Some phrases are so catchy...just like this one,
"If you don't love yourself, it's not such a good idea to keep recruiting other people to love you. Love yourself first, then add more".
Thursday 13 December 2007
Wednesday 5 December 2007
A Song Tag
Noon tagged me for my previous song post and here I am sharing another favourite song of mine. Well, have you listened to Poongathu Tirumbuma from the movie Mudhal Mariyadai? Actor - Shivaji Ganeshan, Director – Bharathiraja and Music Director – Illayaraja. I simply am in love with this song for its music, cast, direction and of course its melody. Both Rajas – Bharathiraja and Ilayaraja at their height of performance, one Raja casting one of India’s all-time greatest actor and setting a lovely village scene highlighting one of his finest storytelling efforts, while the other Raja, enriching the whole experience with the soul-searching flute. Also, love the way S Janaki and Vasudevan sing their verses with brilliant pauses and take on s. Enjoy the song...
Tuesday 27 November 2007
Treasure a Healthy Heart
Hola!...It’s been ages since I wrote a thing in my blog and now, I have taken some time out to post this interesting/informative topic. Hectic work, busy life, shorter days, bad weather, no sunshine, killing winter, heavy duty job etc are the facts literally hogging my life lately. Alongside of all these, life is making me enjoy the company of my parents-in-law, sight seeing, shopping, great stuff to eat (as my MIL is a terrific cook), gossips to share, a boring silent home turning into a lively one after work - as I am greeted with a warm smile and a cup of coffee every evening…what a bliss!
Now, coming to the post, very unusual of me to go through all the FWD mails I get. Infact, it gets me on my nerves when I read those silly and boring ones. However, I do enjoy reading something informative and sensible. Thanks to R3 for sending this vital piece of information she gathered from somewhere and to Wipro for arranging this session. In this mundane world, it is important for us to know how to be healthy. 'Yeah! right... we know how to keep ourselves healthy and fit' - is the attitude we carry and tend to neglect those important factors by which we can avoid inviting Heart and other ailments. Well, here are the tips from a renowned doctor in India Dr. Devi Shetty, helping us to keep our heart beating normally. Read on...
A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty (Heart Specialist) of Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees. The transcript of the chat is given below.
Q1: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
A1:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar
Q2: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
A2: No
Q3: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
A3: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.
Q4: Are heart diseases hereditary?
A4: Yes
Q5: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
A5: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.
Q6: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
A6: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints
Q7: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?
A7: Mother Theresa , who was my patient
Q8: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
A8: Extremely rare
Q9: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
A9: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.
Q10: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?
A10: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.
Q11: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
A11: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.
Q12: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
A12: Yoga helps
Q13: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
A13: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.
Q14: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?
A14: All oils are bad.
Q15: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
A15: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.
Q16: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
A16: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.
Q17: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
A17: Extremely difficult without ECG.
Q18: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.
A18: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.
Q19: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
A19: Yes
Q20: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
A20: Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child.
Q21: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?
A21: When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.
Q22: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?
A22 : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.
Q23: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
A23: No.
Q24: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
A24 : No.
Q25: How would you define junk food?
A25 : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.
Q26: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
A26: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.
Q27: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
A27: No.
Q28: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
A28 : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.
Q29: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
A29: No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.
Q30: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
A30: Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.
Q31: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
A31: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.
Q32: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
A32: Diet, exercise, drugs on time, Control cholesterol, BP, weight.
Q33: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
A33: No.
Q34: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
A34: There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.
Q35: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
A35: No.
Q36: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
A36: Nature protects women till the age of 45.
Q37: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
A37: Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended).
Now, coming to the post, very unusual of me to go through all the FWD mails I get. Infact, it gets me on my nerves when I read those silly and boring ones. However, I do enjoy reading something informative and sensible. Thanks to R3 for sending this vital piece of information she gathered from somewhere and to Wipro for arranging this session. In this mundane world, it is important for us to know how to be healthy. 'Yeah! right... we know how to keep ourselves healthy and fit' - is the attitude we carry and tend to neglect those important factors by which we can avoid inviting Heart and other ailments. Well, here are the tips from a renowned doctor in India Dr. Devi Shetty, helping us to keep our heart beating normally. Read on...
A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty (Heart Specialist) of Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees. The transcript of the chat is given below.
Q1: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
A1:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar
Q2: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
A2: No
Q3: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
A3: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.
Q4: Are heart diseases hereditary?
A4: Yes
Q5: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
A5: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.
Q6: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
A6: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints
Q7: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?
A7: Mother Theresa , who was my patient
Q8: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
A8: Extremely rare
Q9: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age (I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
A9: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.
Q10: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart?
A10: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.
Q11: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
A11: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.
Q12: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
A12: Yoga helps
Q13: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
A13: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.
Q14: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?
A14: All oils are bad.
Q15: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
A15: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.
Q16: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
A16: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.
Q17: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
A17: Extremely difficult without ECG.
Q18: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.
A18: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.
