage of the photos we clicked during one visit ..

The first one is the view from our house there .. All greenery ..Get up early morning and sit in the verandah sipping a hot tea .. Simply looking outside .. Kids will be sleeping .. me and my husband make sure that we sit there for sometime in the morning .. Its so energizing ..

Around 7.00 in the morning , some pigeons come for their routine visit . MY mother in law has stocked some grains for them. They come, eat and go. When we go, its my daughters job to feed them..She wakes up when they come and she is so happy to feed them too..

The picture in the middle is the view from my college .. Isnt it charming ? Read more in my previous post here

We enjoyed watching sunset sitting in the park in Ernakulam. Sharing with you two snaps from there.

Oh , how I miss those … Just waiting for my next trip to Kerala..

Nail Polish (NaBloPoMo Post 6)

2010-06-13T19:50:00.000+05:30

Yesterday night, after dinner we all were talking , my daughter came to me and asked

"Mamma, can i apply nail polish to your nails ?"

"No darling, tommorow I have to go to office .."

"Mamma, see its a beautiful color "

"No dear ..Please .. no "

Some serious matter was getting discussed ..So I shifted my attention towards that ..

My four year old was again pestering me ...and so I agreed for applying nail polish and showed my hands to her ..

Yes, She sat silent .. She was happy and I was also happy ..

Some 10 min after, she asked me to look at the nail polish ..

"Very beautiful dear .. " i commented ..to be frank, i didnt pay much attention to the nail polish , because I had decided to remove that during night ..

Nail polish will not be there in the nails alone ..It will be spread to the fingers also..

Night i realized the sad fact that there is no remover in the house .Morning will buy one from the shop, remove it and go to office, I thought ..

Next morning, I had to rush to office to reach on time to the meeting .. Sitting in the meeting room and waiting for the meeting to start, I realized that my nails are beautifully painted with some deep pink color .. and that too here and there in the fingers too ..

Oh ..God ..It felt too odd .. the whole of one hour in the meeting room, i tried to hide my left hand,so that no one sees this ..

The meeting was over ..Now again two days are passed ..still that nail polish is there in my hand ..To be true, I dont feel like removing it .. It was what my daughter had put with lot of love and affection..

No, I dont want to remove it ..come what ever may ...

I smiled at her .. (NaBloPoMo Post 5)

2010-06-12T22:06:00.000+05:30

I looked at her , She looked back

I smiled at her , She smiled back

I touched her, She touched me back

I kissed her, She kissed me back

I hugged her , She hugged me back

I loved her, She loved me back

She stayed in my mind all through the day

I longed to be with her, when I was away

I felt her warmth, in her absence also

Thought about her, Dreamed about her

Rushed back to her, hugger her again

Kissed her many times, gave a warm hug

She smiled, She giggled, I felt affectionate

Oh my dear little one, without you, no life for me

Guiding Light (NaBloPoMo Post 4)

2010-06-11T14:12:00.000+05:30

In life we encounter many people of which some leave a lasting impression on us .. i am thinking about such a person who have a big role in tuning my life ..and making me who I am today ..He was my guiding light ..

He was a guest lecturer in our college , when I was doing my BSc physics and he started with the topic Thermodynamics ..The subject and all is irreevant.. I just wrote it as I remember what all he took and his notes and his classes ..

Then he introduced us to the amazing world of astronomy ...Motivated us to start recognizing stars and read more about the vast universe of ours .He triggered that eagerness in me towards this subject ..Today also I go behind seeking knowldge about stars and stellar objects ..

Even though the course was over, we a group of students went to him for learning something extra .. Computers was the chosen subject ..

Holding our hands, he walked to the over whelming world of computers .. MS-DOS was taught first ..Then moving on to windows .. The language "C" was taught with such likeness that still I remember the programs which were written and I love that language ..

More than all the learnings which he had given me, the most important is the other learnings which he had passed on which helped me shaped my future ..I always went to him for advise when ever I was in trouble ..He guided me always ..

He was very hard working and had a never-tiring attitude .. Silent and Gentle, he always had a smile in his face .. He was very soft ..and it was visible when walking also ..as if not to hurt anyone ..

What I have is the endless gratitude towards him for all the help and assistance which he has given me... Now, I feel guilty that I havent contacted him for long ... I am definitely going to try to contact him and convey my gratefullness..

Renjith Sir, a sincere thanks from my heart

Pearls from Heaven ( NaBloPoMo Post3)

2010-06-10T16:20:00.000+05:30

"Positive ..The result is positive .. " I screamed..

I had just done the pregnancy test and it had turned positive..My happiness knew no bounds .. So was my family’s.

Following were careful merry making months ..I got VVIP treatment at house and also the places where I visited.. Got the food which I liked .. Just name it, I got it .. Even though tired and exhausted, I was in good moods always.. Did what all I wanted to do ..Listening songs, reading .. Sleeping .. I slept a lot …

7th month scan ....I was able to see the little one’s head, hands, legs etc… I was too excited ..

On the day of delivery, the doctors were waiting for the Normal delivery to happen. But this little one was not ready to come out. Hence they had to do a c –section. I was given an injection and was asked to relax. Some time passed. I was sleeping, no, in semi-sleep.

Kuaaaa .. Kuaaaa… I heard the loud cry. I woke up. Realized that my little one had come out. “Kutti , Penkutty” (It’s a baby girl). The doctor told. Baby girl. I don’t know how to explain what my feeling at that time was.

I started crying. Cried a lot and lot and lot.

Two minutes later the doctor brought the baby near to me, my face. I kissed her in the lips ..Her lips were cold .. Sweet kiss ..

She was very very small. I had thought that the baby will be a bit big. But this one was very small. She was seeing with her cute little eyes open. Unforgettable moment in my life..

God's gift ..Our Tiny Angel

Years passed..Again I am in the operation theatre .. For my second one .. I was just waiting for the baby to come out ..this time I didn’t sleep .. I was fully awake .. But I was feeling very uncomfortable …

“Sudha, Congrats, you have got a sweet little baby boy.” The doctor said.

“What ? what doctor ? “

“It’s a baby boy, Sudha ? “

“Oh ..” I exclaimed.

“Why ? what happened ? “ Dr asked..

“Nothing…”

I couldn’t believe .. I had thought that it will be a baby girl ..In our family, there are more girls ..Even my daughter wanted a girl only .. How come , this became a boy ..

Is it that the doctor said girl and I heard it as boy ..Should I ask the dr again ?

Or is it some mistake which happened to them ?

