Happy 2009!

Its been an eventful year - this year 2008 - we moving to Seattle from India to this moment now - time just flew in a jiffy for us. Over the telephone, with the fireworks cracking in the background celebrating the start of 2009 in India, I was telling mom about it and both of us remembered how last year we spent the new year's eve together along with my granny at my place in Hyderabad and how time has just rolled on too fast. Looking back on the months gone by, as a new year starts and an old one ends, I contemplate what brought us joy, and I think of our loved ones and family. Recalling all the happy times, remembering how they enriched our lives I am very happy to welcome 2009 in my life and hopeful to see better things happening to myself and around me.

I wish for you a holiday with happiness galore, and when it’s done, I wish you Happy New Year, and many more.

-Manasi

Guess What?

Guess what? My ex-mobile is not my ex anymore!

It's revived - Yes...It has come back to life! I am so happy today.

I totally had lost hopes on my mobile when it went in my denim's pocket along with a bunch of other clothes and churned happily in my sister's washing machine for a while before I realized its missing and then found it all washed up in the machine - on August 4th in Chicago - about the time when mom and dad had to leave for airport to fly back to India.

The gadget went through natural emergency treatments like:
-wiped it with a dry cloth to get rid of the excess water
-avoided to power up the gadget
-removed the battery and the card
-left it to air dry for 24 hours on the window sill
-used a hair dryer to dry the wet gadget the next day
-sun drying for a week after that

I tried all the possibilities of getting it back to life. I went to the mobile stores like AT&T, T-Mobile and Best Buy asking for help - to figure out whether the problem was with the phone or was it with the battery. What does it take to turn it on? I asked them to try the battery in their new phone and also tried their fresh battery into my phone. The phone either way did not turn on. They were of no help – they had no clue whatsoever. They said it was irreparable and even if I went for a repair it would cost me a fortune. It was disheartening. I left it at that. I made up my mind on getting the mobile repaired in India as anything and everything can be repaired in my country except for broken hearts.

This gadget always remained lifeless in my bed side drawer since then and I remember trying to bring it back to life by powering it up a couple of times as and when it caught my eye. Each time waited optimistically for that momentary spark which claimed– I’m back to life – I’ve started again! But nothing happened.

And today while I was fishing for something in my drawer I find my phone lying there. I take and hook it up to the charger … just in case … and leave to fetch something … And when I’m back … what do I see … Ooh La La! Its back to life … It’s getting charged … after almost six months! You should have seen the spark on my face!

After a few hours - when I check on it - God! It’s just getting charged endlessly… I have to really take it to India :( I was glad when it came alive … back in my life … and now I realize it’s not restituted … Sad! Sigh!!

-Manasi

behka... main behka...

Movie Week

A grand movie watching week just passed by. Watched 5 movies during the Christmas weekend in the theatres. All of them quite different from one another and based on stories that have a beginning, a middle, and an end... but not necessarily in that order.

'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi' - a love story in a very ordinary jodi who find true love in the backdrop of a dance competition called "Dancing Jodi". {***}

'Doubt' - it isn’t about certainty, but ambiguity, that no man’s land between right and wrong, black and white. It centers on a nun who grows suspicious when a priest begins taking too much interest in the life of a young black student laced with themes of religion, morality and authority. {****}

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' - fantasy about a man who ages in reverse, descending through the years from newborn senescence to terminal infancy. { ****1/2}

'Yes Man' - romantic comedy - a man who signs up for a self-help program based on one simple principle: say yes to everything...and anything and transforms his life in unexpected ways. {***}

'Ghajini' - simple and straightforward revenge story - the film brings back the popular theme of the '80s and early '90s - revenge, romance, action and thrill with a touch of humour. {***1/2}

Watched some old ones sitting back home - 'The English Patient', 'The Usual Suspects', 'Taking Lives'.

Lots of movie watching all through the week. People take a break from their daily lives and watch movies ... guess I need to take a break from movie watching which has become my everyday life!

-Manasi

Christmas Night

Heavy accumulations of snow to be blamed for our car not reaching even the carport last night. The roads have become completely miserable to drive on. It was so difficult to force the car to be lined with the curb downhill inside our apartment complex. After several futile attempts of trying to drive through the snowy and icy path with one of us pushing the car to get it to even move was the biggest challenge ever. The only thing the car could do when accelerated was to spin its wheels at a high speed which in turn sprayed a fountain of slush formed underneath. It was very cold and we could not do any better than just leave the car stranded in the middle of the path and walk home.

We were out to see some Christmas lights in the downtown and got back a little early as we did not make it to the right show time for a movie we wanted to watch ... but all for good ... We almost took forty five minutes to get the car in the complex from the community entrance. My toes almost suffered a frostbite. Never did I experience some such thing even in the cold of Detroit or Chicago.

Eagerly waiting for this snow to melt. Weekends become very boring if not! Wanted to watch some movies in the theatres. Guess will have to stay home now.

-Manasi
"Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway." ~ Maya Angelou

"There are only two questions that human beings have ever fought over, all through history. 'How much do you love me?' And, 'Who's in charge?' Everything else is somehow manageable. But these two questions of love and control undo us all, trip us up and cause war, grief, and suffering." — Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia)

Fish Fish!

I never understood the penchant for raw food here in United States of America. For some, eating their vegetables raw is a great deal by itself. The place where I come from, believes in the concept of cooked food be it vegetables, dairy, meat, poultry or seafood. I never could imagine people eating and relishing frogs, snakes and octopuses in some parts of the world. I have heard of an alligator eating a man, I haven't heard of a man eating an alligator. God! do I have to give ears to that too!

I was in Vancouver last month and there I chanced upon some Japanese cuisine. I tried a dragon roll to start with, which consisted of shrimp tempura, crab meat and eel and to my surprise I enjoyed it... It was delicious. And then I tried the oyster sushi which was yummy too. I somehow started feeling that the raw seafood is not so bad after all. It tastes different for sure but at the same time it really makes wonders on the palate. I've come to like it and guess have developed the taste for it now. I came back and narrated my experience to a friend of mine who spent some time in Japan and could never make himself give in to raw food like sushi or sashimi. He gave a scornful remark on that and told I have become a total 'junglee' of late.

My hubby also should have the same opinion I think given that he is a vegetarian.

I love seafood. I really get tempted when someone starts talking of fish that he or she has eaten and savored or when suggesting recipes of fish curries (Goan or Keralean) or the cookery shows on preparing various fish dishes that I myself watch on TV. Recently in a seafood restaurant on the ocean drive of Miami Beach, Florida I relished a nice and simple preparation of the Tilapia fish for dinner. After that, at the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Miami, I ate a local dish of a fish called Mahi Mahi prepared in an ethnic style for lunch - big chunks of the fish in a very moist, tangy, spicy and seasoned rice preparation. Yummilicious! Loved each and every bit of this dish. Then I ate some Tuna sushi on some other occasion in Key West. The reason why I am talking about fish today is that I have an irresistible craving of a good spicy and savory fish curry made Indian style ... Ah! the thought of it is mouth-watering ... but that's it ... can't go beyond that ... can't go fishing for the fish now ... I guess am gonna just suffice myself with my own preparation of some mushroom and zucchini in lieu of that.

I will make it up for this craving some other day. I promise myself!

-Manasi

A man's palate can, in time, become accustomed to anything. - Napoleon Bonaparte

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaosto order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. - Melody Beattie

Winter Storm

Very dangerous winter storm is headed toward Western Washington this weekend.

They say this will be a major winter storm that will be life-threatening and disruptive to transportation and power for significant parts of Western Washington.

The temperature is 21 F (-6.1 C) and its going to go very low still. Packing snow, freezing rain and gusts of up to 75 mph, a stinging windstorm predicted.

I peep out of the window and everything is white with no commotion what so ever - just absolute stillness. I guess this is what's the lull before the storm as they say.

-Manasi

An encounter with the Birdman

We had to rush through long queues of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to make it to our flight to Houston with Continental Airlines.

