My World

Tales from Down Under

2006-11-10T16:41:00.000+11:00

It seems like an age since I last visited my blog. Living in a new country, a new life, new relationships, so much to talk about and so little time to pen down my thoughts. I remember in my initial days here as I introduced myself to my colleagues or our acquaintances, I would go ‘Oh, it’s my first visit to Australia, I’m just about a month old in Sydney” in answer to their questions of how I had settled in and how did I find the country. When I look back now, I find it hard to believe that 6 months have rolled past and I am now immersed in my work and in my life as though I have always lived this life.

The latest thing that caught my fancy was the Melbourne Cup.

I love animals and even in those have my favourites, that being horses, dogs and doves in that order. I remember riding a horse – a one-time event – on an excursion to Mahableshwar in India as a child. Post that I’ve not been near a horse ever. Somehow I’ve always loved horses, as I consider them to be beautiful, faithful and noble creatures. So when a couple of days back my hubby ‘Cy’ told me about the Melbourne cup it perked my interest. I have never been to the races nor have I ever indulged in any form of gambling. Cy and our friends love to play poker whenever we meet at a get together and even then I have always been a spectator. So imagine his surprise when on the eve of the famous Melbourne Cup I come home and pour over the newspaper checking out which horses were racing and noting down the names I wanted to bet on.

Melbourne Cup is one of the most important events in Australia. The race is held in Victoria, Melbourne every year and it’s a declared holiday in Victoria. The race was held on the ‘Flemington’ racecourse on 7th Nov. It’s described as ‘The race that stops a nation’ and I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it. Even though Sydney did not have a holiday, life came to a standstill post 12pm. The race was at 3.30pm and people all over headed off for their local ‘TAB’ to place their bets. There were sweeps organised at the work place, lunches organised for the respective teams, TV’s and projectors lugged in to ensure that no one missed the race. There was festivity all around. All one could hear around was which horse was participating in the race, who stood the best chance of winning and who to bet on. The excitement was contagious and within moments rubbed off on me.

So come Melbourne Cup eve, both Cy and me got down to some serious researching of the horses. All we picked up was from the Newspaper which from Pg1 to the end talked only about the Melbourne Cup, the horses, the jockey, the owner, the trainer and so on. Experts view; Celebrities view, betting tips, horses racing history and so forth. All that the TV channels played that day were the preparations for the forthcoming race. It was impossible to be immune to all this.

One of my colleagues offered to take me down to TAB to place a bet. Since I didn’t think I’d do some serious betting I just gave my name for one of the sweeps at work, which seemed to me to be a bit safer. But come Melbourne Cup morn and I had my choice of horses all ready and there was nothing to stop me going to TAB. My colleague took me to TAB, which was around the corner, patiently explained how I should place my bets and on his suggestion I went for a ‘Win/Place’ and a ‘Box Trifecta’. I ended up spending $20, which for me is big money to bet on. I had already put $6 dollars in the sweeps. Back at work two of my team colleagues were in a hot discussion on the betting and decided to go down to TAB and bet. I got caught up in the discussion and before I knew it, I was heading back in the direction of TAB. Restraining the urge to not spend more I placed a $5 bet on a ‘Flexi First 4’, and then called it quits.

We then impatiently waited for the race. At 3.30pm we all grouped around the big Plasma TV’s and watched the race with bated breath. I had chosen 4 horses. 2 of them were hot favourites likely to win (Tawqeet, Yeat) so I had bet on them and 2 others (Pop Rock, Maybe Better), which I thought, stood a chance to win.

It was a 3200m race and was over in minutes. The race was a complete surprise. The 2 favourites, which were supposedly sure winners, came nowhere near the top 4. However the other 2 horses I chose came 2nd and 3rd. I couldn’t believe it. I had very nearly chosen the one (Delta Blue) that won the Cup but passed it over for the other 2 sure winners (Tawqeet & Yeats). I obviously didn’t make the Trifecta’s however got $6 from the sweep and $5.80 from Win/Place. I recovered $11 of the $31 and kept wishing if only I had done this, that and the other, I‘d have made a minimum of $1100. My first taste of gambling :)

Either ways the excitement, the exhilaration was an experience in itself. And I’ve already made plans of how I’m going to bet in the next Melbourne Cup ;)

The end of a Glorious Vacation!

2006-08-11T22:43:00.000+10:00

In the past 12 years of my work life I made it a point to vacation at least once a year. However due to work considerations the maximum days I could take leave was 15 days. And while on vacation I would invariably still be in touch with work.

I got engaged in Jan 06 and knowing that I’d have to join my husband who was settled in Sydney, I quit work at the end of Mar. Apr being my wedding month went in a flurry of activity due to the marriage preparations. By the first week of May I was in Sydney and it was then that it hit me that for the first time in years I didn’t have to rush to work in the morning and then rush back home in the evening. I had the whole day to myself, to do as I pleased, watch movies, read and simply relax. As I had still not got my residency visa I was not entitled to work so I had an imposed vacation not that I was complaining. May turned to June and I explored my new life and new country.

Being in a new country I had a lot of settling in to do. Adapting to my new environment - people, learning to get around and managing my home kept me occupied and relaxed at the same time. I kind of began to get used to this lethargic life when my residency visa came in and now I was a half baked Aussie. I was now allowed to work so I started applying for jobs knowing that the process could take time. What I didn’t expect was that I’d get a quick call and sail through my first interview. I was back to being a part of the working class. I started work on 17th July and it’s unbelievable that 4 weeks have already gone past.

Life’s back to normal - the early morning rush, the constant looking at the clock trying to figure out why it didn’t speed up and the mad rush to get home. The joy on a Friday as the weekend looms round the corner(today is a Friday as I write this Yipee!) and the lamenting when the weekend comes to an end and I face Monday morning blues.

I so miss my nice loooong vacation. However there’s one advantage to working - you end up getting a paycheck at the end of the month!

A New life.. A New Me.. A New Beginning

2006-05-31T17:00:00.000+10:00

Unbelievably life has changed for me in an instance. Not only am I now a married woman – gone are my days of independence ;) I’m also starting life anew in another country. A new family, a new identity, a new culture, a new country, and yet somehow it doesn’t at all feel alien or strange. It’s as though I’ve finally come home.

It’s been a little over a month and I feel as though I’ve been living like this all my life. I guess it helps to have such a wonderful hubby and such a loving family. Not to forget my hubby’s close circle of friends who adopted me the day I arrived in Sydney, a new bride.

Life is interesting. Life is different. And I’m enjoying it more than ever.

Cheers...

View from Jaigarh Fort

2005-12-17T17:22:00.000+11:00

View of Amer from Jaigarh Fort - Jaipur

2005-12-17T16:57:00.000+11:00

Death

2005-12-07T05:02:00.000+11:00

This morn as I got into the auto heading for work, ‘Kashi’ the driver told me that ‘Lalu’ had passed away. For a moment I was perplexed wondering why Kashi all of a sudden had started talking politics. Then he specified that it was the coconut vendor who sat by the main road, the one whom I addressed as ‘Lala’.

I was stunned! Lala and Kashi were acquaintances and neighbours. If ever I had to leave for work early or required the auto at other hours he would be the one I’d leave the message with. He was also the one who would organize other autos for me from the teeming friends and relatives Kashi had when Kashi for some reason was unavailable. So imagine my shock when Kashi told me he was no more.

It was a Sunday when he was walking - suddenly began frothing blood at the mouth, collapsed and was no more. Just like that. Kashi added that he had been suffering long from TB and that could have been the cause. Whatever be the case, I looked morosely at the coconut stall which I passed by and found someone else in Lala’s place. I mourned his loss and wondered what the day would be like. The feeling lasted till I was in office.

I recall it was only evening when I was on my way back home that he came back to mind. But this time the thought was not so disconcerting. I had completely forgotten him in the milieu of the work day. I offered up a silent prayer for his soul.

I realized the frailty of Life. One moment you are alive and well, and then silently and suddenly death snatches you away. But Life continues around you the way it always has, Life goes on.

A relaxing weekend

2005-12-04T20:48:00.000+11:00

The past few weeks at work have been real hectic. Working late, sleeping late left its toll on me. I hadn’t had any time for myself at all. Even the trip to Jaipur though enjoyable was rushed, though it took off a load of stress from me.

I have never awaited a Friday as much as I did last week coz it heralded the advent of the weekend. I did balk at the thought that I may end up working over the weekend but fortunately all went well and Saturday arrived with all the time to my disposal that I could dream of. I awoke at leisure, had a late breakfast – and put on the music something I hadn’t done in a long time.

I chanced upon “Songs of Sweet Memories” – a CD my brother had ordered through Readers Digest. And I relaxed as the music played in the background belting out some of my favorite songs – ‘Annie’s Song’, ‘Blue Bayou’, ‘Love me Tender’, ‘Are you lonesome tonight?’, ‘I’ll have to say I love you in a song’, ‘Can’t help falling in Love’, ‘If I were a carpenter’, ‘Have I told you lately that I love you’, ‘Something Stupid’, ‘Dream a little dream of me’, ‘I can’t stop loving you’, ‘Raindrops keep falling on my head’, ‘Take me home country roads’ and more.

I couldn’t resist penning down the lyrics of 2 of my favorite songs.

John Denver – ‘Annie's Song’ Lyrics
You fill up my senses like a night in the forest.
Like a mountain in spring-time
Like a walk in the rain
Like a storm in the desert
Like a sleepy blue ocean
You fill up my senses, come fill me again.

Come let me love you, let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter; let me die in your arm.
Let me lay down beside you, let me always be with you.
Come let me love you, come love me again.

Ronstadt Linda - Blue Bayou
I feel so bad I got a worried mind
I'm so lonesome all the time
Since I left my baby behind
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickels saving dimes
Working till the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday,
Come what may - to Blue Bayou
where the folks are fine,
And the world is mine - on Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats - with their sails afloat
If I could only see - that familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes - how happy I'd be

Gonna see my baby again
Gonna be with some of my friends
Maybe I'll feel better again
On Blue Bayou

Saving nickels saving dimes
Working till the sun don't shine
Looking forward to happier times
On Blue Bayou

I'm going back someday
Come what may - to Blue Bayou
Where the folks are fine
And the world is mine – on Blue Bayou
Where those fishing boats - with their sails afloat
If I could only see - that familiar sunrise
Through sleepy eyes - how happy I'd be

Oh that boy of mine - by my side
The silver moon - and the evening tide
Oh some sweet day - gonna take away
This hurting inside
Well I'll never be blue - my dreams come true
On Blue Bayou

JAIPUR finally – ALL in a day!