Q19: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
A19: Yes
Q20: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
A20: Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child.
Q21: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?
A21: When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.
Q22: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?
A22 : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.
Q23: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
A23: No.
Q24: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
A24 : No.
Q25: How would you define junk food?
A25 : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.
Q26: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
A26: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.
Q27: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
A27: No.
Q28: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
A28 : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.
Q29: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
A29: No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.
Q30: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
A30: Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.
Q31: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
A31: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.
Q32: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
A32: Diet, exercise, drugs on time, Control cholesterol, BP, weight.
Q33: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
A33: No.
Q34: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
A34: There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.
Q35: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
A35: No.
Q36: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
A36: Nature protects women till the age of 45.
Q37: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
A37: Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended).
Wednesday 3 October 2007
A Song that takes me to a different world
O Saathi Re Din Doobe Na.… from the movie 'Omkara' mesmerises me.
In the song O Saathi Re from the movie Omkara, the soft murmur of a guitar, like the wet-with-dew-morning makes you take a deep breath of calmness. Shreya Ghoshal’s silken warm voice tremulously gels with the bass-ignited-soft-rhythm pattern. The real uumph follows when you hear Vishal Bharadwaj singing the male lead with the tenderness of a potter weighing his clay while making a vessel of a lifetime. Even his breath sound adds a dash of romance to this song.
If soothing music with illuminating lyrics defines your music, then you’d love to play this song again and again. Indulge in the music, lyrics, guitar, tender voices of the brilliant singers and you are assured to be lightened.
Listen to the song here
In the song O Saathi Re from the movie Omkara, the soft murmur of a guitar, like the wet-with-dew-morning makes you take a deep breath of calmness. Shreya Ghoshal’s silken warm voice tremulously gels with the bass-ignited-soft-rhythm pattern. The real uumph follows when you hear Vishal Bharadwaj singing the male lead with the tenderness of a potter weighing his clay while making a vessel of a lifetime. Even his breath sound adds a dash of romance to this song.
If soothing music with illuminating lyrics defines your music, then you’d love to play this song again and again. Indulge in the music, lyrics, guitar, tender voices of the brilliant singers and you are assured to be lightened.
Listen to the song here
Friday 31 August 2007
A Remembrance.....
This day has been one of those quiet, pale and blank days leaving me with a feeling of melancholy. I found myself drowned in thoughts thorough out the day recollecting that dreaded moment which had left us in a state of shock – K mama passing away. It’s been exactly one year since we have lost our beloved mama. Mama, we miss you.
He was hale and healthy, young and energetic, firm and caring. He posed to be strict but yet filled with love and affection. He was quiet, yet jovial. He was never in distress until he sensed a shooting pain in his chest causing him to go unconscious within seconds. A massive heart attack took his life away on 31 August 2006 at 11.30 pm. It is incredibly difficult for me to look back and think how my aunt (S), my little cousins, his parents, siblings went through that phase, that pain. S did everything in her capacity to fight the reality, but destiny made it’s choice, giving her no chance to undo his death. It wrenched her to watch him go. We did not see this coming at all. How can you accept someone close to you disappearing into the void all of a sudden? How can this be? How can we let go? Whom do we appeal to justify? The abrupt ending to his life feels so cruel.
When Abhi and I landed here (July 2006), in a new place, miles and miles away from our people, a new world altogether, least we wanted to anticipate was to react to such news. When I woke up that morning, trying to catch up with our routine, a phone call just about to deliver this message was a bane indeed. On hearing the news, I blanked out and found myself in a terrible state of mind, emotions uncontrolled. How much I wanted to run back home and see everyone. How much I wanted to be by S’s side. Coming all the way far, leaving everyone everything seemed so pointless to me. It hit me all the more as I had dreamt about mama a week before he passed away and decided to wait until the weekend to talk to him about my dream, but how unfortunate. I did not hear his voice I did not see him react to my talks, did not hear that “Heg ideeya Putta?” He was so prompt in seeing people off when they travelled – be it his friends or relatives. Each time my dad went abroad, he used to come all the way from Hassan to see him off, but when we left to London, he was caught up with some work and missed meeting each other. I mentioned to Abhi in the airport, that I missed seeing mama before leaving, but always thought would talk to him once we settle in the new place. Well, death is final and leaves you wishing you had said this or done that but you don’t have a second chance. It leaves you with lasting memories.
I am writing a poem that got tears in my eyes at the very first glance. This acts as a healer in such situations. (Thanks to Noon).
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
- Mary Fyre.
He was hale and healthy, young and energetic, firm and caring. He posed to be strict but yet filled with love and affection. He was quiet, yet jovial. He was never in distress until he sensed a shooting pain in his chest causing him to go unconscious within seconds. A massive heart attack took his life away on 31 August 2006 at 11.30 pm. It is incredibly difficult for me to look back and think how my aunt (S), my little cousins, his parents, siblings went through that phase, that pain. S did everything in her capacity to fight the reality, but destiny made it’s choice, giving her no chance to undo his death. It wrenched her to watch him go. We did not see this coming at all. How can you accept someone close to you disappearing into the void all of a sudden? How can this be? How can we let go? Whom do we appeal to justify? The abrupt ending to his life feels so cruel.