After being seated comfortably in the middle seat I noticed that the person sitting beside me was working heads down on his lap top with his side of the window shut. I grew restless in no moment as I wanted to see Fort Lauderdale from the air. It was an uncommon scenario for someone like me, as I always found myself occupying the window seat and for once it wasn’t mine this time. Oh! How I longed to be seated there. I was wondering as to why people occupy window seats and not have their windows open. There was a pressing urge in me to request him to exchange his seat with mine. He would have done that for a lady I’m sure. But then I just contained myself and requested him to open up the window for a while so that I could view the city from the top. Just then a hostess appeared, called him a Scientist and addressed him to shut his laptop and pull his seat forward. The plane took off and after a brief exchange of pleasantries I came to know that he was a Scientist at Stanford and did a lot of bird watching. He was an ornithologist which was not that common a field to encounter.

I asked him simple questions about birds, his likes and dislikes about them, the way they migrate, about his studies, surveys and contribution to human life, role of environmental pollution and diseases, extinction of birds, scope and limitations of bird watching, wild life photography, his frequent travels to various countries, his life as a gypsy as he had traveled more than 60 countries - to which he went copiously answering each and every aspect related to my query with utmost interest and earnestness. It was nice to hear him talk. He showed some of his pictures of the different birds shot in the wild looking at which I was completely awestruck! I guess he talked for more than an hour on the same lines. He was radiant and open, open and flowing, filled with light that he generously shared through his words, smiles and gestures. Completely authentic and too young to be a scientist.

I walked out of the flight feeling like a million bucks - not only because he was highly competent at making me develop interest in his talks, but because he naturally knew how to make a layman understand the importance of his subject too, he knew how to add value to the moment, to our encounter – genuinely, just by wholly and truly being who he was. We talked and connected - it was easy - a simple being to being sharing, enriching.

I had a nice flight. God bless him and all the birds on the planet.

-Manasi

"if you're not willing to be changed by a place, there's no point in going."

Beach Therapy - Miami - Key West - Florida

Lovely beaches of Miami and Key West have inspired me to write this. Everything about these beaches was rejuvenating and refreshing - almost like a therapy - I call it 'Beach Therapy'.



My memories of the ocean will linger on, long after my footprints in the sand are gone.

Walk along the seashore and play in the sand
Smell the salty waters and sense the wind on the face
Splash in the water and bathe in the sea
Bounce with the waves and ride with the tide

Watch the infinite sky motionless overhead
Feel the sands slide underneath the soles
Listen to the voices of the wind and the sea
On a mile of warm sea-scented beach

Boats, schooners and catamarans sail you see
Giant whistling ships cruise on the sea
Fishermen eager to fish and cast their nets
Enthusiasts ready to surf and ride the waves

Girls make merry in the crystal blue waters
Then lay on beach and get some sun
Children play with empty shells and pebbles
Gaze up at slender coconut trees for fun

On the wet sands in the morning the seagulls flock
Sight the dunes, the grasses and the coral rock
Marvel at the hidden treasures from the sea unfold
Waves lapping the shoreline with stories untold

Everything about the ocean is at reviving spree
Where no worries no troubles of any sort reach
Lying empty, open, choice less as a beach
Awaiting a gift from the bottomless sea.

-Manasi

Missing Keys!

Kudos to a police officer from Miami Police Department who found us our missing keys to the rental car hired to drive during our trip to Miami and Key West. It was almost after nine o' clock at night when we were coming back from the Bayside Marketplace that we realised that we had dropped the keys somewhere along the Bayside Miami and could not figure out where. After a frantic search in the moon lit night on the twenty minute walk back to the market place again we lost hope of finding them. We then called up the car rentals for their help, but in vain. They said the insurance doesn't cover the lost keys. They in turn asked us to call up the lock smith by furnishing some numbers. Tried calling them for help. Nothing turned out. Nothing happened. Nothing helped. It was getting very chilly as the night progressed and the tension was obvious. We had our belongings in the car and were figuring out the worst possible case that could befall that night in a new place like Miami. Hovered near the car for a long time making phone calls to people from the parking lot where the car was parked at the Intercontinental Miami right in the downtown. And just then we saw a Police Officer beeping the car keys and trying to figure out a stranded car. I ran towards him - who finally found the keys to our car. God! we were so relieved to see them. He said it was a gentleman who found the keys lying at the park and got them to him and he then was going through each and every parking lot in the downtown area looking for the car before he finally found us. We thanked him a ton for being an angel - blessed the guy who found them and responsibly handed them over to the police. All this happened at the bayside - an area prone to crooks, looking for such opportunities - who might have misused and played with them if they had found them. Anyways...All's Well That Ends Well. We had a peaceful sleep that night.

I am just back from Florida which was very pleasant, warm and nice and its snowing like crazy here... Kirkland looks all white now with several inches of snow piled up. The temperatures are subzero and the cold is unbearable - what a dramatic change in the weather condition from where I had been, to where I am right now. And I must say I'm already going through some kinda missing syndrome. I have an emormous hangover of the great vacation we just had in Miami and Key West and I loved everything about my trip. There were so many things that happened to be the 'first time in life' for me on this trip to Key West.
- tandem parasailing trip - twice
- snorkeling adventure
- jumped into the middle of the ocean to swim to the waverunner/jet ski and ride it
- went on the banana boat - fell in the the middle of the ocean - an adventure by itself
- went on a sunset cruise for a spectacular sunset celebration
- playing in the waters of the ocean to my heart's content












Could this be more pleasurable...I'm urged to unlock my heart's lock with Florida Keys... I loved the Keys... I loved Key West. I miss them dearly.

Ever absent, ever near;
Still I see thee, still I hear;
Yet I cannot reach thee, dear!

More about my trip in my next post.

-Manasi

Another Year

I am celebrating my Anniversary, and its the eighth year of our life together ... Here's wishing me

Another year to create

precious memories together.

Another year to discover

new things to enjoy about each other.

Another year to build

a life rich in love and laughter.

Another year to strengthen

a marriage that defines "forever."
Happy Anniversary!

The best is only bought at the cost of great pain

"There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out-carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain…or so says the legend".

-Colleen McCullough

Rainy Vancouver

A word or two on my trip to Vancouver, BC, Canada - where the mountains meet the sea -future host of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. A cosmopolitan mix of culture, culinary delights, fashion, fresh air, and walks along the sea wall that go on and on and on…

On a Friday morning right after the thanksgiving day, mounted on a high stool in front of a clean and glossy glass wall of the Moonpennies Café in downtown Vancouver’s West Pender street, munching on a crunchy vegetable baguette sandwich and spooning the creamiest of the lentil soups, watching people walk across the busy streets holding up their colorful umbrellas against a steady rainfall was one of the most refreshing vignettes of life and its shades in rains, making me feel as drenched in my memory at present as it did in that particular moment. The rain was kinda cozy. It was surprisingly rejuvenating. Vancouver has a vibrant independent cafe culture which fascinated me. Contrary to my visit in summer, this time Vancouver appeared to be a rain-saturated city, where umbrellas were a part of everyday life and the sun seldom peaked out. All wet and rain soaked everywhere with thin coffee infused air …I say, into every life, a little rain must fall.