2005-12-03T22:11:00.000+11:00

Last weekend finally I was in Jaipur. At first I couldn’t believe it but there it was right in front of me. It takes 5 hours from Delhi to Jaipur. Since there were no return flights to Bangalore from Jaipur, I had to book our return flights home from Delhi. That meant a good 10 hours lost in travel and only 1 day to enjoy Jaipur.

Our Delhi meet winded up at 6pm on Friday. Luckily our colleague Dhiru from Jaipur had driven down, so we got a ride to Jaipur. We set out at 6.30pm, stopped at around 9pm at a RTDC stopover(Rajasthan Tourism Development Corpn) for a bite and a stretch. We then reached Jaipur where Dhiru pointed out the Hotels designed as Palaces and other sites. It was 11.45pm when we reached the guesthouse we were put up at. Luckily our company has a guesthouse in Jaipur, due to which we saved on our Hotel expenses. We were so excited that it was 1pm before we crashed into bed after planning out what we had to cover the next day.

We woke up the next morning around 8am raring to head out. Thankfully we managed to arrange for transport with the Travel Agency at Jaipur which arranges transport for our Jaipur office. So we knew we were in good hands. We had called for the Car at 10.30am and got impatient when there was no sign of the vehicle. When a golden Indigo turned the bend around 10.45am we both gratefully got in. Everything seemed to be going right as the driver ‘Guddu’ turned out to be a local who knew Rajasthan well and knew the places we had earmarked. We first headed out for a Photo studio as my bangalore colleague Sai discovered that her camera was faulty. She purchased a camera, while we both picked up 2 rolls.

Then we headed for our first stop on the list – ‘Hawa Mahal’. On the way Guddu acted as a guide pointing out this that and the other. We reached Hawa Mahal and stopped outside to click the famous roadfacing exterior. It looked dilapidated and uninteresting. Needless to say we were disappointed. As we had come all the way we decided to go in and fortunately we were rewarded. The place was beautiful! I started clicking frantically, trying to capture as much of the place as I could. Tourists streamed in and out of the place, all around were people posing in the famous Hawa Mahal windows trying to snap their way into history. Sai insisted that her snap too be clicked in one of the windows.

We had set timelines for each place to ensure that we didn’t overrun our time schedule. At 12pm we headed out having covered City Palace which was in the same area. We skipped Jantar Mantar-the observatory and didn’t find City Palace that interesting.

There were shops around Hawa Mahal but Guddu advised us to stick to the Bazar as these shops charged exorbitantly. Since most heritage places closed at 4.30pm, Guddu advised us to leave the bazar shopping to the last. We then headed out towards ‘Jal Mahal’ – a palace in the middle of the lake on the way to Amer. As the Sun was blazing by this time, the Lake shimmered and the Palace looked ethereal and lovely. The Palace is deserted, no tourists are allowed in the Palace. In the evenings, a caretaker goes by boat to the Palace to light it up for the night. The Palace was going to ruins and I felt sad that such a beautiful place could be ignored like this.

My attention was hugely diverted from the Palace by ‘Salma’ a majestic Elephant. She was with her mahout resting in the vicinity. She playfully tossed pebbles around with her trunk and allowed me to caress her trunk as I talked to her. I ended up clicking quite a few photographs of her, in one she actually posed with her trunk up! I handed over some money to her mahout for her.

We then headed over to Amer. Due to lack of time we didn’t hire a guide. Guddu did most of the guiding for us. He majorly talked about all the shootings that had taken place here and seemed quite hung on Bollywood :)
Amer stands atop a range of craggy hills. It houses a Fort and beautiful palaces. There is a lake at the foothill which adds to its majestic grandeur. It kind of resembles a moat. The lake is used by the elephants for bathing. As our car snaked up towards Amer we saw a line of Elephants with tourists atop headed off towards the Palace. This explained the line of Elephants we saw on our way from Jal Mahal to Amer. Guddu explained that each Elephant was allowed only 3 rounds around Amer and was then supposed to rest. This came into effect as once due to having over worked the elephants, one of the elephants had run amok thus killing the mahout.

There is an entry fee for oneself and one’s camera into any of these heritage places. The camera costing the most. The guide charges Rs.100/-. We ended up forking out most of our money as tips to people performing here. There was an old Jaipuri local who played an instrument for us. Amer also houses the famous ‘Sheesh Mahal’ i.e chamber of mirrors. One of the security guards told us that here was were the ‘Mughal Azam’ famous scene of Madhubala dancing was shot. Throughout the Fort and Palaces, exquisite worksmanship is noted in every pillar, door, hallways and rooms. It’s a sight to behold. Needless to say, by this time I was well into my second roll and had to curb my clicking to avoid running out of film.

The highlight of our sightseeing tour was ‘Jaigarh Fort’. I wasn’t too keen on seeing it and it was not on my itinerary. However Guddu insisted that we see it and I am glad we did. Jaigarh houses the famous ‘Jaivan’ Cannon – the biggest in the whole of Asia. Surprisingly, when I handed over our tickets to the security guard there, he took it upon himself to be our guide. He told us the history of the Fort saying that it was the biggest and the most secure Fort in the whole of Rajasthan. He showed us where the water was stored in a huuuuge tank. Where the armoury was. The Fort is 800 years old. A row of underground caves were built in case the Fort was attacked. He showed us the battlements - a rampart built around the top of the castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns, gaps at the foot of the ramparts to pour boiling hot oil if some enemy decided to storm the Fort, however no one had dared storm the Fort ever. His commentary had a tinge of seriousness and humor in it and we allowed him to continue as he took us around the Fort. The guard was quite elderly and confirmed that he had been there since his youth. Guddu ofcourse felt totally left out as his role had been usurped by the guide. It was all so hilarious. Sai tipped the guard and Guddu took control and headed us off to the Palace.

Here Sai spotted two camels and insisted on having her snap taken there. She chickened out of sitting on the camels and I took her snap as she stood by the camels who were oblivious to her presence and continued chewing peacefully. At the palace we saw a puppet show by a local. I was so thrilled by it that I couldn’t stop clapping out aloud and generously tipped the guy. Surprisingly, the guard there decided to be our guide and we had yet another excellent session of the Palace history. There was a lake again at the foothill from where during the olden days elephants would come up the winding pathway carrying water from the lake in camelskin bags. The water would be dumped in a waterhole from which the palace residents would bring up water with the help of pulleys. We saw a garden within the palace made for the kings family, a 3way door looking out towards the mountains. There were 2 separate chambers for dining each facing the other. One used to house the main king with the smaller kings from his domain, while the other housed the 9 queens of the main king. It was all so fascinating! We saw 2 flags fluttering atop the fort. The guide explained that the fluttering flags was an indication that the current king was in residence and at times he would mill around with the tourists around the place. Unfortunately we had just missed him.

There was a row of about 10 checkposts at intervals around the mountains which were watch towers in case the enemy decided to take it into his head to storm the fort. My camera was the busiest by far as I tried to get a clear shot of the beauty around. There were two watchtowers within the Palace grounds itself from where one could see the whole of the old city of Jaipur and the whole of Amer. I thoroughly enjoyed myself! I generously tipped the guide who again was elderly and shepherded us around as though we were his own kin. We had managed to have lunch-a rajasthani thali between our Amer trip and our Jaigarh trip.

It was now 6pm and we had to head off for the bazar. On the way we stopped for tea. By the roadside was a Leather factory so we decided to visit the same. I ended up buying 3 pairs of ‘Jhutis’ or ‘mojris’ as they are popularly known. Sai bought a hoard of lac jewellery and was absolutely thrilled by it. Jaipuri quilts and carpets are well known. On the way we ran into a RTDC store where both Sai and I ended up buying 4 quilts each, Gemstone painted boxes, tie and dye sarees and a few knick knacks. By then it was already 8pm and we had burnt a massive hole in our pockets. We decided to call it a day on shopping and headed for ‘Chokidani’ an ethnic village resort.

We reached at 9pm all tired. It was dark by then and quite cold. The weather in Jaipur was pleasant and I had not had to resort to my sweater. But now I zipped my sweater right up to my throat as I shivered away. Jaipuri locals welcomed us as we paid an entry fee of Rs. 210/- each which included dinner. They welcomed us with ‘Ram Ram sa’ or ‘Ram Ram sethani’ with the quaint Jaipuri dialect and continued speaking in the same vein. There were shops, bullock cart and Elephant rides. A head-neck massage place, dancers all in the open. Hungry as we were, we first headed for the Rajasthani buffet. It was vegetarian as our lunch had been. There were magicians, a ‘bul bulaya’-maze and other such attractions. After we had eaten we checked out the shops, then sat on ‘charpoys’ and watched as two young girls danced. They were simply amazing. When the performance ended they came for their ‘bakshish’. As I handed over the money to them, they stopped by to chat asking me my name, where we were from and answered our questions. I had thoroughly enjoyed their performance especially the younger one who did the most complicated part of the dance.

We then saw another performance by a 2 boy team where one must have been about 4-5 years old. We watched as the little one’s eyes followed his elder brothers (10-11year old) dance steps and tried to match it. We did our tipping thing and then walked around the place, clicked a few photographs here and there though it was quite dark and most of the place was lit up by lanterns.

We got back to the guesthouse by 12pm and again it was 2pm by the time we crashed into bed. Got up at 8am. Completed our packing. We had hired the car back again upto Delhi with Guddu. We had to reach Delhi by 6pm to be on time for our flight at 7.30pm. On the way we stopped by to have ‘kulhad lassi’ that is sweet buttermilk in an earthen glass. Purchased Jaipuri sweets namely ‘Ghewar’. Stopped at a place on the way to purchase the famous Jaipuri ‘Blue Pottery’.

With one stop for lunch we made it to Delhi by 5pm. I had started off with one bag when I left Bombay and ended up with 3 on my return. I had packed an extra bag, and got one bag when I purchased the carpet. It was so funny with both of us lugging our baggages! As we had reached well before time, we stopped by at a market close to the airport for Sai to purchase 2 bags to stuff all the things she had purchased. Had a steaming hot cup of masala tea and then headed for the airport.

Throughout the trip Guddu had said that 1 day was too less a time to see Jaipur and kept insisting that we should return for a week to take in the beauty of Rajasthan and he’d take us around Jaipur again also covering the other popular places Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur and so on. We promised to contact him the next time we were there. He had been a wonderful guide.

It had been a memorable trip!

Rajasthan in 2 days!