I lifted my head to see the baby ..No, cannot see ..

After sometime, I could see the pediatric doctor going to one room with the baby.. Oh ..I saw ..It’s a baby boy ..

Now ..ok ..I believe my eyes ...

Darling number 2 has come to my life

Rain ..

2010-06-09T17:18:00.001+05:30

It is raining heavily outside .. Am sitting in the fourth floor of my office .. Huge noise outside and inside

Outside, it’s the sound of rain ..water pouring with heavy sound …

Inside, noise of people who is running to watch the rain ..Only some ..ok ..But the people who got up and ran were very excited to see it ..

How I love rain .. Love to sit and watch the water droplets falling to the ground .. Remembering the good old days when I was a kid .. How eagerly I used to sit in the verandah and watch rain ..

Leaves moving and swaying … Cool breeze ..

Mamma is making Bajja .. Dear, come and eat it ..

Run to the kitchen , grab some and come back to my seat again .. Hot Bajja in mouth .. mm …

Walking in the rain .. legs getting wet as it touches the cold water… tiny drops of water falling on the face …

As I write this , I Turned back to see whether there is rain or not .. Oh ..god ..it stopped ..I have to go home .. Kids are waiting ..

Grab my bag and leave .. Will think about the rain sometime later

Women and Self Protection

2010-06-09T13:43:00.002+05:30

I had just joined Wipro and was undergoing training. I was staying in the company provided guest house and I met one girl called Ritu, who was from Pune. We were four girls and we became friends very fast.

It was December and the cold season was on its peak. Waking up early morning for going to office to be at time for training was a very difficult task for us. On the other side, this girl Ritu, used to get up early , go for a morning jog, do her exercises and come back fresh. My god.

Evening after coming back from office, when we sit and enjoy the climate, Ritu will go for a jog and exercises. When we are having some conversation, she talked about the importance of exercises and being fit and strong. We got to know that she is karate black belt too. We appreciated her and slowly started admiring her.

One day she told us the reason of her being like that. She was working in one company in Pune and one day and she used to come back late from office. One day when she entered the lane which leads to her house, one person who came from the opposite direction tried to snatch her purse. When she protested, he stabbed her with a knife. She was in pain and fell down. She shouted to the peak of her voice and people from the neighboring houses rushed her to the hospital.

It took her months to recover from that. However she decided that she will learn something which will assist her in protecting herself. Joining karate was the first thing which she did when she was able to. Slowly she build her stamina and now also she was taking care that she is strong and is able to face anything like this.

We don’t realize the need for something unless until we get in to such situations like that. Isn’t it ?

Updates about Gym visits

2010-06-09T13:43:00.000+05:30

I can’t wait till tomorrow to post this blog. I am excited. Some time back I had posted about my new year resolution. And today I took the next step towards that.

Till now, I was doing only cardio exercises like Stepper, Thread mill and cycling. And happy to say that I lost some Kgs. To be precise, Four kgs. That’s good. But of late, I was feeling that it’s not enough. Hence talked with the instructor and asked him to alter my regime.

Today we started with the new things. With weights. 2.5 kgs and exercises with that. To be frank, my hands and legs ached like anything.

10 min in rotator also. I don’t know whether that is the correct name for that. It was also good.

Overall the feel good factor is high for today with respect to gym.

My target is not only weight loss. I am enjoying gym. If I am not able to go for one day, I feel very heavy that day.

You want to know what all motivates me ?

• Wearing the dresses which are kept aside due to misfit.

• Comments from my friends that I lose weight and the expressions in their faces

• Checking my weight in the weighing machine.

First day At School ( NaBloPoMo Post2 )

2010-06-09T10:11:00.000+05:30

My daughter is getting ready to go to school. New bag, New water bottle, New dress etc. My thoughts are drifting to the good olden days when I used to get ready for such a wonderful day.

By May 15th, text books and note books will come home. The new fresh smell of the books is something which I liked very much. Open a new page and smell it. Yes, I can feel it now also.

Covering the books with Brown paper will be done by amma or appa. Me and my brother will sit and apply the name slips. Most of the times, I will select some with beautiful flowers / butterflies etc. My brother’s choice will be Spider man, Cars etc etc. I always felt that my name slips were beautiful than his.

John’s umbrella, New Socks, New shoes. Parents will advise us to keep the new socks and shoes for a later date. Because in Kerala school opens in June and it is the start of rainy season. So they didn’t want to spoil the shoes and socks. But No mamma, everyone will be wearing new shoes and socks. So how can we wear the old ones.

On the new day, will wake up early, prayers to God and get ready. Everything is new. Happy. Waiting, Rain is definite to come. I don’t remember any year where rain was not there on the day of school re-opening.

Fully drenched in rain, we will go to school. The verandah of the school will be full of water. I am getting that special smell now also. Meeting all the friends. Will have so many things to say.

Before that we should go to the classroom and book our seats. Should sit near our friends. Start chatting. What all we did, where all we went etc.

Waiting for the teacher to come. She will be our class teacher for the coming year. Very happy when we see the teacher whom we know and whom we love. Then start the academic year.

When going back home also, the thrill will be fresh in the mind. Very less portions taught today in the classroom. So can learn fast in the evening. Reaching home , arranging the books, separating those which has homework to do and those which don’t have.

And waiting for Mamma to come back home from her office so that I can tell everything which happened in school.

Gone are those days, still the memories are fresh.

Life's Little Treasures ( NaBloPoMo Post1 )

2010-06-08T15:27:00.001+05:30

My blood group is B +VE and I have taken “Be Positive” as my motto. Always trying to find positive things in every individual, incident or whatever it is. I feel that finding happiness in life’s little treasures is something which we should implement in our life.

It’s not that I am always positive; I try to stay positive and happy most of the time. Listing some little things which make me feel good.

1. Watching my kids sleeping as soon as I wake up every day morning

2. Eyes closed saying a morning prayer and concentrating on breathing for a minute

3. A deep breadth outside the house where in I get fresh air and the cold air fill my inside

4. Sitting curled in the sofa with a hot cup of coffee and news paper in hand

5. Sweet smell of baking idli and sambar from the kitchen

6. A fresh shower with like warm water

7. A beautiful morning kiss to my daughter

8. Warm hug from my son

9. Butterflies fluttering their wings and flying in the garden

10. Clouds floating across the sky. Wish I could touch them

11. Heavy cool breeze blowing across my face when I ride my two wheeler

12. Watching the excitement of my kids when they see me back during the evening

13. Walk with the kids talking about different different things.

14. Watching their little mouths open when I am feeding them in the night.

15. Watching them doze off to sleep

16. Reclining with a book in my hand and reading.

Thanking God Almighty for the life’s little things which I treasure.