-Manasi

Moment of Gratitude

I am grateful...

for the fruit juices, the precious sunshine in Seattle, for moments of rest, for mom who is the best, bubble tea, all the smiles received, for the breath I take, for the life I make, to the sun who radiates light and almost every day brightens my life…

for the books I read, for those I keep, to buddha, teacher and guide who helps me constantly find my light, to my sis who is always there with a soul that cares, to my friend, precious angel who heals - gives me all the essential keys, to bliss filled elizabeth gilbert who gave a new way of life with her eat, pray and love, for passing clouds who whisper to me, for all the marvels I see, for the thoughts that sow, for the words that flow, and the heart that knows...

for cherries, strawberries, blueberries and persimmons, to Her my goddess - for constant care and support, for the green revolution, for all the solutions - to problems that exist only in my mind, for music and melodies, for the four seasons, for the glory of spring, for the hot and sultry summers, for the colors of fall, for the sniffly , sneezy and snowy winters…

for rain who is dear, never mind she is far or near, for my life in my hometown for my life here, for F. R. I. E. N. D. S. back into my life, make me smile and grin wide :-)for my ex mobile, black and red, whom I think fondly of, to tiana traylor for her grace, for all my childhood teachers, for the ducks and the evergreen trees, for all the joyful moments spent in collecting stamps and magnets...

for aai and baba for their superfluous unconditional love, my ajja and ajji for good childhood memories, for all the family in my hometown and his, for almonds and pistachios, ice creams and smoothies, chocolates and desserts, my good health and energy, for internet, mails and information, for all that’s available on there and who make my day, for spinach and mushroom, and all the vegetable curries that I make in a hurry, to the amazing cuisines tasted and the divine experiences, to my clock ticking day and night, to wonderful dawn and dusk…

for walks by the lake, for drives through national parks and forests, for the new places visited, to the old ones revisited, to hyderabad, pune and bangalore for the wealth, richness and abundance, for the love that pours all the time, for trust, acceptance, grace, mettle and the spirit to walk the line...

I am grateful …

to my divine soul, joy of my life
and to rohit, for a life divine...

P.S: I intended to write this post on the eve of Thanksgiving in Vancouver, BC, Canada and I could not as I was perturbed by the massacre in Mumbai – coordinated terrorist attacks by the militants - hostage situation - survival issue of hundreds of people - my fellow Indians - a world of chaos and unrest everywhere.

I am grateful… for being alive in today’s world otherwise dreaming of peace.
-Manasi

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

The Secret to You

Today is the beginning of my new life
I am starting over today
All good things are coming to me
I am grateful to be alive
I see beauty all around me
I live with passion and purpose
I take time to laugh and play everyday
I am awake, energized and alive
I focus on all good things in life
And give thanks for everyone of them
I am at peace and one with everything
I feel the love, the joy and the abundance
I am free to be myself
I am magnificience in human form
I am the perfection of life
I am so grateful to be ME

Today is the best day of my life.

Like any other...

Like any other day and night
Like any other dinner occasion and party
Like any other hosts and any other guests
Like any other excitement and curiosity
Like any other cultural embracing and sharing
Like any other way of life and blend
Like any other moment of laughter and joy
Yet another special experience to cherish and strengthen my cultural identity.

A Little Nonsense: Now and Then

me: Gap - 30% off online & in-store
Pal: from where do u get all the coupons re?
me: if u want to buy them
me: Borders has a new 40% off coupon DMB5387A valid for any book
me: How r u? busy i guess
Pal: I am fine kind of busy actually too much free time so my lead has stuffed others work on me stupid fellow
me: go to that Fayette mall…has great deals … this weekend
Pal: GAP?
me: yes
Pal: i dont like GAP re
me: thats also there …in every mall all these stores will generally be there… only very high def stores like gucci, louis vitton will show up in very good malls
Pal: how is old navy re?
me: its there which is giving 50% off
Pal: this is near to Meijer itself. Fayette is very far
me: http://www.oldnavy.com/
its good like aero
Pal: old navy i know
i have been there. not a great selection though
me: i like … and i don’t spend too much on one top … i like shopping in old navy… its 50% off till weekend
Pal: haha
me: i love shopping… its my fav past time… i love window shopping'… i dont buy
Pal: ok. i cant window shop
me: but if i find something very good i will pick
Pal: if i go i need to buy thts my prob
me: go and get one thing… if u comfy…go next time … that way 2 outings on shopping
Pal: hmm
me: 50% off old navy… go check out in store its fun
Pal: ok i will go this weekend
me: u can go today and have fun shopping
Pal: if i say anything u will get irritated
who will take me? how will i go? i need someone to take me
me: u said its near near na
Pal: not as near to walk it out. 4 miles
me: oh ...then go to mall na
Pal: fayette is abt 8 miles
me: oh whts near then??
Pal: its in Nicholasville. walkable is only walmart and krogger
Pal: hey mkt has suddenly gone bad very bad now re its probably not wise to quit
it might become like dhobi ka kutha na ghar ka na ghat ka
me: http://www.oldnavy.com/customerService/storeLocator.do
me: see how many are there near ur place…u can go
Pal: only 2
me: i ate chocolate :)
Pal: it is showing Louisville thats 1 hr from here by car
me: 4 almond clusters each the size of a brownie
Pal: re that day u cursed me ki if i dont ask proper state in US, i will get job in Nevada
u know yest one guy really called me for a job in Nevada
me: hmm good…will visit u in Las Vegas… u will like it
very very very very hot
hot hot girls
Pal: Las Vegas is in CA right?
me: nearest old navy is 8 min by car … cant u walk 20 min…
shut up… God! u need to learn some map
Pal: u walk in this cold re
me: its in NV
Pal: what is NE then? my US geography is very poor re
me: Nebraska and i told u Nebraska that day not Nevada
Pal: yes it is Nebraska
wahi ka call aya
sorry i got confused with Nevada as i was watching movie on Nevada yest NE is Nebraska
me: its the center of US
Pal: so u better dont curse me next time
me: see maps google central part of US
Pal: yeah i checked thts why got confused when u said Las Vegas
me: i told u Nebraska and Arkansas which are not Texas Florida as you want
they are some stupid states
Pal: u wish all such things only for me
me: yes … its not me …u urself wishing
saying anywhere in US….so u get the worst of what u wish
u should wish rightly
Pal: when i say anywhere
i mean any place like
Pal: FL TX NY NJ WA CA
me: then say it loud
me: CA is good… go there
Pal: re pehale kaam milne de
even NJ ka jou houwa tha
me: u shud specify
Pal: they said that position only is on hold now. very risky to quit now. it was for BT
me: coz there are lot of ppl who specify and are in a queue of god's mercy..so first come first served
Pal: and BT declared heavy loss
me: and if u say ‘anywhere’ u will land up in Kentucky
Pal: my first wish is to get my Visa extended here itself
me: good…then pray for that only
Pal: coz i dont want to quit in this env. u pray for me
me: dont confuse the universe into asking for a job till then
Pal: have u ever prayed for me?
me: focus on one thing
always said may u get what u want and u are wanting all rubbish
Pal: u never prayed for me i know
me: i did … then why u talking with me…did u ever pray for me? genuinely
Pal: many times
me: i do for u
Pal: thanks re
u confuse god … visa ... job anywhere in US
how will he know re what u really want
so its delaying the process
Pal: extend my visa
me: one thing at a time to fit the circumstance is what’s required
Pal: if not get a great job elsewhere
me: so focus on that
Pal: who will extend my visa themselves
me: u contradicting ur procuring ur visa
so ...focus on visa extension by tcs…don’t ever utter job now…forget it for a while
Pal: hmm
me: and stay calm…go shopping…enjoy good brands… become brand crazy and wear them
Pal: ghum phir ke shopping par hi ayegi
me: lol …time pass karo
forget that …i am just telling u
me: ke ur deeds are delaying ur visa extension process by tcs...ur search for jobs ANYWHERE in US is lil perturbing
Pal: thoughts of job came in
me: yes
Pal: coz visa not getting extended
me: those are ur fav topics
me: design ur deeds to suit the outcome
u shud say i wanna do this
and do that only till u achieve
dont contradict ur wishes by your wrong deeds
of applying to hundred jobs to ‘anywhere’
Pal: yes mam
me: ANYWHERE
i will tell u a story
Pal: if i had a college na, would have made u guidance counselor for sure
me: a man wants to become rich
prays before a god’s statue day in and day out
and says give me the grace to win the lottery
this lament goes on for months
so much he prays…
statue finally comes to life
looks down on the begging man and says to win the lottery first buy the ticket
Pal: so
me: so if u want the change but cant even be bothered to articulate what exactly ur aiming for...how will it ever occur
Pal: re
me: so be specific
Pal: i am giving god preferences
do this … if not this…this ….if not this
but please do one of these
me: lol specificity is the key
god still has to learn multitasking per one want… so his understanding is straight
u got to specify
Pal: hmm
me: u cant say this or this or this … u either end up getting all or none at all … its programming u see
Pal: hmm
me: its all written … the codes
Pal: and u programmed gods brain
me: NO…its u…giving all wrong signals each time
me: lol :)