2005-11-13T18:40:00.000+11:00

As a child, I barely moved out of Mumbai except to go to my native place – Mangalore. Hence I grew up with a dream that I’d one day travel around the world. I’d live my dream through books (guess that’s where I developed my love for reading), which would take me to various places, where I’d along with the said character in the book, would walk through the nuances of the place and through these formed my dream destinations – Jerusalem, Egypt, London and Rajasthan.

Jerusalem and Egypt seem a far cry at the moment. London may happen sometime. But surprisingly being in India, I still haven’t managed Rajasthan. I travel down to Delhi quite often on work but never could manage taking off to Rajasthan from there due to time constraints. Last time I resolved to make it, but managed to only visit Agra and see the Taj Mahal.

This time my Delhi meet is scheduled on a Thursday and Friday, thus giving me the weekend Sat-Sun for my Rajasthan Rendezvous. My colleague based at Bangalore who too is to attend this meet and I, have thus resolved to make it to Rajasthan this time to make up for the last missed opportunity.

So all agog with excitement, I am planning the trip, but can’t figure out how we’ll manage to fit it in 2 days. We have earmarked Jaipur, and are looking forward to visiting the Palaces, the villages, the flea market and all the quaint places. How we’ll travel, where we’ll put up are questions I am yet to figure out. I am keeping my fingers crossed that we manage it this time.

Rajasthan, here I come!

Life of Pi

2005-11-07T02:06:00.000+11:00

I generally don’t prefer reading Management, Self Help or any other book that falls into that category. I don’t know where I got the idea that ‘Life of Pi’ was a Management book and hence in spite of having heard much about it, avoided reading it.

It was only when a colleague gave me the gist of the book and raved about it, that I was intrigued enough to check it out. And I am glad I did.

‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel is the story of a 16 year old boy who finds himself stranded on a Lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean accompanied by a 450-pound Royal Bengal Tiger for a harrowing 7 months.

The start of the book was kind of staid and I began to have doubts if it really would be as interesting as I was told. However, a couple of chapters down, I was well into the book. The narration in the first person, the choice of words, the way humor is woven into an impossible situation is what makes this book interesting. Pi lives through a nightmare, and yet makes this nightmare, a fascinating read, sometimes shocking, sometimes downright repelling and at times heart wrenching.

The authors imagination is simply amazing, spinning such an unbelievable tale and taking one through such an astounding journey. 'Life of Pi' is a magical reading experience, of faith and an endless blue expanse of survival against all odds.

Good-byes...

2005-11-04T04:54:00.000+11:00

Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes.

What I am reading…

2005-11-01T18:45:00.000+11:00

Today I have a work off due to Diwali. Most others I know are enjoying a 3 to 4 day holiday session on account of Diwali, lucky them!

Having had a restful and relaxed Saturday and Sunday, getting one more day off in the week is still a bonus! And with my neck pain having eased off quite a bit, I am making the most of the time I have, with one of my favourite pastimes – Reading!

I have already managed to devour two books in the last couple of weeks. ‘The Great Exotic novels and short stories of Somerset Maugham’ by W Somerset Maugham and ‘The World’s Greatest Short Stories’ published by Jaico Books.

‘Leiningen versus the ants’ is one of my favorites in the ‘Greatest Short Stories’ book. ‘The Painted Veil’ and ‘The Magician’ from the Somerset Maugham stories is worth a read. However I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The World’s Greatest Short Stories’.

On the recommendation of a colleague, I am now reading ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel – Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2002.

A Pain in the Neck!

2005-10-30T20:20:00.000+11:00

One of the occupational hazards I ended up with when I was in the training profession was ‘Cervical Spondylosis’. Well what with being 8 hours on your feet and constant movement of the neck to ensure your gaze encompasses the entire room, and with stretching your neck to write on the white board, I ended up with a nagging pain in the neck. When the pain got severe, I visited the doctor, who post X-rays and tests diagnosed a mild case of ‘Cervical Spondylosis’. Physiotherapy was prescribed and that brought me much relief.

2 years went by without incidence when last week a mild pain hit my neck again. I resumed my physiotherapy exercises. I was scheduled to visit Pune with colleagues for a launch on Thursday – 27th October, when I woke up in the middle of the night with one of the worst pains in my neck that I could ever have imagined. I couldn’t sit nor sleep and spent the night slowly pacing up and down as the pain radiated down from my neck to my shoulders and back. I had so much looked forward to this Pune trip but to my disappointment had to skip it. When I could manage to move about a little I headed for the doc, who said that the aggravation was on account of ‘stress’and that I should ‘Relax’. Great! It was only post the painkillers that I could get some relief.

‘Cervical Spondylosis’ when it hits one, can be a real pain in the neck! I am still on pain killers though the stiffness has reduced to an extent. I had an important meeting on Friday so thanks to the painkillers I was able to make it to office, though the trip up and down was torture and the medication made me a lil ‘woozy’! I have been advised to go for physiotherapy treatment as it’s too painful yet to do the neck exercises. The neck pain usually lasts for a week or more depending on the treatment one undergoes.

I am looking forward to my December vacation, so that I can do what the doc advised –De-Stress and RELAX!

Something Beautiful...

2005-10-23T23:30:00.000+10:00

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally. The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of Children's mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:

"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me.

Some things are important in Life, for the Rest...

2005-10-15T03:43:00.000+10:00

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else--the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

God’s Answer

2005-10-01T20:23:00.000+10:00

You Say: "It's impossible"
God Says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You Say: "I'm too tired"
God Says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You Say: "Nobody really loves me"
God Says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You Say: "I can't go on"
God Says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You Say: "I can't figure things out"
God Says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You Say: "I can't do it"
God Says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You Say: "I'm not able"
God Says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You Say: "It's not worth it"
God Says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You Say: You Say: "I can't forgive myself"
God Says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You Say: "I can't manage"
God Says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You Say: "I'm afraid"
God Says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You Say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God Says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You Say: "I'm not smart enough"
God Says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You Say: "I feel all alone"
God Says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

Afreen again!

2005-09-13T03:59:00.000+10:00

Ah! I had a lovely evening to an otherwise boring day. Nas (my friend) called up to tell me that the moment they reached home-London, her lil one and my sweetheart Afreen, asked her “Isn’t Suzie maasi coming home with us?” And since then the apple of my eye has been inquiring about me everyday.

Afreen kept asking her mom for the phone to talk to her “Suzie maasi” (Uncannily she always knows when it’s me on the line.) She started chattering away nineteen to a dozen in her baby language which I was valiantly trying to keep up with. She kept giggling when I enquired about her and I promised her that I’d visit her soon and I’d take her to the park-which happens to be her favorite place.

She refused to let go of the phone, and I had not the heart to end the conversation. I hated it when I had to bid her goodbye. And when I finally said I had to go, she gave me a dismal lil bye, but refused to get off the phone. Nas had to take the phone from her to get her to get of the line.

I never cease to wonder how relationships develop - Afreen was here only for a few days, and in those few days we developed a bond. I have met a lot of children but share such a bond only with my niece and nephew. And Afreen made a place in my heart.

Well hopefully, if all goes well, I’ll be meeting up with my 3 lil imps this December. That is, if all goes well.

The Rains and I

2005-09-12T16:00:00.000+10:00

Well this year the rains and I seem to be at loggerheads. It’s been pouring the last few days and today was no different as it poured through the morning. I got ready as usual for work and waited for the rains to subside so I could leave. My auto driver too had not arrived and I watched the news to check if it was safe to venture out.
The rain subsided in a while and my auto driver arrived, so I left.

We reached good old Aarey, and the area near the bridge was flooded and vehicles were wading through the water there. We managed to get through that one obstacle and to my dismay I saw the stretch ahead was flooded too. A car came from the opposite direction and shot up a wave of water which thoroughly drenched me. There was a car immediately behind this one, which not wanting to be left out, decided to do the same just to ensure there was no dry spot left on me.

By then I was fuming and asked my auto to retrace back home. Due to the flood we were barely snaking forward. If not for the fact that I didn’t recognize which was the errant car, I would have got out and given that car driver an earful. To add to my woes my auto driver gave me the good news that water had entered the brakes and the brakes had failed.

I was on tenterhooks as Kashi (my auto driver) kept his auto moving in the already jammed street and managed not to hit any vehicle. I heaved a sigh of relief when he turned into my lane and safely dropped me home. Both Kashi and I decided to call it a day. I rushed up home and showered.

The rain has stopped, the sky has cleared out. But I am not too keen on venturing out again. For all you know, the rain may decide to play truant again. I sms’d my boss to excuse me for today and have decided to work online. Me not taking “panga” with the rain today!!!

A Dreary start to a day

2005-09-04T19:40:00.000+10:00

I woke up this morning in a dismal mood. To my surprise I heard the sound of thunder and on looking out of the window saw that it was raining. The sky was overcast and gloomy. It made me all the more morose. It hadnt rained for a couple of weeks and seeing it rain continuously was not a welcome thought.

The rain abated in a while but the gloomy weather didn’t go away. It was cool for a change and I decided to go for a walk. Everything looked clean and spruced up outside. It wasn’t crowded as it often is and it was good to just saunter by and look around. On my way back it began to drizzle a bit but I didn’t open my umbrella and walked on home.

It is noon now and the clouds have begun to clash against each other again at a higher frequency. It’s raining and it looks like the gloom is not going to lift up. Gosh, my spirits need some uplifting.

Afreen

2005-09-01T04:27:00.000+10:00

In my world of friends and relatives, there are but a few who mean the world to me. Of those, two happen to be Nas & Rak, my best friends. N & R were my colleagues, however we were from different departments. We interacted with each other but only officially. It was only in 1998 when we came together on a Project and have been inseparable since. In the intervening 8 years we moved on in life professionally and personally, however our friendship only strengthened. We would still make it a point to meet and have a blast.

Nas went over to her sister’s place in London where she married and settled there with 2 daughters Afreen-2 ½ years and Khadijah-9 months. Rak still in Mumbai delivered a baby girl Simone just last month. Rak and I still met up in Mumbai, however with Nas phone calls were the only option. We would conference our calls to Nas and reminisce old times. We would make plans to go over to London to meet her but they never materialized.

Eventually Nas gave both herself and us a big surprise by coming down 4 weeks back with kids in tow. I would often speak to Afreen on the phone and hear her baby prattle. But what I didn’t expect was to fall in love with her when she landed in Mumbai. She had the most delightful mischievous grin and we both got on like a house on fire. My weekends were spent with Nas & Afreen either shopping or sightseeing. And when at work would call up to listen to Afreen excitedly prattle on the phone.