Blog Marathon : NaBloPoMo

2010-06-08T15:05:00.000+05:30

Read about blog marathon in the Preeti’s blog .

Hey, its interesting. Everyday a new blog post. I am also going to try it.

Now a days I have got a very bad habit of thinking everything in matter of blog post. Whenever I see something, think something I feel I can write a blog about that and my mind start forming sentences to write. So thinking there will not be any difficulty with topics. But whether I will be able to dedicate time for writing. That should be seen. Work in office is on a higher end this time of the year. Still, going to give it a try. No harm for anyone. If I am able to , I will post. Else leave it.
World, I am going to start the blog Marathon. One month, one post every day.

Teachers ... Role Models ?

2010-06-07T10:46:00.005+05:30

I am writing about my teachers who taught me during my MCA course. I am not mentioning where I learned and I will not be mentioning the names of the teachers. But my buddies of the same college can easily make out by my description. Dears, if you know also please don’t mention the names.

Oopan

Everyone knows him by this name only. How he got his name. He started teaching OOPS (Object Oriented Programming). He was a person who will tell "only" 2 – 3 times in a sentences.

“I only gave you this assignment only to finish it by this Thursday only.”

Our class room activity was to circulate chits which have only English. And after some days , many of us realized the fact that we also have started using Only many a times in our language.

And it contiued like that ..

HOD

Artificial Intelligence was supposed to be his subject. Semester is of 6 months duration, of which 5 months will be class room sessions and the sixth month exam. We will not be having any classes for AI (Artificial Intelligence) during these five months. When study leave is about to start, he will arrange for classes for two days.

At a stretch three hours for two days, the whole syllabus is over.

Did I understand anything from those classes ? No

Do you remember what was studied ? No

Did you pass the exam ? Yes.

Don’t ask me how. I passed that exam.

Sweetie Cuttie

Very innocent and always will have a big smile on his face. We all liked him very much. Whenever faced with any problem, we used to rush to him. He will try his level best to help us.

Assignments are his favorite. You work out a complex program and show it him, he will not be happy. He will give somewhat average mark. If you design something small, but with some colorful display and all, include a smiley etc, he is very happy. You get Very good marks.

In my office

He came as a guest lecturer. He was working in one software firm and came down for taking classes on request from the above mentioned Sweetie Cuttie Sir.

During an hour long class, more than half an hour, he will be explaining about his office. In my office, once we had an issue like this and we solved it like this.

In our office this is what we do . etc etc.

I am sorry, I don’t remember which subject he taught.

Powdered Chalk

He comes to the class with the big fat book of graphics. He was also fat by coincidence. Straight away open the book, take one page and start reading. Reading or looking the picture, I don’t know for sure. He will stare at the book for a long time (may be around 10 min) and then will write the heading in the black board.

Again back to the book, and stare. In the mean time, powder some chalk which is lying in the table. After that will try to copy a picture from the book to the black board. When not able to, rub it off and will come to each one of us in the class and will show the picture and explain it to us.

To be frank, I used to feel very sad for him. So when he explains I used to sit attentively (read it as ACT attentively). He doesn’t have the minimum confidence to stand and tell something to the class. And I was wondering what he is doing being a lecturer.

I am not making fun of these people. I am just writing it to make you people understand the difficulties the students face when the teachers are not able to do justice to their work. For all the papers above, all of us did self learning / Group learning. Some one will learn and make the others understand and then write the exams. Just for exam sake, we learn and then forget it.

Pathetic was the case. But not everyone was like this. I was lucky to have some good teachers too. I am remembering them now ..

One Maam, who was very sincere to her work. Teaches systematically, good interaction with students etc. We used to love sitting in her class and never missed any classes.

Networking became my favorite subject just because of the teacher who taught me that. She was my senior and she came to teach us as a guest lecturer. Still I remember the way she used to teach the classes. And now also, if asked, I can explain the networking concepts to you. Her teaching was excellent, I should say

Out of some 30 papers which we had, only for 4 -5 papers we had good teachers. All the rest were hopeless. Till date I haven’t told anything bad about my teachers, what so ever be their style. But don’t know, why today I am able to open up and write this.

I feel the teachers have a great part in shaping the future of the students. They can bring up a student or can spoil a student’s future and in turn life. Hence a humble request to the teachers (who take the teaching profession) – Please don’t go for teaching profession if you don’t have teaching skills.

And I am sure if I sit with my friends I will have so many more things to write and add to this list ..

Dumma's flight journey

2010-06-07T10:43:00.000+05:30

Dumma was longing a lot for her return journey from Kerala. We had booked our tickets on Plane and she was so thrilled about the journey.

Even though she had travelled before also, she had less memory of that and so she somehow wanted the day to arrive so that she can enter the plane.

As she knew that she will be travelling in plane, she used to ask her granny to tell her the story of plane. And granny, so filled with love, explained all what happens in airport like baggage check in, Boarding pass collection.

She even explained that when you enter the plane, the air hostess will tell “Good Morning and Welcome to Kingfisher”

Dumma used to narrate the whole story whenever asked to.

And on the day of travel, she was so thrilled and as we did everything I explained her about that and she was happy. When entered the plane, the air hostess greeted her telling

“Hello Cuttie, what is your name ? “

“Anjika”, she replied.

“Such a sweet name. Please take your seat madam” she replied to me.

We went and sat inside the plane.

She was very happy that she got a window seat and watched the whole scenes as we started the journey. She saw the clouds and was thrilled to see that we have reached that height of clouds.

“Mamma, where is the sky ? “

“Sky is above us, Dear”

“Whether this plane touch the sky ?”

“No dear, it will not. We are flying between the clouds and the sky. Clouds are below us and the Sky is above us.”

“Will we be able to touch the clouds ?”

“No, we will not be. The windows cannot be opened”

“Why mamma ? “

The conversation broke as the Lunch was served. She ate little of what was served and drank water.

After sometime, she started feeling somewhat and she vomited in the plane. She started feeling very bad with that and was very dull for the rest of the journey.

As soon as she reached our house, she explained it to her granny.

“Ammamma, I vomited in the plane. The food was not good. The air hostess don’t know how to prepare good food. “

She turned around and said to me.

