Travelin' Thru

I love this song "Travelin' Thru" written and performed by Dolly Parton. This song is about a journey on the road to find home and identity. Enjoy!

Well I can't tell you where I'm going, I'm not sure of where I've been

But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end

I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it

I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit

Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song

I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home

Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' on



Questions I have many, answers but a few

But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth

We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree

And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me



God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain

Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain

Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you

As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru



I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru



Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on

But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone

When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try

We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly



Goodbye little children, goodnight you handsome men

Farewell to all you ladies and to all who knew me when

And I hope I'll see you down the road, you meant more than I knew

As I was travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin', travelin' thru



I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin'

Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind

Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you

As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', thru



I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru



Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song

I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home

Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you

As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru

Evenings in Seattle have been thoroughly mystifying. Looking out of the window in the cool and breezy night I see the skies turn orange and then indigo and then black. I like the way the world looks when the sky goes dark. It kind of frees something within me, makes me feel lofty and grand and as large as the view seen through the window. The world through my window. Taking me outside of myself momentarily. I muse on the titillation of this experience.

-Manasi

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.

- Lord Byron

Jai Ho!

This song from Slumdog Millionaire has been playing endlessly on my system and I love the music of the movie.


Jai Ho! ^n
Aaja aaja jind shamiyaane ke taley
Aaja zari waale neele aasmaane ke taley
Jai Ho! ^ n
Ratti ratti sachchi maine jaan gawayi hai
Nach Nach koylon pe raat bitaayi hai
Ankhiyon ki neend maine phoonkon se udaa di
Gin gin taarey maine ungli jalayi hai
Eh Aaja aaja jind shamiyaane ke taley
Aaja zari waale neele aasmaane ke taley
Baila! Baila!(Dance! Dance!)
Ahora conmigo, tu baila para hoy(Now with me, you dance for today)
Por nuestro dia de movidas,(For our day of moves,)
los problemas los que sean(whatever problems may be)
Salud!(Cheers!)
Baila! Baila!(Dance! Dance!)
Jai Ho! ^n
Chakh le, haan chakh le, yeh raat shehed hai
Chakh le, haan rakh le,
Dil hai, dil aakhri hadd hai
Kaala kaala kaajal tera
Koi kaala jaadu hai na?
Aaja aaja jind shamiyaane ke taley
Aaja zari waale neele aasmaane ke taley
Jai Ho! ^ n
Kab se haan kab se jo lab pe ruki hai
Keh de, keh de, haan keh de
Ab aankh jhuki hai
Aisi aisi roshan aankhein
Roshan dono heerey (?) hain kya?
Aaja aaja jind shamiyaane ke taley
Aaja zari waale neele aasmaane ke taley
Jai Ho! ^ n

Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

Iota by iota, I have lost my life, in faith
I’ve passed this night dancing on coals
I blew away the sleep that was in my eyes
I counted the stars till my finger burned

Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

Taste it, taste it, this night is honey
Taste it, and keep it,
It’s a heart; the heart is the final limit
You dark black kohl
It’s some black magic, isn’t it?

Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

For how long, how very long
It’s been on your lips
Say it, now say it
The eye is downcast
Such lit up eyes
Are they two lit-up dimaonds(?) ?
Come, come my Life, under the canopy
Come under the blue brocade sky!

Silence speaks...

It’s been raining here for donkey’s years now. And there is encompassing silence.

My post draws inspiration from this awe-inspiring thought emanated from an eminence who I truly admire from the bottom of my heart. “It is remarkable how much the world changes when silence infests and when you are with nothing but your lone self. When there is no attention required to be given to responsibilities immediately. When there are no limits within which chores need to be attended to. When you do not have to plan, go anywhere, take care of, manage, respond and answer. When all that’s required is to sit and listen to the silence. Listen to silence? Yes! It has a sound. A sound because other sounds can be heard above it. I hear the heart pound, my breath breathe, my fingers rustle and the mind that thinks inwardly but can be heard in large volume. Many argue differently. Not always does the mind do well when in solitude. Many minds function when in the midst of the extreme. We may get our best thoughts while amongst people, while walking through the crowded streets or when in silence.”

Suddenly the whooshing sounds of the winds at the window sound so frenzied - they do the talking and become a speech to speak with the mind that is in state of nothingness.
I have always spoken to myself in volumes, reasoned beyond reasoning, often questioned to seek answers, conversed and communicated, miscalculated and revised, listened and gave into introspection. You do that to yourself don’t you? That’s natural. I am at the silence’s disposal, embraced by its spell and consumed by vague thoughts. Right now I am under circumstantial quietness. That’s what I would call it. It’s sometimes inevitable and nonessential. But still it persists.

