This is what I call Up in the air :) A photo from San Jose Holiday Parade, 2009! Loved every minute of the parade and the enthusiasm the performers (most of them school kids around the bay area) showed on the cold gray morning, made even the dreary weather sparkle!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Up in the Air!!!!!!!!!
This is what I call Up in the air :) A photo from San Jose Holiday Parade, 2009! Loved every minute of the parade and the enthusiasm the performers (most of them school kids around the bay area) showed on the cold gray morning, made even the dreary weather sparkle!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
People
Well another random outburst from a personal experience. I, like many other consider my blog where I can unload my rubs with life's experiences and raw emotions.
People come in all colors, shapes and sizes. A line I read some where, may be in a book that I read to my children about the human diversity. Yep RIGHT! People do come in all shapes and sizes and mentalities.
Treat thy neighbor as yourself. Excuse me??? What are you talking about?? Why the hell should I treat my neighbor as I would treat myself? Its a free world, I can do whatever I want, what ever I like. I don't need to worry about how its affecting my neighbor! This is the new rule. you don't come preaching me goodness!!
I have lot of pet peeves when it comes to people. People who call you at odd hours to talk about their comfort and who do not even want to return a genuine call of distress or a problem - mind you a problem that bothers you and not them. People who shamelessly manipulate every other individuals with a serious self focus, cannot think about how it inconveniences the other person. People who always say they never have the kind of time to return calls. People who do not respond to emails. The kind that never feels sorry or say sorry for a mistake they commit, the kind that takes you for granted to suit their own purposes all the time, the list goes on with a few more kinds.
Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me, because I always return my calls, respond to emails and really follow up on issues people share with me. And someone important to me always tells me not to do all these. I respond with - well that is what I am. I like to respond to people's call or emails. But he says because you do that, people think you have nothing better to do. Is that right? I'm not sure.
People come in all colors, shapes and sizes. A line I read some where, may be in a book that I read to my children about the human diversity. Yep RIGHT! People do come in all shapes and sizes and mentalities.
Treat thy neighbor as yourself. Excuse me??? What are you talking about?? Why the hell should I treat my neighbor as I would treat myself? Its a free world, I can do whatever I want, what ever I like. I don't need to worry about how its affecting my neighbor! This is the new rule. you don't come preaching me goodness!!
I have lot of pet peeves when it comes to people. People who call you at odd hours to talk about their comfort and who do not even want to return a genuine call of distress or a problem - mind you a problem that bothers you and not them. People who shamelessly manipulate every other individuals with a serious self focus, cannot think about how it inconveniences the other person. People who always say they never have the kind of time to return calls. People who do not respond to emails. The kind that never feels sorry or say sorry for a mistake they commit, the kind that takes you for granted to suit their own purposes all the time, the list goes on with a few more kinds.
Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me, because I always return my calls, respond to emails and really follow up on issues people share with me. And someone important to me always tells me not to do all these. I respond with - well that is what I am. I like to respond to people's call or emails. But he says because you do that, people think you have nothing better to do. Is that right? I'm not sure.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Mayday...Mayday...
Ye fellow parents! To read about budget woes is disheartening and to read how budget woes are affecting the future - which will lead to more budget woes is...oh soooo cruel. Confused what I'm talking about? Take a moment to read below.
http://www.mercurynews.com/cupertino/ci_13978995?source=rss&nclick_check=1
America can spend trillions for war and justify it. Also America can cut millions from schools and justify it. Schools that produce the future generation. Future generation that shape the society. The society that plan another budget with aother crisis.
I was talking to my friend just yesterday who was longing for Clinton Era. She - lucky one who had experienced the Clinton Era said, everything was prosperopus and beautiful. What happened to all those prosperity in a decade? Did we give everything to the war - so much so that we are ready to deprive our children with essential education?
With misplaced priorities the whole humanity is tumbling into a void. God Save the Humanity.
http://www.mercurynews.com/cupertino/ci_13978995?source=rss&nclick_check=1
America can spend trillions for war and justify it. Also America can cut millions from schools and justify it. Schools that produce the future generation. Future generation that shape the society. The society that plan another budget with aother crisis.
I was talking to my friend just yesterday who was longing for Clinton Era. She - lucky one who had experienced the Clinton Era said, everything was prosperopus and beautiful. What happened to all those prosperity in a decade? Did we give everything to the war - so much so that we are ready to deprive our children with essential education?
With misplaced priorities the whole humanity is tumbling into a void. God Save the Humanity.
A Decade of Decline???
Surfing yahoo news article I had a glimpse of a headline - after 10 years they still cannot decide a name for this decade. It was just a passing, but as I hit the hay for the night - that one line robbed me of slumber for a good hour.
First of all - why should we name any decade?? Time passes. Every minute we live is gone. And what we do in that particular minute or year sometimes alter the whole world, environment to a great extent. So we can think about doing something worthwhile - simply like avoiding Styrofoams utensils, using less paper towels etc to protect the environment. May be using less energy by less web time?? Yeah I guess that counts in too!
If at all they - whoever they are - are still thinking about naming this decade - My humble suggestion - How about A DECADE OF DECLINE? I do have my reasons, valid ones that you all will agree.
In this past ten years, I am noticing the following increasingly declining:
Moral Values - in personal life & business.
Honesty - in general. What is once considered dis honest is now cloaked as business tactics.
Modesty- Slutty seems to be the new fashionable.
Privacy - I don't see any privacy in common communication. People tend to discuss every little personal detail in public forums.
Not to mention the economic woes, poverty, war, natural disasters and the crime rate increases. What do we have to be proud of in the larger sense to name this decade? So why not a decade of Decline?
Friday, November 20, 2009
But once we live...
We know neither where we came from nor where we are headed, but we are here, now and that's only once. May be we can say our origin is our parents. But that scientifically explained fact is still a mystery to me.
Life cycle, highs and lows with all the ups and downs never fail to baffle me. People, Human being - I consider a wonderful creation of God or supreme being tend to deviate from being human many a times. From my perspective - based on the understanding of life - not hurting a fellow human being, with words or deeds - can give a general peace. Simple, isn't it?
But today's world seem to think otherwise. An unsuspecting teen who answer's the knock on the door is shot. Spouses cheat on each other. Moral values are so old fashioned. Everywhere the wanting for more is so much.
So how and what do we achieve in our journey to nowhere?? What are we accumulating through this journey? Literature has called life a drama - we're all but players. Excuse me as much as I love literature, I beg to differ. Life is a great journey - that starts from the separation in womb, goes through multiple layers of separations until one fine day we separate from this world to we don't know where.
So as we are very faimiliar with the shortness, suddenness and unexpectedness of our departure to nowhere - don't you think we all should be happy to have a life as long as it lasts and spread the happiness and goodness around? Instead of making our lives a living hell for ourselves and the world at large??
Life cycle, highs and lows with all the ups and downs never fail to baffle me. People, Human being - I consider a wonderful creation of God or supreme being tend to deviate from being human many a times. From my perspective - based on the understanding of life - not hurting a fellow human being, with words or deeds - can give a general peace. Simple, isn't it?
But today's world seem to think otherwise. An unsuspecting teen who answer's the knock on the door is shot. Spouses cheat on each other. Moral values are so old fashioned. Everywhere the wanting for more is so much.
So how and what do we achieve in our journey to nowhere?? What are we accumulating through this journey? Literature has called life a drama - we're all but players. Excuse me as much as I love literature, I beg to differ. Life is a great journey - that starts from the separation in womb, goes through multiple layers of separations until one fine day we separate from this world to we don't know where.
So as we are very faimiliar with the shortness, suddenness and unexpectedness of our departure to nowhere - don't you think we all should be happy to have a life as long as it lasts and spread the happiness and goodness around? Instead of making our lives a living hell for ourselves and the world at large??
Thursday, November 19, 2009
From unexpected quarters...
I had taken my car for an oil change this morning. A small nearby store with an aura of friendliness and good service. Ever since we moved here, we have always taken our car here. Instead of dropping off the car and walking back home, i decided to sit and read my newspaper in a corner while they worked on my car.
The gentleman in the store offered coffee which I gratefully accepted. And a nice warm cup of fresh coffee warrants conversation. I don't remember how we started about disciplining today's children, the feeling of entitlement that's so prevalent in today's children, the feeling of guilt in parents etc etc. he was telling me how his daughter successfully disciplines his grandchildren. And told me "I just gave my daughter one lesson, a lesson that was handed down to me by my dad - Never try to discipline your child when you are angry".
Wow I had a feeling of enlightment! I think as parents mom or dad - we try to do exactly that and cry foul if the children do not listen to us. That gentleman today told me that walking away from what might become a parent/child confrontation and approaching the situation with calm sensible questions and answers will make the child understand that parents mean business!! How very simple and true!! I have read many parenting books and I'm sure they all professed the same thing - but it never struck a note as it did today!
We learn life's important lessons from every single person we meet, that is if we care to look closely and understand!
The gentleman in the store offered coffee which I gratefully accepted. And a nice warm cup of fresh coffee warrants conversation. I don't remember how we started about disciplining today's children, the feeling of entitlement that's so prevalent in today's children, the feeling of guilt in parents etc etc. he was telling me how his daughter successfully disciplines his grandchildren. And told me "I just gave my daughter one lesson, a lesson that was handed down to me by my dad - Never try to discipline your child when you are angry".
Wow I had a feeling of enlightment! I think as parents mom or dad - we try to do exactly that and cry foul if the children do not listen to us. That gentleman today told me that walking away from what might become a parent/child confrontation and approaching the situation with calm sensible questions and answers will make the child understand that parents mean business!! How very simple and true!! I have read many parenting books and I'm sure they all professed the same thing - but it never struck a note as it did today!
We learn life's important lessons from every single person we meet, that is if we care to look closely and understand!
Friday, November 13, 2009
A situation
Should I call it delicate or tough??? Tell me someone!
We were taking a freeway from some exit today while driving back home. Out of no where my son made an inadvertent comment - this is the way we take to go home from my friend's place. Ah...we exchanged glances. Dad told the boy - you know they do not live there anymore. That ensued more questions. I determined to keep quiet for once.
Do they still live in this city? Why did they move out? Do they still live in California? Well I think its very hard to explain certain phases of life to very young children. Understanding separation, living with one parent and not getting to meet a friend - all these can add a lot of questions to inquisitive minds and may be a lot of fears even. So how to I tell my boy that his friend is in a particular phase in his parent's lives and that is why you don't get to meet him at all these days?
We were taking a freeway from some exit today while driving back home. Out of no where my son made an inadvertent comment - this is the way we take to go home from my friend's place. Ah...we exchanged glances. Dad told the boy - you know they do not live there anymore. That ensued more questions. I determined to keep quiet for once.
Do they still live in this city? Why did they move out? Do they still live in California? Well I think its very hard to explain certain phases of life to very young children. Understanding separation, living with one parent and not getting to meet a friend - all these can add a lot of questions to inquisitive minds and may be a lot of fears even. So how to I tell my boy that his friend is in a particular phase in his parent's lives and that is why you don't get to meet him at all these days?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Pray some...
I had to listen to few conversations in the past two days. Conversations that so disturbing about the intriguing inevitability. Yes, you guessed it right. The same inevitable we do not want to discuss, but always have at the back of our minds. About an accident and cancer...and death.
What really happens after death? This question nags me sleepless sometimes. Well accidents - any accident I come across in real life, or the accidents I hear about and read about always bring back memories of the dear one lost years ago. Couple of days ago a person was robbed of life in the middle of his biking on De Anza boulevard. Who can imagine what were his plans for lunch? Or where was he coming from at that fatal intersection? And what would be the predicament of the individual who had to be the cause of a fatality? I passed that spot about 2 hrs after that had happened. And travelled 16 years behind in memory - to the accident that changed my outlook on life. The exuberant young boy we lost in a similar fatality. Life does have a lot of quetions un answered.
Ah the conversations...two people I know were talking about one of their family member's over night nightmare dianosis and how that had categorically changed her life. A person who was considered very healthy one fine day is diagnoised with Stage 4 cancer. She is dealing with the blow - the whole family is systematically supporting her throu chemo and other gruelling things required.
Cancer doesn not stop its claws with older adults - a child barely 6 yrs old is going through life changing treatment for recovery. How very cruel it is for the parents to see their child suffer the pain and how agonizing....
And here we are complianing about the season and every day little things..I pray god to give me the Peace of mind with whatever he has blessed me with and the compassion to pray for those people who suffer. God, Give them the confidence to tide over and please Take care of them.
What really happens after death? This question nags me sleepless sometimes. Well accidents - any accident I come across in real life, or the accidents I hear about and read about always bring back memories of the dear one lost years ago. Couple of days ago a person was robbed of life in the middle of his biking on De Anza boulevard. Who can imagine what were his plans for lunch? Or where was he coming from at that fatal intersection? And what would be the predicament of the individual who had to be the cause of a fatality? I passed that spot about 2 hrs after that had happened. And travelled 16 years behind in memory - to the accident that changed my outlook on life. The exuberant young boy we lost in a similar fatality. Life does have a lot of quetions un answered.
Ah the conversations...two people I know were talking about one of their family member's over night nightmare dianosis and how that had categorically changed her life. A person who was considered very healthy one fine day is diagnoised with Stage 4 cancer. She is dealing with the blow - the whole family is systematically supporting her throu chemo and other gruelling things required.
Cancer doesn not stop its claws with older adults - a child barely 6 yrs old is going through life changing treatment for recovery. How very cruel it is for the parents to see their child suffer the pain and how agonizing....