“Mamma, when I become big, I will buy a plane. And I will ride it”

“Okay dear. The person who drives a plane is called a Pilot” I replied.

“Yes. Pilot. I will become a pilot and will drive the plane.

My plane will not have windows and doors. We can touch the clouds sitting in the plane itself. I will not keep anyone as air hostess. There will be only one air hostess and that will be you , mamma.”

Suddenly I imagined myself in the outfit of an airhostess and laughed.

Dumma continued.

“You know how to make fried rice naa, mamma. You know how to make curry. You can prepare good food and we will go.”

“Okay dear, we will go”

She was happy and went out to play.

Dont want to ..

2010-06-07T10:41:00.001+05:30

My daughter is very lazy to write. Every day we have to find something to motivate her. She used to say that when she grows up, she will become a teacher.

During a conversation, I mentioned her that if she becomes a teacher, the students will ask about ABCD to you and then you should learn to write, so that you can teach the students.

Immediately she replied that “Mamma, I will become a house wife”

“Okay, if you become a house wife, you will have children and you will have to teach them”

“Mamma, then I am not going to marry”

These came from the fact that she don’t want to write.

50 things about Me

2010-05-26T10:19:00.001+05:30

Just 50 things about me as a person ..

1. I am a mother of two – elder one is 4 and a half year old and younger one just completed one year

2. I am a working woman – juggling between office and home

3. I love to read – self help books, novels, kids books etc

4. I love to work out in a Gym.

5. Morning walk is something which I dream for – not able to go now a days

6. I smile very often. Laugh too.

7. I own a Honda active and think that everyone should learn driving.

8. I wanted to learn swimming, but couldn’t. I was afraid of fish.

9. I am afraid of cockroach

10. I think, Sunrise and Sunset are the best times of the day

11. I am too attached to my little ones. My world revolves around them

12. I talk out my emotions loud.

13. My eyes are very big and many have compared it to a bulls-eye 

14. I have pink lips and curly hair and I am proud of those ;)

15. I get irritated when I don’t get reply to the mails which I send.

16. I love sweet melodious songs

17. My better half was my senior at college, but it came out as a fully arranged marriage. I wish it was a love-marriage

18. I never leave a chance which I get to sing. Thanks to my daughter, today also she sleeps hearing my songs.

19. I am an ardent fan of Google.

20. I love baby girls more than baby boys.

21. My daily dose of happiness is a hug from my daughter and the kiss given to my son.

22. I am building a small library for my daughter

23. I love applying nail polish to the fingers

24. Ice-creams are yummy and I enjoy munching it

25. My best friend is my mother

26. I admire my co-sisters parenting skills and humor sense. She is my role model in parenting.

27. I want to walk in the beach alone for a long distance

28. I love teaching.

29. Physics and Computers are my favorite subjects.

30. I get angry when I notice someone utilizing others for their self need.

31. I believe in God and thinks that whatever he does will be for good only

32. I am a person who lives in the present moment, no worries for tomorrow.

33. I love to decorate my house

34. I never leave a chance of driving my bike during a rain

35. I admire my husband’s patience secretly

36. Standing with closed eyes in a heavy breeze will wash away all my tensions

37. I am crazy about Pens

38. I hate people talking ill about having a girl child.

39. I am not a newspaper person, means, I don’t read news papers.

40. Reading to my daughter is my daily de-stressing activity

41. I miss the Indian Coffee House cutlets which I used to eat when I was in Kerala

42. I get rejunuvated instantly when I wash my face with cold water

43. I simply love my sons innocent smiles

44. I would love to go back to my childhood days , running and jumping , Eating raw mangoes on a hot summer afternoon

45. I really miss my father who is with the all mighty now.

46. I truly believe that he is happy there and is watching us.

47. I love to watch the evening sky and find the first shining star.

48. The happiest moment of my life was that when I gave birth to my first child.

49. Me and my brother still fight for silly things and I treasure those moments

50. I realize that I am a little mad sitting and writing this long list at 1.37 @ night

Rita's visit to the Park

2010-05-25T14:51:00.000+05:30

(This is the story which my darling Niece Shreya wrote .. Thanks dear for sharing this story with me)

One cold morning Rita’s parents decided to take Rita to a park.Rita was very appy.She got ready and told her parents

“Mum and Dad,I am ready”.

They told, “Ok Rita Lets go in 10minutes”.

After 10 minutes they left home.

It was a long ride.Rita was tired when they reached the park she told her father “I am hungry”

Her father said “Ok Rita”.

They had food and went to the park.

Rita enjoyed the rides and the watar land.

She told her parents “It is the Best day of my life”

Then they rode back home.

The next day in school Rita told her friends about her Visit to a Park 

On-time to the Meeting

2010-05-25T10:36:00.000+05:30

A new mail arrives at my outlook . I opened it immediately. It’s from ..Mmm ..No, I will not tell the name. You-know-who, the person who is on top of us in the office, whom always we fear, who is made fun in many cartoons, Dilbert jokes ..

Yes .. the mail was from him.

Status update meeting. Ok ..fine..

(This kind of meeting happen thrice a year. One in the beginning of the year where we need to set the objectives, second – mid year and third – year end , when we will be scrutinized about what all we had done)

Now, this was the second one. Mid year ..

I checked the time.. Early morning.. 8.30 – 9.30 Start of the day ..

Oh ..no .. Now a days, coming to office early morning is the most difficult task for me. Whatever it is, coming to office at that time is impossible, I thought.

Two kids at home, elder one going to school. Younger – very young..
How will I make it ? Shall I postpone it ? No, What he will think. Let me not

Taken that decision, I started my planning.

You know, to change a schedule it is pretty difficult. I am tuned to one schedule and because of this meeting, I have to change all my schedule. Even for one day I felt it as a big task in hand.

First I put a reminder in Google calendar. It will send an SMS to me. Thanks.

Change my mobile alarm timings to one hour before..Decided on some easy dishes to prepare for breakfast and lunch. ..

“Mamma wont be there to dress her up tomorrow morning, Pappa will be doing that. So be a good girl and behave well. “ - I told my elder daughter

“Why mamma, where are you going ? “

“I have a meeting tomorrow dear.So need to go early.”

“What do you mean by meeting”

“Meeting means I will be talking to my Sir”

“Why can’t you talk later ? “

Goals and objectives, Appraisal, Promotion , Pay Package etc ran through my mind. How will I make this little one understand.

“He is going out later .So need to talk to him before that”

“Now please go to sleep, Tommorow wake up early ..ok ..You have to go to summer camp and it is your last day there. So there will be lots of fun”

She imagined about that and went to sleep.