Life continues to go on. Move on. And in this thriving silence one question lingers on you… Is your micromanagement of every moment in this world so essential? It waits for some solid answers. Even though the argument just compels me to let go of certain things which don’t see any fruition and those which are not in my hands - but then I wonder - with all my restless yearning and with this stupidly ruminative nature of mine - what do I do with my pent-up energy instead?

Silence does this to people and I am no exception.

“Saying nothing...sometimes says the most.” ~ Emily Dickinson.

Quotable quotes

It is always good to ponder and today was no different... Here are some interesting quotes. Each one heavy with compassion and fact.

“Do not be disappointed if the world refuses to help you out. Remember the words of Einstein - ‘I am thankful to all those that said NO. Its because of them that I did it myself’.”

“Love yourself. Flirt with your understanding. Romance with dreams. Get engaged with simplicity. Marry genuineness. Divorce the ego. That is a good life !”

“If you find the whole world against you and you are alone, what will you do ? Just turn around and you will become a leader of the whole world.”

“The road to fulfillment is never a straight line; learn to navigate the twists and turns and you will find something of value in every result.”

“It is hard to wait for something you know might never happen - but, its even harder to give it up when you know its that very thing you wanted”

“What is forgiveness ? Its the wonderful smell a flower gives when it is being crushed”

“ Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”

“The strategy of life is so very strange, just when we have all the answers, life changes the question !”

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

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

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

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: :-)

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

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

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

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

So Long...

After couple of hectic weeks juggling with the packing, repacking, dealing with the movers and packers and relocation specialists, making some hard decisions on what to take with us and what not, sorting them for air and sea shipments reaching our final destination, surrounded by huge pile of heavy loaded boxes of household goods and suitcases so on and so forth has created that inevitable moving stress that both of us were going through. I'm in a state of mixed feelings! I still worry and have heart palpitations every time I think about packing up our home. As we pack up our years of accumulated belongings, we are also forcing ourselves to review our lives before it got disintegrated into pieces to be bubble-wrapped and packed in huge corrugated boxes to be shipped by air in one standard "LDN"container and surface transportation(ground/barge) in one standard 40’-foot container to be delivered to us in two months time. I have moved many a times in my life but this was going to be a different move for both of us, having to give up some known levels of security and trading them for some unknown security.

I leave behind my home, my city, Hyderabad that I have grown to love so dearly and carry with me a heart filled with innumerable precious memories of life spent here.

We are moving to the US in the beginning of February this year. The Evergreen State, Washington in the Pacific Northwest will be our new home. With the new place, new surroundings, new home there comes new dreams, new aspirations and new beginnings.

“I don’t know where I am going from here but I promise it won’t be boring.”
~ David Bowie.
Amen.

Signing off the India chapter, will see you on the other side of the globe.

Check out my new Nokia XpressMusic phone

I am very excited today as I got a new phone for myself.
Released only on Saturday...probably I was the third customer in Hyderabad to buy this piece!
Nice, sleek, smart and stylish I am yet to explore its features.
Till then check out the phone here.....

http://www.nokia.co.in/A4598125

I celebrated the event with a sweet, heart shaped balloon and Baskin Robbins' Chocolate a la mode with a brownie and two generous scoops of chocolate on the rocks and Fig cream... and sure had chocolatee fun!

A good Sunday I must say, as I treated myself in a spa, snacked on fish made by me in the evening... later got this phone....celebrated it with a healthy subway and chocolatee icecreams...back home played cards with friends....and now gonna hit my bed!

I am gonna explore the phones's features tomorrow....

Song of the day:
Tere bin there aint no desire
Tere bin my world’s on fire
Tere bin I can’t fly high high higher

Mood of the day: Excited!

Manasi

Dil hai to phir dard hoga....dard hai to dil bhi hoga....mausam guzarte rehte hain

It’s hard to keep things simple when people are selfish, too proud to admit they’re wrong or break into tiffs just because some things are not yet working as well as it should be.

I hope I could step back, detach myself from the fray. I believe there’s a better and simpler way of doing things to make life more meaningful, but it will need each of us to swallow our pride and help each other out, instead of readily doling out blame or parceling responsibilities around like it’s the plague.

Strange, but I don’t think I have changed on a fundamental level. I have changed the way I do things though. I was the same person at 15 and 17 and now at 30 plus, I have learnt a lot more, but I am still the same.

In my opinion, we all have these personalities inside of us, what people see though is the one we have decided to give the reins at that moment. So at weddings, parties or outings I let my Sanguine lose, being lonely my melancholy can go wild, on long walks Phelgmatic is in charge and when I am tormented for being a wife, Choleric gets a work out.

Right now listening to Dil Se Re..... and munching on the Swiss chocolates....

-Manasi