When Abhi and I landed here (July 2006), in a new place, miles and miles away from our people, a new world altogether, least we wanted to anticipate was to react to such news. When I woke up that morning, trying to catch up with our routine, a phone call just about to deliver this message was a bane indeed. On hearing the news, I blanked out and found myself in a terrible state of mind, emotions uncontrolled. How much I wanted to run back home and see everyone. How much I wanted to be by S’s side. Coming all the way far, leaving everyone everything seemed so pointless to me. It hit me all the more as I had dreamt about mama a week before he passed away and decided to wait until the weekend to talk to him about my dream, but how unfortunate. I did not hear his voice I did not see him react to my talks, did not hear that “Heg ideeya Putta?” He was so prompt in seeing people off when they travelled – be it his friends or relatives. Each time my dad went abroad, he used to come all the way from Hassan to see him off, but when we left to London, he was caught up with some work and missed meeting each other. I mentioned to Abhi in the airport, that I missed seeing mama before leaving, but always thought would talk to him once we settle in the new place. Well, death is final and leaves you wishing you had said this or done that but you don’t have a second chance. It leaves you with lasting memories.
I am writing a poem that got tears in my eyes at the very first glance. This acts as a healer in such situations. (Thanks to Noon).
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
- Mary Fyre.
Wednesday 25 July 2007
High Thinking and Confidence Personified
Kids today are sharp, outspoken and confident in the way they think and talk. They make you feel so lost when you see them say the right thing but in a different context.
One of my friends told me how his 5 yr old daughter conveniently and confidently answered while he was casually brushing on her lessons.
She is 5 and her class teacher has just finished teaching “capital Letters”, “small Letters” and some “big spellings” (in her mind).
Daddy (my friend) asks his daughter – “spell honey”.
Daughter - “H>O>N>E>Y”.
Daddy - “good" now, "Phone”.
Daughter - “P>H>O>N>E. (For all you know he must have had in his mind thinking that she might end up saying “Fone”).
Well, now daddy tries “England”.
Daughter - “E>N>G>L>A>N>D”.
Daddy - "Wow! Well done, what is the capital of England?" (Dad tries his luck hard here. Don’t know why it struck him to ask her this, may be to check her GK at 5 or something? but anyways…)
Daughter - "E”– with all confidence!
Daddy asks with a confused look – “ E ?”...
Daughter - "Yes, E because the first letter is big and capital always”.
Isn’t this innocent and cute?
One of my friends told me how his 5 yr old daughter conveniently and confidently answered while he was casually brushing on her lessons.
She is 5 and her class teacher has just finished teaching “capital Letters”, “small Letters” and some “big spellings” (in her mind).
Daddy (my friend) asks his daughter – “spell honey”.
Daughter - “H>O>N>E>Y”.
Daddy - “good" now, "Phone”.
Daughter - “P>H>O>N>E. (For all you know he must have had in his mind thinking that she might end up saying “Fone”).
Well, now daddy tries “England”.
Daughter - “E>N>G>L>A>N>D”.
Daddy - "Wow! Well done, what is the capital of England?" (Dad tries his luck hard here. Don’t know why it struck him to ask her this, may be to check her GK at 5 or something? but anyways…)
Daughter - "E”– with all confidence!
Daddy asks with a confused look – “ E ?”...
Daughter - "Yes, E because the first letter is big and capital always”.
Isn’t this innocent and cute?
Monday 23 July 2007
Some Random Stuff...
A Rat Race
Rats – tiny lil’ creatures are truly unaware of panic they cause. One day, while in the kitchen, I thought I saw a rat trying to gain entry into one of our kitchen cupboards!!!! Eeeeeeeeewww!!....Gosh! I wanted to rather assume that I was hallucinating…but nope! It was real. I was so shocked and felt that my heart beat went off track, couldn’t go with the rhythm. I was scared and went to the lounge leaving things half done.
This was tough….. Mice in London and making a mess, was the last thing I ever imagined. Yup …why not???? They can be everywhere. But wait, why our house??? Aaaah! may be the rat moved into our house thinking it to be a better place, full of rat-type delicacies!!! Well, not that I leave the kitchen area untidy….nope! … (I keep my house clean and take xtra care as we have our landlord monitoring the house every now and then) but… Whatever…. I tried to do a bit of research, until I realised that I was wasting time. My next immediate action was to report to someone who could help me get rid of it ASAP and in the course, my dear darling hubby was disturbed and depressed about the fact that we had a rat at home and feared if it would breed. Finally, managed to get in touch with the Pest Control team and they have these sessions/sittings to drive the poor thing out. Pheeeew! This was quite a race indeed, nevertheless, it all ended happily and we've gotten rid of it now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work-o-holic !!!