And here we are complianing about the season and every day little things..I pray god to give me the Peace of mind with whatever he has blessed me with and the compassion to pray for those people who suffer. God, Give them the confidence to tide over and please Take care of them.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A heart breaking holiday.
With veteran's day around the corner, my son was singing "No schooool Wednesday, we're ooofff". I asked him why do you think you have off on Wednesday. "Oh its veterans day mommy". next moment"Daddy what are we doing on Wednesday?"
Well again that was enough to set me off on a lecture on Veteran's day. Suddenly I realized the little mind was too cramped with information about World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, War memorial that we visited in Washington DC and a lot of other stuff I was rattling off.
And now reading through today's Mercury News Local news section, I read about the San Francisco Veteran's day event and Google's VetNet. The magnanimity of those selfless people caught me dumbfound. I am able to sit in my room and type whatever i want to because some one is risking their lives to keep this nation fearless. We're able to wander around on the Golden Gate Bridge any time we want because some one again is braving hostile climates to protect our nation from those who might want to destroy us.
Dear GOD, I can only imagine the pain and agony of those parents, wives, brothers, sisters, children and friend's of those loved ones lost in war. Even to think of their losses is so heart wrenching. Those getting deployed to Afghanistan do not know if they are coming back. They still do not fear to go. And those who have come back from wars past have their lives irrevocably altered by what they saw and did in those wars.
I hope the magnanimity of veteran's day is not diminished by retailer's sale ideas. Now that this nation so diverse with immigrants culture, I wish someone takes the initiative to teach the children of today about the significance of Veteran's day. This is not just yet another holiday. Let us do some little thing, at least a little prayer to keep our people in uniform safe.
Well again that was enough to set me off on a lecture on Veteran's day. Suddenly I realized the little mind was too cramped with information about World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, War memorial that we visited in Washington DC and a lot of other stuff I was rattling off.
And now reading through today's Mercury News Local news section, I read about the San Francisco Veteran's day event and Google's VetNet. The magnanimity of those selfless people caught me dumbfound. I am able to sit in my room and type whatever i want to because some one is risking their lives to keep this nation fearless. We're able to wander around on the Golden Gate Bridge any time we want because some one again is braving hostile climates to protect our nation from those who might want to destroy us.
Dear GOD, I can only imagine the pain and agony of those parents, wives, brothers, sisters, children and friend's of those loved ones lost in war. Even to think of their losses is so heart wrenching. Those getting deployed to Afghanistan do not know if they are coming back. They still do not fear to go. And those who have come back from wars past have their lives irrevocably altered by what they saw and did in those wars.
I hope the magnanimity of veteran's day is not diminished by retailer's sale ideas. Now that this nation so diverse with immigrants culture, I wish someone takes the initiative to teach the children of today about the significance of Veteran's day. This is not just yet another holiday. Let us do some little thing, at least a little prayer to keep our people in uniform safe.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
How Friendships work...
I got rather an interesting fwded email today with the title:
"HOW FRIENDSHIPS BREAK ? "
This is what it said:
"Both Friends Will Think The Other Is Busy
And Will Not Contact Thinking It May Be Disturbing..
As Time Passes
Both Will Think Let The Other Contact
After That each Will Think Why I Should Contact First ?
Here Your Love Will Be Converted To Hate
Finally Without Contact The Memory Becomes Weak
They Forget Each Other."
Well as usual that unleashed scores of long locked away thoughts and memories! The fwd was rather interesting!
Life had taught me many lessons on friendships. And I had let many lessons pass through, without recognizing the impact. But a few lessons, I had learned the hard way and still learning - not intend to forget them ever - just to save some sanity! God has blessed me with few good friendships - and here is how I think friendships work.
Any friendship is a two way track! A railway track that is. We share, care and respect each other and stay together until the very end. Does not mean we have same interests, same faith or same kind of life. If we have same feelings for each other - thats what make us a nice railway track that can carry our friendship till our final destination.
Friendships are built on trust! Once we become friend's with some one, we do not let any other person sway our trust on our friend - somewhat similar to a marital bond. We trust each other.
Friendships are open! We need not pretend to our friend. If we start doing it - then the friendship doesnot exist there. If we have a question about or for the friend, we sld be able to discuss it in the open with the friend - and not talk about it to a third person.
When friendship is present between two individuals, Ego is absent. Friendship and Ego are mutually exclusive. We do not hurt our friends by words, actions and /or thoughts. If we inadvertantly do - we do not hesitate to say sorry.
And like my favorite poet Robert Frost says, we maintain our own fences - keep our space to ourselves and respect our friend's space. We do not encroach upon their cherished corner. Playing nosy poky and being possesive are sure fire ways to endanger a good friendship. "Good fences make good neighbors".
And yes, Friendships do need nurturing. But does not mean that those not nurtured die. Lives can take friends far away from each other. We can try to keep in touch. In this world of social networking, keeping in touch is not a tough issue at all. But what about those that are not touched by social networking kind of stuff?
I beleive, if we are able to be in touch with our friends - its great. But as machine of life churns on - we are barely left with time to deal with our everyday rumblings. So if we're out of touch with a friend for a long time and call suddenly one fine day - its pleasure that seeps through the conversation. We both feel happy about that call. We may not talk to each other for another year. In this case - the feelings of friendship does not die.
But when we as people nurture friendships in heart it does not die. But when we let ego take the reins, friendship takes back seat and rides too far away to return. God bless good friends.
"HOW FRIENDSHIPS BREAK ? "
This is what it said:
"Both Friends Will Think The Other Is Busy
And Will Not Contact Thinking It May Be Disturbing..
As Time Passes
Both Will Think Let The Other Contact
After That each Will Think Why I Should Contact First ?
Here Your Love Will Be Converted To Hate
Finally Without Contact The Memory Becomes Weak
They Forget Each Other."
Well as usual that unleashed scores of long locked away thoughts and memories! The fwd was rather interesting!
Life had taught me many lessons on friendships. And I had let many lessons pass through, without recognizing the impact. But a few lessons, I had learned the hard way and still learning - not intend to forget them ever - just to save some sanity! God has blessed me with few good friendships - and here is how I think friendships work.
Any friendship is a two way track! A railway track that is. We share, care and respect each other and stay together until the very end. Does not mean we have same interests, same faith or same kind of life. If we have same feelings for each other - thats what make us a nice railway track that can carry our friendship till our final destination.
Friendships are built on trust! Once we become friend's with some one, we do not let any other person sway our trust on our friend - somewhat similar to a marital bond. We trust each other.
Friendships are open! We need not pretend to our friend. If we start doing it - then the friendship doesnot exist there. If we have a question about or for the friend, we sld be able to discuss it in the open with the friend - and not talk about it to a third person.
When friendship is present between two individuals, Ego is absent. Friendship and Ego are mutually exclusive. We do not hurt our friends by words, actions and /or thoughts. If we inadvertantly do - we do not hesitate to say sorry.
And like my favorite poet Robert Frost says, we maintain our own fences - keep our space to ourselves and respect our friend's space. We do not encroach upon their cherished corner. Playing nosy poky and being possesive are sure fire ways to endanger a good friendship. "Good fences make good neighbors".
And yes, Friendships do need nurturing. But does not mean that those not nurtured die. Lives can take friends far away from each other. We can try to keep in touch. In this world of social networking, keeping in touch is not a tough issue at all. But what about those that are not touched by social networking kind of stuff?
I beleive, if we are able to be in touch with our friends - its great. But as machine of life churns on - we are barely left with time to deal with our everyday rumblings. So if we're out of touch with a friend for a long time and call suddenly one fine day - its pleasure that seeps through the conversation. We both feel happy about that call. We may not talk to each other for another year. In this case - the feelings of friendship does not die.
But when we as people nurture friendships in heart it does not die. But when we let ego take the reins, friendship takes back seat and rides too far away to return. God bless good friends.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
திரும்பல்
திரை கடலோடி திரவியம் தேடி
நிறைவான போதில் மகிழ்வான திரும்பல் ...
இத்தனை ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்கையின் சுவடுகள்
இனிமை நிறைந்த கானல் நினைவுகள்
புதிதாய் ஒரு வாழ்க்கை செய்ய
பழைய இடத்துக்கு நீண்ட பயணம்...
புதுமையும் பழமையும் அனுபவம் கொடுக்க
பழையதில் புதியதாய் ...
இருக்கும் சில மனதுகள் மட்டும்
இரண்டும் கெட்டான் உணர்வுக்குள் தவிப்பு.
நிறைவான போதில் மகிழ்வான திரும்பல் ...
இத்தனை ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்கையின் சுவடுகள்
இனிமை நிறைந்த கானல் நினைவுகள்
புதிதாய் ஒரு வாழ்க்கை செய்ய
பழைய இடத்துக்கு நீண்ட பயணம்...
புதுமையும் பழமையும் அனுபவம் கொடுக்க
பழையதில் புதியதாய் ...
இருக்கும் சில மனதுகள் மட்டும்
இரண்டும் கெட்டான் உணர்வுக்குள் தவிப்பு.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Questions...questions...
"Which was the first drop of water that made the ocean?
Is sami real?
Why does Hanuman have Rama and Sita in his heart? Why is he showing that? Does it mean Rama and Sita are lost?"
-These are a few question samples I get from my 6 yr old - right when we're rushing through our morning rituals to get in time for school. Any insightful answers anybody???
Is sami real?
Why does Hanuman have Rama and Sita in his heart? Why is he showing that? Does it mean Rama and Sita are lost?"
-These are a few question samples I get from my 6 yr old - right when we're rushing through our morning rituals to get in time for school. Any insightful answers anybody???
Friday, September 4, 2009
Drifting...
Smetimes thoughts just drift by and sddenly there is a void. You loose track of what you were doing/thinking in that few secs. I don't really know how many have experienced such a state. But trust me - such voids, when we experience - feels kind of good. Consider it quaint, weird...I don't care.
Living a mechanical life most of the time, going through life's chores keeps us from the down time to "sit and stare". So getting into short voids of nothingness - be it through yoga, prnayam, meditation whatever or like me - simple drifting. Like it happened today. i picked up the phone, dialed a number and hit their machine. Suddenly I forgot who I dialed, switched off and just sat there, a be a few seconds. it was blank. With a child playing around me, half way thru cooking - i wa able to experience a quietness. Wow - felt good :)
To think of it the otherway - is my memory deteriorating??? or is it the early sign posts for alzheimers??? No clue. but i liked the quiet, the void, so comforting!!!
Living a mechanical life most of the time, going through life's chores keeps us from the down time to "sit and stare". So getting into short voids of nothingness - be it through yoga, prnayam, meditation whatever or like me - simple drifting. Like it happened today. i picked up the phone, dialed a number and hit their machine. Suddenly I forgot who I dialed, switched off and just sat there, a be a few seconds. it was blank. With a child playing around me, half way thru cooking - i wa able to experience a quietness. Wow - felt good :)
To think of it the otherway - is my memory deteriorating??? or is it the early sign posts for alzheimers??? No clue. but i liked the quiet, the void, so comforting!!!
Monday, August 17, 2009
A journey through hell
I am sure most of you are familiar with the journey from India to America - most specifically from Chennai to San Francisco. Just before we started from India we (my kids and me) attended a wedding in a temple city about 100 km from home. While driving back my son fell sick with food poisoning. After lots of medications and doctor visits we started our 8 hr drive to Chennai to fly to SFO in the same night. We had to make many stop overs for my son's sick needs. Poor little boy - he knew mom is worried sick about his condition and was trying to put a brave front for the journey.
He stopped vomiting right before we started for the airport. Praying that everything sld go fine, we boarded the plane. Kids were fine I was constantly watching the older one, while the younger was playing, and trying to watch TV, Due to some circuit problem all the 3 TVs on 39 K,J, H in SQ 16 was not working through the Journey. The journey had been pretty eventless until we boarded Seoul.
It was 11 hrs to SFO from Seoul and right after we boarded, my little one wanted food. None of us had eaten anything from Chennai, until Seoul, Save for the coffee and muffins I bought in Singapore airport. Not that they ate it there either. So I asked stewardess for food. Understandably, since we had just boarded they needed to get everything settled, heat the food before they can serve. Thank God they did not give food at that time. Because few minutes after my daughter started vomiting violently, nothing but water. The saliva water mixture was so forceful that we had borrow 7 blankets. She did 20 times. And the un controllable diarrhea. Man was it a crazy experience or what?
Attending to the sick child who throws up even water, answering older why sister is vomiting, worrying what kind of bug it might be, on top of it, flying over pacific - with still 10 hrs to reach land....That definitely was a journey through hell for me.
He stopped vomiting right before we started for the airport. Praying that everything sld go fine, we boarded the plane. Kids were fine I was constantly watching the older one, while the younger was playing, and trying to watch TV, Due to some circuit problem all the 3 TVs on 39 K,J, H in SQ 16 was not working through the Journey. The journey had been pretty eventless until we boarded Seoul.
It was 11 hrs to SFO from Seoul and right after we boarded, my little one wanted food. None of us had eaten anything from Chennai, until Seoul, Save for the coffee and muffins I bought in Singapore airport. Not that they ate it there either. So I asked stewardess for food. Understandably, since we had just boarded they needed to get everything settled, heat the food before they can serve. Thank God they did not give food at that time. Because few minutes after my daughter started vomiting violently, nothing but water. The saliva water mixture was so forceful that we had borrow 7 blankets. She did 20 times. And the un controllable diarrhea. Man was it a crazy experience or what?