Morning alarm rings, mamma (me) gets up, rushes to the kitchen, finishes all the work.

Okay ..Am on time. See, well planned things go smoothly. I thought.

“mamma…Mamma ..” Younger one started crying

“Dear, can you please take him ..I wil bring the milk bottle” I requested my better-half.

Fine ..done ..

“Mamma .. come to me .. “ Elder one ..

So tuned ..Both will get up at the same time ..

I went near her , hugged her ..gave her a kiss , just did a small talk. Reminded her about my meeting and rushed for a shower.

As I came out of the bathroom, I heard she fighting with her grandmother for brushing her teeth.

As soon as she saw me, she came running towards me.

”Mamma you please brush it for me”

Instead of explaining, its better I myself brush it. I made her brush her teeth.

Saw the time. 5 more min. If I am late than that, I might not reach the office on time.

Breakfast still not over. Me not ready.

I ran and ran and ran .. Finished all my tasks. No time for breakfast. Took one idli, stuffed to the mouth and ran out.

Forgot my Id card. Went inside , grabbed it and came out.

Forgot my helmet. Do ..Do ..

Started my Honda and rushed . I think I have used the word rushed many times. Sorry, I am not getting any other word here ..Because rushing was what I did today morning.

Heavy block in the road. Prayed that it get dissolved fast. Again raised the speed and hurried. A Volvo bus put a brake just in front of me.

Oooh .. me too put a brake. Just saved.

Got so angry. Wanted to shout something to the driver. But no use. He will not hear. Full AC naa.

Haa ..somehow I reached my office. Parked my vehicle and rushed to the seat.

(again : rushed.. Sorry guys)

8.26. 4 min left. I checked my mails. Oh .. no .. My status update meeting is postponded.

Oh god. I took so much of struggle to be on time. I took a deep breath. This is what is called life. I thought.

Sita's playground

2010-05-24T16:57:00.001+05:30

Another story which was written for my daughter

Anika's Icecream Love

2010-05-24T16:56:00.000+05:30

My daughter loves ice-cream like anything .. Loves any flavour ..Even when crying on top of her voice, if I talk about ice-cream, she will stop crying and listen to my talks about icecream. This story was wrote for her

Skills for Working women

2010-05-11T15:44:00.001+05:30

As a working woman, we will need different skills which can be categorized under Skills at home, Skills at work, Skills to build relationships etc. The same skills will not work in all places. We need different skills at different places.

The first and foremost thing is that we need to get organized.

When we are earning so much, be ready to spend some for yourself. We must buy time, buy rest. Don’t take all the responsibilities on your shoulder. Whenever possible try to get help from someone else and delegate work.

Try to build a good support system. We could ask our Parents, our in-laws to assist us. They should be pampered so that they will be comfortable and can be with us and help us. Don’t make them to baby sit. Make them as a big asset of our house to monitor the things.

Get servants for house hold tasks which can be done by them. Don’t think that all the work that can be done without your intervention. Don’t overload yourself with all the work.

Get reliable services, train them and delegate. So that we get time to relax, rest, read, write, exercise, walk around, visit your relatives etc. When you feel good, you will be able to do your tasks in a best possible manner. You will be able to focus more on your career.

Never feel guilty of not doing the tasks. Think well, and plan it properly. Life is a blessing and we should enjoy it.

(Excerpts from Dr Kiran Bedi’s lecture)

Some info related to Blogs

2010-05-11T09:47:00.000+05:30

Sharing some information related to blogs which I liked most

1. http://blog2print.sharedbook.com/

For turning your blog in to a professionally printed book, visit this website.
Just give your blog link and select the cover, we can see the beautilful book. An excellent picture was put as the front cover. Seeing the book sample itslef I got so excited.

2. http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

Bored with the blogger's standard template ? Try this website. It has a collection of templates which can be set for our blog. It has instrcution to change the template too. Very nice collection.

3. http://lilypie.com/

This site assist us in creating cute graphics which get updated on a regular basis. It can be Birthday's Anniversary's or Holidays. Tickers can be created and it can be added as a gadjet in our blog.

My Hair cut

2010-05-11T09:31:00.000+05:30

(Just imagining how a hair cut means for my one year old son )

I am one year old now and my birthday was celebrated last week..I will write about it later..Let me first tell you something very important.

Yesterday at around 11.00 in the morning I was sleeping in mamma’s lap. I was seeing some good good dreams. I had some tickling sensation in my head. I cried. mamma again sang some song and put me to sleep.

Oh, let me take a break to tell you something here .. mamma’s songs are horrible. :D Cant tolerate. As soon as she sings, I screams. Then she stops the singing and will say some thing like Brrrrrrr, Aahhhhhhh .. That’s beautiful .. Like car sound and all. I like those sounds.

Haa … Coming back. I was sleeping and tickling sensation.. Two or three times I felt that… And after half an hour I got up. Everyone was standing near to me and staring. All were laughing.

My sis touched my head and said something. Didn’t understand it… But I feel some light feeling. As if something is removed from my head.

Mamma also touched my head and asked appa, isn’t he looking too naughty with this hair cut ?

Haa .. So that’s the thing. They had given a hair cut to me and that too when I was sleeping. How rude ?

I had such beautiful hair and wanted to make it a new style.. They had cropped the hair and cut it very short. Oh.. Ho .. This is not fair .. I wanted to cry.. But everyone is smiling and saying that I am looking cute in this style..

Mmm ..for this time excused. Will not allow this next time. Anyway, if everyone is happy I am also happy

Gifts & Return Gifts

2010-05-10T14:25:00.000+05:30

Scene 1

“Mamma, I didn’t get my Return gift”.. My daughter was pestering me. We had been to her friend’s birthday party.

“Dear, they will give it. We will wait” ..I replied.

Scene 2

My daughter’s birthday party. I spend three hours preparing and purchasing the return gifts for all the kids who will be coming for the birthday party.

As soon as the kids start coming, they gave their gifts to my daughter. Job is done.

Cake cutting over .. time to eat cake.. That also done ..

Now return gift ..I heard kids asking their parents about that ..

I went inside and bought all the gifts and distributed it as per their age. Everyone was excited. Some gave the gift to their parents and agreed that they will open it only after they reach home.

Some opened it immediately. I was just watching the expression on the kids face. Some were happy and started sharing their happiness with others. I was also happy.

One kid came running to me and said

“Aunty, I have this at home. Please give me something else”

Oops .Now what will I do.

“Nitin, Shall I give it to you tomorrow? I will send it through your father”

“Okay Aunty”.

He ran away to his mamma and repeated the same sentence.

Mamma was a little bit embarrassed and said “Beta, you shouldn’t say like that. What if you have one at home.. Keep this one with you “

She smiled at me ..Me also smiled back ..

“Kids naa “ ..i said

“Return gifts” have become an indispensible feature of today’s birthday parties. Kids go to party for cake and return gifts. Very happy are they when they receive gifts and return gifts.

For me arranging a birthday party will not take much time

1. Order Cake - Just select one, make payment and done

2. Order snacks -- make payment and snacks will reach home

3. Get Balloons, and décor items. – Easy to buy

4. Dress for the birthday boy/girl – Fine , not so difficult

5. Return gifts - oh god .. So difficult.

I feel this is the most difficult part of arranging a birthday party. For me, it goes like this

1. First of all we have to see how many kids are coming and list down their age.

2. Think of probable gifts which can be given to them.

And the conditions for the gift is

• it shouldn’t be something very common

• it shouldn’t be something which I myself had given for the previous birthday party

• it should be of reasonable cost

3. Okay .. Now go to the shop and try to get those things.

4. Many a times, things will not be available, and then again think of gifts and select one..

This time it took me 2 and a half hour to buy gift for 16 kids who will be visiting me on the day of birthday. Finally it was all done and with a big bag I reach home

And Night I pack everything, label it and keep it handy.

I finished my task.

When I started this post, I thought I will write about the gifts which I bought and all ..But writing till here itself I have become very tired, now will write about the gifts on a later date.

Summer Vacations

2010-05-05T12:15:00.003+05:30

Summer vacations are on. A relief from the busy school schedules. No morning chores of waking up the child, feeding her, get her dressed and sending her to school. Child is also relaxed, parents are also relaxed.

Vacations were a period of fun for us. As soon as we get up, just have some food (that too with too much of pressure from my mother) and start the play. Will come back home only when the sun sets in the west and darkness sets in. Dead tired. Again some food and doze off to sleep.

April-May was the vacation months. Cousins will visit us. We will go to their houses. Too much of fun. As both my parents were working, I was dropped in my fathers house with my grandparents. Ample space to run around, cycle, play in sand was the normal routine. Mango trees will be in full bloom. After lunch it was the time when we pluck raw mangoes and eat with salt and mirchi powder. Mm ..Water is coming in the mouth.

Watching parrots, birds and keeping a watch on the way in which they build their nests was another time pass. There was a small lagoon near to my house. Once in a while, small boats will come through that. It was a great joy to us to watch that. Fishermen used to come for fishing also. We used to stand there watching him for hours. Even we make friendship with them.

Now as my daughter started her summer holidays, I wanted to give her something special, which she will remember. I was totally against summer camp as again they will be going and sit in some closed room and do something, which they may or may not enjoy. Hence didn’t thought about that.

Exactly on the day of her school closing, her grandparents were here. She was in some other world for the following 20 days. The girl who usually insist me to come back early from office, told me that mamma, you come back by 8.00 only.

Grandparents were also happy to play with her. They pampered her with all the love they had. They immediately agree to whatever she asks for. Granny, shall we do this. “Yes ...we can”. When we had NO as the first word, they have YES in the tip of their mouth.

They showered her with stories. She enjoyed those time. Evening time was good. They accompanied her to the playground.

And when it was time for them to leave, she was very sad and was not allowing them to go. With difficulty, we made her believe that they will be back in two days. They left. I was worry free these many days, as she was totally occupied and never came to me for anything.

Now as they left, she was bored and I started thinking of what could be done for her. I modified my working schedules so that I could spend more time with her. Still morning times were boring for her. Mamma, I am bored at home. You please stay with me. Don’t go to office. I started thinking of summer camp. Not a so bad idea.

Did some browsing and found a summer camp. Only two hours. Yes, she might enjoy it. I talked with her and she was also happy to do something. I enrolled her. One day went, second day also over. Second day evening she came and told me

“Mamma I am not bored at home. I get bored only for some time. 11.00 – 12.00 and during that time I will play with dolls”

Didn’t knew what to say. Still thinking of what to say and at time when I get a chance I make her feel that there is something great which will happen in summer camp and you will love it.

Dear, there will be painting in summer camp. They will teach you dance. You will make many new friends there. Etc etc. Don’t know how much she is convinced.

Just thought that I will call her and enquire about her day. The bell rang and she took the phone.
"Mamma, I have bought a book home. I did a peacock today."

"Oh is it darling .. How you did that ? "

"I did it using my fingers mamma. Aunty put paints in my hand and asked me to press it. And later we drew the peacock."

Yes, she was excited that she did something.

"So how do u find the Summer Camp? " I asked

"Its fun mamma and you know we danced also. "

Thank God.

Queries @ night

2010-05-03T23:59:00.000+05:30

Hundreds of questions ... My daughter will have hundreds of questions to ask when I am putting her to sleep.. Many a times I answer them patiently ..When I am too tired, I just put a restriction of three questions today and the rest tommorow etc.

Today's question was
" Mamma, from where did I come ? From your stomach or Papa's stomach ?"

"My stomach dear "

What could be her next question ? I was wondering and was thinking of the answers I should be giving my four year old (Sorry four and a half year old..she demands it like this)

To my surprise, there was no question and she continued ..

Mamma , I came from your stomach ..You know, when one day you drank hot coffee, I also drank it sitting in your stoamch ..I felt very hot and then jumped out through your mouth ..

I felt laughing, still didnt show .. She might feel bad .. I hugged her and told, Yes dear ..correct :)

You are my sweet girl ...

You are my cute girl ...

And I love you so much ...

When you laugh , I feel happy

And when you cry, I feel sad ..

Be smiling dear, Love is all around you ...

Her eyes started drooping and she dozed off to sleep ..I gave her a good night kiss ..and put her down ...

Follow up questions after two days ..

" Mamma , How did I came to your stomach ? "

Gosh ..What will I say now ??

"You came darling.. You came just like that .."

"But how ? "

Yes .. As usual I took the help of God.

God made you sit there .. He knows magic and he said "Let you sit in the stomach" and you were there in my stomach ..

"Ok.." shaking her head, she ran away ..

Thank God . Do help me during such crisis situvations :)

Just in love with Just books

2010-04-30T10:52:00.002+05:30

One day the pamphlet which came along with news paper caught my attention. “Just Books” – a new reading experience. Reading further I got to know that it is a book lending library and its very near to my house. I was pretty happy and decided to visit the library the coming weekend.

It was a time when I was in search of a library in my vicinity. I had just shifted to the new location – AECS layout. And there was none and I was doing all my reading online. So this came as good news to me.

Weekend, the first thing which we did was to go and visit the library. “Love at first sight” – does it happen like this? A well light place, full AC and the books arranged well in shelf. The place is bright and simply I fell in love with it. I became a member immediately.

I was surprised to see that there are hell lots of children books and small chairs were put where we can sit and read for the kids. My daughter also started liking the place. She herself went and picked the books and I read it to her.

The next wonderful thing was the RFID scanning of books. We have to do the issue and return on our own, in front of the touch screen. Excellent technology.

Moreover, we have online ordering of books, home delivery, Own a book etc. Many good good facilities.

“Just books” is flourishing and this month they completed two years. They have opened around 9 branches (or more, am not sure). And I feel they keep the same quality of service and is serving book worms.

I heard that there is a new facility which started in SJR Park which is very near to my office. Yesterday I decided to visit that place, just out of curiosity. Went there and was happy to see the new location and the arrangement of books out there. I spend quite a good time over there, browsing and reading. I got information that a new facility is opened in Madura Garments, Brooke fields. Today morning I went in search of that (this again out of curiosity). Couldn’t find it. Will again try tomorrow. Oh Just Books, I simply love you

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Just books“ is a new generation book library chain which is the brain child of R Sundar Rajan and is incubated at NSRCEL.

To know more about NSRCEL , please visit this link http://www.nsrcel.org/home/current-incubatees

To know more about Just books , please visit the link http://www.justbooksclc.com/

An article about Just books which came in Forbes

http://business.in.com/article/work-in-progress/reading-made-easy-why-just-books-libraries-work/25832/1

One day when I was visiting the Justbooks location in AECS layout, just near to my house , I was so excited to see Sundar Rajan standing there .. I went and talked to him . a very down to earth personality , Soft spoken .. it was very nice meeting him :)

Belated birthday wish card

2010-04-29T10:26:00.000+05:30

So Who’s is to say I missed your birthday

Birthday

2010-04-20T17:03:00.000+05:30

Tring Tring .. Morning morning the phone rang.. Oh .. It’s my birthday today … Who will be calling ..So many names..

Let me pick it up … yes, My uncle . He is the person who has never forgotten my birthday till date.

Thanks a lot Uncle .. No, not going to office today …applied for leave .. ok Uncle ..Bye .. We will meet on Saturday ..

Both the kids are sleeping.. Let me finish my work before they woke up ..I started my daily chores…

Some time later D woke up ..She smiled and said Happy birthday mummy.. So cute ..Felt like heaven ..Not that she wished me .. But was touched by the way she said it ..

Again normal chores ..

Another phone call .. My niece .. talked to them .. Happy 

Another call ..My neighbor cum friend .. Some months back I had mentioned my birth date and she remembered it.

She mentioned that she is coming to my house with something ..In another two minutes, she was there at my house . She had prepared a good flavoured Kheer.. Mm .. it smells yummy ..

Thanks yaar .. It is so nice of you to remember my birthday and then prepare something special for me .. Thanks again ..

Normal chores again ..good that I put on leave today ..I can spend some time with my kids ..The whole day with kids ..( a working mother like me yearn for a day like this ;)

Played with kids, and reading in between .. I was able to finish one book yesterday. You will be wondering how I am able to read ..Not much ok .. Just one or two pages in between. And that’s the main reason, I take so much of time to finish one book

In the evening got some time and checked my mail .many birthday wishes. Didn’t had time to reply back.

One mail caught my attention. Yes, my article got published in the newspaper.. And I was able to see the online version … Am very very happy

Even though it’s a small article, I was happy to see my name in the news paper.

Night a small dinner with my family .. A normal dinner…I am happy and contented. God, Thanks

Aquinas College , Edakochi

2010-04-15T14:04:00.000+05:30

Aquinas college, edakochi. The place wheer I studied my Pre-degree and Degree. I got a chance to visit the college after a long time gap last time i visited kerala. Was so happy to be there. MY heart was overwhelmed with joy and I wanted to go back to those good olden days. Life must go on and that is not possible. But I can keep all the memories safe in my heart. No one can steal that from me. Remembering those golden days of my college.

My heart beats with memories
As I see these photos
My favourtite college building
And the surrounding places

As the rain shower outside,
Walking through the corridor
Was our routine work
Just to make the shower fall on us

Green was the color of the grass
That filled the ground of ours
Dancing to the music of the winds
Filling our hearts with joy

How can I not think of them all
who left a lasting impression on us
Helping us and guiding us
To lead a successful life ahead

Treating the students as their own
Imparting values to help them
As a guide light in the sea
Shining in our hearts too

Aquinas, where I spend
Some of my beautiful years of life
Still when I go there
I feel that joy and Pride.

Making kids write

2010-04-06T13:51:00.001+05:30

Pretty difficult to make my four year old write her daily homework. The homework time was becoming very bad that she started hating even taking that book. Two three days went like that. I realized that she needs a break. And thank god, the vacation also started. So I have kept the homework book away.

But the kids have to learn to write. Else how will they get hand eye coordination? How will they get good hand writing?

Some tips to make kids learn and write without many hassles.

• Kids hate repetition. Don’t force them to sit and write the whole page at a time

• Make it a fun activity. Don’t pressurize them. Find creative ways to make it interesting

• Buy a pattern book which has many activities. They will love doing it.

• Gave them crayons to work with, don’t force on pencils. Kids love colors

• Try changing places. Kids will like if we sit at some remote place and do the activity

• No special time. Some five minutes here and some time there. Its now funtime

• Stop using the words ‘homework’, tasks etc. Use something which interests the kids.

The whole time should be fun related. Let the child enjoy the time. They learn more when they are happy.

Beauty of Nature

2010-04-06T11:16:00.000+05:30

Morning chores took so much of time today and I got late to office. The parking lot was full so I had to go to another remote space. I felt it was like a punishment which we get in school for coming late. My normal parking lot is very near to my location and I need not walk much. But this parking lot, which is the remote area, was very far and I will have to do the walking. I got irritated.

There is no other go. No other places to park my bike. After parking, I started walking. There were many people like me (who came late) and had to park their vehicles in this ‘remote’ area. Their face was also like people who got punished. I remembered my school days with lot much punishment.

Imposition, Standing / sitting on the floor for the whole period and sometimes cane treatment. Don’t know whether these kinds of punishments are there in the class now also.

Thinking of all these I started walking. Suddenly I remembered of one road which I can take to reach my location. That was the road which I like most in my campus out here. It is the road which is on the back side of the development block. On the other side, there is greenery. The most excellent thing is that always there is very heavy breeze. We can see the plants also waving in the wind.

Yes, today also there was a good breeze. I felt perfectly energized. How wonderful. Nature has its own beauty. Green grass, blooming flowers, blue sky, shining moon, twinkling stars etc etc. It gives us lot much of joy to the persons.

Remembering the beautiful poem Daffodils which captures the joy.

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling leaves in glee;

A poet could not be but gay,

In such a jocund company!

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Orkut, Scrap, Testimonial...

2010-03-23T17:55:00.001+05:30

Scene 1

Lunch time. Place : Cafeteria. Me and my friends were chatting.

“Hey Dhanya, in that photo you were looking very good “ One said

“Yes ..But I liked the third one with your parents “ second one replied

“And what is the name of that bangle which had red stones in it ? “ third one ..

Hey gals, hold on .. But when did Dhanya shared her engagement snaps ..

I asked ..

“She had put all her photos in Orkut. Didn’t you see ? “

“Oh .. Is it .. I didn’t”

Scene 2

I called up a distant relative of mine who is enjoying her retired life. Both her sons are well settled.

“Hello Aunty, Sudha here .. “

“ Hello Darling..How are you ? After a long time .. “

A short chat and one question ..

“Sudha, are you not in orkut ? “

“No aunty .. I am not in orkut. “

Why ?

“Aunty .. that is because “

No, I don’t want to narrate all that. Somehow with much difficulty I diverted the conversation to some other topic.

I can narrate any number of scenes like this when I felt left out because I am not in orkut. Scrap, friend request, testimonials etc etc .. Can hear the buzz words everywhere. Facebook is yet another boom.

Its not that I am against orkut. I was a part of orkut when it was first launched by google in 2004. Somehow I didn’t like the base idea of friends friend is a friend. A friends friend cannot become my friend. Sometimes the wavelength can match, sometimes not. Played with orkut and then because of no interest, deleted it.

But today again the world around demands me for an orkut login. Because if we don’t have, it seems as if like I am missing something. Okay, now thinking forward, my daughter might also come and ask me, mamma you didn’t had an orkut account ? I can start narrating this, that and that. Don’t know whether it will be convincing for her or not.

Okay, I will maintain an orkut and facebook account. I logged in to both, tried to find some friends. Made friends request, send some scraps. Became part of some community.

10 minutes I played around. Oh boring. “Why Sudha , why are you wasting time in this. You can do so many good things in this time. You can read some good informative articles, browse for good knowledge etc. Quit. “ My inner mind warned me.

Fine. I logged off and continued my normal tasks. However, a small temptation still hangs on my mind.. Whether anyone might have send me a scrap at this time ?

Left Brain Vs Right Brain

2010-03-23T14:03:00.000+05:30

My colleague illustrated this phenomenon to me today. He took a picture and asked me to copy it in a piece of paper. Again the next task was to keep the picture upside down and copy it.

At the end compare the two pictures. It can be seen that the second picture is the better of two.

The reason being when we are trying to copy the first picture, our left brain works and it analyzes the picture logically. Ok, this is eyes, mouth and things like this. When we keep the picture upside down, the right side of the brain spans in to action.

Yes, when I traced back my thoughts, the same thing had happened to me also. When I was drawing the first picture, I was thinking something like eyes finished , now nose .. Now mouth etc etc ..I was planning and finishing the picture.

When the picture was turned upside down and I was copying, my mind was blank and I was simply copying the curves. And it came out better.

Pretty interesting. Query in Google fetched me this picture which explains the brain functioning.

Now I need to check how to stimulate the right side of the brain.

Melodious Jingles

Leg with a plaster

Namma Metro

Happy Children's Day

Bangalore BMTC volvo

Cheerful Smile

Aalo Bonda

Happy day today

Learning again

School again

Vacation : A short poem

Sarah Kay : Spoken Word Poetry

Thank you, My dear aunties

Silent Voices

Lecture of inspiration

Les is Wonderful

Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome - Simply Awesome

***** Best Wishes *****

~~~ !! Happy New Year !! ~~~

Fog .. Fog.. all around

Yes, It was a good session

Thuravoor Temples

Oberon Mall - Cochin, Kerala

Poornathreesa Utsavam

My sweet visit to Kerala

Grandpa in my pocket

Just Different

"Ready for Take Off" - Sachit Jain

PAN Number and Family Photo

Canvas Painting

Guide to a Better Life

Sir Ken Robinson's lecture in TED (Topic : School kills Creativity)

Moments with Namitha - author of "The Music Room"

Love you Forever

Visit to "The Habit"

"The NoteBook"

Arvind Gupta Toys

Cloud : A poem by my 5 year old daughter

I dont understand this logic

Indomitable Spirit

A great motivating day -- I could meet Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Bump Top - unique 3D user interface

Article about 4 kids updated in Facebook also

4Kids - The Library just for Your Kids

"Billion Beats" An e-paper from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

DD National - Good Old channel

Amul -- Utterly Butterly Delicious

Floating along ...

Current Read : Henry and Mudge

Today's Morning Whistles

Current Read of my daughter : Pooh's Valentine

Baby Pinky

Dream and be a Dreamer ..

Some more Cards

Customizable Cards

my "Name"

Portrait

Crow's kiss

Lazy Brain of mine ..

Yummy Cakes ??

Books of Choice

Book Stand

Just an Update

A malayalam Rhyme : My entry for Tulika Blogathon

Thoughts from my Mind (NaBloPoMo Post 8)

Moments captured from my Kerala Trip (NaBloPoMo Post 7)

Nail Polish (NaBloPoMo Post 6)

I smiled at her .. (NaBloPoMo Post 5)

Guiding Light (NaBloPoMo Post 4)

Pearls from Heaven ( NaBloPoMo Post3)

Rain ..

Women and Self Protection

Updates about Gym visits

First day At School ( NaBloPoMo Post2 )

Life's Little Treasures ( NaBloPoMo Post1 )

Blog Marathon : NaBloPoMo

Teachers ... Role Models ?

Dumma's flight journey

Dont want to ..

50 things about Me

* Best Wishes *

~ !! Happy New Year !! ~