Rats – tiny lil’ creatures are truly unaware of panic they cause. One day, while in the kitchen, I thought I saw a rat trying to gain entry into one of our kitchen cupboards!!!! Eeeeeeeeewww!!....Gosh! I wanted to rather assume that I was hallucinating…but nope! It was real. I was so shocked and felt that my heart beat went off track, couldn’t go with the rhythm. I was scared and went to the lounge leaving things half done.
This was tough….. Mice in London and making a mess, was the last thing I ever imagined. Yup …why not???? They can be everywhere. But wait, why our house??? Aaaah! may be the rat moved into our house thinking it to be a better place, full of rat-type delicacies!!! Well, not that I leave the kitchen area untidy….nope! … (I keep my house clean and take xtra care as we have our landlord monitoring the house every now and then) but… Whatever…. I tried to do a bit of research, until I realised that I was wasting time. My next immediate action was to report to someone who could help me get rid of it ASAP and in the course, my dear darling hubby was disturbed and depressed about the fact that we had a rat at home and feared if it would breed. Finally, managed to get in touch with the Pest Control team and they have these sessions/sittings to drive the poor thing out. Pheeeew! This was quite a race indeed, nevertheless, it all ended happily and we've gotten rid of it now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work-o-holic !!!
This picture was taken by some random guy in Amsterdam airport last week. He said that he found it interesting when he saw our pal Abhi - working on his PC, using the trolley as a stand. Abhi is one of those, who would seize every opportunity to work wherever he is. In the picture, if you can see, he has actually moved to a place (close to a power socket), convenient to get his laptop some juice.
Friday 6 July 2007
Shivaji
This movie is a delight to all Rajni fans indeed. The time when, ‘Shivaji - the Rajni fever’ crept in, much to my surprise, I realized that I was slowly hit by it. I’ll tell you how......At first, I was not all that excited to watch the movie, but when heard about this ‘oh-so-hyped’ movie in India, wanted to watch it. Well, discovered that the theatres in London, (Harrow, East Ham, Sudbury and others) were houseful. We had to wait for a week and managed to get 4 tickets in one of the theatres – VUE. Well, yes, Abhi (a great Rajni fan) as usual was all enthu and all prepared to make noise in the hall….. whistling, shouting, screaming….. rest of us (Harsha, Suhasini and me) were quite normal.
The movie kicks off pretty OK…... MMMM!!!! At the beginning, I was wondering how this man, the ‘SUPER STAR' at the age of 59, posed a hero, created styles afresh, set the trend?????????.......well couldn’t get the right answers though, but seriously, there is so much charm in him and the way he carries is damn cool. He is Phenomenal………Well, here u go, may be this is the catch!! Hmmmmmm...... enjoyed the movie - songs, 'punch lines', beats and the ambience. :)
The first half of the movie is good and of course, Vivek’s comedy rocks! At some point I was missing Vadi Vel’s comedy as well, but you know, too many cooks spoil the broth. Later on the movie connects to the typical Rajni sorts. Not to forget, the sets looks so glamorous, Rajni's make-up.....man!!!!!! pheeeeew!!! Shankar has spent a fortune on it ndeed. AR R has done a good job, but I felt that it was not up to his standards this time. Well of course he had to think about Rajni's dance steps and stuff, we dont expect Rajni doing break dance to ARR's beats here!!!!! A Total galata movie, good time pass.
Now, on the contrary, is it worth blowing up 1000s of Rs per ticket?????????? I ‘ve heard that in Chenai and a few theatres in B’lore, the ticket cost (in black) has shot up to 5K - 7K and people line up to go watch it……….this I think is beyond insanity. (Gosh! is there someone who can counsel these people???????).
Tuesday 3 July 2007
Laughter – The best medicine!!!!
This joke struck my mind all of a sudden and can’t stop laughing, thinking about it.
My close friend X, very dear to me, can’t pronounce ‘ra’, and says ‘va’ instead. (She is 26, we pull her leg so much about it, but she is this bindaaas of the lot. Well, ’va’!!!!, but sounds hepp though….) She narrated this incident to me……
X went to a restaurant with her cousins, carrying a heavy shopping load
X and all others looking very sickly and tired, managed to get a place in the restaurant
Waiter - looking at X, as she was the one who looked like placing the order first, asked - “yen togolteera madam” (What do you prefer to have?? - in Kannada)
X exhausted and in a loud voice said“ Nange first NEEVU beku!!!!!” (Neevu is you in kannada). Now, she definitely meant NEERU (water), but you know pronunciation problem....
Waiter - !!@@##$$&&????? Shocked and then confused!
Cousins – NEEEERUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Man! Imagine poor waiter’s confused mind........
My close friend X, very dear to me, can’t pronounce ‘ra’, and says ‘va’ instead. (She is 26, we pull her leg so much about it, but she is this bindaaas of the lot. Well, ’va’!!!!, but sounds hepp though….) She narrated this incident to me……
X went to a restaurant with her cousins, carrying a heavy shopping load
X and all others looking very sickly and tired, managed to get a place in the restaurant
Waiter - looking at X, as she was the one who looked like placing the order first, asked - “yen togolteera madam” (What do you prefer to have?? - in Kannada)
X exhausted and in a loud voice said“ Nange first NEEVU beku!!!!!” (Neevu is you in kannada). Now, she definitely meant NEERU (water), but you know pronunciation problem....