Pal: i will go to walmart and come after sometime
Pal: need to buy vessels
me: abba
Pal: and photo frame
me: forget na
Pal: where else u want me to go?
me: hell
Pal: see u want me to go to hell
me: yes
do u know hell and heaven are the same
Pal: tera jaise dost ho tou dushman kyu chahiye
me: Universe is a circle…to up or to down all same at end – As above so below
Pal: all bakwas
me: its just that to go heaven u go seven levels up
Pal: hmm
me: and in hell seven levels down
but they r same
u are happy when going seven levels up…u are sad when going seven levels down
Pal: it is like telling working as chaparasi and CEO is the same
me: but hell is the same as heaven
Pal: both are working for same company
one is at the lowest post one is highest but both are same
me: i am all laughs
Pal: :-)

Food for Soul

They say, good food must be savored delicately, slowly, attentively and respectfully, in a befitting manner, with finesse and technique, with relish and appreciation and you will experience true gustatory delight. That’s essence of the Art of Eating. Eating is not just making yourself not-hungry. It is about filling your appetite by having a soul-satisfying tasty food. Why neglect the soul while we do so much so for our bodies? While exercise is good for a healthy body, good and tasty food is necessary for the soul.

And here I go keying in my list of favorite foods. Food for my soul. Enjoy…

Nanking’s Chilli Chicken – Though not an up market restaurant, Nanking is one of the oldest and most renowned of the Chinese restaurants in Hyderabad. I went there as a kid with my family and I make it a point to visit the place every time I get there, even now. We wait outside patiently till we get a table even today and quite know that every minute of that wait is worth the visit. Even to date the ‘Chilli Chicken’ wet style what’s served there is so unique and special, goes hand in hand with the hot noodles that after a fast meal you are left with nothing but incredible satiety. The taste what I experience here cannot be compared to any Chinese dish I’ve had till date.

Pushkarni Bhel - ‘Bhel’ is the specialty of Pune. It could be rightly called as the signature dish of the city. It's a yummy lip smacking sweet and sour zesty mixture of churmure, sevs, chiwda, nuts, chopped - tomatoes, onions, green chilies and coriander, kairee [raw mango], potatoes, sweet (tamarind) and hot (Mint) chutneys, a dash of lime mixed well in a stainless steel bowl and served fresh and eaten immediately. My mouth waters yearning for my favorite delectable Bhel in Pune!

Darjeeling Momos - A popular food in Darjeeling is the scrumptious ‘Momo’ - A simple preparation of a steamed dumpling containing chicken and vegetables cooked in a doughy wrapping and served with very hot and spicy chili sauce in the freezing cold makes it a very healthy and a satisfying energy giving dish which lingers long after you have savored it.

Shree Guru Kottureshwara Benne Dose - A small eatery in front of Bapuji Dental College entrance in Davangere serves world-class 'Benne Doses' (Butter Dosa). Goes with very basic coarsely ground 'coconut chutney' and a glob of 'aloo palya'. What comes out of that huge Dose making platform is just a thin crust of Dosa, made as criminally savory as possible with lavish portions of butter added and re-added to the batter that’s spread out on the pan to make the Dosa. The strong roasted buttery flavor coming from the Dosa as you relish each and every bit of it (you are literally feasting on butter here, only this time it has a thin crusty film underneath), makes it an amazing 'Benne Dosa' experience.

Shadab Biriyani – Being a hyderabadi and not mentioning ‘Biryani’ is something close to indigestible. I am not a diehard Biryani freak but when it comes to a good titillating Biryani teasing my taste buds, then nothing more authentic than the Chicken Biryani served in an old city Biryani specialist Shadab located near Charminar where one gets to savour Biryani in its true essence.

Local Pani-Puri Wala - Eating ‘Pani Puris’ mouthful from street side vendors, standing in a queue and waiting for my turn is something I badly miss. Very simple mouth watering snack, fun when roadside, amidst the crowds, as the vendor keeps filling the Puris with the savory Pani and then goes on dropping them one by one in your bowl even before you’ve made your attempt to force one in your already full mouth. He would just go on and on till you say stop and I’m done! Good temptation for the tongue on the same day and bad reaction on the tummy the next day!

Makki di Roti and Sarson ka Saag - Amazing combo eaten all through our unforgettable journey from Delhi to Shimla. The hot ‘Rotis’ coming from the Tandoor with a generous dollop of ‘Makkhan’ (butter) and the rich ‘Sarson ka Saag’ from roadside Dhabas on the highways lingers in my mouth till date.

PizzaPapalis Pizza -There are many tasty deep dish style pizzas - especially in Chicago - but there is only one PizzaPapalis pizza, made Chicago style! And that’s only in the Detroit area! Fresh dough to make the perfect crust, loading every pie with premium Wisconsin cheese, tomatoes for the tangy sauce come from Italy and finest vegetables cut fresh daily to generously top a wide variety of Pizzas. Definitely pleases the palette – yummy! If at all I miss Detroit, I miss it for this pizza. In all likelihood, it was by far the best pizza I have ever had to date.

Menu from my mother’s kitchen - Home cooked food is divine! I just love everything that my mother prepares. And my love for good food helps me relish every grain prepared with love. Her love infused creations of all the delightful meals and sweetmeats always unfailingly filled my heart, and later my tummy, with joy.

-Manasi

One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti

The Animal Song

Love this song by Savage Garden

When superstars and cannonballs are running through your head
And television freak show cops and robbers everywhere
Subway makes me nervous, people pushing me too far
I've got to break away
So take my hand now

(Chorus):
'Cause I want to live like animals
Careless and free like animals
I want to liveI want to run through the jungle
With wind in my hair and the sand at my feet

I don't have any difficulties keeping to myself
Feelings and emotions better left up on the shelf
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide

Compassion in the jungle
Compassion in your hands, yeah
Would you like to make a run for it
Would you like to take my hand, yeah

(Chorus):
'Cause I want to live like animals
Careless and free like animals
I want to liveI want to run through the jungle
With wind in my hair and the sand at my feet

Sometimes this life can get you down
It's so confusing
There's so many rules to follow
And I feel it
'Cause I just run away in my mind

Superstars and cannonballs running through your head
Television freak show cops and robbers everywhere
Animals and children tell the truth, they never lie
Which one is more human
There's a thought, now you decide

Compassion in the jungle
Compassion in your hands, yeah
Would you like to make a run for it
Would you like to take my hand, yeah

(Chorus):
'Cause I want to live like animals
Careless and free like animals
I want to liveI want to run through the jungle
With wind in my hair and the sand at my feet

Funny!

Someone very close to me was reminded of his childhood chemistry teacher Kartik Tilakam, a tamilian who also filled in for some of their English lessons.
The teacher had a very peculiar way of announcing the word ‘Moon’ whenever it appeared in the text and that sounded very funny. He always went like – A ‘yum a ‘woh’ a yet another ‘woh’ and a ‘yen’ is MOON.

I was quickly reminded of a similar incident, from my post graduation days, where a lecturer teaching Industrial Microbiology was giving a lecture on Brewing. He frequently bumped into a word we hardly could make sense of… he kept saying ‘cham-pa-ge-nee’ as if it were to be some female sounding name like ‘Champakali’, only later realizing that he was referring to ‘Champagne’ – an alcoholic beverage!

It’s funny how some people are peculiar with what they say and what they do and just stick to what they believe in and never bother if things fall in general norms of acceptance.

Kind of amused me today!

-Manasi

Destiny

Eat, Pray, Love addresses so much about the human condition on so very many levels. It is a veritable gold mine of insights, sage advice, and exquisite writing. There are sentences I would read and get so lost in, I could not proceed and would instead close the book and savor every word contained in it.