Last night I met Nas, lil Afreen & baby Khadijah to bid goodbye as they readied to fly back to London. As usual Afreen who by now was my favorite insisted that I carried her around. I had traveled from work to Bombay Central where Nas paternal home is. It was around 10pm when they accompanied me down as I headed back home. We hailed a cab and I handed over Afreen to Nas and kissed both of them goodbye. Afreen stared at me with her doe like beautiful black eyes but didn’t wave goodbye trying to figure out why I had so unceremoniously dumped her in Nas arms. That’s when I realized how much I was going to miss her. She eventually came around and waved me goodbye, but not before bringing tears to both Nas and my eyes.

My lil Afreen, I have already begun missing you. Well I guess this vacation; I’ll be heading off to London to see my lil darling!

My Morning Scare

2005-08-27T04:27:00.000+10:00

I have a reputation of being an extremely cautious person be it with things or with anything else. I am the last one to ever lose anything, so much so that friends and family would rather leave things in my safekeeping than with themselves.

I was readying for work this morning and dug into my handbag for my wallet and to my utter horror couldnt find it. Being such a meticulous person I knew without a doubt that if it wasnt where it should have been, then there was no point looking for it elsewhere. And my search confirmed that I had lost it.

By now I was frantic with worry as I had just last night withdrawn a substantial amount of money from the ATM for my expenses. Over that my wallet contained 3 gold credit cards, 1 silver credit card, 3 bank ATM cards and my other important identity cards. I froze with panic imagining all sorts of horrible things. My mom who couldnt believe that I had lost it asked me to check again. By now I had grown so tense that it was as though a thick band had begun to wrap itself tight around my head.

I tried to recall where I had last removed my wallet. I had left late from work last night and my colleague had dropped me home in his car. On the way I had removed money to pay at the Aarey toll naka. So I knew it may have fallen on my lap when I had thought I was putting it in my handbag. Either it should have fallen in the car when I got out of the car or on the road. I prayed hard that it should be the car.

I frantically dialled my colleagues number, who was on his way to work. He searched the car while I was talking to him and said that he didnt find the wallet. I requested him to do a thorough search again once he reached office. By now I was on the verge of tears. I hurriedly began to take down all my credit and ATM card numbers to block the cards and got ready to go back to where I had got off last night to check if the wallet could still be there. Though I knew the possibility of retrieving it there was remote. And then if it had fallen in the car, the possibility of the person who washes the car in the morning pocketing it was high.

While I was at this my colleague called back and asked me if I had credit cards in my wallet. I said yes. He then jokingly asked me if they had a substantial credit limit to spend. The tone of his voice told me he had found it. He then gave me the good news that he had indeed found the wallet. My relief at that is difficult to express.

The fright I had this morning was one of the worst I have had in a long time. I dont know if someone else would be able to relate to it, I guess one has to experience it to know what one can go through in that instant. I have yet to collect my wallet from my colleague, but atleast I know it's in safe hands. Thank God for small mercies.

It just happened to be a 2000-step process

2005-08-21T23:44:00.000+10:00

A candidate for a news broadcasters post was rejected by officials since his voice was not fit for a news broadcaster. He was also told that with his obnoxiously long name, he would never be famous.

He is Amitabh Bachchan.
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A small boy - the fifth amongst seven siblings of a poor father, was selling newspapers in a small village to earn his living. He was not exceptionally smart at school but was fascinated by religion and rockets. The first rocket he built crashed. A missile that he built crashed multiple times and he was made a butt of ridicule. He is the person to have scripted the Space Odyssey of India single-handedly

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
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In 1962, four nervous young musicians played their first record audition for the executives of the Decca recording Company. The executives were not impressed. While turning down this group of musicians, one executive said, "We don't like their sound. Groups of guitars are on the way out."

The group was called The Beatles.
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In 1944, Emmeline Snively, director of the Blue Book Modelling Agency told modelling hopeful Norma Jean Baker, "You'd better learn secretarial work or else get married.

She went on and became Marilyn Monroe.
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In 1954, Jimmy Denny, manager of the Grand Ole Opry, fired a singer after one performance. He told him, "You ain't goin'nowhere....son. You ought to go back to drivin' a truck."

He went on to become Elvis Presley.
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When he invented the telephone in 1876, it did not ring off the hook with calls from potential backers. After making a demonstration call, President Rutherford Hayes said, "That's an amazing invention, but who would ever want to see one of them?"

He Was Alexander Graham Bell
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When he invented the light bulb, he tried over 2000 experiments before he got it to work. A young reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times. He said, "I never failed once. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2000-step process."

He Was Thomas Edison
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In the 1940s, another young inventor named Chester Carlson took his idea to 20 corporations, including some of the biggest in the country. They all turned him down. In 1947 after seven long years of rejections! He finally got a tiny company in Rochester, New York, the Haloid Company, to purchase the rights to his invention -- an electrostatic paper-copying process.
Haloid became Xerox Corporation.
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A little girl - the 20th of 22 children, was born prematurely and her survival was doubtful. When she was 4 years old, she contracted double pneumonia and scarlet fever, which left her with a paralysed left leg. At age 9, she removed the metal leg brace she had been dependent on and began to walk without it. By 13 she had developed a rhythmic walk, which doctors said was a miracle. That same year she decided to become a runner. She entered a race and came in last. For the next few years every race she entered, she came in last. Everyone told her to quit, but she kept on running. One day she actually won a race. And then another. From then on she won every race she entered. Eventually this little girl -

Wilma Rudolph, went on to win three Olympic gold medals.
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A school teacher scolded a boy for not paying attention to his mathematics and for not being able to solve simple problems. She told him that you would not become anybody in life.

The boy went on to become Albert Einstein.
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By the Seaside

2005-08-21T19:16:00.000+10:00

Post a Training session at "The Resort", we went for a walk on the Beach located behind the hotel. It was such a beautiful evening, that I couldnt resist capturing the scene on my mobile camera.

2005-08-07T16:20:00.000+10:00

Railway tracks completely submerged.

2005-08-07T16:18:00.000+10:00

Bandra Kurla Complex - a Commercial HUB having many offices, completely submerged.

2005-08-07T16:15:00.000+10:00

A Helping hand

2005-08-07T16:12:00.000+10:00

Scenes of the Mumbai rainfall

Spirit of Mumbai

2005-08-07T15:45:00.000+10:00

This is a mail from a friend explaining the spirit of Indians.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Yesterday (Wednesday) my heart cried. I work for a call centre and due to the rains on Tuesday I had to stay back in office in Malad. I opted to work the whole night so that on Wednesday I could take the day off and go home. After having some 2 hrs of sleep and working for 2 continuous shifts of 18 hrs my company managed to let us go by the Company bus right up to Bandra. I stay near Crawford Market. By 1.00 pm two company buses were rolled out towards Bandra.

We had to move through west as we were informed that the whole highway along the east was blocked. We were not prepared for the gory sight we were about to see. There were dead animals like rats, dogs, cows, buffaloes strewn about the road like diversion boards. There were people in ground floor apartments and buildings just clearing their house, their clothes already filthy. All we could see for about 2 hrs were people walking home. That’s it. I have never seen so many people just walk. By the time we reached Vile Parle through the link road we were traffic struck. It was 2.45pm. That’s when it happened. That’s when I saw the miracle.

The traffic was stuck. We moved only about 10 meters in about 45 minutes. There were residents along the whole SV road who came on the road offering us biscuits. They gave us whole packets of biscuits to eat whoever was walking by. There were people offering us bottles of water to drink. There were people giving us Wada Pav. Bananas were given to all those in the bus and cars. Khichdi rice was served in plates to all those weary. Khakdas and other snacks made it a variety. I just couldn’t stop thanking them. As I write this I still have tears in my eyes for them. I walked from Vile Parle to Dadar. It took me 5 hours. But I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t because of them.

There are many of us who owe them our thanks. As the whole of Mumbai walked wearily these residents came running after us, asking us if we wanted medicines - crocins etc. I just looked at them. I didn’t have the heart to tell them no I am ok. There must be over 200 volunteers as I made my journey. All the way I saw volunteers directing people, managing traffic and helping people with what ever they can do by sacrificing their luxuries at homes. All the way I saw young and old, ladies and teenagers facing the onslaught with courage and a smile. I salute all Mumbaikars, who have rightly made Mumbai proud. Today I am safe in my house. But as I look at these people no coverage has ever been given to these silent angels. At least a coverage where all we want to tell them is -- Thank You."

Mumbai Update

2005-08-01T15:44:00.000+10:00

1st Aug 2005. Well I am stranded at home today as the rains didn’t let up and it’s been pouring continuously through the night. The scene is a little better today compared to the 26th as the state officials have geared up and BMC (our civic authorities) are posted around in all those areas which are susceptible to flooding and landslides. The police officials have been monitoring the situation since Friday and so far the situation seems under control.

There has been water logging/flooding in several places and mumbaites have been advised not to venture out unless it’s an emergency. Its 11am and the rain mercifully has turned to a drizzle in my locality and I can see some light outside. It was gloomy and dark since morning. The cable network has gone on the blink again and I have been keeping track of the news via good ol radio 92.5 FM. Mercifully the land line is still on so I am able to access the Internet and get some work done online.

It’s been a week since 26th and if this continues I shudder to imagine the ramifications of the situation. Debris collected everywhere. I have seen entire walls collapsed on the road. Trees fallen on the road. Most roads have been damaged. In some cases entire localities have gone under water or affected by a landside and officials unable to initiate rescue operations even today in those areas. Chances of a widespread epidemic run rife.

Hopefully things will lighten up. Hopefully I should be back to work by tomorrow. Well this is Mumbai. A city with a never say die attitude. It won’t be long before the city bounces back. Amen.

The day the Rains threw Mumbai into turmoil

2005-08-01T02:27:00.000+10:00

26th July 2005. A day most mumbaites will never forget. I was at work while the rain was raging outside and as usual we looked out as the sky darkened and the roads began to flood. Our HR sent out an email asking us to leave by 4pm. Most of us still stayed behind trying to complete that last report or work before leaving. By the time I decided to move out it was 5.30 pm.

It was only when I reached our building entrance did I realize how bad the rains had really got. It was flooded outside and we waded through water to get to the main road. No public transport was available and the few buses plying the roads were jam-packed. I decided to walk a lil distance in the hope of getting an auto somewhere down the road. Unfortunately I was alone as there was no colleague who lived in the same locality as I.

As I kept going forward I realized how bad the situation had gotten as the road was dotted with vehicles that had broken down, areas flooded knee high with water. I still kept walking hoping against hope something would come along. I had an umbrella but it was as good as useless as I was soaked to the skin. I just about managed to keep my head dry.