Waiter - !!@@##$$&&????? Shocked and then confused!
Cousins – NEEEERUUUUUUUUUUUUU!
Man! Imagine poor waiter’s confused mind........
Monday 2 July 2007
And another thing.....
A Birthday present for Princess Diana
The Spectacular Wembley stadium was packed with nearly 65,000 people on the 1st of July 2007, to mark the 46th birthday of Princess Diana. A live-aid style charity concert called ‘Concert for Diana’ was organized by her sons, Princes William and Harry. This concert featured artists Sir Elton John, Duran Duran, James Morrison and many more.
for more info, click here.
Well, a peek through the window from our house was quite an eye-catcher itself, as you know residing bang opposite to the stadium made us aware of the pomp and show. Also, during matches this place gets awfully noisy and crowded. So, now you’ll know the merits and the de-merits of staying soooo very close to the stadium!!!!! :)
Well, a peek through the window from our house was quite an eye-catcher itself, as you know residing bang opposite to the stadium made us aware of the pomp and show. Also, during matches this place gets awfully noisy and crowded. So, now you’ll know the merits and the de-merits of staying soooo very close to the stadium!!!!! :)
Friday 29 June 2007
First vacation to namma Beng-a-luuru Apr - May 07
Wow! the very thought takes me back to a lovely, amazing and hectic time I had in Bangalore. 28th April 07' I woke up early like never before and thought to make a 'To Do' list before doing the final packing and getting ready to leave.
28 Apr 07 1.00 pm GMT
Cab driver - City Cab!
Me on the Entry Phone - Oh! yes we'll come out in 5 minutes.
Cab driver - Ok!
We loaded our baggages and all set to Vrrroooooommmm!
Heathrow at 1.30 pm was soo packed. Abhi looked like a normal person, a traveller (yet seemed excited, as this time he travelled to Bangalore with me and not on work) and I had my eyes lit, heart felt soo god damn restless, mind was awefully impatient and felt, as if I were going to faint anytime. I was damn excited about the fact that we were going to Blore after 8 long months, seeing our people and the fact that I was to fly EMIRATES. All the silliest things around looked wonderful to me (I was total abnormal that day).
EMIRATES ROCKZ!
We had a stop over in Dubai for 6 hours and I was thrilled with the thought of airport shopping. Well, each time Abhi spoke about Dubai, I wondered why he had this volcanic emotion about the place. But, the moment we landed Dubai, man! I have no words for you. The place is sooo coooooooooooool and the airport is sooooooo massive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I wanted to start off with my shopping right then, but my hubby boy had his own rules (he forms instant rules whenever he sees the shopping bug active in me! .... thats Abhi). The rule was that we had to go to the lounge, take rest, eat sleep get fresh and then head to shop. Hummmm! enjoyed every bit of it. After waiting for 2 hours in the lounge (After Shopping) did we hear some one from the counter announcing "Mr and Mrs Abhiman, please report to the reception ASAP" I didnt know what was happening.......Abhi managed to pose like a prankist. Indeed, to my surprise we both got upgraded to Business Class.....WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! Thanks to Abhi's FF miles. Now, it goes without saying that we had a blissful journey throughout.
When heard the crew announcing that we are about to land Bangalore in 20 mins, Man! I closed my eyes and Phew!! here I felt that clouds hugged me and made me feel that they missed me soo much and the fact that hit me was when I realised the place, my people and my life for 25 years was just so wonderful.
Both of us excited, but the very thought of going through the immigration made us come back to our senses. Hummm! Abhi looked normal again, I couldn't get any closer to normalcy.
MMMMMMM!! namma bengaluuuru....there I see appa R3 Nagu MIL uncle Chuppi and Vivek (all smiles) and I went....heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! hugs and hugs and hugs! Missed ammmmmaaaa sooo much (how I wish she didnt have her music concert that day). Had to wait for 4.30 hours!!! Man! this was tuff. Never had I gotten that emotional ever before with all my people around.
Well, the rest....... I will make the story short.....
my house never looked so dear to me, my heart never was this emotional ever when I stepped home, tatima waiting to see me and me waiting to hug her and say that she looked so much healthier (patis and tatas like it when u say they look healthier and better and u mean it).
I cherished the auto rides while shuttling merrily from Vijaynagar to Jayanagar. AUTOS ROCK TOO!
And the fooooooooood ....oooh! how much I craved, longed for.
Meeitng my people talking for hours together listening to what each one had to say and gossipping (although men didnt prefer it)....all seemed to be like in my dream.
Meeting freinds made me realize how much I missed having them around.
Craving to eat road side pani puri, chaats and all yummy stuff that others think are unhygenic,falling sick after eating them and recovering from it...oh! such a typical, normal and a wonderful world.