Attending to the sick child who throws up even water, answering older why sister is vomiting, worrying what kind of bug it might be, on top of it, flying over pacific - with still 10 hrs to reach land....That definitely was a journey through hell for me.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Oh Trichy...
The distinct sounds and smells of Trichy haven't changed a lot, though Trichy has. For 10 years in the prime of life, Trichy had been my place, in 7 of which I woke up and looked at the Malaikkottai, everyday - everyday in an academic year that was. Oh how I loved this city - that had transformed me into who I am today, had taught, polished, gave a best friend, nurtured and hurt me a little in the process too...
To have lived away from home, in an all girls school/women's college and hostel for 7 years was at once a boon nad a bane. I loved and hated the initial years, but started loving it completely as I grew older. It was 1997 I came out of that city once and for all, after completing my education. Now revisitng, kindles so many sparks of memory. Many small stores that were are huge shops today. the streets I scaled so timidly as a school girl, walked in as a college student are kind of daunting. The crowd is the same, the Superbazaar parking is the same. Missed going to Magna's audios...and Dosa corner....
Walking down the memory lane and actually doing it does have a charm.
To have lived away from home, in an all girls school/women's college and hostel for 7 years was at once a boon nad a bane. I loved and hated the initial years, but started loving it completely as I grew older. It was 1997 I came out of that city once and for all, after completing my education. Now revisitng, kindles so many sparks of memory. Many small stores that were are huge shops today. the streets I scaled so timidly as a school girl, walked in as a college student are kind of daunting. The crowd is the same, the Superbazaar parking is the same. Missed going to Magna's audios...and Dosa corner....
Walking down the memory lane and actually doing it does have a charm.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
On Reading
Ah...the pleasures of rediscovering old favourites.... I'm back in India for vacation and have lots of time to read to my hearts content. Really. Started of with Ponniyin Selvan, Kaviri Maindan. And now revelling on my fav Richard Bach, Daphane DuMaurier, Mitchell's Gone with the Wind, Henry James and Virginia Woolf. I love reading and re reading. Sometimes a new concept surprises me from a book I'm reading for 10th or so time. Especially I am revelling in the un disturbed eloquence of my books. Though I crave, I'm out of touch with the current in Literature. Eventually I should get back in touch with the new. Books gives me a giddy timeless pleasure!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
On Marriage
They say marriage is made in heaven. But marriages can sure be kept in heaven if the couple involved and people around follow few simple rules. From my experience, I wish I can tell my family and friends these when they enter the bond of matrimony.
For the Groom:
Remember You are taking the vow to walk with this girl for the rest of your life. She has had a completely different set up, being taken care of by parents until the day she entered your life. Her expectations may be high. You cannot satisfy all of her expectations but you will not loose anything by giving her a sympathetic ear and just listening to her or agreeing with her. This way you can reduce lot of misunderstandings early on. You'll also learn to agree on things you two disagree. When it comes to family's harmony learn to give in or give up gracefully. You might have dreams. Let your dreams unfold slowly into your life, with your wife.
For the Bride:
You are thrown into a completely new set up. The carefree young girl is going to be the woman of the house. your responsibilities are boundless. You of course cannot do everything right. No one expects it of you either. Just wait, listen and do whatever you have to do in your new family. You are not expected to blend into the family immediately. Take your time, one step at a time and learn to understand and respect the differences in the new family which eventually will become yours.
For Both:
These are your children. But these are two different grown individuals. You had brought them together. Let them figure out life together. if they come to you with complaints, please tell them its their life and they have to figure out. DO not start giving out unsolicited or solicited advices to your daughter or son. if you do, you are inadvertently causing a rift between. Because as the girl's or boys parents we will only sympathise with our child, no matter what they say. So our advices can get very subjective to the extent of hurting their life of togetherness. Stay away for the whole first year and you will see them happy and together for the rest of their lives.
For the Groom:
Remember You are taking the vow to walk with this girl for the rest of your life. She has had a completely different set up, being taken care of by parents until the day she entered your life. Her expectations may be high. You cannot satisfy all of her expectations but you will not loose anything by giving her a sympathetic ear and just listening to her or agreeing with her. This way you can reduce lot of misunderstandings early on. You'll also learn to agree on things you two disagree. When it comes to family's harmony learn to give in or give up gracefully. You might have dreams. Let your dreams unfold slowly into your life, with your wife.
For the Bride:
You are thrown into a completely new set up. The carefree young girl is going to be the woman of the house. your responsibilities are boundless. You of course cannot do everything right. No one expects it of you either. Just wait, listen and do whatever you have to do in your new family. You are not expected to blend into the family immediately. Take your time, one step at a time and learn to understand and respect the differences in the new family which eventually will become yours.
For Both:
- Always respect both the parents.
- Never complain about one set of parents between both of you.
- Whatever happens within the four walls of your house, stays with you. DO NOT SHARE YOUR PERSONAL DIFFERENCES, TINY FIGHTS WITH RESPECTIVE PARENTS. Because you both can forget it in next few days and continue normal life, but the information will be blown out of proportion by loving, possessive parents.
- You can share your happy moments with parents - to give them the satisfaction that you are living happy.
These are your children. But these are two different grown individuals. You had brought them together. Let them figure out life together. if they come to you with complaints, please tell them its their life and they have to figure out. DO not start giving out unsolicited or solicited advices to your daughter or son. if you do, you are inadvertently causing a rift between. Because as the girl's or boys parents we will only sympathise with our child, no matter what they say. So our advices can get very subjective to the extent of hurting their life of togetherness. Stay away for the whole first year and you will see them happy and together for the rest of their lives.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Kindergarten memories
My son brought a bound folder from his last day of school today. With his picture taken on the first day of school on the cover page, and cute, thought provoking projects he did in his school through out the year. As I was browsing through the book, I felt little tears welling up in the eye.
You know its not out of sadness or its not the feeling that he is growing up now what? - I cannot quiet place why, but it was like looking through this past school year since September. A chubby, bubbly, very unsure 5 year old, evolving into a tall, bony, active 6 year old. He looks so like a baby in the first photo and the last one, taken almost at the end of the year makes him look so grown up.
As i read through the things he had written - oh I am just unable to find right words to express the feelings gushing through. Some are downright funny - like the one "What would you do if you were the President of United States?" "I will fix all the holes on the road with tar so the cars can run" and about his field trip to the farm etc. His observation about the "stinky" goat did make me laugh out loud!
Its great his teacher took the extra time to collect photos from various school activities, collect worksheets from class, save them until the year end, get them bound for the kids...I am sure I'll save this Kindergarten Memories and share with my son when he is older, and has little time to share with mama.
You know its not out of sadness or its not the feeling that he is growing up now what? - I cannot quiet place why, but it was like looking through this past school year since September. A chubby, bubbly, very unsure 5 year old, evolving into a tall, bony, active 6 year old. He looks so like a baby in the first photo and the last one, taken almost at the end of the year makes him look so grown up.
As i read through the things he had written - oh I am just unable to find right words to express the feelings gushing through. Some are downright funny - like the one "What would you do if you were the President of United States?" "I will fix all the holes on the road with tar so the cars can run" and about his field trip to the farm etc. His observation about the "stinky" goat did make me laugh out loud!
Its great his teacher took the extra time to collect photos from various school activities, collect worksheets from class, save them until the year end, get them bound for the kids...I am sure I'll save this Kindergarten Memories and share with my son when he is older, and has little time to share with mama.
Monday, June 8, 2009
A Daughter's Dilemma
Do thoughts travel faster than light? if yes, then mine are. oh yes, going back home...hey wait a minute...what did you think just now? Going back "home" eh? What do you mean? If you call the place you live home, then your home is right here, where you are sitting in front of the monitor and typing away to glory. Then what do you refer to as "home"? Well I meant going back to my parent's home - to kick back and relax after two grueling years of being a full time mom, student, working, getting laid off, making social calls, volunteering on and off at kid's school - not to mention the cooking, cleaning, trips to doctor appointments etc, I do think I am going to kick back and relax, during my vacation back home - there I go again, back at my parent's home.
So what am i expecting to do there in the two short months? I want to make my mom sit and cook for her, talk to her, most of all relate to her as any adult daughter would. Make her fell good. Will this happen? I don't know. In turn my mom might want to do all the pampering to me. I want to make my dad sit with me and enjoy the grandkids. I want my parents- in- law just to have a relaxed time with the kids and enjoy them as they are with no innuendos.
meanwhile I also should make sure the kids are healthy, safe etc. Want to do little shopping. Well the list goes on and on. Would I feel "home" the same way I did couple of years ago or am I going to miss my "home"?
So what am i expecting to do there in the two short months? I want to make my mom sit and cook for her, talk to her, most of all relate to her as any adult daughter would. Make her fell good. Will this happen? I don't know. In turn my mom might want to do all the pampering to me. I want to make my dad sit with me and enjoy the grandkids. I want my parents- in- law just to have a relaxed time with the kids and enjoy them as they are with no innuendos.
meanwhile I also should make sure the kids are healthy, safe etc. Want to do little shopping. Well the list goes on and on. Would I feel "home" the same way I did couple of years ago or am I going to miss my "home"?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Air France
"This type of tragedy should give us all a lesson in humility and humanism," she said. "No one lives forever. We often forget that."
It was a totally full flight and a couple tried moving mountain and earth to get seats in it. But as fate would not have them perish that day, they were denied the seats. The woman grateful to be alive today talks an immense sense of timeless truth. Indeed in her own words, NO ONE lives forever and we often forget that.
I shudder as I try to imagine the 220 souls that perished in we know not what - fire? air? water? One of the elements for sure. yes they are relieved from the miseries of the world and let us hope they had a quick release at that, with no time to endure pain, fear or anxiety. God Bless their souls. And let the world realize life after all is a delicate bubble, floating in the air. And of course the bubble can burst anytime.
It was a totally full flight and a couple tried moving mountain and earth to get seats in it. But as fate would not have them perish that day, they were denied the seats. The woman grateful to be alive today talks an immense sense of timeless truth. Indeed in her own words, NO ONE lives forever and we often forget that.
I shudder as I try to imagine the 220 souls that perished in we know not what - fire? air? water? One of the elements for sure. yes they are relieved from the miseries of the world and let us hope they had a quick release at that, with no time to endure pain, fear or anxiety. God Bless their souls. And let the world realize life after all is a delicate bubble, floating in the air. And of course the bubble can burst anytime.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Talking of Spelling bee - Ramya Auroprem!
Way to go Ramya!
Just yesterday (or was it way before?) I was reading about the neurosurgeon syndrome in the Spelling bee finalists! And a girl from the CTA family, Ramya had just qualified for semifinals! http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=6835652&rss=rss-kgo-article-6835652
God bless her and lets wish Ramya success.
And if I can ask you, Ramya what is your aspirations for the future? Whatever it is - Good Luck and God Bless you.
Just yesterday (or was it way before?) I was reading about the neurosurgeon syndrome in the Spelling bee finalists! And a girl from the CTA family, Ramya had just qualified for semifinals! http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=6835652&rss=rss-kgo-article-6835652
God bless her and lets wish Ramya success.And if I can ask you, Ramya what is your aspirations for the future? Whatever it is - Good Luck and God Bless you.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Aspirations - Our kids - Any idea?
My friend today suggested may be I am getting old as I always seem to contemplate on serious stuff. I really do not want to comment on it :). Well may be being a mom in an all competitive world has a hand in making me serious? Seriouly - oops there I go again :) I do love to laugh a lot and can never pass a chance to laugh out loud like reading Dubukku's blogs or watching a funny AFV etc. Still this news article in today's yahoo kindled my thoughts - well as you guessed it, fears as a mother.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090526/ap_en_tv/us_spelling_bee_indian_neurosurgeons
6 Indian American kids in the past 10 years have become spelling bee champions. Wow a great achievement indeed. I am always amazed at the spelling bee contest so much so that I stopped watching that from last year. I really could not bring myself to understand the total uncanny perception these wonder kids have about a the spelling. (I must confess - I do depend a lot on spell check, auto correct etc etc for my spellings).
Now three spelling bee champions want to become neurosurgeons. They are mostly 5th and 6th graders. But still they have their future all mapped out to the finest career choice. God Bless them.
Going a little bit backward in my meory lane, I remember my son wanting to be a Trash truck Driver, Mail man, Astronaut, and while visiting in Monerey Bay Aquarium, he really really wanted to be a diver/fish feeder in the acquarium. After listening to a few more careers he wanted to choose, I got too worried and stopped asking him about it.
I don't know if my kids ever step on the spelling bee contest podium - not that I wish for - but I wonder what would be their career choices a few years from now.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090526/ap_en_tv/us_spelling_bee_indian_neurosurgeons
6 Indian American kids in the past 10 years have become spelling bee champions. Wow a great achievement indeed. I am always amazed at the spelling bee contest so much so that I stopped watching that from last year. I really could not bring myself to understand the total uncanny perception these wonder kids have about a the spelling. (I must confess - I do depend a lot on spell check, auto correct etc etc for my spellings).
Now three spelling bee champions want to become neurosurgeons. They are mostly 5th and 6th graders. But still they have their future all mapped out to the finest career choice. God Bless them.
Going a little bit backward in my meory lane, I remember my son wanting to be a Trash truck Driver, Mail man, Astronaut, and while visiting in Monerey Bay Aquarium, he really really wanted to be a diver/fish feeder in the acquarium. After listening to a few more careers he wanted to choose, I got too worried and stopped asking him about it.