I then reached the toll naka to Aarey. The start of the road was flooded. Within minutes it would get dark, I hesitated at the naka debating whether to go ahead or take the flyover. The flyover would be too long a distance and I was already exhausted. I had already walked for an hour. I decided to take a chance and moved into Aarey. However a couple of minutes down the road I began to get dismayed. The water canals ahead had begun to overflow and the road was not only flooded but the water was moving across the road with such force that it took all my strength to keep balance. Seeing people ahead of me I took courage and moved on.

Aarey in normal circumstances is still a road by which one is advised not to traverse post 8pm. There are instances of looting, murder and stories of ghosts walking through the roads at night. I had already walked quite a distance through the water and it would be madness walking back again. I couldn’t see a single woman ahead and began to get more and more worried for my safety. I began to pray desperately as I plodded on ahead.

The going got tougher as I noticed the entire stretch of road was flooded. The world began to swirl around and it was a miracle I didn’t faint. I saw two boys ahead who seemed reliable and I joined them. Feeling a lil reassured we decided to see if we could hitch rides. The few vehicles that stopped agreed to take me on board but refused to take my new friends along. As the men offering me the lift seemed of dubious character I decided not to risk it. My wrist watch was still on and I realized it was 7.30pm. It was 2 hours that I had been on my feet. By then darkness had fallen.

Thanks to my 2 bodyguards Laxman and Derrick I managed to get through a landslide, was saved from getting pulled into the undercurrents of the water and drowning somewhere in the bleak darkness. They continuously berated me for having ventured into Aarey on my own and taking such a huge risk. However it was my knowledge of Aarey that helped us get through in the blinding darkness.

We had covered 3/4th of the journey when we had to split as they were heading towards Powai and me towards Marol. Fear gripped my heart when I saw a group of men who were going in the opposite direction turn around and head towards me seeing I was alone. The water by now was knee high and I could barely walk. I saw 2 young girls and a boy ahead, but they were still a distance away. By now the men were closing in on me.

If not for my regular gym-ing I don’t think I would have made it to them. By then the men had already reached me. It turned out that the 3 ahead were college going kids and were as glad to see me as I was to see them. The men followed us a little way ahead making comments but slunk away when we saw some stranded vehicles up ahead with people in it.

Barely had we heaved a sigh of relief when the people ahead said the water had risen from under the bridge ahead and it would be impossible to move to the other-side. The water was chest high and none of us knew how to swim. Either we spend the night in the stranded BEST bus there or try wading through the water. We clasped our arms around each other and went into the water and nearly got swept by the undercurrent into the pool below the bridge if not for 2 good Samaritans who came to our rescue and hauled us across to the other side of the bridge. The little ladies in unison said “There is a God”! And indeed it was nothing short of a miracle that we stood there alive. By now I was drenched from head to toe as I had had to close the umbrella to maneuver through the waters.

We plodded on ahead praising and thanking God for pulling us through. By then my home drew near. As the kids still had a long way to go I took them home so that they could call their parents to inform them they were safe. When I got into my colony it was pitch dark and when we got home we realized that there was no power, the phone lines were dead. It was pathetic. We tried our mobile phones but they too were on the blink.

I gave them a torch to get them through the darkness, gave my shoes to one of my now new found friends who had lost her pair in the flood and accompanied them to the main road and set them on their way. As I limped my way back home, I decided never to attempt again what I had done. Next time I stay back in office! Thankfully my brother and sis-in-law too had got back safe. We passed the entire night with no power and the phone lines dead.

The next day my limbs were sore and my mom to take up from where my friends had left off last night continually berated me for having come through Aarey. My bro n s-i-l had a Orange and Reliance mobile which were kaput and useless. My Airtel phone however had come on and sms’ started pouring in. I called and messaged family, friends and acquaintances communicating we were safe and not to worry, at the same time checking out how our dear ones were.

We were totally cut off from the world. The rain pouring outside, cable not functional, landlines dead and no internet. Bits and pieces of information trickled through our neighbors. 9 children and 2 parents had perished when the school wall collapsed on them. This was the same school which I passed out from. The following 2 days were declared a holiday. I did try on the 28th to get to work but there was no transport and my legs hurt from walking so I came back home. The cable was still on the blink, landlines still dead, there were power cuts and also shortage of water!

It was only on Friday that life limped back to normal and I went in to work. However this time I had to take a longer route as Aarey was sealed. I was astonished on the way to see the destruction the deluge had caused around. Fear was still in my heart and I left work apprehensive of reaching home safe.

I still count my blessings as I know that many didn’t make it through the night. Some were swept away, some died in their vehicles, some drowned and most others were stranded for hours. The 26th and the 27th were two heart wrenching days as people frantically tried to trace their loved ones. I at least had a home to come back too, there were many whose homes were washed out and are currently living in conditions that are unhygienic, having lost all that they had owned.

Even today as I write this post, the rain is furiously pounding outside. Tomorrow has been declared an off for schools and colleges. I shudder to think what the journey to and fro work will be like. I pray to God that the 26th may not repeat itself.

Harry Potter and the half-blood Prince

2005-07-25T03:41:00.000+10:00

I just finished reading the 6th Harry Potter book. Started it yesterday wondering how this one would turn out. The first 3 books were excellent and I just couldn’t put them down. But by the 4th and then the 5th I thought the author was losing her touch. So without much expectation I started this one and to my surprise couldn’t put it down till I had finished it. More so as the book came to an end I actually felt desolate and sad at the ending. On one hand it was as though I didn’t want the narrative to end, and on the other hand the story ending had been a sad one.

Well I am waiting for the 7th one now. Hope it releases real soon…

That's Life

2005-07-24T23:55:00.000+10:00

If you are kind, people may accuse you of being selfish, and having ulterior motives,
Be Kind anyway.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies,
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.

What you spend years building, someone may try to destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it’s between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Humri gaayya...

2005-07-16T21:05:00.000+10:00

You'll forget your English by the time you finish reading this. This is a true essay written by a Bihari candidate at the UPSC (IAS) Examinations. The candidate has written an essay on the Indian cow.

**
Indian Cow

HE IS THE COW. "The cow is a successful animal. Also he is 4 footed, And because he is female, he give milks, [ but will do so when he is got child.] He is same like-God, sacred to Hindus and useful to man. But he has got four legs together. Two are forward and two are afterwards.

His whole body can be utilised for use. More so the milk. Milk comes from 4 taps attached to his basement. [ horses dont have any such attachment]. What can it do? Various ghee, butter, cream, curd, why and the condensed milk and so forth. Also he is useful to cobbler, watermans and mankind generally. His motion is slow only because he is of lazy species., Also his other motion.. gober] is much useful to trees, plants as well as for making flat cakes[like Pizza] , in hand, and drying in the sun.

Cow is the only animal that extricates his feeding after eating. Then afterwards she chew with his teeth whom are situated in the inside of the mouth. He is incessantly in the meadows in the grass. His only attacking and defending organ is the horns, specially so when he is got child. This is done by knowing his head whereby he causes the weapons to be paralleled to the ground of the earth and instantly proceed with great velocity forwards.

He has got tails also, situated in the backyard, but not like similar animals. It has hairs on the other end of the other side.This is done to frighten away the flies which alight on his cohesive body hereupon he gives hit with it.The palms of his feet are soft unto the touch. So the grasses head is not crushed. At night time have poses by looking down on the ground and he shouts . His eyes and nose are like his other relatives. This is the cow.......
**
We are informed that the candidate passed the exam and is now an IAS (Indian Civil Service Examinations), is in the state of Bihar in somewhere,..[sorry somewhere in Bihar]

Essence of Trust

2005-07-16T20:45:00.000+10:00

A little girl and her father were crossing a bridge. The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand." "What's the difference?" asked the puzzled father..

"There's a big difference," replied the little girl. "If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."

In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond. So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold yours .

Sparky

2005-07-12T04:25:00.000+10:00

I got back home at 10 pm. I had barely entered the building gate when something jumped on me. It was dark and I couldn’t figure out what it was. Suddenly I made out Sparky romping about in joy. Sparky being jet black I obviously had not been able to make him out in the dark and I had not seen him for near about a month so I had not been expecting him.

I had been occupied the last couple of weeks and had not bothered to go over and check out how he was doing. Sparky followed me home. As it was already late, I didn’t allow him in and locked the door. When I peeked out after a couple of minutes, he was still there patiently waiting. I gave in. I took a handful of biscuits, went out and fed him, then took him downstairs hoping he’d go home.

He dutifully went across and climbed up the stairs. I watched his progress to make sure he got home. However he turned, seeing I was not following he started to whine. As I still didn’t follow, he back tracked and came back to me whining. I couldn’t figure out why he was whining and decided to take him home myself.

On the way up, I couldn’t help but smile seeing how Sparky kept looking back to see if I was indeed following him. On reaching his floor, he sat down by his door and I rang the bell. There was no response for sometime. Then I realized perhaps they were not at home, I rang again and aunt opened the door sleepily.
That’s when I realized, that the occupants of the house had gone to sleep and poor Sparky was locked out. He may have gone up a couple of times, but obviously his scratching the door was not enough to wake them up. And obviously when he saw me, he knew I’d do a better job at knocking!

The ingenuity of the animal is indeed amazing!!!

Here come the Rains!

2005-06-18T21:53:00.000+10:00

The clouds were creating a ruckus this morning and in a while the entire place darkened. Within minutes the rain came pelting down. Seeing the first rains the children in the building excitedly ran down and began prancing around in the rain. Their joy was so palpable that I was almost tempted to join in their revelry.

The first rains hit our locality bringing in the good news that the heat would soon die down. I sat on the balcony ledge gazing out looking at the lil rivulets that were running all around our compound. The cool wind rushed past with so much force that the rain came in through the landing, sending water streaming down the stairs.

I prefer being indoors when it’s raining. I like to sit on our balcony ledge sipping hot masala chai and biting into piping hot vegetable bhajias while gazing out as the rains make the surroundings look squeaky clean!!! The rains make the earth give out a wonderful fragrance and nature looks green and abundant. The weather turns pleasant and it takes quite an effort to leave ones bedside in the morning.

Of course, there is the downside too. Clothes don’t dry. The roads abound in potholes and puddles. Traffic gets chaotic. Traveling becomes a hazard! Umbrellas prove useless as the rain still succeeds in soaking you wet!