Made a lot of plans and was not prepared for the unexpected and unplanned things creeping in, but that is what life is..... ain't it? looking forward to meet freinds relatives and man! functions....how could this slip off my mind. Well, had weddings, grihapravesham to attend. The very thought was soo thrilling. Abhi was wee bit shy meeting some of them whom he had not seen since our wedding.
Going for trips in a super 15 seater Tempo Traveller which invariably accommodates close to 18 people (of course a sweet driver turning grumpy and charging extra big time!) were awesome.
We had a very hectic time, couldnt stick to a few commitments and had to cancell meeting a few of our frends ....all this seemed so very disappointing but nonetheless, had a great time
Friends, Family, home...I am going to miss everyone and everything so much. Saying goodbye is so incredibly difficlut for me, because this is my home, this is where my heart is and will always be.
28 Apr 07 1.00 pm GMT
Cab driver - City Cab!
Me on the Entry Phone - Oh! yes we'll come out in 5 minutes.
Cab driver - Ok!
We loaded our baggages and all set to Vrrroooooommmm!
Heathrow at 1.30 pm was soo packed. Abhi looked like a normal person, a traveller (yet seemed excited, as this time he travelled to Bangalore with me and not on work) and I had my eyes lit, heart felt soo god damn restless, mind was awefully impatient and felt, as if I were going to faint anytime. I was damn excited about the fact that we were going to Blore after 8 long months, seeing our people and the fact that I was to fly EMIRATES. All the silliest things around looked wonderful to me (I was total abnormal that day).
EMIRATES ROCKZ!
We had a stop over in Dubai for 6 hours and I was thrilled with the thought of airport shopping. Well, each time Abhi spoke about Dubai, I wondered why he had this volcanic emotion about the place. But, the moment we landed Dubai, man! I have no words for you. The place is sooo coooooooooooool and the airport is sooooooo massive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I wanted to start off with my shopping right then, but my hubby boy had his own rules (he forms instant rules whenever he sees the shopping bug active in me! .... thats Abhi). The rule was that we had to go to the lounge, take rest, eat sleep get fresh and then head to shop. Hummmm! enjoyed every bit of it. After waiting for 2 hours in the lounge (After Shopping) did we hear some one from the counter announcing "Mr and Mrs Abhiman, please report to the reception ASAP" I didnt know what was happening.......Abhi managed to pose like a prankist. Indeed, to my surprise we both got upgraded to Business Class.....WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! Thanks to Abhi's FF miles. Now, it goes without saying that we had a blissful journey throughout.
When heard the crew announcing that we are about to land Bangalore in 20 mins, Man! I closed my eyes and Phew!! here I felt that clouds hugged me and made me feel that they missed me soo much and the fact that hit me was when I realised the place, my people and my life for 25 years was just so wonderful.
Both of us excited, but the very thought of going through the immigration made us come back to our senses. Hummm! Abhi looked normal again, I couldn't get any closer to normalcy.
MMMMMMM!! namma bengaluuuru....there I see appa R3 Nagu MIL uncle Chuppi and Vivek (all smiles) and I went....heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! hugs and hugs and hugs! Missed ammmmmaaaa sooo much (how I wish she didnt have her music concert that day). Had to wait for 4.30 hours!!! Man! this was tuff. Never had I gotten that emotional ever before with all my people around.
Well, the rest....... I will make the story short.....
my house never looked so dear to me, my heart never was this emotional ever when I stepped home, tatima waiting to see me and me waiting to hug her and say that she looked so much healthier (patis and tatas like it when u say they look healthier and better and u mean it).
I cherished the auto rides while shuttling merrily from Vijaynagar to Jayanagar. AUTOS ROCK TOO!
And the fooooooooood ....oooh! how much I craved, longed for.
Meeitng my people talking for hours together listening to what each one had to say and gossipping (although men didnt prefer it)....all seemed to be like in my dream.
Meeting freinds made me realize how much I missed having them around.
Craving to eat road side pani puri, chaats and all yummy stuff that others think are unhygenic,falling sick after eating them and recovering from it...oh! such a typical, normal and a wonderful world.
Made a lot of plans and was not prepared for the unexpected and unplanned things creeping in, but that is what life is..... ain't it? looking forward to meet freinds relatives and man! functions....how could this slip off my mind. Well, had weddings, grihapravesham to attend. The very thought was soo thrilling. Abhi was wee bit shy meeting some of them whom he had not seen since our wedding.
Going for trips in a super 15 seater Tempo Traveller which invariably accommodates close to 18 people (of course a sweet driver turning grumpy and charging extra big time!) were awesome.
We had a very hectic time, couldnt stick to a few commitments and had to cancell meeting a few of our frends ....all this seemed so very disappointing but nonetheless, had a great time
Friends, Family, home...I am going to miss everyone and everything so much. Saying goodbye is so incredibly difficlut for me, because this is my home, this is where my heart is and will always be.
A day trip to Greenwich
April 14 2007 Summer has crept in and it was a holiday idea - A day out thought in our minds when we all decided to go to Greenwich on a bright sunny day, 14th April 2007. We had a bit of a chit chat with Suhasini and Harsha a week before and could freeze on the idea of going to Greenwich. This time we thought will do something different. As in, do the typical picnic. All our faces lit up with the thought of packing our lunch and carrying stuffs from home and do the picnic in the Greenwich park. Immediately, the topic of discussion turned to the menu for lunch. We wnated it to be handy and thought will do Puliogre, sweet (sakkar pongal) and curd rice. Wow! we were all happy and thought this would be the best idea. Now, little did we know that the ideas would change as Abhi the great thought it might be a mess carrying things and "picnicING". Pheeew! change in plan. Do the brunch and leave to Greenwich.
We took the tube to CANARY WHARF and then boarded the Docklands Light Railway and reached Greenwich at around 2 pm. We headed towards the Cutty Sark (A clipper ship in a dry dock by the river). Greenwich is located in Central London - Zone 2, on the South bank of the River Thames. It is best known for its Maritime History and the location of Greenwich Mean Time. It boasts of the National Meritime Museum and the Royal Observatory where the Prime Meridian (0 Degrees Longitude) passes through the building. We headed towards the National Meritime Museum first. A very well maintained museums comprising of nearly 2.48 million items for display. Each thing in the museum amused us and the amount of information is displayed is mindblowing. The exit of the museum took us to the Greenwich Park.
This is a massive park I ve ever come across in my life. We were busy taking pictures and I must say was a delight to see people happy and chilling out under the hot sun. The Greenwich Park leads to the Royal Observatory. The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. It was founded by Charles II in 1675 and is, by international decree, the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium (at the stroke of midnight GMT as measured from the Prime Meridian). Charles II appointed John Flamsteed as his first Astronomer Royal in March 1675. The Observatory was built to improve navigation at sea and 'find the so-much desired longitude of places' - one's exact position east and west - while at sea and out of sight of land, by astronomical means. This was inseparable from the accurate measurement of time, for which the Observatory became generally famous in the 19th century. This is the only place where you can stand with one foot in the East and one in the West astride the Greenwich Meridian and set your watch by the red 'Time Ball' that drops each day at 1300hrs precisely and has done so for 170 years.
It was a mind blowing experience in here and it was great to see Arathi's face all lit and happy. Next was the ice creme time. Suhasini told us that we get very good Ice cremes in a particular shop near the observatory. We were too thrilled to have the ice creme. We stood in the queue and each of us ordered the ice creme we liked. I somehow had this intuition that my ice creme would be dropped or would get wasted (chitra!! beware of ur intuitions) Well, yes R3 wanted to taste the ice creme flavour I had and pheeew! the whole thingy fell off the cone! Man!! there was a scream a silence and the OOOOOOOOOOOOO s! R3 was sooooo hurt and Abhi was furious. Not becoz it was my ice creme that was dropped, not even coz R3 dropped but it was for poor ice creme that nobody could eat!!!! We walked back the distance in the park and also managed to take some pics of this nutorious squirrel eating nuts! It was close to 6 by the time we reached the tube station and tool the DLR to come to Canary Wharf. Suhasini and Harsha headed towards Heathrow and we went to Kingsbury to have the famous Gujju Chat and fast food, our fav ROSE. This is it and we had a great time.
We took the tube to CANARY WHARF and then boarded the Docklands Light Railway and reached Greenwich at around 2 pm. We headed towards the Cutty Sark (A clipper ship in a dry dock by the river). Greenwich is located in Central London - Zone 2, on the South bank of the River Thames. It is best known for its Maritime History and the location of Greenwich Mean Time. It boasts of the National Meritime Museum and the Royal Observatory where the Prime Meridian (0 Degrees Longitude) passes through the building. We headed towards the National Meritime Museum first. A very well maintained museums comprising of nearly 2.48 million items for display. Each thing in the museum amused us and the amount of information is displayed is mindblowing. The exit of the museum took us to the Greenwich Park.
This is a massive park I ve ever come across in my life. We were busy taking pictures and I must say was a delight to see people happy and chilling out under the hot sun. The Greenwich Park leads to the Royal Observatory. The Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian line, is one of the most important historic scientific sites in the world. It was founded by Charles II in 1675 and is, by international decree, the official starting point for each new day, year and millennium (at the stroke of midnight GMT as measured from the Prime Meridian). Charles II appointed John Flamsteed as his first Astronomer Royal in March 1675. The Observatory was built to improve navigation at sea and 'find the so-much desired longitude of places' - one's exact position east and west - while at sea and out of sight of land, by astronomical means. This was inseparable from the accurate measurement of time, for which the Observatory became generally famous in the 19th century. This is the only place where you can stand with one foot in the East and one in the West astride the Greenwich Meridian and set your watch by the red 'Time Ball' that drops each day at 1300hrs precisely and has done so for 170 years.
It was a mind blowing experience in here and it was great to see Arathi's face all lit and happy. Next was the ice creme time. Suhasini told us that we get very good Ice cremes in a particular shop near the observatory. We were too thrilled to have the ice creme. We stood in the queue and each of us ordered the ice creme we liked. I somehow had this intuition that my ice creme would be dropped or would get wasted (chitra!! beware of ur intuitions) Well, yes R3 wanted to taste the ice creme flavour I had and pheeew! the whole thingy fell off the cone! Man!! there was a scream a silence and the OOOOOOOOOOOOO s! R3 was sooooo hurt and Abhi was furious. Not becoz it was my ice creme that was dropped, not even coz R3 dropped but it was for poor ice creme that nobody could eat!!!! We walked back the distance in the park and also managed to take some pics of this nutorious squirrel eating nuts! It was close to 6 by the time we reached the tube station and tool the DLR to come to Canary Wharf. Suhasini and Harsha headed towards Heathrow and we went to Kingsbury to have the famous Gujju Chat and fast food, our fav ROSE. This is it and we had a great time.
My Life, My World
Well, I am what I am today, because of my parents (thanks appa amma). . Appa Amma, it is your love, that has made both Arathi and I get the best of everything, right from the school we studied, the profession we are into and the persons we are today. Thanks to you being such a bolster for us. If today, I am being complimented or appreciated for, is truly a result of your upbringing and the kind of life you have given me. Well, writing a few lines about appa amma is definitely not enough, this, I think is just a way to say, Ma Pa ....You are the BestEST!
Arathi, my sweet dear and a loving sister .....U are so dear to me. The times we have grown together, laughed cried, fought, played, hit (although quite rarely) ...... was just like in a dream. How much I used to make you run around and get things done. How you used to be behind me watching me and grab every opportunity to complain amma. I used to take pride in feeling elder to you and ruling you. All the time making me wonder how you could score such marks and I couldnt. How your interest drawn towards academics and I could not match with them. Miss our singing together (cribbing whenever amma asked us to sing in front of noisy people who ignord us) Miss the times when we got scared of appa and retured home from (4th block walks) soon. I have enjoyed every mili second of our times.
Abhiman...wow! the name and the thought of him that makes my heart skip a beat. My sweetheart, my life. I thank God, my stars, the time, the place everthing...when I met this charismatic, loving person, who in no time got close to my heart and is my better half. Abhi is the best thing that could have happened in my life. I love you Abbu! You meet Abhi and no sooner you realize that you are talking to this Oh-so-interesting person, on this earth. I take pride in saying "He is my love, my husband". Find this talented guy who is full of energy, smart, talkative and friendly. He has showered so much love on me and has pampered me that sometimes I think of no end about me! Coming to me again!! I love writing and it shows it all, in my blog. I love music and I sing (used to be very regular before) I still do, but try to find time with great pains though. Also, I have developed another passion lately, cooking! mmmmmmm! I love to cook coz I love to eat and I am such a TINDI POTI man! Well, this is pretty much of it for now, catch you later. Ta ah!
Arathi, my sweet dear and a loving sister .....U are so dear to me. The times we have grown together, laughed cried, fought, played, hit (although quite rarely) ...... was just like in a dream. How much I used to make you run around and get things done. How you used to be behind me watching me and grab every opportunity to complain amma. I used to take pride in feeling elder to you and ruling you. All the time making me wonder how you could score such marks and I couldnt. How your interest drawn towards academics and I could not match with them. Miss our singing together (cribbing whenever amma asked us to sing in front of noisy people who ignord us) Miss the times when we got scared of appa and retured home from (4th block walks) soon. I have enjoyed every mili second of our times.
Abhiman...wow! the name and the thought of him that makes my heart skip a beat. My sweetheart, my life. I thank God, my stars, the time, the place everthing...when I met this charismatic, loving person, who in no time got close to my heart and is my better half. Abhi is the best thing that could have happened in my life. I love you Abbu! You meet Abhi and no sooner you realize that you are talking to this Oh-so-interesting person, on this earth. I take pride in saying "He is my love, my husband". Find this talented guy who is full of energy, smart, talkative and friendly. He has showered so much love on me and has pampered me that sometimes I think of no end about me! Coming to me again!! I love writing and it shows it all, in my blog. I love music and I sing (used to be very regular before) I still do, but try to find time with great pains though. Also, I have developed another passion lately, cooking! mmmmmmm! I love to cook coz I love to eat and I am such a TINDI POTI man! Well, this is pretty much of it for now, catch you later. Ta ah!
Quotes
"Beauty isn't worth thinking about, whats important is your mind. You dont have to have a fifty dollar hair-cut for a fifty cent head!" Jack Handey"It's probably not a good idea to be chewing on a toothpick if you're talking to the president, because what if he tells a funny joke and you laugh so hard you spit the toothpick out and it hits him in the face or something." Jack Handey (This one s a lil silly though!)
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." - Winston Churchill
"Love is an irresistable desire to be irresistably desired." Robert Lee Frost
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