I don't know if my kids ever step on the spelling bee contest podium - not that I wish for - but I wonder what would be their career choices a few years from now.
Friday, May 22, 2009
California faces its day of fiscal reckoning
"This is the harsh reality and the reality that we face. Sacramento is not Washington — we cannot print our own money. We can only spend what we have."-Schwarzenegger.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090522/ap_on_re_us/us_california_day_of_reckoning
Oflate I seem to read only about drastically painful fiscal state of California state. Is there a intelligent fincial analyst or politician to plan an economic revival? God save the world.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090522/ap_on_re_us/us_california_day_of_reckoning
Oflate I seem to read only about drastically painful fiscal state of California state. Is there a intelligent fincial analyst or politician to plan an economic revival? God save the world.
The Shadow
As recession deepens, I feel a shadow, the shadow of fear dampen our lives in this Land of Opportunity, Freedom and Safety. As the opportunities dwindle, freedom and safety seem to vanish in thin air too.
Until recently I was so unafraid to go to Safeway after 11:00 PM, grab a cup of Java from Starbucks and browse through the aisles, just to wind down, relax and shop in peace for weekly groceries. Now, I do not want to step out after dark. Some strange sense of insecurity prevails. My husband calls me insane sometimes. I don't know.
Just yesterday, California Governor is announcing serious cuts on Education, Health care and Law Enforcement. Like a color blind person searching for a black cat in the darkness, the government is trying to grapple with the 21 Billion budget deficit. But is this decision or proposal to cut on the heart of Future and nerve of today wise?? What happened to the priorities? Or is the strongest claws of recession disable us and misplace the priorities?
Think , Think, Think...
Until recently I was so unafraid to go to Safeway after 11:00 PM, grab a cup of Java from Starbucks and browse through the aisles, just to wind down, relax and shop in peace for weekly groceries. Now, I do not want to step out after dark. Some strange sense of insecurity prevails. My husband calls me insane sometimes. I don't know.
Just yesterday, California Governor is announcing serious cuts on Education, Health care and Law Enforcement. Like a color blind person searching for a black cat in the darkness, the government is trying to grapple with the 21 Billion budget deficit. But is this decision or proposal to cut on the heart of Future and nerve of today wise?? What happened to the priorities? Or is the strongest claws of recession disable us and misplace the priorities?
Think , Think, Think...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
A little life...
Reading news paper everyday is a habit I grew up with ever since childhood. As a child and youngster I don't think I have ever worried about anything else except latest news, gossip and may be book reviews. Those days Hindu Sunday paper used to have a literary supplement or some such thing, Tuesday paper had a boxed column that teaches English expressions. Beyond that Young world puzzles and comic strips are all I can remember reading.
Now my relationship with Mercury News is little different. I do not know if I should attribute to age, maturity - I am well aware that age and maturity do not correspond with each other many times :), or a change in outlook on life. I do not miss Roadshow, action line and letters to the editor. Also, I do spend a little time of Obituary.
Call me weird or crazy I pause and read Obituaries in the West Valley section. There are always little write ups on the life stories of people. Most of them, from all walks of life, born from all parts of the world, had lived well. But today's Obituary shocked me well beyond compare. A little boy, Stephen, Nov 06 to May 09, Bless his soul, has passed away. His sweet sunny photo and the write up really was very moving. I tried to visualize the parents pain. Though we have an experience of a loss in the early days of marriage and in mid pregnancy, I cannot comprehend the pain. God Bless the parents.
Now my relationship with Mercury News is little different. I do not know if I should attribute to age, maturity - I am well aware that age and maturity do not correspond with each other many times :), or a change in outlook on life. I do not miss Roadshow, action line and letters to the editor. Also, I do spend a little time of Obituary.
Call me weird or crazy I pause and read Obituaries in the West Valley section. There are always little write ups on the life stories of people. Most of them, from all walks of life, born from all parts of the world, had lived well. But today's Obituary shocked me well beyond compare. A little boy, Stephen, Nov 06 to May 09, Bless his soul, has passed away. His sweet sunny photo and the write up really was very moving. I tried to visualize the parents pain. Though we have an experience of a loss in the early days of marriage and in mid pregnancy, I cannot comprehend the pain. God Bless the parents.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
புரியாத கேள்வி தெரியாத பதில்
ஜனனிக்கும் பொழுதே
குறிக்கப்படும் மரணத்தின் நேரம்.
எங்கோ என்றோ சேதிகள் எல்லாம்
யாரோ ஒருவர் ரகசியக்குறிப்பில்...
எங்கோ பிறந்தோம் வளர்ந்தோம்
வேர்கள் விட்டு வேறிடம் தேடி
கல்வி கேள்வி பிரிவுகள் கடந்து
வாழ்க்கை படகில் சுகமாய் அலைந்தோம்
என்ன செய்தோம் எப்படி வாழ்ந்தோம்
காலம் என்ற கானல் நிஜத்தில்
நினைவுகள் மட்டும்
நிரந்தர சுகமாய்... சுமையாய் ...
எங்கு போவோம் எப்படி போவோம்
கேள்விகள் உள்ளே அடித்திட அலையாய்
பதில்கள் கிடையா அமைதியின் சத்தம்
செவிப்பறைக்குள்ளே நிரந்தர வாசம்.
குறிக்கப்படும் மரணத்தின் நேரம்.
எங்கோ என்றோ சேதிகள் எல்லாம்
யாரோ ஒருவர் ரகசியக்குறிப்பில்...
எங்கோ பிறந்தோம் வளர்ந்தோம்
வேர்கள் விட்டு வேறிடம் தேடி
கல்வி கேள்வி பிரிவுகள் கடந்து
வாழ்க்கை படகில் சுகமாய் அலைந்தோம்
என்ன செய்தோம் எப்படி வாழ்ந்தோம்
காலம் என்ற கானல் நிஜத்தில்
நினைவுகள் மட்டும்
நிரந்தர சுகமாய்... சுமையாய் ...
எங்கு போவோம் எப்படி போவோம்
கேள்விகள் உள்ளே அடித்திட அலையாய்
பதில்கள் கிடையா அமைதியின் சத்தம்
செவிப்பறைக்குள்ளே நிரந்தர வாசம்.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Elusive enigma
Being a woman myself, I have always wondered what a fathomless passage a woman's heart is. Can any one, including the woman herself ever understand the thought process her mind/heart is involved in?? I wonder.
Fear not my friend, I'm not doing a self examination here! Its just the frustrated output of a fruitless endeavor I was involved involuntarily in over the past two weeks. When a family is distorted, I feel sad and the typical 'do gooder' monster hiding way deep inside starts showing up with a flashing message "You can do something, try try try try try..." When the cry gets too much, yours truly springs into action with full energy, only to spring back into the shell all confused, manipulated and frustrated.
I thought I can be really honest with myself and sincere to another friend, to understand the issues. But looks like I am totally lost. You know when there is a path to reconciliate, if some one does not want to re conciliate what can you - the third person do? You do not agree with that person's way of life. Can you let your values be infringed?
Wow we hear so much about men's inability to understand women's thoughts. So true. Its only an elusive enigma. A royal mirage. The closer you get, the farther you feel.
Fear not my friend, I'm not doing a self examination here! Its just the frustrated output of a fruitless endeavor I was involved involuntarily in over the past two weeks. When a family is distorted, I feel sad and the typical 'do gooder' monster hiding way deep inside starts showing up with a flashing message "You can do something, try try try try try..." When the cry gets too much, yours truly springs into action with full energy, only to spring back into the shell all confused, manipulated and frustrated.
I thought I can be really honest with myself and sincere to another friend, to understand the issues. But looks like I am totally lost. You know when there is a path to reconciliate, if some one does not want to re conciliate what can you - the third person do? You do not agree with that person's way of life. Can you let your values be infringed?
Wow we hear so much about men's inability to understand women's thoughts. So true. Its only an elusive enigma. A royal mirage. The closer you get, the farther you feel.
Friday, May 8, 2009
NBA players, the modern day Gladiators?
How physical is too physical in the Basketball game? - The players are getting too physical in the 2nd round of play offs. I am not a great game watcher, but would love to watch the game, if Lakers play whenever possible with my son and husband - both Lakers fanatics. My son, an aspiring basketball player, though only 6 years old - is all too familiar with teams, kind of fouls, and other intricate nuances of the game, I am still working on to decipher.
Yesterday it was Derek Fisher. He elbowed another Rockets player for standing behind him and got suspended in today's game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y8CzEjNVJw
Today its a Rockets player, Artest, desperate of their loss pushed Pau Gasol down. Another Flagrant foul. Though Kobe and my pro people think this today's foul is not flagrant, that player seems to face suspension for the next game. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=620&line=115517&spln=1
I am kind of reminded of Gladiator's and Russel Crowe - you know the only Gladiator face I could relate to :). In ancient Rome, the all too powerful Kings had colosseum and Gladiators to entertain the public and to punish those the Kings wanted to punish. The Gladiator game seemed to have attracted huge mass and was very cruelly physical.
In today's modern sophisticated world, we ofcourse cannot have Gladiators. But we all still might have our barbaric past hidden somehwere in our Freudian SuperEgo. I guess thats why we have these oh so physical NBA's NFL's etc etc. I am NOT trying to demean the importance of sports and team work. But what gets to me is the hidden barbarism. The players pushing each other so hard to win a title. The coaches not letting a seriously hurt player rest, like Yao Ming's coach did today. How much it would have hurt Yao's parent to see their son hop through the court in pain. His knee was badly hurt, even I could descern it on screen.
My son does love basketball and dreams big to be on Lakers team and play in NBA. But as a mom would I want my son to be there? I don't know.
Yesterday it was Derek Fisher. He elbowed another Rockets player for standing behind him and got suspended in today's game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y8CzEjNVJw
Today its a Rockets player, Artest, desperate of their loss pushed Pau Gasol down. Another Flagrant foul. Though Kobe and my pro people think this today's foul is not flagrant, that player seems to face suspension for the next game. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=620&line=115517&spln=1
I am kind of reminded of Gladiator's and Russel Crowe - you know the only Gladiator face I could relate to :). In ancient Rome, the all too powerful Kings had colosseum and Gladiators to entertain the public and to punish those the Kings wanted to punish. The Gladiator game seemed to have attracted huge mass and was very cruelly physical.
In today's modern sophisticated world, we ofcourse cannot have Gladiators. But we all still might have our barbaric past hidden somehwere in our Freudian SuperEgo. I guess thats why we have these oh so physical NBA's NFL's etc etc. I am NOT trying to demean the importance of sports and team work. But what gets to me is the hidden barbarism. The players pushing each other so hard to win a title. The coaches not letting a seriously hurt player rest, like Yao Ming's coach did today. How much it would have hurt Yao's parent to see their son hop through the court in pain. His knee was badly hurt, even I could descern it on screen.
My son does love basketball and dreams big to be on Lakers team and play in NBA. But as a mom would I want my son to be there? I don't know.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Mother's day blues?
I got a cute, all scribbles over, colorful, funny to read hat book today from my older one. it started something like this "My mommy wears lot of different hats..." He had written about things I had taught him, cooked for him and enjoyed with him. What interesting observation and funny imaginations these 6 year olds have. Ouch 6 years??? is it already 6 years?
Life seems to be flying on a wings. It was just like yesterday, a warm Friday afternoon my little one greeted the world. And its three years! All my visits to emergency units, urgent care, frantic calls to pediatricians, midnight runs to pharmacies, everything seems so distant. In spite of a most dramatic infancy and toddlerhood, this little girl never stops to amaze me with her resiliance, curiosity and enthusiasm.
Its interesting to see her hold conversations with adults in the haircut shop, libraries and grocery stores. Is the fearless attitude an attribute of infancy or a sample of character? The abundance of love she showers on us is one of the two things that keeps me going on the mommy job with endless appointments, chauffeuring, play dates and 'oh no baby because you are 2nd, I am not spending enough time with you' guilt trips.
A toothy grin, a warm hug, some sloppy kisses and 'mommy you look cute' dialogues - ahh... "God is in his heaven and all is well with the world"
Thank God for children, they make the world livable.
Life seems to be flying on a wings. It was just like yesterday, a warm Friday afternoon my little one greeted the world. And its three years! All my visits to emergency units, urgent care, frantic calls to pediatricians, midnight runs to pharmacies, everything seems so distant. In spite of a most dramatic infancy and toddlerhood, this little girl never stops to amaze me with her resiliance, curiosity and enthusiasm.
Its interesting to see her hold conversations with adults in the haircut shop, libraries and grocery stores. Is the fearless attitude an attribute of infancy or a sample of character? The abundance of love she showers on us is one of the two things that keeps me going on the mommy job with endless appointments, chauffeuring, play dates and 'oh no baby because you are 2nd, I am not spending enough time with you' guilt trips.
A toothy grin, a warm hug, some sloppy kisses and 'mommy you look cute' dialogues - ahh... "God is in his heaven and all is well with the world"
Thank God for children, they make the world livable.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
First Indian Woman to go on Ski Expedition in South Pole and North Pole
Saraswathy(Sara) Kameswaran, skiied on both the Poles in the year 2007. She was a self funded Indian from Tamilnadu. She was the First ever Indian woman to ski on both the Poles in the same year.
Without a deft agent to publicize her historic feat, Sara completed her achievement as quietly as the person she is. She is simply happy to have made it.
http://www.polarexplorers.com/ExpeditionTracker2007.htm#SP1deg
http://www.icetrek.com/index.php?id=729
Skiing in the Pole is just not like skiing on the Heavenly slopes in Lake Tahoe or Aspen slopes in Colorado. You need a special combination of dream, determination and grit to brave the below zero tempratures and to carry your own food & excrements.