I would like to share here an excerpt Liz Gilbert says about Destiny that I really like:

Destiny, I feel, is also a relationship – a play between divine grace and willful self effort. Half of it you have no control over; half of it is absolutely in your hands, and your actions will show measurable consequence. Man is neither entirely a puppet of gods, nor is he entirely the captain of his own destiny; he’s a little of both. We gallop through our lives like circus performers balancing on two speeding side-by-side horses - one foot is on the horse called “fate”, the other on the horse called “free will.” And the question you have to ask everyday is - which horse is which? Which horse do I need to stop worrying about because it’s not under my control and which do I need to steer with concentrated effort?

This makes me wonder… Ain’t it very true … that god’s timetable plays a major role in designing our destiny and your destiny is not always the one you seek, but always the one that finds you?

-Manasi

World Cheers for Change - A Living American Dream!

“It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America….

…This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: yes, we can.” democrat Barack Obama gave in Tuesday the victory speech before a crowd of 125,000 ecstatic supporters gathered in Chicago's Grant Park, after he captured the White House, defeating Republican John McCain to make history as the first African-American president and the nation’s 44th president.

Could the speech be more invigorating? I wonder!

I have never been inclined to politics per se… But last night, it was truly the first time I was witnessing such an exhilarating moment of glory on my television set. My hubby was all glued to the television as soon as he was home from work. I imagined myself being one amongst the vibrant crowd cheering for the promise of America, responding in unison that we should have been there in Chicago to feel the spirit of this nation.

I thoroughly rejoiced in the making of these historic moments. I was moved to see how many people participated in this process, coming together and wanting to be part of a change in a new direction - looking at the huge fervent crowds in emotion, touchy-feely, ecstatic, in an awestruck wonder acknowledging in obeisance what their new demigod was addressing to them on - Change has come to America, Victory for the people, The tasks ahead, Remaking the nation, One nation, one people, Role of America in the world, A history of struggle… lastly on the very moment… recapitulating on “Yes, we can.”

“There are not even words to talk about what this night means,” “Everybody keeps using the word historic — there’s never been a night like this on the planet earth… Nothing can compare to this.” She’s rarely at a loss for words on her television show, but just moments before Barack Obama was declared the President-Elect, Oprah Winfrey was almost speechless. People were speechless. The world out there was speechless. I was speechless!

Barack Obama – A Living Dream of America. The world sees Obama's victory as a new beginning for America. A new dream for the world - to change the world for a better place. Because the thing about America is - for better or worse - it doesn’t look back.

For a moment so mesmerized in this country’s victory, the next moment I was forced to visualize a scenario of my country. Whether this kind of reawakening could happen from my country too? Lots of questions just pop up in my mind - Why don’t I hear the political speakers speak in India? Why don’t we have such strength coming from India? Where and why does my nation falter? Where does all the merit and caliber that’s furnished go? I have only read about Gandhi and Nehru in my history books. I don’t see them in reality. People till date swear by their accomplishments. But why isn’t history recreated? Why do we not have notable chiefs and dynamic leaders to revolutionize my country? When will I ever experience such an awestruck, enriching, heartfelt emotion for my own country? I only wish and hope …

But for now having chosen a genuinely deserving candidate as their President … I rejoice with America, for America and from America.

-Manasi

Believe it or not!

'Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia' is the fear of long words.

My Favorite Sounds ...

With senses, we discover the world around us - our amplified powers of perception, expanded sense of hearing and reception, our mounted sense of touch and feeling, our distended aptitude of olfaction, our heightened gift of taste and piquancy, our increased capacity for reason, love and happiness, all of which are qualities we develop over time.

An enlightening pastime is to make a list of favorite things that impact the senses. Not only does it provide a challenging exercise for the mind and memory, but it sharpens our appreciation of these golden moments in time… Besides the sound of music there are sounds that make me exhilarated and alive or quite and calm… Let me share with you my ten favorite sounds.

Melodious singing of the Koel (Nightingale) in the dawn or at dusk in the month of May during our summer vacations.

Geet and Sangeet are the soul of any Indian wedding. We as kids always scurried to our gates to the sounds of a ‘Baraat’ – A marriage procession passing by for their loud band, dance and merry.

The shrill sound the aero plane made every time, passing over our heads when it either took off or was about to land long back when we lived very close to the airport.

The sound of a cheerful baby chuckling in amusement for something it doesn’t even know or recognize.

The sounds of the water in a running stream or a gushing waterfall or lapping by the shore.

The harmonious notes of the wind chime coming from the patio of a house on the top floor in the lane opposite to mine.

An overcrowded stadium singing the national anthem.

The gentle breeze of the wind whooshing through the trees.

Sounds of silence – utter and complete. Perfect silence while watching the moon and the stars. Absolute silence in the mountain lake at sunset.

The softness in Love calling ‘Sweeto’ when back home after work.

-Manasi

“All of nature begins to whisper its secrets to us through its sound. Sounds that were previously incomprehensible to our soul now become the meaningful language of nature.” - Rudolf Steiner

Alluring Autumn

Trees once full with the green foliage are now glimmering with colors.

Leaves by hundreds fall by. You have piles and piles of this multicolored dry leaves fallen everywhere making a bewitching carpet on the streets to walk on.

Every leaf on the street has turned into a mosaic of vibrant colors…. Foliage turned into crimson, auburn, ochre, golden, bronze … with oodles of oomph in this time of the year! In the golden light of autumn there is magic in the air. One cold current of breeze sets the leaves falling from the tree.

The leaf must wonder, as it by itself doesn’t know when the gusts of wind whooshing through the trees may mark its fall from the tree. There are fallen leaves everywhere. The wind blows them to places far off from where they were even born or were created.

I am truly overwhelmed and mesmerized by the vivid expressions of the autumn in Washington.

How fascinating it is to learn that the tree once so full with its foliage, lives a life of youthful blossom in spring where singing birds are among the branches, it bears good fruit in summer, then transcends into much more graceful attire of autumn. And later retires unrobed giving an awe-inspiring goodbye to all the beauty it once graced.

Just to say, that these trees soon will have served their purpose of their life cycle and surrender whatever they had adorned back to the nature. The leaves will now serve the purpose of becoming farmyard manure or a good compost giving good mineral rich soil for the growing plants in the spring.

Every single entity in nature has found its well defined purpose. Purpose of making a life worth living , with life the purpose itself and purpose the life.

I would like to quote a verse by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The day becomes more solemn and serene
When noon is past; there is a harmony
In autumn, and a luster in its sky,
Which through the summer is not heard or seen,
As if it could not be, as if it had not been!

-Manasi

I want to ...

Currently I’m losing or say I’ve lost my cool over an urgent want list. God! There are so many things I want to do right here and right now:

1. I want to run and run my breath out to shed the extra built up of chocolates, ice creams and all the sweet meats on me. I exist more now than I did just 3 months ago. BUT I AM NOT!

2. I want to finish the book I am reading. BUT I HAVE NOT!

3. I want to get my stamps printed to stick them in my stamp collection book. BUT I DID NOT!

4. I want to get this haircut. I am afraid losing on my long grown hair and I’m in a dilemma. BUT I AIN’T!

5. I want to call my mom. BUT I CAN’T as I am writing this.

I want to do this … I want to do that … lots of 'BUTS' in between… I want to finish these simple tasks on hand. When is that I’m ever gonna say I’m done? that I’m at peace. God! I want help … Another want!!

Whole of crappiness … sigh!

-Manasi

Purpose

The word "Purpose" haunts the heck out of me today.

I think this quote says it all -

The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all. ~Leo Rosten

My Mind Monkeys ...

It’s never where it should be
Sometimes here and the other times there
On a little bit of this and a little bit of that
My mind monkeys …

Swinging from limb to limb
Making it branch by branch
Stopping only for a quick scratch
My mind monkeys …

Meandering in reflection and swinging in obsession
Seeking connection when in isolation
Craving seclusion when in conjunction
My mind monkeys …

Reaching swiftly places galore
Moments bridging the seas and shore
Oscillating in and out of a knot one more
My mind monkeys …

Digging the past poking the future
Whirling backward sometimes forward
Rest still it won’t stay calm it don’t
My mind monkeys …

Musing on dozens of ideas
Idling on myriad reasons
Barely in peace with the moment
My mind monkeys …

Ache for longing crave for belonging
Aspiring and fretting and hoping and vexing
Filling my every cell and pore touching my deepest core
My mind monkeys …

Pausing to ponder … why wander
Riding emotions in crew things happen as they do
Driving my silence over yonder… can’t say why
My mind monkeys

-Manasi

One More Chance

This is a nice poem I came across by chance ... It’s a lot easier to tell what you would do if you had the right chance than to show what you did with the chance you had.