While commuting to work, I pass through a place called Aarey Colony. This place is privately owned and maintained and one pays a toll fee to ply by this road. It’s a good 15 minute stretch by vehicle however it’s a joy traveling through the Aarey road. This is one place where greenery abounds. The road is like a slithering snake with forests on either side of it. There is a lake halfway down the road near a place called Chota Kashmir, also known as Observation Point. It’s a pleasure traveling down this road and during the monsoons this place takes on a different appearance. It’s simply beautiful! The lake is filled to the brim and shimmers in the morning sunlight. The trees blossom and are covered with flowers, most of which drop over the road, forming a carpet of flowers.

Ah the rains! I look forward to the onslaught of the monsoons dreading it at the same time :)

The Spark in my life

2005-06-13T02:40:00.000+10:00

I remember growing up with a love for animals. I recall pestering my dad to get home an elephant or a tiger or a horse, and he'd patiently explain that it would be difficult to keep such animals at home. So I settled for a dog. And dad shrewdly ensured that I did well each year at school promising me a dog which never came. I got smart and started bringing home stray pups that I'd find. I'd bathe the pup with my expensive shampoo; line its basket with my old clothes. When I'd get back from school/college and in later years from work, I'd find that the pup had mysteriously disappeared from home. But I never gave up hoping that one day I'd bring my family around to my school of thought. My dream was shattered however when my brother married and we got to know that my sis in law was petrified of pups leave alone dogs. I wondered if I'd ever realize my dream, and then came 'Sparky'.

A year back my neighbor Conan in the opposite building chanced upon an abandoned pup at a petrol station and the lil tyke was so mischievous that he adopted it. Here was a dream come true, somehow Sparky and I got along like a house on fire. And at last I had a dog of my own without having to own one. When I get back from work and my auto is at the gate, Sparky doesn't even wait for me to alight. He's into the auto nudging me out and joyfully welcoming me. I just have to whistle and Sparky wherever he is comes running up home. He's of course not allowed in when sis in law is home, but otherwise he believes he's as much a part of the household as we are.

It's amazing to see the love that an animal can have for his owner/s. Sparks loves to play and literally pounces on you to get you to gambol around with him. Sometimes when I get back from work and am too tired to play with Sparks or take him for a walk, he quietly sits down beside me and I'm stunned to see how astute he is to my moods. When I'm down or have had a rough day at work, he invariably manages to cheer me up no matter what.

I must be blessed, to have a pet that I'd always dreamed off and that too without having to go through the pains of bringing up one. Indeed he's a spark in my life.

Sparky patiently waiting for a tidbit.

A Few Words That Define Life

2005-06-13T00:10:00.000+10:00

The most destructive habit - Worry
The greatest Joy - Giving
The greatest loss - Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work - Helping others
The ugliest personality trait - Selfishness
The most endangered species - Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource - Our youth
The greatest "shot in the arm" - Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome - Fear
The most effective sleeping pill - Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease - Excuses
The most powerful force in life - Love
The most dangerous pariah - A gossiper
The world's most incredible computer - The brain
The worst thing to be without - Hope
The deadliest weapon - The tongue
The two most power-filled words - "I Can"
The most worthless emotion - Self-pity
The most beautiful attire - SMILE!
The most prized possession - Integrity
The most contagious spirit - Enthusiasm

Monsters Inc.

2005-06-05T21:50:00.000+10:00

The few vacations that I take are spent with my elder sis who's based in Dubai. And when there I spend time with my adorable niece and nephew watching animation movies. I guess that's where I must have developed a love for animation movies. In fact my collection of movies is as impressive as theirs :)

My favorite one happens to be "Monsters Inc." This is one movie that I love. I happened to be in one of my down moods and needed cheering up. So out came Monsters Inc which didnt fail to bring out a chuckle from me.

What is it that I find so endearing in this movie. Is it the simplicity? The fantasy of a world of monsters? Or the innocence of the little child? The relationship that the toddler shares with 'Sulley'- supposedly the scariest monster in the movie is unique and one of its kind.

The movie is worth watching just to see the lumbering, loveable Sulley and the wise-cracking Mike Wazowski. Sulley and Mike work at Monsters, Inc; the biggest scream processing plant in Monstropolis, but when one little child wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly. Thinking she is dangerous and toxic, Sulley and Mike do their best to return her to her bedroom. And it's here where the interplay between Sulley and the toddler come into play.

This is one movie I never tire watching!

A Mothers Love

2005-05-28T03:25:00.000+10:00

For all mothers out there, and for those to be mothers, just a lil story to share with you that embodies the beautiful bond that a mother shares with her child.
___________________________________________________________________
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.

I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?"

That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her, that when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die. I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.

That an urgent call of "MOM!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation. I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighted against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, and not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into His most wonderful of callings. Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms.

May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

A labour of Love

2005-05-24T03:52:00.000+10:00

Dear Friend,

I just had to send a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were walking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you. And I waited. But you never came. It hurt me but I still love you because I am your friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night and I longed to touch your brow. So, I spilled moonlight on your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. But you awakened late the next day and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.

Today you looked so sad, so all alone. It makes my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me so many times too. But I love you. Oh, if you would only listen to me. I really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in the leaves on the trees and breathe it in the colors of the flowers. I shout it to you in the mountain streams and give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s scents. My love for you is deeper than the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart.

If you only knew how much I want to help you. I want you to meet my Father. He wants to help you too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. I have so much to share with you. But I won’t hassle you. I’ll wait because I love you.

Your friend,
Jesus

Heat Wave!

2005-05-17T04:10:00.000+10:00

Today was a most unusual and extremely tiring day. Started off when I woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat and found that the electricity had played truant at 1am. And unfortunately there was no sign of it at all. I spent a sleepless night and found the morning equally hot and humid. There was no sign of the electricity yet.

I iron my clothes in the morning prior to setting out for work. Unfortunately, I had to make do with a suit which was the least crumpled, that too when I had an induction presentation scheduled today! I left early hoping to get into the cool confines of the office. I boarded my regular auto, and barely had the vehicle moved a couple of minutes, when I observed a huge traffic jam ahead of me. Devoid of sleep, and the heat making me dizzy, I hoped that this would clear out especially as I had loads of work to get through. But to my misfortune, the same route that generally took me 15 mins to cover, took me an hour and a half!

By the time I got to office, I was ready to crash, eyes burning, drenched in sweat, I was half in a mind to go back home. But then I had reports to send and had to rush to the other side of town (where our other office is based) for the induction. So off I plodded in the blazing afternoon. Once I was through with the Induction, headed off to the gym. The heat didnt seem to let up coz within minutes of exercising, I had rivulets streaming down my back and face. Just didnt seem to be my day.

Got home and jumped into the bath, only to find that the minute I was out, it was still hot! Either today was a really HOT day or just not my day. Anyway heading off to sleep now, and praying hard that the electricity doesnt play truant again. I'm sure if it does, I will melt and there'll be nothing left of me!

Pharaoh Tutankhamen

2005-05-16T04:15:00.000+10:00

National Geographic today aired an excellent documentary on the boy King Tutankhamen. The basic quest undertaken was to identify what had caused the death of the King at such a young age and the authenticity of the curse.

Was so interesting that I spent 2 hours (9pm-11pm) glued to the TV as the drama unfolded. Have read much about the Valley of the kings, and also about the furore that arose when King Tut' s tomb was discovered. Egypt besides Jerusalem is one of the places I long to visit. I hope I manage it in this lifetime :)

Should the documentary be re-telecast, dont miss it.

MEMO FROM GOD

2005-05-13T04:00:00.000+10:00

To: YOU

Date: TODAY

From: THE BOSS

Subject: YOURSELF

Reference: LIFE

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic; Don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Holy Blood, Holy Grail - A Review

2005-04-16T18:54:00.000+10:00

I just finished reading the book “Holy Blood, Holy Grail (HBHG)” by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln. I had never heard of this book before, nor knew that it was one of the controversial books of its time.

I first heard of the Holy Grail in the now famous book “ The Da Vinci Code”. I prefer non-fictional books and would never have read this one except that it piqued my interest when I heard that it talked about Jesus’ bloodline. Being a staunch catholic and believing in the divinity and resurrection of Jesus, I had to see what this had to say. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and tried looking up the net for more information on the Holy Grail, the Prieure de Sion, but unfortunately didn’t turn up much. It was then I caught sight of the book HBHG at my friend’s place who is a similar book freak like me and gleefully set out to discover what it had to say.

The book is divided into 3 parts:
1) The Mystery
2) The Secret Society
3) The Bloodline

I started out with the first part though I was tempted to jump directly into the bloodline bit. I learnt about the Albigensian Crusade, The Cathars and the mysterious Knights Templar. It made for interesting reading and the author/s sounded more like a storyteller taking you down through history and folklore. I nearly took up theology as a result! Then came the elusive Prieure de Sion and the fabled grand masters and subsequently the Merovingians. But after a point the narrative began to get a lil repetitive and only the thought that I may lose the link to the 3rd part if I skipped the 2nd made me go on.

The 3rd part was the one where the author/s came to the point. They did build up a lot of their hypothesis on documents that I was aware of like the Dead Sea scrolls, the Nag Hammadi scrolls. (2 Books which I already have as a part of my collection). This was the part that managed to hold my interest. They mentioned other Gospels, which they claimed, were more authentic than the ones in the Bible. I learnt about Manichaeanism (Mani, who was proclaimed by his followers as the ‘new Jesus’), Arianism, Mithraism, biblical texts and so on. All in all it made a very interesting read. But at the end it all came back to one point: Was their hypothesis right? Based on their research and findings, it surely was tenable but the doubt still remained whether it was probable.

The conclusion? Did Jesus really die on the Cross-? Was He married and so does His bloodline exist? Are the Gospels, the scrolls and the many other documents that were found - authentic? Is the Holy Grail a cup from which Jesus drank or is it symbolic of his bloodline? The authors say that only the Prieure de Sion can give the answers to this. Till then? I guess leave it to your imagination.

As for my faith, the book hasn’t even put a scratch on it. In fact it has made me all the more eager to learn more about my religion, to fulfill my long cherished dream of visiting Jerusalem and tracing the life of Jesus and the path that He trod. Perhaps one day I may realize that dream. Till then I devour such books voraciously :)

2005-04-04T01:06:00.000+10:00

A Tribute to the Holy Father

The Holy Father

2005-04-03T16:33:00.000+10:00

"Those who practice mercy, discover their own humanity more deeply because they recognise the human dignity of the other person"
... Pope John Paul II

HOW TO FORGIVE?

2005-03-26T22:58:00.000+11:00

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job. His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him.

He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure

His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.

Standing there, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord, You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord."