Now the whole web world is ablaze with a news item on Reena Kaushal - another Indian woman - as the First Indian Woman "preparing" to go to the South Pole in 2010. God bless Reena with a safe passage and completion. But, Sara already did it in 2007. You know because Reena is going with a commonwealth all women team, and she has proper planning and publicizing agent and her guide is so fiercely protective and assures that Reena is going to be the first Indian Woman - can the fact that Sara did both the Poles in 2007 be nullified?
The Indian media, even the media in Tamilnadu is not interested in talking about the First Tamil Woman who did this historic feat. People say, with access to internet, the world is at your finger tips and you can contact any one you want. This is not practically true. You can email thousands of individuals, unless they decide to read that email or respond to that mail, you do not know if your case is heard, leave alone being considered.
I am looking for a miracle to happen, so the world or at least India will know Sara did both the poles in the same year in 2007.
Without a deft agent to publicize her historic feat, Sara completed her achievement as quietly as the person she is. She is simply happy to have made it.
http://www.polarexplorers.com/ExpeditionTracker2007.htm#SP1deg
http://www.icetrek.com/index.php?id=729
Skiing in the Pole is just not like skiing on the Heavenly slopes in Lake Tahoe or Aspen slopes in Colorado. You need a special combination of dream, determination and grit to brave the below zero tempratures and to carry your own food & excrements.
Now the whole web world is ablaze with a news item on Reena Kaushal - another Indian woman - as the First Indian Woman "preparing" to go to the South Pole in 2010. God bless Reena with a safe passage and completion. But, Sara already did it in 2007. You know because Reena is going with a commonwealth all women team, and she has proper planning and publicizing agent and her guide is so fiercely protective and assures that Reena is going to be the first Indian Woman - can the fact that Sara did both the Poles in 2007 be nullified?
The Indian media, even the media in Tamilnadu is not interested in talking about the First Tamil Woman who did this historic feat. People say, with access to internet, the world is at your finger tips and you can contact any one you want. This is not practically true. You can email thousands of individuals, unless they decide to read that email or respond to that mail, you do not know if your case is heard, leave alone being considered.
I am looking for a miracle to happen, so the world or at least India will know Sara did both the poles in the same year in 2007.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Socializing - A trick or a treat?
I got into an interesting discussion about my socializing habits! A friend was able to provide a critical point of view. "looks like you have friends or acquaintances in every street around here, thats why when we plan the week ends, you are always not able to join in". I was kind of preparing for a defensive argument, but my practical self pointed out - I dont have to defend my friendship and acquaintances to some one else. But can you let go a statement like that without airing your opinion? After all its about you isnt it? So I did not let go.
I am sure we all agree humans are essentially social animals. Especially after building a nest to roost in a country very far from where we are born, very far from where our families and childhood friendships live - we need to build a social circle. For us to talk, share and for the children to have an introduction to a family like settings and meet different people.
Initially Birds of a feather flocks together. After we are out and about - that essentially means, after becoming parents and kids start school, we get to meet people from other nationalities and get to know them. When the kids becomes friends, some simple getting to know evolves into good friendships. Our social circle develops. Essentially living in the bay area introduces us with a wonderful opportunity to meet with people from all around the world. Even since my first one started Pre School, I was lucky to know American, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican and British moms. Basically we are all moms. We had Wednesday play groups where our children played in a a park after Pizza lunch, and we exchanged food from all our different kitchens. The bonding was great and I understood, languages and culture can be poles apart - but the MOM feeling is the same, as well as the Woman feeling. I would say I gained a better perspective as a mom and a wife from my friends from this play group, rather than I lost "my"time.
Ofcourse when you are part of a group, and the kids are friends - some of your weekends are not yours. you have to attend Birthday parties - for your child's sake. Little compromises or if you want to call it sacrifices - are important part of making new friends. I am sure giving your child the opportunity to move in multi ethnic, multi cultural environment - gives them the comfrtability early on to deal with multi ethnic group of peers later on in their lives.
So when my friend told me I missed out (actually we did not "miss") on specific activities because I had other social events - like Birthday parties - I could not agree. For one - I want to give my kids all the experiences of living in bay area. So we do camping and other seasonal sports as a recreation - once or twice during the season. Numer two, I do not want to do it every week. Its as simple as that. Letting my son his friends in social events - sometimes specific to his own age group is also important to me.
And yes, instead of one best friend or whatever I have a few good friends. I cannot stand pretentious friendships. "Genuine" is what I look for and give to my friends. So when the wavelength match with a certain aquaintence - we let it develop to the next level - friendship. Its not like me or the friend involved do anything un natural and go over board to "create" a fiendship. On yeah, Friendships can never be created. They should happen. At the same time we need to nurture it with care. Its like a two way traffic. When all the communication is done by one person and the other person wants to keep quiet and take you for granted, I would not call it friendship. So with good friendship, though we loose some of "our" weekend times, we do gain poeple, genuine people to love and nurture and to be loved and nurtured in turn.
So I guess making a friendship and socializing a trick or treat is very much in our hands. What do you think?
I am sure we all agree humans are essentially social animals. Especially after building a nest to roost in a country very far from where we are born, very far from where our families and childhood friendships live - we need to build a social circle. For us to talk, share and for the children to have an introduction to a family like settings and meet different people.
Initially Birds of a feather flocks together. After we are out and about - that essentially means, after becoming parents and kids start school, we get to meet people from other nationalities and get to know them. When the kids becomes friends, some simple getting to know evolves into good friendships. Our social circle develops. Essentially living in the bay area introduces us with a wonderful opportunity to meet with people from all around the world. Even since my first one started Pre School, I was lucky to know American, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican and British moms. Basically we are all moms. We had Wednesday play groups where our children played in a a park after Pizza lunch, and we exchanged food from all our different kitchens. The bonding was great and I understood, languages and culture can be poles apart - but the MOM feeling is the same, as well as the Woman feeling. I would say I gained a better perspective as a mom and a wife from my friends from this play group, rather than I lost "my"time.
Ofcourse when you are part of a group, and the kids are friends - some of your weekends are not yours. you have to attend Birthday parties - for your child's sake. Little compromises or if you want to call it sacrifices - are important part of making new friends. I am sure giving your child the opportunity to move in multi ethnic, multi cultural environment - gives them the comfrtability early on to deal with multi ethnic group of peers later on in their lives.
So when my friend told me I missed out (actually we did not "miss") on specific activities because I had other social events - like Birthday parties - I could not agree. For one - I want to give my kids all the experiences of living in bay area. So we do camping and other seasonal sports as a recreation - once or twice during the season. Numer two, I do not want to do it every week. Its as simple as that. Letting my son his friends in social events - sometimes specific to his own age group is also important to me.
And yes, instead of one best friend or whatever I have a few good friends. I cannot stand pretentious friendships. "Genuine" is what I look for and give to my friends. So when the wavelength match with a certain aquaintence - we let it develop to the next level - friendship. Its not like me or the friend involved do anything un natural and go over board to "create" a fiendship. On yeah, Friendships can never be created. They should happen. At the same time we need to nurture it with care. Its like a two way traffic. When all the communication is done by one person and the other person wants to keep quiet and take you for granted, I would not call it friendship. So with good friendship, though we loose some of "our" weekend times, we do gain poeple, genuine people to love and nurture and to be loved and nurtured in turn.
So I guess making a friendship and socializing a trick or treat is very much in our hands. What do you think?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Oh the twist and turns...
Sometimes the twists and turns bewilder us beyond comprehension. When a simple logic goes berserk and metamorphoses into something else beyond compare what can you do? Just start blogging? Right. That's exactly what I am doing.
My good friend Sara(Saraswathy Kameswaran) did something great - she went on a self funded ski expedition to Both the South Pole and North Pole in 2007. The Poles skiing community knew she was the first Indian woman to do this amazing feet. But she did not get the recognition from neither the Indian government nor the media. thinking back now - though we contacted the media, we never contacted the political powerhouse to inform. Now the whole web is ablaze with the news about first Indian woman "preparing" to go to South Pole in 2010. How interestingly funny is it? What a great twist of facts? In spite of getting in touch with the news agency that is spreading the current news, and the person who is planning to guide this 2010 team, we did not hear from anybody about the 2007 achievement my friend did. I feel it is an in justice to my friend's achievement. I am now reaching out to the popular bloggers to write about Sara. But who knows if her achievement will be recognized?
Sometimes what we think is true turns out to be sadly not so. Sometimes we are so sure of the path that can take us to the destination we need to reach. Often times we are not even sure of the destination we want to go, how to select a path - so twisted with many darker turns??
Totally unconnected to Sara's achievement, I have this other thing that bothers me. Sometimes when I see people I know talk about separation, I am dumbfounded. I cannot think coherently. I believe marriage is a bond, sealed with love and trust. Also I believe is giving the spouse a space, with trust. The beauty, friendship, love and care - not to mention the little fights, that bind the marriage are irreplaceable.
How ever is it possible to live alone after growing to live together over the years? After sharing everything that we consider sacred, after trusting for so many years, the spouse becomes so much a part of our being isn't it? We even learn to talk, think and act like them in some ways. So when I hear the impossible - I get shocked. In any culture - when a man and woman come together under a sacred promise - does it not mean they go on forever? Is it that very hard to talk together and iron out the wrinkles? I am aware that no two individuals can live like "one". Its total myth. But I am sure the two individuals involved in a marriage - can mutually agree to disagree on the things they individually do not like?
My good friend Sara(Saraswathy Kameswaran) did something great - she went on a self funded ski expedition to Both the South Pole and North Pole in 2007. The Poles skiing community knew she was the first Indian woman to do this amazing feet. But she did not get the recognition from neither the Indian government nor the media. thinking back now - though we contacted the media, we never contacted the political powerhouse to inform. Now the whole web is ablaze with the news about first Indian woman "preparing" to go to South Pole in 2010. How interestingly funny is it? What a great twist of facts? In spite of getting in touch with the news agency that is spreading the current news, and the person who is planning to guide this 2010 team, we did not hear from anybody about the 2007 achievement my friend did. I feel it is an in justice to my friend's achievement. I am now reaching out to the popular bloggers to write about Sara. But who knows if her achievement will be recognized?
Sometimes what we think is true turns out to be sadly not so. Sometimes we are so sure of the path that can take us to the destination we need to reach. Often times we are not even sure of the destination we want to go, how to select a path - so twisted with many darker turns??
Totally unconnected to Sara's achievement, I have this other thing that bothers me. Sometimes when I see people I know talk about separation, I am dumbfounded. I cannot think coherently. I believe marriage is a bond, sealed with love and trust. Also I believe is giving the spouse a space, with trust. The beauty, friendship, love and care - not to mention the little fights, that bind the marriage are irreplaceable.
How ever is it possible to live alone after growing to live together over the years? After sharing everything that we consider sacred, after trusting for so many years, the spouse becomes so much a part of our being isn't it? We even learn to talk, think and act like them in some ways. So when I hear the impossible - I get shocked. In any culture - when a man and woman come together under a sacred promise - does it not mean they go on forever? Is it that very hard to talk together and iron out the wrinkles? I am aware that no two individuals can live like "one". Its total myth. But I am sure the two individuals involved in a marriage - can mutually agree to disagree on the things they individually do not like?
Monday, March 30, 2009
பாட்டு
கொஞ்ச நாட்களாய் தமிழ் பாட்டு கேட்பதே இல்லாமல் போயிருந்தது. மாடர்ன் மியூசிக் என்ற பேரில் ஒரே காட்டுக்கத்தல் தான் நிறைய இருந்தது, இல்லன்னா அர்த்தகளே புரியாமல், வார்த்தைதளின் அர்த்தம் வேற ரொம்ப கொடுமையாய் ...
இப்போ தான் இந்த பாட்டு கேட்டேன். சுப்ரமணியபுரம் படத்தில "கண்கள் இரண்டால்"...ரொம்ப சுகமான மெல்லிய இசை. இனிய வார்த்தைகள். ரொம்ப அழகு.இதயம் நுழைந்து இறகால் தடவும் இனிமை. வேணும்னா நீங்களும கேட்டுப்பாருங்க. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNZHjGWjKis
இப்போ தான் இந்த பாட்டு கேட்டேன். சுப்ரமணியபுரம் படத்தில "கண்கள் இரண்டால்"...ரொம்ப சுகமான மெல்லிய இசை. இனிய வார்த்தைகள். ரொம்ப அழகு.இதயம் நுழைந்து இறகால் தடவும் இனிமை. வேணும்னா நீங்களும கேட்டுப்பாருங்க. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNZHjGWjKis
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Dependencies
Dependency has a special connotations for those non working ( I mean not working for money, outside home) women. Me being one of them, apart from" that" special kind of dependency, I am talking about being a nucleus family in the United states or anywhere else, away from where we have our extended family. Where just as a foursome or threesome, any family with children - have to depend on our friends one time or another for help, to take care of the children in some situations. When I lived back in India - for my aunts and uncles - baby sitting was never a problem. They had thier parent's homes or siblings homes to drop the children at moments notice to go somewhere or take a break from monotonous routine, even.
But here, when we have dependent children - not in school we have to look for baby sitters even to make a dentist appointment. I do not know about others. But, With two children aged 6 and 3, I am always looking for an impromptu baby sitters for my children. You know what comes naturally - getting the grandma over to help for simple things - always remains a wishful thought. My man had to undergo surgery two times. First when I had my little one inside (then I only had to make arrangement for my first one, then three yrs old).
The funny part is, First time I had enlisted a friends help to drive my husband home after the surgery. When were in the surgi center, the friend who was supposed to drive - had to rush his wife to labor & delivery. I ended up being the driver! Not that I didnt know driving. But being pregnant I was little nervous! But I managed. Now when having both the kids out - I feel completely dependent on friends. The timings did not work for the usual baby sitter. (she is only doing part time when her kids are at school) .
I feel so excruciatingly humiliated (just like a cockroach - this insect never feels obviously bad though - encroaching on your kitchen) when I have to ask a friend to take care of our daughter/son so very frequently. But then I am not blessed with a very quiet child either. She is a perfect little curious george. A loud one at that. We do not go on a date leaving the children behind. We are always in the urgent care or emergency or on a doc appointment. So, Apart from being in the hospital - on an average of 3 times a week, enlisting peopel to help - not that they grudge, feels so bad. I wish God never keeps me in a position to go ask for help - baby sitting help, I mean.
But here, when we have dependent children - not in school we have to look for baby sitters even to make a dentist appointment. I do not know about others. But, With two children aged 6 and 3, I am always looking for an impromptu baby sitters for my children. You know what comes naturally - getting the grandma over to help for simple things - always remains a wishful thought. My man had to undergo surgery two times. First when I had my little one inside (then I only had to make arrangement for my first one, then three yrs old).
The funny part is, First time I had enlisted a friends help to drive my husband home after the surgery. When were in the surgi center, the friend who was supposed to drive - had to rush his wife to labor & delivery. I ended up being the driver! Not that I didnt know driving. But being pregnant I was little nervous! But I managed. Now when having both the kids out - I feel completely dependent on friends. The timings did not work for the usual baby sitter. (she is only doing part time when her kids are at school) .
I feel so excruciatingly humiliated (just like a cockroach - this insect never feels obviously bad though - encroaching on your kitchen) when I have to ask a friend to take care of our daughter/son so very frequently. But then I am not blessed with a very quiet child either. She is a perfect little curious george. A loud one at that. We do not go on a date leaving the children behind. We are always in the urgent care or emergency or on a doc appointment. So, Apart from being in the hospital - on an average of 3 times a week, enlisting peopel to help - not that they grudge, feels so bad. I wish God never keeps me in a position to go ask for help - baby sitting help, I mean.
Pain
Every little moments
Passing through as minutes...
Taking along the hours
Pushing through the days...
We pass by many a gains
Sometimes lots of pains.
In a far off land - where
Nucleus family holds the wand
Life's magic creates
A rainbow of colors -
Sometimes only a muddy brown persists!
Oh too many tears.
Passing through as minutes...
Taking along the hours
Pushing through the days...
We pass by many a gains
Sometimes lots of pains.
In a far off land - where
Nucleus family holds the wand
Life's magic creates
A rainbow of colors -
Sometimes only a muddy brown persists!
Oh too many tears.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Last name
When did people start using last names? And why? probably I can find answers in wikipedia or history of cultural evolution. But every time I read a news article in Yahoo or in Mercury news, whenever they mention a name from a country where having a last name is neither a cultural thing or a social necessity, they say ----, "who goes by one name only" . What is the significance to the readers to know if the person has "one name only?". Is it some way of putting down the other part of the world where people always have just the given name and live just fine and happy as everyone else?
I see all kind of funny last names - Winehouse is for example is a last name of a celebrity. Sometimes the meaning makes me laugh. But I still do not understand why the so called very important news organizations like AP or Reuters, when reporting even a serious news item, pause to mention "goes by one name only".
I see all kind of funny last names - Winehouse is for example is a last name of a celebrity. Sometimes the meaning makes me laugh. But I still do not understand why the so called very important news organizations like AP or Reuters, when reporting even a serious news item, pause to mention "goes by one name only".
Monday, March 2, 2009
காதல்
நீல வானம் நிறைய மேகம்
சின்ன சாரல் சிறிதே வெளிச்சம்
கண்கள் தடவும் தென்றல் காற்று
அழிந்தும் அழியா வான வில்
அழகிய மாலை ....
அழைத்திடும் வேளை
துணை வரும் காதல் - இனி
தொடு வானம் கூட
தொட்டிடும் தூரம்....
சின்ன சாரல் சிறிதே வெளிச்சம்
கண்கள் தடவும் தென்றல் காற்று
அழிந்தும் அழியா வான வில்
அழகிய மாலை ....
அழைத்திடும் வேளை
துணை வரும் காதல் - இனி
தொடு வானம் கூட
தொட்டிடும் தூரம்....
Medicine medicine everywhere...
Coleridge in his Ancient Mariner wrote "water water everywhere, not a drop to drink". For my family its been 'medicine medicine everywhere not a drop to miss' for the past ten days. I am so done with all the urgent care visits, doctor appointments, late night runs to pharmacy etc.
But this simple sufferings at home almost always brings back the fear of a profound. And of course all the thoughts about people in my life who suffered a lot. I wish God never created all these sickness in first place after all. One grandma suffered broken limbs and back until the last breath. Other grandma battled cancer until finally put to rest. A cousin eternally suffered - ( the family too) 'coz of unknown problems in her brain, and passed away way too early. What are the reasons for all their sufferings?
I have a read a lot about people going through living hell with pain, severe illnesses and a few other stuff I cannot bring myself to write about. But why? As we believe God is the creator, protector and destroyer of human kind - why go through sufferings in between?
But this simple sufferings at home almost always brings back the fear of a profound. And of course all the thoughts about people in my life who suffered a lot. I wish God never created all these sickness in first place after all. One grandma suffered broken limbs and back until the last breath. Other grandma battled cancer until finally put to rest. A cousin eternally suffered - ( the family too) 'coz of unknown problems in her brain, and passed away way too early. What are the reasons for all their sufferings?
I have a read a lot about people going through living hell with pain, severe illnesses and a few other stuff I cannot bring myself to write about. But why? As we believe God is the creator, protector and destroyer of human kind - why go through sufferings in between?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
New York - Maddison Square Gardens
We went to New York city yesterday and tasted both the ends the city is so very famous for. The elegance and creepiness. With all those awe inspiring sky scrapers, the city looks so cramped with soooooooo very well dressed people always hurrying everywhere.
But we did encounter the muggers. My basketball fan son wanted to see the Maddison square garden stadium, home to the New York knicks. So after getting out of Penn station we headed down the quiet alley towards the back of the building. lesson No: 1, in New York, never step near any where quiet. With all due respect to all the people in the world, for the color, race and country, I got terribly scared as the two men standing near the stair way (in the back entrance of Maddison Square garden) approached us. It was a quiet alley, with a huge entrance and only stairs to climb up. No way to transport a stroller. We stopped and asked my husband to take my basketball crazy boy, who was already gazing so reverently at the buildin up to show him the stadium.
With formidable grin, one of the asked, "do you want me to lift your strollers up the stairs for 20 bucks?" We were a group of 4 adults and 4 children. And my BIL is been living in the east for about 12 years now. But even he couldn't decipher the look. We said "no" politely but firmly. Nevertheless he started going near our kids. We started walking as fast as we could with pounding hearts toward the exit. My husband was half way up the stairs with my boy, he rushed down and we literally ran out. As we headed out, the men started laughing and called us back telling us "we dropped something down". Until we reached 5th avenue, none of us spoke - all terrified. I shudder to imagine the worst, but who even visit New york, please stay in busy streets. never go near an alley or any person sitting alone. It definitely is NOT safe at all. And did I mention my son never got to see the stadium close?
But we did encounter the muggers. My basketball fan son wanted to see the Maddison square garden stadium, home to the New York knicks. So after getting out of Penn station we headed down the quiet alley towards the back of the building. lesson No: 1, in New York, never step near any where quiet. With all due respect to all the people in the world, for the color, race and country, I got terribly scared as the two men standing near the stair way (in the back entrance of Maddison Square garden) approached us. It was a quiet alley, with a huge entrance and only stairs to climb up. No way to transport a stroller. We stopped and asked my husband to take my basketball crazy boy, who was already gazing so reverently at the buildin up to show him the stadium.
With formidable grin, one of the asked, "do you want me to lift your strollers up the stairs for 20 bucks?" We were a group of 4 adults and 4 children. And my BIL is been living in the east for about 12 years now. But even he couldn't decipher the look. We said "no" politely but firmly. Nevertheless he started going near our kids. We started walking as fast as we could with pounding hearts toward the exit. My husband was half way up the stairs with my boy, he rushed down and we literally ran out. As we headed out, the men started laughing and called us back telling us "we dropped something down". Until we reached 5th avenue, none of us spoke - all terrified. I shudder to imagine the worst, but who even visit New york, please stay in busy streets. never go near an alley or any person sitting alone. It definitely is NOT safe at all. And did I mention my son never got to see the stadium close?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines, the almost only airlines that has everyday flying service to Chennai from San Francisco had been something like Comcast. Monopolizing the Asia Pacific region to connect North America's West Coast with the Asia Pacific Region. They had very little, if any competition until recently. Fixing up the airfares sky high for summer and all peak holiday seasons. We immigrants from India and South East Asia with families still back there in our respective countries buy the ticket no matter what the airlines fix the ticket fare to be. And during the peak travel periods (inspite of fuel costs, airport taxes etc) ticket prices were always at least $400 to $500 higher than their normal flying fares.
I guess no one has really thought about that, as getting together with family must have weighed in the travel than money involved. Even when the fuel sells for the same and the airport taxes are the same, no pragmatic traveler to APAC regions have ever questioned or voiced out their rate hikes. Because we all know that's how the Singapore Airlines can do business and make profit to offer world class service to the customers, of course.
Now we have a competitor. Cathay Pacific. To be very statistical, Cathay Pacific is offering SFO to Chennai $1560 to SQ's $1840 for June 12th to July 2nd. July 3rd Cathay's tickets are $1270 and SQ is still $1640. My humble math skills suggest it is almost $400, a whooping $400 difference on the ticket to the same destination.
Agreed Singapore airlines is connecting bay area people with families back there in the Indian subcontinent and East Asia for a long long time. Agreed their service is great. Their food is excellent. They can/should have a difference in airfare for their quality. A little higher like $100 or so is fine. We can take it. But $400 difference?? What do you all think?
I, for example am locked now for this summer's travel with Singapore airlines. because I bought my tickets way too early. here I need to tell how I HAD To buy the tickets just a three days earlier before Cathay had slashed the rates. I was working with a travel agent. I requested to wait until a certain Monday to purchase my tickets. But she suggested she CANNOT re block my dates again and I HAVE to purchase the three tickets in Singapore Airlines that very week itself. Or I'll be wait listed again. I told her in my own words that I WANTED to go to India. So there you go I got trapped by words and feelings. Lessons learned:
Getting back to Singapore Airlines saga, I did approach them with my cause. Even quoted their competitor has reduced rates as much as $400 per ticket. And requested some compensation in cancellation. And asked them are they willing to o anything for me as a customer. I did get a response. Their customer service representative, Tan Shu Yan, was very courteous and nice in snubbing. The response was very nice and very diplomatic but DID NOT serve any purpose except their own.
Nevertheless I responded to let them know how I feel. My final email was like this:
Hello Tan Shu Yan,
Thank you for your email and I do appreciate your time.
I totally understand you cannot waive your cancellation completely. At this point I am going to travel in Singapore airlines for the planned dates. But am I a satisfied customer? NO, of course not.
May be keeping ONE customer happy and offering some compromise is not important to Singapore Airlines. I know you cannot keep everybody happy if you want to run a successful business. But meeting somewhere in the middle, to do something that benefits both the business and the client always goes a long way in keeping customer loyalty.
May be in future I would opt for other airlines with much better rates to and from the same destination. When hard economy hits, that will be the case, when people have options to shop around, they only look for competitive airfare. The mistake I did was to book the tickets well in advance. I have learned a mighty good lesson from my mistake.
Again Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.
Sincerely,
However I do not expect anything to happen. But with the very good intentions of letting the people in the bay area benefit from my experience and loss with Singapore Airlines, I think I have a moral responsibility to express my experience.
Now instead of loosing $750 in cancellation charges for three tickets as my moral self suggests, I am going to travel Singapore airlines this summer to India. But next time I am sure to shop around (with different travel agents too) for the best air fare and wait to buy my tickets.
So welcome Cathay Pacific. Let your competition with Singapore airlines be a healthy one. In your competition let all of us - Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and "us" people who make it possible for you to run your business successfully, benefit from that competition.
I guess no one has really thought about that, as getting together with family must have weighed in the travel than money involved. Even when the fuel sells for the same and the airport taxes are the same, no pragmatic traveler to APAC regions have ever questioned or voiced out their rate hikes. Because we all know that's how the Singapore Airlines can do business and make profit to offer world class service to the customers, of course.
Now we have a competitor. Cathay Pacific. To be very statistical, Cathay Pacific is offering SFO to Chennai $1560 to SQ's $1840 for June 12th to July 2nd. July 3rd Cathay's tickets are $1270 and SQ is still $1640. My humble math skills suggest it is almost $400, a whooping $400 difference on the ticket to the same destination.
Agreed Singapore airlines is connecting bay area people with families back there in the Indian subcontinent and East Asia for a long long time. Agreed their service is great. Their food is excellent. They can/should have a difference in airfare for their quality. A little higher like $100 or so is fine. We can take it. But $400 difference?? What do you all think?