Oh no! I’ve lost my chance!
I just can't find it anywhere
It was in my back pants pocket
But now, darn it - it’s not there

Just yesterday, I had my chance
Now suddenly it’s gone
And the worst part is that was the one chance
I depended on

I only had one chance

But still I let it slip away
I’d give anything if I could have
My one chance back today

It was truly the chance of a lifetime
But it fell out of my pants
I wonder where you go
To get a second chance?

-Manasi

The Five Things I Don’t Want To Simplify

Though we all want to simplify daily aspects of our lives and are in constant pursuit of the same in this complex anatomy of the world - life’s innumerable complexities ruling heavy on each of us, there could be a few things that were better, superior and preferable if remained complex. Simplicity, though vouched as the ultimate sophistication today, let me list out five things in my life which rather remained complex than simple!

1. Ice creams: I love ice creams… life’s simplest pleasure. It would be boring if they are plain, simple and vanilla. I have my ice cream made as complex as possible representing ‘my creation’ – with hundred different mix-ins available and make it an ultimate ice cream experience each time!

2. Stories for movies and books: Good, thrilling and engrossing plots that really make me think, ponder, unravel the mysteries. The characters actually follow me everywhere for days, long after I’m even done with reading or watching them.

3. Indian food: The delectable recipes of Indian cooking are very complicated and add to their richness and delight. I love the very fancy and elaborate Moghulai Biryanis, Tandoori cuisines, Maharashtrian Puran Polis and not to mention the variety of finger licking South Indian pickles. The complexity of Indian cuisines adds to the magic that works wonders on the palate.

4. People: They say ‘a hundred men together are the hundredth part of a man.’ A human being by nature is so complex and contradictory that it would be so uninteresting if everyone around were the same and stereotype of the other.

5. Hiking: The complex the better I guess. They help push me to a new level each time. They are more fun, challenging and rewarding when complex.

-Manasi

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. - Walt Disney

Aromatic Nostalgia!

Today I was frying Rava (Semolina), a little more than usual quantity, in good amounts of fat, so that I could use it whenever needed for my future cooking - saving time on frying it each time. The aroma from the frying Rava softly tickled my olfactory glands and made me so nostalgic of the good times spent at home with my parents, back in India. As the Rava kept frying in the pan, it effused a strong, sweetened, savory and scrumptious aroma pulling out the sweetest memories from my pot of yester years!

Diwali is just around the corner and I go back remembering how by now my mom would have finished with making of all the sweetmeats like Karanji- Rava Ladu- Anarase- Thelchi- Shankarpale- to be savored on the day of Diwali. My sister and I were potential helpers of my mother in this endeavor. It was such fun to sit through all the lengthy procedures of making the Diwali goodies. It wasn’t easy at all. Each and every item stated above needed a pre -preparation with lots of culinary ingredients to be cleaned, sifted, sieved, soaked, fried, roasted, simmered, cooked- not to mention the culinary experience and excellence needed that went with it - an undoubtedly and a truly time consuming affair - all this for the simple pleasure of delectable indulgence which occurred only two or three times in a year on some special family occasions. So there was this absolute participation and contribution from each and every one of us in the family to celebrate this festival of Diwali - making it more of a deliciously rich festival per se- what with all the fat, sugar, jaggery and the dry fruit stuff which went in preparing these mouth watering delicacies. And later after relishing them, we collectively bantered on seriously shedding those extra pounds we actually gained after the festivities.

The aroma filled in my kitchen here, as I recognize, was so similar and as intoxicating to the ardent aroma coming from my mom’s kitchen whenever she prepared those sweets. I miss her a lot today and her sweetmeats a big time. Her love infused creations of all these delightful sweets always unfailingly filled my heart, and later my tummy, with joy. I will always love you Ma!

Mood of the day: Serene

-Manasi

"The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs of re recognition, for old memories and old connection. " -Lewis Thomas

Eureka!

Hey... have you ever noticed, how if you have an unresolved problem, that you just cannot find a solution to, all you need to do is sleep on it?
This is very true for code.
What seems to be a big jumble at 1am, comes together in minutes at 5am. Believe me. And the bliss is inexplicable!

-Manasi

Most Beautiful Words In English I Like

I was just wondering as to what and how would I answer if someone asked me, the twenty most beautiful words I could think of, in English. That’s something to ponder upon. ... Let’s begin, I would say and quickly jot down the words here, not necessarily in the order from one to twenty. And why do I consider them beautiful? I would say, they simply sound beautiful to my ears and also for what they really mean. I would add by saying, I definitely like their usage while they are uttered, when they are listened to or even tripping on them occasionally while reading. Actually you know what, nothing special about them. Still, for some reason they go right through me and love the way they make me feel and I guess are dearer to me.

Inorder to embellish their essence, listed below are quotable quotes for each of these words that I consider most beautiful in English.

Sweetheart - "That life is richer, sweeter far, for such a sweetheart as you are!”

Mother - Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, but only one mother in the whole world." ~ Kate D. Wiggins

Butterfly -"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly, "one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower." ~ Hans Christian Anderson

Chocolate - "All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! Forget love - I'd rather fall in chocolate!!!"

Enthusiasm - "If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm." ~ Vince Lombardi

Eternity - "To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.”
~ William Blake, "Auguries of Innocence," 1810

Laughter - "Laughter is the best medicine" ~ Proverb quotes

Delicious - "Fudge is a noun, a verb, an interjection, and delicious!" ~ Jessi Lane Adams

Tranquility - "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility." ~ William Wordsworth

Twinkle - "Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!" ~ Jane Taylor

Fantastic - "Until we're educating every kid in a fantastic way, until every inner city is cleaned up, there is no shortage of things to do." ~ Bill Gates

Darling - The poet's darling. ~ William Wordsworth, "To the Daisy"

Amazing - I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes. - E.E. Cummings

Moments - "Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a life time..."

Fragrance - "Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same" ~ Helen Keller

Hippopotamus - “There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud” ~ Carl Sandburg

Passion - If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Sunshine - "It takes both rain and sunshine to make a rainbow."

Tomato - "A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins." ~ Laurie Colwin

Dreams - "Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny."

When I researched a bit on this I found that the British Council, the government agency that promotes British culture around the globe, quizzed more than 40,000 people in 102 non-English speaking countries on their favorite words. According to the survey results, the top ten most beautiful words in the English language are as follows:

Mother
Passion
Smile
Love
Eternity
Fantastic
Destiny
Freedom
Liberty
Tranquility

-Manasi

What Say?

Been a hell of a week, hasn't it? Life is a pain in the ass I'll tell ya. You know?
You work hard, try to provide and toil for the family, you do as much as you can, as far as you can and then... for one minute, everything's good. Everyone's well, everyone's happy. In that one minute, you have peace...

... And this isn't that minute.

Life doesn't always turn out the way you plan.

- Me

Kabhi Kabhi ...

After a very long time I was listening to this old favorite of mine... and every time I listen to this I feel the soulful pain in the moment and the pensive mood that's created with every line of this piece ... uttered in mountainous voice of Amitabh Bachchan.

Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hain...
(Every now and then a thought crosses my mind)

Ki zindagi teri zulfon ki narm chhaon main guzarne pati
Toh shadab ho bhi sakti thi...
(That life, if spent, beneath the warmth of your tresses,
Might have been tolerable and pleasant)

Yeh ranj-o-gham ki siyahi jo dil pe chhayi hain,
Teri nazar ki shuaon main kho bhi sakti thi...
(This ink-like darkness of angst which is eclipsing my heart,
Might have been lost under the shadows of your vision)

Magar yeh ho na saka aur abh yeh aalam hain
Ki tu nahin, tera gham teri justjoo bhi nahin...
(But this could not be, and now such is the situation
That neither you, nor your sorrow , not even the desire of you is left)

Guzar rahi hain kuch iss tarah zindagi jaise,
Isse kisi ke sahare ki aarzoo bhi nahin...
(Life is passing by in such a manner that,
It doesnt even aspire for anyones support)

Na koi raah, na manzil, na roshni ka suraag
Bhatak rahi hai andheron main zindagi meri...
(There is no direction, nor a purpose, not even a trace of hope
Drifting away in a pathway of darkness, Such is my life)

Inhi andheron main reh jaoonga kabhi kho kar
Main janta hoon meri hum-nafas, magar yoonhi
Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hai...
Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hai...
(In this darkness I will remain lost
I’m well aware of that, my companion, but still
Every now and then a thought crosses my mind)

-Manasi

Eyemotion!

When an eye captures an emotion I call it an Eyemotion!

I came across this wonderful picture when I was doing my little research on Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Two tiny ducklings happily paddling around in a white tea cup with spillover water around the cup... I simply loved the picture for the sheer joy it exuded out of me by mere looking at it for its kalos kai agathos as the Greeks called which is nothing but the singular balance of the good and the beautiful.

-Manasi

What Did You Do Today?

This is a good one!

One afternoon a man came home from work to find total mayhem in his house. His three children were outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house.
Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing.
In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she may be ill, or that something serious had happened. He found her lounging in the bedroom, still curled in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went.
He looked at her bewildered and asked, "What happened here today?"
She again smiled and answered, "You know every day when you come home from work and ask me what in the world did I do today?"
"Yes" was his incredulous reply.
She answered, "Well, today I didn't do it."

My appointment with the dentist

Can I say I dread dental treatments. I had an appointment with a dentist yesterday at 10 O'clock in the morning for a routine biannual dental cleaning - rather I thought of it as just the dental cleaning - a good oral hygiene where they scrape the tartar off your teeth, polish them and once you are out with it, your teeth look shinier, whiter, feel cleaner than ever before and you have this new found gaps in between your teeth as they would have scraped every bit of the built up which formed in between your teeth over a period of time from your last dental care appointment and mine I remember was to be two years ago.

It was a very posh dental office for family and cosmetic dentistry to provide people with quality and comprehensive dental care.They claimed that they were concerned not only with my current dental problems but also with my long term dental health. Together, they say, we will work to ensure that I not only maintain dental health, but also have the opportunity to have a smile I will be proud of. That was a real good kick start for me...

I was asked to provide my dental health history in a form in which they were a series of never ending queries to be duly filled by me and after that if I had any questions, I shouldn't hesitate to ask!

Dental Health History as I recall -

The first question was - Are you apprehensive about dental treatment ? What am I supposed to answer... :)
Have you had problems with previous dental treatment?
Do you gag easily?
Do you wear dentures?
Does food catch between your teeth?
Do you chew on only one side of your mouth?
Do you avoid brushing any part of your mouth because of pain?
Do your gums bleed easily?
Do your gums bleed when you floss?
Do your gums feel swollen or tender?
Are your teeth sensitive?
Do you feel twinges of pain when your teeth come in contact with Hot foods or liquids - Cold food or liquids - Sours - Sweets?
Do you take fluoride supplements?
Are you dissatisfied with the appearance of your teeth?
Do you prefer to save your teeth?
Do your jaws ever feel tired?
Does your jaw get stuck so that you can't open freely?
Does it hurt when you chew or open wide to take a bite?
Do you find jaw pain or discomfort extremely frustrating or depressing?
Are you unable to open your mouth as far as you want?
Does your jaw pain or discomfort affect your appetite, sleep, daily routine, or other activities?
Do you have pain in the face, cheeks, jaws, joints, throat or temples?
Are you aware of an uncomfortable bite?
Are you a habitual gum chewer or pipe smoker?
Have you had a blow to the jaw?

To all of these and many more questions that I can't recall now, my answer was "NO".
and then there came a set of two more queries -
How often do you brush? and How often do you floss? - Brushing once a day for a little less than a minute is what I have been doing since years now and to their dismay I never knew how to floss.

Having completed the form here I rushed to the receptionist and handed over the forms to her. She flipped the pages back and forth and showed me many more forms to be filled. I gave a sigh, went back to where I was seated and went over those unfilled ones.

There was a long list of Medical Health History questionnaire to be answered in each category related to heart problems, blood problems, allergy problems, intestinal problems, bone or joint problems, stroke, thyroid problems, severe headaches, fainting spells or epilepsy, diabetes, tuberculosis, smoking, hepatitis, neurological disease, , history of alcohol or drug abuse, routine questions for the female gender... to all my answers were a humble "NO".

And there was a smile evaluation sheet which had to be filled too and explanations needed for every single query -

Do you like the way your teeth look?
Are you happy with the color of your teeth?
Would you like your teeth to be whiter?
Would you like your teeth to be straighter?
Do you have spaces between your teeth that you would like closed?
Would you like your teeth to be longer? If so Upper or Lower or Both?
Do you like the shape of your teeth?
Do you have missing teeth that you would like to replace?
Do you have old silver fillings that you would like to replace with tooth-colored fillings?
If you could change anything about your smile, what would you change?

To all of these questions it was again a "NO" with no explanations given! I would not change my smile and got it over with.

I was a little tired and the whole process also left me with some exasperation at the end of it all to have answered this personal questionnaire as I personally haven't thought of myself as much as it had provoked me to. Drained out of my patience, I found myself in an unexpected territory of some weird intrusion of a rare kind by some stranger as I had to ponder upon each and every aspect of my general routine ... It took me a good amount of forty five minutes from start to finish. This was just the preliminary to what was about to come in a while! Stay tuned!

More about it in the later post!

-Manasi

Some tortures are physical
And some are mental,
But the one that is both Is dental.~Ogden Nash

How Many More Miles To Go!

To think of the bygone... since the time the doctor got me out of my mom's body in the hospital in the city Pune, state of Maharashtra of my country India on this planet earth on the fifteenth day of the month of January in the year 1977, till date life has been on a constant move, never did it stop a second. It did have some speed of sorts and is still going on. Life with its eventful journey with the journey called life itself!
I was just wondering how far have I travelled life and how many miles did I cover since I was born. Is there any quantitative measurement which figures out the number of miles one has travelled since the time one has set foot on this earth. I mean you can calculate the amount of time lapsed till date since then like, these many years, this many months, number of days, total hours and then zero down to a millisecond's precision till your last breath here and now... but what with the distance? The concept of time and space is still under scrutiny, being philosophical and scientific at the same time - and with these two dimensions we relate the things around us.
A little trivia here: Most people aren’t aware that they are travelling through space faster than a speeding bullet. Each day you move 24,000 thousand miles even if you are standing still but that’s nothing compared to how far you move in space around the Sun each year - over 500 million miles !!!
To summarize, we know and can quantify the time passed through the sail of our life to date but do we ever know how long we have travelled in the realm of space since our journey through the womb!?! Also what stupefies me is, I wasn't at rest even in my mom's womb. I moved as she moved...I travelled as she travelled in all those precious and protected nine months too! How many miles have I travelled since then...How many miles have I travelled so far...and how many more miles to go...
...The journey continues!
-Manasi
You won't realize the distance you've travelled until you take a look around and realize how far you've been - Anonymous

The Cascade Loop

The Cascade Loop is a thrilling ride through the heart of Washington State through some of most beautiful countryside and interesting areas encompassing magical cityscapes and spectacular landscapes, chilly alpine lakes and rushing rivers, islands and towering peaks. The byway travels through areas as diverse as they are magnificent: This 400 mile self-guided driving tour circles through the heart of Washington from the salty waters of the Puget Sound, across the verdant foothills of Cascade Mountains' western slope, the peaks of the North Cascades National Park enclosed in glaciers, and into the sun-drenched high desert expanse of the Columbia River Valley.

Part I:

State Route 20 is the northernmost route across the Cascade Mountain range in Washington and is commonly referred to as the North Cascades Highway. This scenic byway also called most scenic mountain drive in Washington offers travelers a wide array of beautiful landscapes, and is part of the Cascade Loop, the 400-mile driving tour through the Cascades. We pass Mount Vernon where the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April brings thousands of visitors who come to see and photograph the blooms. Then we drive down to Skagit Valley towns like Sedro-Woolley. Lovely vistas of Skagit river all along the scenic byway. Jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 300 glaciers adorn the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Three park units in this mountainous region are managed as one and include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas.

The first town with services is Marblemount where you can find food and supplies. So after having our veggie burger breakfast we headed towards Newhalem. At Newhalem, the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center provides exhibits, maps, information about the park. Beyond Newhalem you enter the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Preserve, a vast 1.7-million-acres. We spend some time at the Gorge Creek Falls.

The overlooks above Ross and Diablo Lakes make excellent vantage points. The distinctive color of each lake (Ross is teal, Diablo is jade) is caused by finely ground rock dust suspended in the water and reflecting the green of the forest and the blue of the sky. Driving forward we enter the Okanogan National Forest resplendent with fall colors of the foliage.

The highway also crosses Washington Pass and Rainy Pass. Other trails, including the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, lead from roadside into the North Cascades National Park. Met two determined hardcore hikers who started the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail in April this year from Mexico and still have their last stretch of 62 miles to cover to reach Canada. They have been walking past six months and have enjoyed every bit of their achievement.

 
Washington Pass on the North Cascade Highway is magnificent! As the highway swings south, great walls of granite sweep upward. Dead ahead, the massive bulk of 7,600’ Liberty Bell Mountain seems to block any passage through the mountain fortress. Just when it seems impossible, the highway makes a great horseshoe bend and clambers up the face of Liberty Bell. The off-road viewpoint at the top of the pass provides splendid views of the mountain-ringed valley.
  
We drive across Mazama and then to Winthrop which looks like the set from a Western movie. False-fronted wooden buildings, hitching rails and board sidewalks all create the illusion of a frontier town. We in search of a place to halt for the night in one of the towns. Finding no place to stay over at Twisp and Carlton due to enormous crowds filling in all the hotels and camping sites we finally found our destination of slumber in our car by a RV park which had some restroom facility and retired in our sleeping bags for that cold night.

Next morning after the breakfast we took off to Methow River Valley. The Methow River is a popular rafting destination. The Methow and the adjacent Okanogan country is famous for its superb stream and lake trout fishing. Dozens of small lakes dot the region. The Methow Valley is Washington’s equivalent of the Old West. As you drive up the valley, you’ll pass fields of baled hay, big old weathered barns, corrals full of horses and the jagged Cascades for a backdrop. We chanced upon some lovely reflections of the Methow valley.

The Cascade Loop highway follows the Columbia River to Pateros and then we reach the Lake Chelan which is one of the top freshwater recreation areas in the Pacific Northwest. The warm, dry weather is particularly appealing and we spend little time by the lake watching people engaged with various water activities. 

The Entiat River road detours northwest here into the heart of the Wenatchee National Forest. We then drive to Wenatchee which is located at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers and is crowned the "Apple Capital of the World".

The Wenatchee River brings you to the Old American City of Cashmere. Smallwood's harvest at Pehastin had halloween pumpkins all over the place and it was great so see so many at the same time at the pumpkin fest. It's vite-vity-vitie-vidi-pumpkin!!


 
The gateway to the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth is spectacular. The Tumwater Canyon highway hugs sheer canyon walls on one side, winding and twisting through the rocky gorge, as the Wenatchee River rushes past on the other side. Suddenly, you round a corner and there is Leavenworth, nestled tight up against the mountains that rise to more than 8,000’. Leavenworth is an authentic Bavarian Village.

Almost every building in town is decorated with ornate woodwork and Bavarian motifs. Leavenworth features German cuisine, its own brewery, and coffee roaster along with pastry and chocolate shops. Leavenworth is home to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum - Nussknacker Haus carries one of the largest selections of unique German nutcrackers. I treat myself with a huge yummilicious fried ice cream and come along getting a cute nussknacker for a souvenir. We later drive in the Wenatchee National Forest and enjoy the fall foliage on the way. Excellent colors passing the hillsides of red huckleberry bushes, yellow aspens and brilliant and parti colored douglas maples. The fall in the forest was spectacular.

The highway follows the rushing Skykomish river as it ascends the west slope of the Cascades to Stevens Pass. Several small towns along the route have logging heritages with nature still at their doorsteps. Throughout this region there are plenty of hiking trails, campgrounds and fishing spots. Sultan and Gold Bar are both noted for their river rafting, hiking and fishing. The little town of Index nestles at the foot of spectacular Mount Index and is a favorite of rock climbers. Skykomish for outdoor activity in the surrounding mountains.

Part II:

Washington's islands are among the most attractive destinations in the West. Placid bays, forested shorelines, rural inland landscapes give the islands the atmosphere of private, secluded retreats. Two of the most easy to explore islands are Fidalgo and Whidbey. We drive north towards Mount Vernon and via State Route 20 towards Anacortes.

Deception Pass Bridge soars high above the water to reach Whidbey Island. Views from the bridge are spectacular, especially at tide change when the water below boils through the narrow passage at a furious rate. Deception Pass Bridge connects Whidbey Island to the tiny Pass Island, and Pass Island to Fidalgo Island. The Deception Pass State Park is outstanding for breath-taking views, old-growth forests and abundant wildlife. Views of Deception Pass, Deception island, some other small islands and Mount Baker from the Deception Pass Bridge are spectacular at sunset.

We reach historic Coupeville the heart of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve on Whidbey Island. I ate their favorite local delicacy, Penn Cove mussels in plentiful at a fine restaurant. Enjoyed great views of Penn Cove between the shops.

 
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve is a new kind of national park. It was created by Congress in 1978 "to preserve and protect a rural community which provides an unbroken historic record from...19th century exploration and settlement in Puget Sound to the present time." 

Enduring patterns of community life in such a setting have created a unique cultural landscape - described as a 'blend of people and place'. The vistas, woodlands, and fertile prairies of the Reserve are much the same today as they were 100 years ago when New England sea captains were drawn to Penn Cove and farmers to Ebey's Prairie. Time has touched only lightly upon Central Whidbey. Still, the landscape of the Reserve continues to grow and change, shaped as always by the community of people who live and work here. Farms are still farmed, forests are logged and historic buildings are still actively used today as homes or places of business.

Verdant Whidbey Island lies at the extreme north end of Washington's island-strewn Puget Sound, forming the eastern boundary of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. To the east rise the glacier-clad peaks of the North Cascades, to the north and south stretch miles of deep water, islands, and coves. Silhouetted against the southwestern sky, the Olympic Mountains form a dramatic backdrop for the island's rural setting. In the central portion of Whidbey Island is Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. Its boundaries encompass broad fertile prairies, high seaside bluffs, rolling woodlands, shallow brackish lakes, and a deep protected cove.

Views from the bluff are spectacular, looking out across the Strait of Juan De Fuca to the Olympic Mountains. On the beach, massive logs lie like thistle sticks from a world of giants. The green and tan of the grass and sand stand against the aluminum blue of the sea unfurling on the shore. On the western side of the island, Fort Ebey and Fort Casey State Parks preserve military installations that once protected the entrance to Puget Sound. We spotted lots of deer in the parks as well as on Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. We drove to Fort Casey State Park and Fort Ebey State Park which offered breathtaking marine views and visited the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.

With this we circle one of America's grandest and most spectacular scenic drives.

National Geographic Traveler describes the Cascade Loop as "one of America's grandest, most spectacular drives." Circling the heart of Washington through thick forests and open desert, this 400-mile byway includes a little bit of everything. From downhill skiing in the Cascade Mountains to county fairs in the Columbia River Valley, it's one of the best ways to get a Cliff Note version to Washington. Nine separate regions of the state make up this massive byway, each with its unique flavor and personality.