"I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive."

"My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do, "Teach me to Forgive."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes Out of the corner of one eye he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them. He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" Jesus asked?
The man answered -- "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?
The man answered -- "Yes. Lord."

And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered -- "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"
"The man, crying now, answered, "Yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever?"
The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer, "Yes, Lord."

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.

Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

Happy Married Life !

2005-03-20T04:19:00.000+11:00

Here's the untold secret of married life!!!

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town.

"What a peaceful & loving couple!". A local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage.

"Well, it dates back to our honeymoon," explained the man. "We visited the Grand Canyon and took a trip down to the bottom of the canyon by horse. We hadn't gone too far when my wife's horse stumbled.

My wife quietly said,

'That's once'."

"We proceeded a little further and the horse stumbled again.

Once more my wife quietly said, 'That's twice.' "We hadn't gone a half-mile when the horse stumbled the third time. My wife quietly removed a revolver from her purse and shot the horse dead.

"I started an angry protest over her treatment to the horse, while I was shouting; She looked at me, and quietly said,

'That's once'. "

"And we lived happily ever after."

On Living

2005-03-07T02:14:00.000+11:00

All men and women are born, live, suffer and die; what distinguishes us, one from another are our dreams, whether they be dreams about worldly or unworldly things, and what we do to make them come about...

We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we choose how we live.

***Joseph Epstein***

We DO choose how we live. In a life where the world around us in chaos and we search for the path to peace and comfort, we need to realize that we can control how we participate in the world. We cannot stop war from ever happening or conflict from erupting, but we are able to control our reactions to situations, the words we speak to one another, the actions we take, the lessons we teach our children and so on. We have the opportunity to make a difference in the world by being decent human beings, by appreciating life for what it is and people for who they are.

Faith can move mountains

2005-02-27T04:18:00.000+11:00

A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokies built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Until the church doubled the size of the parking lot, they would not be able to use the new sanctuary.

Unfortunately, the church with its undersized lot had used every inch of their land except for the mountain against which it had been built. In order to build more parking spaces, they would have to move the mountain out of the back yard. Undaunted, the pastor announced the next Sunday morning that he would meet that evening with all members who had "mountain moving faith."

They would hold a prayer session asking God to remove the mountain from the back yard and to somehow provide enough money to have it paved and painted before the scheduled opening dedication service the following week.

At the appointed time, 24 of the congregation's 300 members assembled for prayer. They prayed for nearly three hours. At ten o'clock the pastor said the final "Amen." "We'll open next Sunday as scheduled," he assured everyone. "God has never let us down before, and I believe He will be faithful this time too."

The next morning as he was working in his study there came a loud knock at his door. When he called "come in," a rough looking construction foreman appeared, removing his hard hat as he entered. "Excuse me, Reverend. I'm from Acme Construction Company over in the next county. We're building a huge new shopping mall over there and we need some fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? We'll pay you for the dirt we remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge, if we can have it right away. We can't do anything else until we get the dirt in and allow it to settle properly."

The little church was dedicated the next Sunday as originally planned and there were far more members with "mountain moving faith" on opening Sunday than there had been the previous week!

Would you have shown up for that prayer meeting? Some people say faith comes from miracles. But others know: MIRACLES COME FROM FAITH!

Indian boy tops Nasa examination

2005-02-24T04:26:00.000+11:00

Saurabh came top of 200,000 students worldwide.
A 17-year-old boy from an obscure village in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state has topped an international exam run by Nasa.

Saurabh Singh beat 200,000 students worldwide to top the prestigious International Scientist Discovery exam conducted by the National Aeronautical and Space Administration.

The other two Indians who passed the exam are President APJ Kalam and the late Nasa astronaut, Kalpana Chawla.

President Kalam was seventh in 1960 and Chawla 21st in 1988.

Dingy study
Now politicians, administrators, social workers and teachers are all vying to fete the boy from Ballia district.

"All this attention is so funny," says reticent Saurabh.
His study is a dingy corner in a dilapidated house

Saurabh's feat is all the more impressive because he hails from a backward district, with few passable roads and irregular electricity, in one of India's poorest states.

His father is a teacher while his mother is a health worker with the local government.

His study is a dingy, poorly-lit corner in a dilapidated house in obscure Narhi village, 55km (35 miles) from Ballia town.

After scoring 72% in his school leaving exam, Saurabh left for Rajasthan state to prepare for his engineering school papers. He read about the Nasa examination in a newspaper and decided to take it.

"I had never even heard of Nasa before I saw the newspaper advertisement. I realised I was familiar with the subjects as they were part of my school syllabuses. So I decided to take a chance," says Saurabh.

Grit and determination

He says he studied up to 18 hours a day preparing for one of the world's toughest exams.

Father Ram Keshwar Singh and son attend many ceremonies

He was put on a 100-strong shortlist to appear for the final Papers.

When the results came in, the reticent young boy from Ballia had excelled in all five subjects - scoring A++ in four and A+ in one.

Saurabh has now met President Kalam and cannot wait to go to Nasa.

"After reaching Nasa there will be no looking back for me. I will devote all my time to science and would love to return to India and work for my country," he says.

For the moment, his father takes him from one ceremony to another in Uttar Pradesh.

"Everyone wants him to celebrate his success," says Ram Keshwar Singh.
Even the state's legislators have decided to donate a part of their wages this month to set up a prize fund for Saurabh.

Saurabh's recipe for success is simple - "Where there's a will, there's a way," he says.

"Of course, honesty and determination should never be lacking."

I've been Blessed indeed

2005-02-20T18:18:00.000+11:00

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave, I
saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join them dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go...
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

Give the gift of love. It never comes back empty

Reality Bites

2005-02-20T04:22:00.000+11:00

Just saw the movie "Page 3" and my head's still reeling. Stark facts of life, but yet one refuses to believe or should I say, does not want to believe that such things do happen in real life.

For those who haven't yet seen the movie, it's a must watch.

Tum Bin

2005-02-18T04:12:00.000+11:00

Was browsing the musicindiaonline site which MW had recommended and came across one of my favorite songs. Falls neither in the old nor new category, the lyrics go something like this...

Tum Bin Jiya Jaaye Kaise
Kaise Jiya Jaaye Tum Bin
Sadiyon Se Lambi Hain Raatein
Sadiyon Se Lambe Hue Din
Aa Jaao Lautkar Tum, Yeh Dil Keh Raha Hai...

2005-02-15T04:38:00.000+11:00

Life

2005-02-15T04:27:00.000+11:00

Selflessness

2005-02-13T05:30:00.001+11:00

The Resort

2005-02-13T05:30:00.000+11:00

Foggy Morning

2005-02-13T05:25:00.000+11:00

Shrouded in Mist-tery

Delhi and Flight delays!

2005-02-11T04:51:00.000+11:00

Egad, I've never had such a trying time in my life. Got back from Delhi late last night due to a flight delay, couldnt even sleep in late as had to rush to work for an early morning presentation. So glad to get back home and relaxxxxxxxx...

This Delhi trip was really trying (our head office being at Delhi). Monday morning had to take the 8.05am flight and to our amazement on reaching the airport, my colleague (Resh) and I were informed that we'd have to move to a later flight on account of our flight being overbooked. We took the option of moving to another airline but that too was overbooked. At the nth hour our original airline managed to get seats for us and heaving a sigh of relief we boarded. However our relief was short lived when on arriving at Delhi, due to traffic n fog, we ended up circling atop the airport, and guess what, the plane ran out of fuel, so we headed to Jaipur for refueling, and then back to Delhi again. My nerves were stretched to the limit as we reached Delhi airport a good 5 hours after having left Bombay.

If Bombay was cold, then Delhi was an ice box. It was 9 degrees celsius and I spent all 3 days in Delhi wrapped up in a sweater, swaddled with a thick shawl, stockings to boot. Only thing missing were the gloves. The first nite the heater didnt work, so Resh n I (who too like me cant handle the cold weather) spent the nite, teeth chattering trying to keep warm under thick blankets. And to top it, it was pouring hard with thunder and lightning (crazy weather!)

However, the morning's were beautiful as we were put up at a resort, the entire place was shrouded in fog, dew on the grass floor, and the most beautiful sight was that of a peacock dancing to celebrate the rain. The evenings and nights were however extremely cold and luckily we managed to get the heater working.

Headed off for home last evening and guess what, our flight was delayed again! A good one hour later we managed to board the flight and thankfully this time reached destination with no diversions. Thank God for small mercies! And the temperature is really fluctuating big time, coz I remember when I left home it was cool and now it's really warm!!!

Selflessness

2005-02-07T00:50:00.001+11:00

You give but little
when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself
that you truly give.

Heaven's store

2005-02-07T00:50:00.000+11:00

As I was walking down Life's highway many years ago, I came upon a sign that read "Heavens Grocery Store".

When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide, And when I came to myself, I was standing inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere, One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care". EVERYTHING a human needed was in that grocery store. And what you could not carry you could come back for more. FIRST I got some Patience. Love was in that same row. Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go. I GOT a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two. And Charity of course I would need some of that too. I COULDN'T MISS the Holy Ghost. It was all over the place. And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

MY basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace. And then I chose Salvation, for Salvation was for free, So I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me. THEN I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill, For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will. AS I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in, For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into Sin. PEACE and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf, Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

THEN I said to the angel, "Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."
AGAIN I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?".
"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."

2005-01-31T04:39:00.000+11:00

Confidence

2005-01-30T03:32:00.000+11:00

Sis n me during our Dec vacation in Daman

2005-01-26T23:46:00.000+11:00

Beautiful Daman - At Hotel Miramar

My lil visitor

2005-01-20T17:56:00.000+11:00

Yesterday morning, I found my auto driver who was waiting to take me to work, chasing away 2 dogs. One of them was a stray and the other "Sparky" my neighbour's dog. Wondering what had come over him, on investigating, found hm trying to keep away the dogs from a baby pigeon which may have fallen from its nest. Dont know how it got there, but it was bitten real bad and the dogs adding to the chaos. To my utter surprise, except for my auto driver who was too frightened to pull the dogs away, the others were just standing and watching (could have really throttled them). Managed to chase away the stray. The bird had chosen a bush to hide in & Sparky, who's a 1 year old, not realising that the bird was not in the mood for playing kept tryin to nudge it with his mouth scaring the wits out of it. Somehow managed to haul Sparky away from the bird (luckily for me didnt get bitten in the process) and as everyone refused to do anythin abt the bird, whisked it home for first aid and askd mom to babysit.
When I got back home, fearing the worst, I wz pleasantly surprised to see it alive. Tucked my new pet in for the night in the balcony, happy with myself.
Alas when i got back today I found it missing and got to knw that it passed away albiet peacefully.
To my amazement, when mom woke up in the morning, she found the bird had toddled over to my bed (perhaps to say its last goodbye), i wonder how it managed to do that, coz its back/feet had been badly bitten, mom put it back in its box, where it slept and didnt wake up at all. Good bye lil one. I lost you even before I found you.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

This morning I woke up at 4 am, gosh, poor me.. had no choice as had to catch the 5.40 am flight to Gujarat. Had the option of leaving last evening, but had loads of work to do yesterday, hence had to wake up at an unearthly hour today. Was an exacting day, fortunately the presentation that I'd been sloggin over last evenin went well today. Ended up with a throbbing headache tho, thanks to my return flight being delayed by an hour.
Gosh, am I exhausted ! n sleepy ! Yawn !!! Nighty nite!