I, for example am locked now for this summer's travel with Singapore airlines. because I bought my tickets way too early. here I need to tell how I HAD To buy the tickets just a three days earlier before Cathay had slashed the rates. I was working with a travel agent. I requested to wait until a certain Monday to purchase my tickets. But she suggested she CANNOT re block my dates again and I HAVE to purchase the three tickets in Singapore Airlines that very week itself. Or I'll be wait listed again. I told her in my own words that I WANTED to go to India. So there you go I got trapped by words and feelings. Lessons learned:
- Never let the travel agent know that you NEED to go to India on a certan date.
- Always shop around with several travel agents before buying tickets.
Getting back to Singapore Airlines saga, I did approach them with my cause. Even quoted their competitor has reduced rates as much as $400 per ticket. And requested some compensation in cancellation. And asked them are they willing to o anything for me as a customer. I did get a response. Their customer service representative, Tan Shu Yan, was very courteous and nice in snubbing. The response was very nice and very diplomatic but DID NOT serve any purpose except their own.
Nevertheless I responded to let them know how I feel. My final email was like this:
Hello Tan Shu Yan,
Thank you for your email and I do appreciate your time.
I totally understand you cannot waive your cancellation completely. At this point I am going to travel in Singapore airlines for the planned dates. But am I a satisfied customer? NO, of course not.
May be keeping ONE customer happy and offering some compromise is not important to Singapore Airlines. I know you cannot keep everybody happy if you want to run a successful business. But meeting somewhere in the middle, to do something that benefits both the business and the client always goes a long way in keeping customer loyalty.
May be in future I would opt for other airlines with much better rates to and from the same destination. When hard economy hits, that will be the case, when people have options to shop around, they only look for competitive airfare. The mistake I did was to book the tickets well in advance. I have learned a mighty good lesson from my mistake.
Again Thank you very much for taking the time to respond.
Sincerely,
However I do not expect anything to happen. But with the very good intentions of letting the people in the bay area benefit from my experience and loss with Singapore Airlines, I think I have a moral responsibility to express my experience.
Now instead of loosing $750 in cancellation charges for three tickets as my moral self suggests, I am going to travel Singapore airlines this summer to India. But next time I am sure to shop around (with different travel agents too) for the best air fare and wait to buy my tickets.
So welcome Cathay Pacific. Let your competition with Singapore airlines be a healthy one. In your competition let all of us - Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and "us" people who make it possible for you to run your business successfully, benefit from that competition.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
"Cheney warns of new attacks"
A news article in yahoo caught my attention this morning and make me wonder. This Cheney was the VP for 8 years and as soon as his political rival takes office and tries something different, he gives a Statistical reports of terrorists and warns the country of another attack.
Is he sending out to the terrorists now that Bush administration is long gone, they can try and attack US once more? What kind of mindless interview is that? After being in the high office for so long, would anybody talk so irresponsibly?
Is he sending out to the terrorists now that Bush administration is long gone, they can try and attack US once more? What kind of mindless interview is that? After being in the high office for so long, would anybody talk so irresponsibly?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
A chill through the spine.
Was reading the newspaper this morning. It was sunny out side with a mild chill. One of the blessings of California. As I turned my second page, this news caught my attention. A 93 year old veteran froze to death. A frantic search online gave all the chilling details. The whole scene in Kentucky and Arkansas looks like a part of "Day After Tomorrow", the movie that portrays a steady freezing of America.
Apparently this veteran had money, but must have had slipping memory. His electricity bills had about $1000 unpaid balance over past 4 months, so the local Bay City Municipal electricity worker had installed a meter that shuts off electricity after certain usage. And this poor soul had no clue. How monstrous can that be??????? I am at a loss of words to explain the inhuman treatment toward this aged veteran. If they look into his billing history he had never had any late payments or defaults. he was living alone with no children and wife being passed away two years earlier. I am completely sad. Strangely I think of people back home in India - there too the neighborly, humane attitude is slowly dying if not already dead. So is it the whole world becoming a totally selfish, inhuman society?
On top of this a news article suggested people in those parts of US with heavy snow and snow storm (over a million) might have to live with no power until mid February. Oh my God, it hurts even to imagine. I remember way back in 2002, we had a power outage for about 3 or 4 hours. I was pregnant with my first child. We ha no food to eat and i still shudder to remember my husband frantically driving through the rain looking for food for me. Now How many moms are pregnant there? how many infants need warm milk or simply water to drnk? how many elderly need heat to keep warm? Oh to think of all the basic necessities...How ever can this happen? We call America the most advanced nation in the world.
Inspite of many of the states going bankrupt, we are able to offer $40,000 for civilians killed in Afghanistan. How are we going to handle this dire life and death situation caused by extreme weather conditions? I wish the governemnt makes plans and acts immediately to bring relief to the people in pain and cold.
Apparently this veteran had money, but must have had slipping memory. His electricity bills had about $1000 unpaid balance over past 4 months, so the local Bay City Municipal electricity worker had installed a meter that shuts off electricity after certain usage. And this poor soul had no clue. How monstrous can that be??????? I am at a loss of words to explain the inhuman treatment toward this aged veteran. If they look into his billing history he had never had any late payments or defaults. he was living alone with no children and wife being passed away two years earlier. I am completely sad. Strangely I think of people back home in India - there too the neighborly, humane attitude is slowly dying if not already dead. So is it the whole world becoming a totally selfish, inhuman society?
On top of this a news article suggested people in those parts of US with heavy snow and snow storm (over a million) might have to live with no power until mid February. Oh my God, it hurts even to imagine. I remember way back in 2002, we had a power outage for about 3 or 4 hours. I was pregnant with my first child. We ha no food to eat and i still shudder to remember my husband frantically driving through the rain looking for food for me. Now How many moms are pregnant there? how many infants need warm milk or simply water to drnk? how many elderly need heat to keep warm? Oh to think of all the basic necessities...How ever can this happen? We call America the most advanced nation in the world.
Inspite of many of the states going bankrupt, we are able to offer $40,000 for civilians killed in Afghanistan. How are we going to handle this dire life and death situation caused by extreme weather conditions? I wish the governemnt makes plans and acts immediately to bring relief to the people in pain and cold.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Simple Pleasures.
Travel through the time zones
Looking beyond the horizons
searching for a light
through many sickening blights
we forget-
Life's most memorable treasures
Are the simple everyday pleasures.
Looking beyond the horizons
searching for a light
through many sickening blights
we forget-
Life's most memorable treasures
Are the simple everyday pleasures.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hope
On a floral path pushing thorns aside
Glides a gentle thought as the snakes slide-
With a venomous force a hissing raise
Blocking the serene mind with an awful noise.
When gripping fear seems very near
The terrified mind searches for a dear-
A ray of hope like a seeping sunshine
Brings a moment of peace when darkness reign.
Glides a gentle thought as the snakes slide-
With a venomous force a hissing raise
Blocking the serene mind with an awful noise.
When gripping fear seems very near
The terrified mind searches for a dear-
A ray of hope like a seeping sunshine
Brings a moment of peace when darkness reign.
Great Expectations
Past presents knowledge never learned
Present fills with a void of wants ...
Future beckons with elusive illusions.
The flow of life seems to falter
at wants un met and deeds un done.
Slumber brings dreams which
pragmatic mind dispels away...
Greater the expectations, bitter the frustrations.
Present fills with a void of wants ...
Future beckons with elusive illusions.
The flow of life seems to falter
at wants un met and deeds un done.
Slumber brings dreams which
pragmatic mind dispels away...
Greater the expectations, bitter the frustrations.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Watching moments of history - January 20, 2009.
As I am watching moments of history unfold digitally in front of me. I just couldn't help but write down my thoughts. One of the most moving, best orchestrated (I wouldn't call it once in a life time 'coz Obama is paving a way for many new firsts) inauguration ceremony for Mr. Barack Obama. With greater expectations does he take charge today. I watch it with mixed feelings of exhilaration and skepticism.
Welcome Obama and God Bless you, the Country you are going to preside over and the World at large.
Mr. President -The expectations are higher, making your job tougher. As much as excited about your arrival to America's presidency I am as much worried about all the looming problems that are going to shower on you, along with our best wishes for you. The favorite chant "Yes, We can" only gives me a hope to look into the future with warming thoughts that Yes, of course we can cross all that had caused a deep gash in the American spirit. We have our Hope and Confidence in a better tomorrow.
Let the country flourish, Let the world bloom into a better place and let humanity reign supreme.
Welcome Obama and God Bless you, the Country you are going to preside over and the World at large.
Mr. President -The expectations are higher, making your job tougher. As much as excited about your arrival to America's presidency I am as much worried about all the looming problems that are going to shower on you, along with our best wishes for you. The favorite chant "Yes, We can" only gives me a hope to look into the future with warming thoughts that Yes, of course we can cross all that had caused a deep gash in the American spirit. We have our Hope and Confidence in a better tomorrow.
Let the country flourish, Let the world bloom into a better place and let humanity reign supreme.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Pongal - Walk down the memory lane...
Pongal starts at least a week ahead of the real day in my village when I was little. My dad buys a bunch of Pongal Vaazhthukkal (greeting cards) and me and my sister sign every one them and send them out to every one of our cousins and friends. I wonder even in those days of hardship my dad took the time to teach us the value of maintaining relationships and remembering them every pongal time. Thank you dad, for all the values you had taught us.
My mom, athai and grandma will clean all the anda kundas at home including all the unused pathiram pandam. Those were the days our palm roof bungalow had a mud floored living room! The older women use mattu chani and kari (coal power, what do you call mezhuhal?) to tharai mezhuhal, two days before pongal day. On Bohi night comes the biggest decoration ever, drawing makkolam on the blacked, newly chani mezhuhia floors. Man the beauty, all the heady smells.... It was a smell very unique to the south Indian villages. Our neighbor aunties and my family ladies would have competition in kolam drawing. What imagination they had in creating Kolam designs!! Unbelievable colors and intricate designs unfold in front of you in minutes. I wish I had a camera to record all those memories as a child.
The morning of pongal dawns very early before the Sun God has time to take his first wink, with another Kolam session on the front, this time colorful rangolis adorn our front yards. Then comes all new cloths and yes, Pongal! Awesome delicious mommy only can make kind of pongal, she actually doesn't do any magic but always my mom's pongal is the best. Pongal - typically every familymakes two paanai pongal, that is make two types of pongal - one sweet - made with rice, milk, jaggery, pacha karpuram, cardamom, cashewnuts and raisins. (But real village pongal is very simple, yet soooo delicious, made with rice, jaggery, channa dal and coconut). The other kind rice, a sprinkle of channa dal and grated coconut - called white pongal. We make it either in the front yard or in the kitchen and adorn the pongal pathiram with fresh turmeric plant around the neck. Sugarcane and fresh ginger are all offered to Sun God - symbolically thanking him for the bounty he offers humanity. Then we hog on the pongal and chew on lots of long sugarcane's. I remember having races with my sister to see who finishes the long sugarcane first. Inevitable yours truly wins in all eating contests with my sister back home :). The lunch menu on Pongal day looks somehting like this - Sambhar made with all vegetables, Rasam, Kara Kuzhambu, Avial, Pachadi, Vazhaka fry, Vada, Appalam and twokinds of Pongal. I only used to enjoy the food and forget the rest as a daughter, now being the mom, I realize the time and amount of work behind such extensive delicacies.
Where I come from, Pongal is a three day affair. Next day to Pongal is Mattu Pongal. We typically celebrate the farm animals. All the bulls, cows and even goats are washed and decorated with garlands. Generally the whole village joins in one big arena and cook pongal together. This pongal is sooooooooooooooo yummy and my all time favourite. They add jaggery, freshly grated coconut and ripe bananas to cooked white rice on plantain leaves and mix it. Oh yummmmmy! Mattu Pongal used to be big grand affair where all our cousins get together at my maternal grandparents huge house until i was like 13 years old. Thatha passed away and so did all those traditions, family get together and all the fun.
Third day of pongal is called kanu and we make pongal - agian sweet kind to celebrate the kanya pongal - young virgins in the family. Young girls get new cloths and money as presents from the elders on Kanya pongal day. Evening is the fun part. All the young and old alike dress up and meet in the center of the village. Many weddings gets fixed! Oh I can see those days of fun! there is so much music and so much dance - kummi, kolattam etc etc. We can see all folk arts vibrant and alive in that Pongal celebration on the third day.
Life was beautiful. We knew so many family members and extended relatives. We knew how to get together and share the joys and sorrows. As children we were exposed our very traditional, meaningful festivals and we had grandparents around to tell us stories - even if all the reasons my patti or ammachi told me were not authentic reasons for a celebration, at the very least I had them around, to lean on, to look up to and take refuge in.
My mom, athai and grandma will clean all the anda kundas at home including all the unused pathiram pandam. Those were the days our palm roof bungalow had a mud floored living room! The older women use mattu chani and kari (coal power, what do you call mezhuhal?) to tharai mezhuhal, two days before pongal day. On Bohi night comes the biggest decoration ever, drawing makkolam on the blacked, newly chani mezhuhia floors. Man the beauty, all the heady smells.... It was a smell very unique to the south Indian villages. Our neighbor aunties and my family ladies would have competition in kolam drawing. What imagination they had in creating Kolam designs!! Unbelievable colors and intricate designs unfold in front of you in minutes. I wish I had a camera to record all those memories as a child.
The morning of pongal dawns very early before the Sun God has time to take his first wink, with another Kolam session on the front, this time colorful rangolis adorn our front yards. Then comes all new cloths and yes, Pongal! Awesome delicious mommy only can make kind of pongal, she actually doesn't do any magic but always my mom's pongal is the best. Pongal - typically every familymakes two paanai pongal, that is make two types of pongal - one sweet - made with rice, milk, jaggery, pacha karpuram, cardamom, cashewnuts and raisins. (But real village pongal is very simple, yet soooo delicious, made with rice, jaggery, channa dal and coconut). The other kind rice, a sprinkle of channa dal and grated coconut - called white pongal. We make it either in the front yard or in the kitchen and adorn the pongal pathiram with fresh turmeric plant around the neck. Sugarcane and fresh ginger are all offered to Sun God - symbolically thanking him for the bounty he offers humanity. Then we hog on the pongal and chew on lots of long sugarcane's. I remember having races with my sister to see who finishes the long sugarcane first. Inevitable yours truly wins in all eating contests with my sister back home :). The lunch menu on Pongal day looks somehting like this - Sambhar made with all vegetables, Rasam, Kara Kuzhambu, Avial, Pachadi, Vazhaka fry, Vada, Appalam and twokinds of Pongal. I only used to enjoy the food and forget the rest as a daughter, now being the mom, I realize the time and amount of work behind such extensive delicacies.
Where I come from, Pongal is a three day affair. Next day to Pongal is Mattu Pongal. We typically celebrate the farm animals. All the bulls, cows and even goats are washed and decorated with garlands. Generally the whole village joins in one big arena and cook pongal together. This pongal is sooooooooooooooo yummy and my all time favourite. They add jaggery, freshly grated coconut and ripe bananas to cooked white rice on plantain leaves and mix it. Oh yummmmmy! Mattu Pongal used to be big grand affair where all our cousins get together at my maternal grandparents huge house until i was like 13 years old. Thatha passed away and so did all those traditions, family get together and all the fun.
Third day of pongal is called kanu and we make pongal - agian sweet kind to celebrate the kanya pongal - young virgins in the family. Young girls get new cloths and money as presents from the elders on Kanya pongal day. Evening is the fun part. All the young and old alike dress up and meet in the center of the village. Many weddings gets fixed! Oh I can see those days of fun! there is so much music and so much dance - kummi, kolattam etc etc. We can see all folk arts vibrant and alive in that Pongal celebration on the third day.
Life was beautiful. We knew so many family members and extended relatives. We knew how to get together and share the joys and sorrows. As children we were exposed our very traditional, meaningful festivals and we had grandparents around to tell us stories - even if all the reasons my patti or ammachi told me were not authentic reasons for a celebration, at the very least I had them around, to lean on, to look up to and take refuge in.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Cruel reality
I came to know this- I am at a loss- what to call this shocking, heartbreaking news? A friend of mine called me this morning - we speak after a long time, but you know sometimes you don't have to be talking everyday to keep up the friendship. She is such a person. I was very happy about the call but the magnanimity of the information she shared in a chocking tearful voice shattered my very being.
Her family - the couple, 2 boys and a girl are all going to attend a "celebration of life" of the older boy's friend (4th grader). What??? Celebration of life for the young child? We both cried. My thoughts wandered, oh my God the unimaginable, unbelievably cruel reality of life had touched upon the family of a fourth grader. That little boy - a student at Stratford, De Anza Campus, got a burst blood vessel in the brain and is not alive any more. A loss of a child - I had gone through a loss of an unborn child - if that was excruciating for me, to lose a child, a 9 year old, how would it be to the parents. God why do you do things like that? Why give and take at such tender age? Sometimes I cannot relate or come to terms with the reality of death. Why should it happen? Whats the equation that You use for all the births in the world? Now trying to rationalize the desperation that I once experienced, I can only pray to You God, again to give them the faith to come to terms with their loss.
Her family - the couple, 2 boys and a girl are all going to attend a "celebration of life" of the older boy's friend (4th grader). What??? Celebration of life for the young child? We both cried. My thoughts wandered, oh my God the unimaginable, unbelievably cruel reality of life had touched upon the family of a fourth grader. That little boy - a student at Stratford, De Anza Campus, got a burst blood vessel in the brain and is not alive any more. A loss of a child - I had gone through a loss of an unborn child - if that was excruciating for me, to lose a child, a 9 year old, how would it be to the parents. God why do you do things like that? Why give and take at such tender age? Sometimes I cannot relate or come to terms with the reality of death. Why should it happen? Whats the equation that You use for all the births in the world? Now trying to rationalize the desperation that I once experienced, I can only pray to You God, again to give them the faith to come to terms with their loss.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Will Obama prove to be a transformational global leader?
This is a survey question( very similar to many others) I come across on many websites after Barack Obama got elected as the President. All I want to do is to scream out loud FOR GOD'S SAKE GIVE THIS PERSON A CHANCE AT THE OFFICE before wanting to come to a conclusion, stop all the speculations you bird brains.
Agreed the country is in rags. Agreed the depression is greater than the great depression. But its a mess created and systematically piled upon layer after layer on the American people, on the American Economy and on the American Dream. All we have now is a nightmare. A nightmare beyond comprehension.
And Obama is no magician. He is a person with a promise. And he is a person with a promise of change and lots of limitations. However much happy about his election, I am sad and sorry that a historic change for America has to happen at such historic bad economy and challenging hard times. Undoing whats been done in the past eight years is going to take time. We should remember Obama is not armed with a magic wand or any God like powers. So lets pray God to give him the strength and the kind of experienced, knowledgeable support in the cabinet to steer America out of the destructive twister and restore stability, confidence and hope in the American people.
Lets let him take one step at a time and not expect any leaps. With leaps we may falter and get hurt, with careful steps we will reach our destination strong and sound. With proper planning, measures and support, We might take longer to be where we want to be, but we sure will be stronger. God Bless America and God Bless Barack Obama.
Agreed the country is in rags. Agreed the depression is greater than the great depression. But its a mess created and systematically piled upon layer after layer on the American people, on the American Economy and on the American Dream. All we have now is a nightmare. A nightmare beyond comprehension.
And Obama is no magician. He is a person with a promise. And he is a person with a promise of change and lots of limitations. However much happy about his election, I am sad and sorry that a historic change for America has to happen at such historic bad economy and challenging hard times. Undoing whats been done in the past eight years is going to take time. We should remember Obama is not armed with a magic wand or any God like powers. So lets pray God to give him the strength and the kind of experienced, knowledgeable support in the cabinet to steer America out of the destructive twister and restore stability, confidence and hope in the American people.
Lets let him take one step at a time and not expect any leaps. With leaps we may falter and get hurt, with careful steps we will reach our destination strong and sound. With proper planning, measures and support, We might take longer to be where we want to be, but we sure will be stronger. God Bless America and God Bless Barack Obama.
Email Etiquette!
Well to begin with I am no great personality to define any etiquette and i do not intend doing a definition. But I think as a person who responds to my emails pretty regularly I am well qualified to "talk" about email etiquette.
Email was a great communication revolution in the late 20th century. Emails are easier to send and receive than the postal mails, 'coz they save writing time - of course typing out is easier than writing, searching and finding an envelope, stamping and walking to the post office or mail box to send it. Then waiting for the mail to reach the person sent and to hear back. When we get a reply in the post, how happy and good it used to feel? I do lament the invention of email some times 'coz it feels great to read the written letter from a loved one and the family. From anybody for that matter. Every letter has a spirit to it. Well that apart -
Email, when we do send them we intend communication. Can communication always be one way? How would it feel if we call a person on the phone and start yapping and the other person never even says an umm or ah? What kind of communication is that? I think un reciprocated emails work the same way as unresponsive calls.
I for one expect an acknowledgment or reply to my question whenever I send an email to my friends and family. But there are many people in the world who do not acknowledge or respond to emails. What might be their thought process? I wonder if people are too busy that they do not have time to hit the reply button and type out a few nice words or thank you or a response to a question? Oh no but what about the ones who send them? Those kind of people do put me off, I never want to communicate with them.
Wouldn't it be nice if the world responds to emails? I do not mean junk mails of course. Real genuine mails from people you know, who had sent you information and are waiting to know if you find them useful? I feel every intentional emails with a wish, communication or information we need should get a response. Well only I seem to feel that way. But never mind I am at peace 'coz I do that always!
Email was a great communication revolution in the late 20th century. Emails are easier to send and receive than the postal mails, 'coz they save writing time - of course typing out is easier than writing, searching and finding an envelope, stamping and walking to the post office or mail box to send it. Then waiting for the mail to reach the person sent and to hear back. When we get a reply in the post, how happy and good it used to feel? I do lament the invention of email some times 'coz it feels great to read the written letter from a loved one and the family. From anybody for that matter. Every letter has a spirit to it. Well that apart -
Email, when we do send them we intend communication. Can communication always be one way? How would it feel if we call a person on the phone and start yapping and the other person never even says an umm or ah? What kind of communication is that? I think un reciprocated emails work the same way as unresponsive calls.
I for one expect an acknowledgment or reply to my question whenever I send an email to my friends and family. But there are many people in the world who do not acknowledge or respond to emails. What might be their thought process? I wonder if people are too busy that they do not have time to hit the reply button and type out a few nice words or thank you or a response to a question? Oh no but what about the ones who send them? Those kind of people do put me off, I never want to communicate with them.
Wouldn't it be nice if the world responds to emails? I do not mean junk mails of course. Real genuine mails from people you know, who had sent you information and are waiting to know if you find them useful? I feel every intentional emails with a wish, communication or information we need should get a response. Well only I seem to feel that way. But never mind I am at peace 'coz I do that always!
Monday, January 5, 2009
தேடல்
நுரைத்து தள்ளி கரையில் புரண்டு
என்ன தேடும் இந்த அலைகள்?
தொலைத்து விட்ட நுரையின் காற்றா
எடுத்து சென்ற மணலின் சுவடா
கரைத்து கொண்ட காலத்தின் கனவா
பறந்து கரைந்து திரியும் காகம்
தேடித்திரியும் காரணம் என்ன?
சின்னகுழந்தை ஆனால் கூட
அம்மா பார்க்க தேடல் உண்டு
இந்த
தொலைந்து போன மனிதம் மட்டும்
தொலைந்த நினைவே மறந்து போய்...
என்ன தேடும் இந்த அலைகள்?
தொலைத்து விட்ட நுரையின் காற்றா
எடுத்து சென்ற மணலின் சுவடா
கரைத்து கொண்ட காலத்தின் கனவா
பறந்து கரைந்து திரியும் காகம்
தேடித்திரியும் காரணம் என்ன?
சின்னகுழந்தை ஆனால் கூட
அம்மா பார்க்க தேடல் உண்டு
இந்த
தொலைந்து போன மனிதம் மட்டும்
தொலைந்த நினைவே மறந்து போய்...
அவள்(ன்)
மின்னல் பெண்மை கண்ணை பறிக்க
கன்னல் இனிமை குரலில் தெறிக்க
அன்ன நடையை அழகாய் பயின்று
சின்ன மனதை கிறங்க வைத்தாள்
பதுமை வந்த அழகை பார்த்து
மெதுவாய் பின்னே சென்ற கூட்டம்
பதறி ஓடும் காரணம் என்ன?
பாவம் "அவளின்" பிறவி தானா?
கன்னல் இனிமை குரலில் தெறிக்க
அன்ன நடையை அழகாய் பயின்று
சின்ன மனதை கிறங்க வைத்தாள்
பதுமை வந்த அழகை பார்த்து
மெதுவாய் பின்னே சென்ற கூட்டம்
பதறி ஓடும் காரணம் என்ன?
பாவம் "அவளின்" பிறவி தானா?
Friday, January 2, 2009
Visit.
Living in California, We do not get many visitors from back home. Many childhood relationships long lost, we do live a happy content life as any foursome family. Except some pangs of regrets when we see children playing with visiting grandparents in the local park or when our children visit friend's who have their grandparents visiting them for a six months stay. Somehow getting our children's grandparents visit us is always been an alluring enigma.
So now when our cousin had to come to bay area on work from Chennai and stayed with us for 2 months, it was like a rare surprise gift. It was like walking down the memory lane, densely fogged with clusters of emotions. Remembering and discovering the tastes, sharing memories and revisiting common interests, like books and history. Children had a fun playmate and a knowledgeable chithappa - all in one.
But time's winged chariot does fly fast when you are having so much fun. The visit ended and he started to get back to his work, life and family today. We roam around the home like zombies. My little two and half year old is still calling for "chithappa". Older one is bravely trying to hide his disappointment.
Having family live in the US doesn't help a lot sometimes. We do have our family on the other coast and meet rarely and only in India when we both visit. Perhaps defining once a year visits with family on the other coast will give these relatives deprived children a better idea of family and relationships? Like alternating visits every year?
So now when our cousin had to come to bay area on work from Chennai and stayed with us for 2 months, it was like a rare surprise gift. It was like walking down the memory lane, densely fogged with clusters of emotions. Remembering and discovering the tastes, sharing memories and revisiting common interests, like books and history. Children had a fun playmate and a knowledgeable chithappa - all in one.
But time's winged chariot does fly fast when you are having so much fun. The visit ended and he started to get back to his work, life and family today. We roam around the home like zombies. My little two and half year old is still calling for "chithappa". Older one is bravely trying to hide his disappointment.
Having family live in the US doesn't help a lot sometimes. We do have our family on the other coast and meet rarely and only in India when we both visit. Perhaps defining once a year visits with family on the other coast will give these relatives deprived children a better idea of family and relationships? Like alternating visits every year?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)