Tsunami - God's fury or Man's stupidity

2005-01-17T04:18:00.000+11:00

I was vacationing in Mangalore when the Tsunami disaster hit. Everyone was glued to the TV as the news reports kept coming in. One of my friends even called up to check that everything was fine at Mangalore. Fortunately Mumbai and Mangalore were spared.
Now rumours are rife that the tsunami may hit Mumbai. Interest in the mangroves has suddenly begun to intensify. Political parties have begun to give suggestions on how to protect the city from these destructive waves.

So did it take a disaster to bring man to his senses? Unfortunately, no. Whispers go around - is it near judgment day, end of the world, is God warning his people, sending signs... and the speculations continue. Some wonder how could God be so cruel, taking so many lives, when He is supposed to be a God of love.
But man fails to realise that what he's sees as the hand of God, is nothing but his own undoing. If one tampers with nature, what does one expect?

Years ago, I set out to write a book on a subject dear to my heart, lil knowing the ramifications that subject would take...I penned down what I'd put on the jacket of the book, what the cover design would be, and then left it incomplete, promising myself that I'd complete it somewhere in the future... It goes something like this:

MY GOD EXPERIENCES

“In today’s day and age where man has near about overcome all environmental and natural hazards by way of scientific inventions and breakthroughs, the word GOD has been pushed back in the deep recesses of the human mind.
Today sees en number of possibilities, which perhaps in the past may not even have seemed possible. We have the current generation not only planning babies but also deciding on what type of a child they want – a specific IQ, height, color and good looks. Not forgetting the quest of men to clone human beings.
When today man has begun to play GOD where exactly does he stand? Does this prove Darwin’s evolution theory right or is there really a GOD?
This book is not a religious introspection but a genuine search by the author on what role GOD plays in our lives.”

Today when I look back over what I wrote years back, I shudder to think where man has reached. Today, indeed man has forgotten that he's only a custodian of what God has created, not God himself. If today disaster has hit, it's only nature paying back man in full. Amen.

The bestest compliment I ever received!

2005-01-16T04:38:00.000+11:00

When my lil 7 year old nephew Shaun was down for Christmas hols, everytime i was around he'd kiss and hug me. I wondered why he was showering so much of affection on me, perhaps he'd really missed me that much. Out of curiousity I asked him, and he replied, " Aunt, you have the softest skin in the entire family". Needless to say, I was floored (",)

When I hugged him on hearing this, he thought for a while and said, "You have the 2nd softest skin in the entire family". When I asked him who was the first one, he replied, "But obviously, its me!"

End of a loooooooooong Vacation!

2005-01-09T06:22:00.000+11:00

It's been a real long hiatus from the blog. It's already been 3 days since I resumed work but have not been able to break out of the vacation mode. Sigh! It was a nice long 3 week vacation, hectic but enjoyable. But what I miss most is my sis who'd come down with my niece and nephew. Guess, I'll give myself a couple of days to break out of this depressing mood :-(

Make a difference

2004-12-20T04:39:00.000+11:00

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man,and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects,and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out: "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied, "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean.
As it met the water, he said, "I made all the difference to that one."

For the Best

2004-12-20T04:27:00.000+11:00

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a sign by his feet that read:

"I am blind, please help".

A creative publicist was walking by him and stopped to observe he only had a few coins in his hat, he dropped a few more coins in his hat and without asking for his permission took the sign, turned it around, and wrote another announcement.

He placed the sign by his feet and left.

That afternoon the creative publicist returned by the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.

The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was him who had re-written his sign and he wanted to know what did he write on it? The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true, I just rewrote your sign differently". He smiled and went on his way. The blind man never knew but his new sign read:

"Today Is Spring And I Cannot See It".

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

2004-12-20T04:22:00.000+11:00

Read this...It could save your life!!

Let's say it's 6.15 pm and you're driving home (alone of course), after an unusually hard day on the job. You're really tired. Suddenly you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw. You are only about five miles from the hospital nearest your home. Unfortunately you don't know if you'll be able to make it that far. You have been trained in CPR, but the guy that taught the course did not tell you how to perform it on yourself.

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, and the cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let-up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

Tell as many other people as possible about this. It could save their lives!!

Hark the Herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King!

2004-12-11T05:21:00.000+11:00

It's my favorite time of the year, Christmas! This is one season that never fails to buoy up my drooping spirit. The season of festive cheer, love, joy and peace. The time for giving, the time to share with the less fortunate, the time to forget our little grudges, pettiness, all those things that bring negativity into our lives.
This is that time when I go crazy choosing gifts for those whom I love. My lil nephew with no gender bias fondly calls me Santa Claus. The wintry winds, midnight mass, carol singers, the Christmas tree, stars glittering in the night….
This is that time, when I see a beggar on the road, old, ailing, a child or a leper, I don’t judge, don’t think whether I should give or not. This is that one time I give freely, be it money, clothes or some food that I may have on me.
This is that one time, when I keep my temper under check, make it a point to bring a smile on a weary face, to give a helping hand where it may be needed, to make a difference wherever possible, to be as selfless as I can possibly be…
Christmas, the one season that rings out the old and rings in the new…
The one time of the year that never fails to captivate me in its charm….

Love

2004-11-29T03:30:00.000+11:00

One of my passions is reading. I am a voracious reader and can devour anything from literature to science fiction. Literature, true stories and mysteries are my favorite. But one book that is my all time favorite is the most popular book of all, the “Bible”. It never ceases to fascinate me, right from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Each tells a story, one more fascinating than the other.

And of all the stories and sayings in the Bible, the following verse is the one most dear to my heart.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal.”

I've Learned...

2004-11-26T21:40:00.000+11:00

That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
That when you’re in love, it shows.
That just one person saying to me, “You have made my day!” makes my day.
That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
That being kind is more important than being right.
That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help him in some other way.
That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
That we should be glad God doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
That money doesn’t buy class.
That it’s those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
That under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
That the Lord didn’t do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
That love, not time, heals all wounds.
That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
That there’s nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.
That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
That life is tough, but I’m tougher.
That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
That when you harbour bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
That I wish I could have told my dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tommorrow he may have to eat them.
That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
That I can’t choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you’re hooked for life.
That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.
That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.
That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

By Andy Rooney.

Anger

2004-11-22T00:20:00.000+11:00

A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy’s hands into a pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital. Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones,
he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy’s hands.

When the boy woke up from the surgery and saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, "Daddy, I’m sorry about your truck." Then he asked, "but when are my fingers going to grow back?"

The father went home and committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time you see someone spill milk at a table or hear a baby crying. Think first before you lose your patience with someone you love. Trucks can be repaired. Broken bones and hurt feelings often can’t. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever. Pause and ponder. Think before you act. Be patient. Understand and love.

"When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred." -Thomas Jefferson

An interview with God

2004-11-15T02:37:00.000+11:00

I dreamed I had an interview with GOD.

"So, you would like to interview Me?" GOD asked.

"If you have the time," I said.

God smiled.
"My time is eternity…
…what questions do you have in mind for me?"

"What surprises you most about humankind?"

God answered…
"That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up,
and then long to be children again.”
“That they lose their health to make money,
and then lose their money to restore their health."
“That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present,
such, that they live in neither the present nor the future. “
“That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived..."

God's hands took mine and we were silent for awhile.

And then I asked,
"As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"

"To learn, that they cannot make anyone love them.
All they can do is let themselves be loved.
To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive, by practicing forgiveness.
To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.
To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people who love them dearly
but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings.”
“To learn that two people can look at the same thing
and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another,
but they must also forgive themselves."

“Thank you for your time,” I said humbly.
“Is there anything else you’d like your children to know?”

GOD smiled and said…
“Just know that I am here.”

“Always.”

When words hurt

2004-11-14T05:16:00.000+11:00

After a man had verbally attacked Buddha, he responded,
"Son, if someone declined to accept a present, to whom would it belong?"
The man answered, "To him who offered it."
"And so," said Buddha, "I decline to accept your abuse."

The world is full of people who establish their worth by degrading others. They have pockets and purses full of put-downs - and they will hand them out to anyone.
Refuse to accept their insults, even when hurled under the guise of love. By ignoring them, you will reduce tension, strengthen your relationships and increase your joy.

For Faith the size of a mustard seed

2004-11-14T05:05:00.000+11:00

My Heart is filled with song,
my God, at your goodness
and to dance on my toes for you comes easy.
A little leap (If I could manage it)
and I'm sure I could fly into dizzying heights
and swirling rhapsody -
Touching the very stars scattered,
yet, only at thy feet...

Mighty God, Controller of all things,
You make us a people of destiny
Destined to adore at thy feet,
and be dissolved into thy presence for Eternity...

Dare we only leap in faith to You...

A Prayer

2004-11-09T05:02:00.000+11:00

If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there...
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there would Thy hand lead me,
And Thy right hand would hold me.

7 DONT'S AFTER MEALS

2004-11-05T05:00:00.000+11:00

* Don't smoke- Experiments from experts prove that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

* Don't eat fruits immediately - Eating fruits immediately after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

* Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid.This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

* Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted & blocked.

* Don't bathe - Bathing causes an increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body, thus decreasing the amount of blood around the stomach.This weakens the digestive system.

* Don't walk about - Walking causes the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

* Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be abe to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

'Leisure' By William Henry Davies.

2004-11-02T18:48:00.000+11:00

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Faith

2004-11-01T13:38:00.000+11:00

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey…

I asked for health, that I might do great things.
I was given Infirmity, that I might do better things…

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given Poverty, that I might be wise…

I asked for Power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God…

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy Life.
I was given Life, that I might enjoy all things…

I got nothing I asked for –
but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed !