tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100256092024-03-13T21:26:17.234+05:30Its MineA Leaf is how i describe myself. The wind keeps blowing and leaf keeps flying, from one branch to another. Sometimes its on the top of a tree, sometimes it can lie on the ground.Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.comBlogger391125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-6855347165303822272016-12-06T18:14:00.001+05:302016-12-06T18:14:29.928+05:30The change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Last weekend, me and G went vegetable shopping. As we were scanning and examining few vegetables (What!!! each piece has to be checked ), a girl who was standing behind me interrupted us.<br />
<br />
Girl: Excuse Me<br />
Me : Yes<br />
Girl: Can you please tell what is this? (Pointing to a bunch of leafy vegetable)<br />
Me: It's Corriander<br />
Girl: So Whats the difference between this and this (pointing to another section where coriander was)<br />
Me: (Got a doubt, picked up one bunch, sniffed it) This is also coriander. Both of them are.<br />
Girl: Thank you.<br />
<br />
Later when I turned back, G said, you should've said one is Nati(local) other one is not. We just laughed over it and came back home.<br />
<br />
But this reminded me of those days when I couldn't tell the difference between Daals (lentils), I dint know what was the base ingredient of lot of dishes. I remember calling mom to ask for recipes. <br />
<br />
As time flew, I got better with this stuff, and there were times when I was telling mom about recipes, and helping her in identifying a lot of the non indian ingredients. <br />
<br />
So when we came back home, and me and G were thinking of an unusual dish to prepare, the transformation just hit me. How things change, and how we grow up....</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-83129562760412305592016-11-15T12:13:00.000+05:302016-11-15T12:13:04.574+05:30Golden Pears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its been so long since I have written anything here in this space. Its not that I dint have ideas. Sometimes I have a written an entire post, but its all either in my dream or when I am lying down on the bed, and in no mood to open my laptop to post.<br />
<br />
And that's why my one or 2 readers I donot have any post for so many months. <br />
<br />
Going forward, I am going to try to publish atleast 1 post a week. <br />
<br />
By the way, we get this fruit called Golden Pears, near our house. I am obsessed with it right now. They are so juicy. I love succulent fruits. I bring one fruit to office and its already sliced into 8 pieces. And I keep munching on them every hour or so. That way my craving to eat something is satisfied and I am not thinking of junk food. Lets see how long this is going to continue. And guess what, this made me open up my blog and publish a post. So Golden Pears, this post is dedicated to you :)</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-70532200555796384342016-05-03T20:22:00.002+05:302016-05-03T20:22:55.732+05:30A Void <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So the challenge is over.. I scraped thru.. but the best part was my mind was always thinking what do I write with this alphabet. I would think of many words buy then couldn't write anything beyond 2 sentences, so I would reject it.<br />
<br />
At times I would have dreamt of a word and written a post about it too. In the morning when I would wake up, I couldnt remember the word, forget the entire post.<br />
<br />
And sometimes at the middle of work something would strike and I would note down those points, lest I forget.<br />
<br />
The last few days were very hectic, work wise and blogging wise... next time may be I will plan better.<br />
<br />
Who am I kidding.. but I am already waiting for the next challenge </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-39327250325939726902016-04-30T23:59:00.000+05:302016-05-01T22:11:00.391+05:30Z for Zoo <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Zoo is a short form of zoological garden, I think. There are reservation forests, Tiger reserves, lion reserves, elephant reserves where we try to keep these animals in their natural habitat. We don't interfere in their hunting or the way they lead their life. Well, most of the times.<br />
<br />
But the zoo is a different game altogether. It's a place where the animals are given shelter, they are fed on a timetable, the same quantity everyday. I am not sure if it's the same taste everyday too. The animals don't have to hunt. They are all kept mostly separate, unless they are veggies ie the herbivores.<br />
<br />
For the people who visit the reserves, they follow protocol, no talking, screaming , feeding animals in short it's made sure we don't disturb them in their home. And after all this there might be a 1% chance to get a glance at the animal.<br />
<br />
Now, in the zoo, we do everything. Talk among ourselves, scream at the animals or at each other. Sometimes trying to feed them nuts or even popcorn. And whatever you do to offend them, they are still obligated to show their face, well they definetly cant run away.<br />
<br />
Zoo is therefore a museum of animals, which in reality is possibly a Jail.</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-47065417857565065812016-04-30T23:20:00.000+05:302016-05-01T13:21:25.280+05:30Y for Yellow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yellow yellow dirty fellow, this is a very common phrase heard. Agreed yellow is a little risky colour, but it's not always dirty. There are various shades of yellow which are subtle and easy on the eyes. It's considered a summery colour. It's Infact supposed to be colour of the sun.<br />
<br />
Sunshine is associated with yellow. Everytime we would draw the usual drawing of 2 hills and half sun peeping out of those hills. The sun would be coloured yellow.<br />
<br />
Sunflower, one of the very beautiful flowers is yellow in colour. And it's such a unique flower that it always faces the sun.<br />
<br />
For my niece's birthday, we did a sunshine theme party and all of them were required to come in yellow. That's when many of us realized we did not have anything in yellow. I had only yellow shoes, and wondered why i did not have any yellow clothing.<br />
<br />
It's a very tricky colour and choosing the right shade of yellow elevates your look. Right now in our place, the sun is painting the town yellow </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-17245444492193746052016-04-30T22:39:00.000+05:302016-05-01T01:40:58.720+05:30X for X-ray <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I hadn't seen a lot of X-rays as a kid. But I knew that they were of the size of an A-4 sheet. They were black in colour and the bones would appear white. Also you can't make out anything if it's not held against the light. I also knew that a big machine was used for this.<br />
<br />
The first time my X-ray was taken, the machine was not a big one. And when I saw the result, my x-ray, I was shocked. It was the smallest I had ever seen. It was the size of a passport size photograph.<br />
<br />
I couldn't believe it. But what I saw there made me believe it. It was my broken tooth afterall. A small sheet which was inserted. A camera like thing was used and my X-ray was done.<br />
<br />
So it was the same thick, yet transparent black sheet with white images but of a miniature size. I wondered how even a common thing like X-ray had me worried, not because of what was in there, but only because of the size. </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-66848688017560594982016-04-30T21:23:00.000+05:302016-05-01T00:24:32.852+05:30W for Watch <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Watch - it's an instrument which tells us time. It's a complicated machine in a small covering. It's just like time in many ways.<br />
<br />
I am crazy about watches. I got my first watch when I was in 5th standard. It was a HMT watch. At that time, probably one of the best in India was HMT watch. It was a winding watch and everyday I would check if the time was set properly and would make sure it ran correctly.<br />
<br />
As I grew I got more watches, some fashionable, some with dials of different shapes, some with metal straps, some with leather straps, some of them with interchangeable straps. In US i bought quite a few watches, some with matching bracelets, some straps with studs.<br />
<br />
Then for our second anniversary G got me a Titan Raga watch, which till date looks so elegant. Everytime I wear it I get so many compliments.<br />
<br />
As of now, the number of watches I own is in 2 digits. And I still have my old HMT watch with me.<br />
<br />
Anybody gifting me a watch? </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-24700996847799125852016-04-30T20:53:00.000+05:302016-05-01T00:13:02.458+05:30V for Voice <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every person has a unique voice. Not everybody can be melodious, and not everybody sounds like a broken radio.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was very interested in joining music class. And I did join the carnatic music class when I was in 4-5 std. I used to love those classes. Since we were only a few of us it was individual lessons that we would get.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This meant when our teacher taught the kids some advanced lessons, I would be more interested, and would listen to them singing with eagerness and also in my mind imagine me singing those songs.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After few months, after the initial sa re ga ma and swara and different talas, we reached my first song - lambodara kakumikara and after couple of weeks reached the 2nd song kereya neeranu kerege chali. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
By this time, I was made the class monitor and after much screaming in the class my voice broke. Just like that, my melodious voice became broken radio.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After that date, everyone who knows me asks me to sing only to tease me. Ofcourse in Antakshari, they need me, since I know lot of songs, but I am definetly not the solo singer type. That is reserved only for G. After he married me, so he is tied to my voice as well forever.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-76635665426186063892016-04-30T17:21:00.002+05:302016-04-30T17:21:39.637+05:30U for Umbrella <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
U have seen varieties of umbrellas in my life. Most prominent are the black ones. And nowadays there are so many pretty ones with designs. There are rainbow coloured umbrellas which look so pretty that I actually bought one in one of the tragic signals. How many times have I used it? Probably a couple of times. The reason being it's huge. It doesn't fit in my bag and only I am stepping out of the house for a walk to a store, do I use it. And if it's raining, unless it's an emergency I wouldn't step out. I would rather sit by the window watching the drops splash around letting few drops on my face. Anyway I digress.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I have a brown umbrella with small white dots on it. It's foldable, easily fir in my bag. Before that I had another small one which was blue and had pretty flowers on it. Well I exchanged the brown one with my mom coz I loved that more than the blue one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At home we also have that big black umbrella which was used in the olden times by uncles as a walking stick too. That umbrella reminds me of our olden times so much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
During school times instead of umbrellas we had to take raincoats. I used to hate them. They would stick to you but made sure you stayed dry. This was the time I had seen the umbrella which could just be fit to your head. This was usually worn by kids. A colourful rainbow umbrella which had a band attached, thus could be fit to your forehead.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Those were hands free umbrellas. I really loved them, but never owned them. Even today I have seen people selling them. But it's only for kids. I don't mind buying one if somebody is selling it for adults. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hands free umbrellas for adults. Anyone? </div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-84692473042770155132016-04-29T21:56:00.001+05:302016-04-29T21:56:44.220+05:30T for Tension <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Exams are on next day and I am busy watching TV or I have slept on my books - reason Tension.<br />
<br />
I have lot of work to finish, I keep pushing it for the last minute, at that time I either go to sleep or watch TV - reason Tension.<br />
<br />
I am very restless, I am very sad, I am frustrated, I don't know what to do.<br />
What do I do then? Guessed it right... I either watch TV or sleep.<br />
<br />
Generally people don't get sleep if they are tensed. I deliberately sleep, my mind possibly thinks the situation can be avoided by sleeping, while all that time I am aware that I am just procrastinating and nothing else. I watch TV not because I find the program interesting but only because I want my mind to wander off and not think about the existing problem.<br />
<br />
I try to find other ways to deal with tension, one now is ofcourse reading blogs sometimes light read books. But whatever I do unless I go and deal with the problem they will never go away. Tension can be avoided and pushed but it will not vanish.</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-12607415047217463492016-04-29T17:44:00.001+05:302016-04-29T17:44:27.753+05:30S for Saaru<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: large;">I am not talking about the pronunciation of
the word Sir in different ways. Saaru is the kannada word for Rasam. But unlike rasam we do add vegetables and daal. At times, it is made without veggies and
daal too. But there are 3 main ingredients which make this taste amazing. Uppu,
huli and khara. Uppu is salt. Huli is the tang, which comes in either from
tamarind or sometimes from tomatoes. Khara is the spiciness or the hotness or
the chilliness. Apart from this anything which is added is a bonus on the
saaru.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is a part of staple diet in most of the
households. There might be variations, but the base is probably the same
everywhere. The way its prepared now is, the tamarind is soaked in water for some
time, and once the daal is boiled and cooked, the salt and chilli powder is
added, and the juice from the tamarind pulp is extracted and that’s poured in
the daal mixture. After it comes to a boil, it tempered with mustard seeds, asafetida,
curry leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As kids we had a different version of this,
and we prepared a solid version of this, tamarind pulpy pop. So one day after
school, we decided to make it. One of us had got tamarind, chilli powder and
salt from home. With a stone we ground the tamarind pulp, salt and chilli
powder, adding water little by little. And after a long wait and few minutes,
we had the tamarind pop ready. Its like the tamarind peppermint we get in the stores.
The one we ate, that day was not packaged better, looked ok, but taste was
priceless.</span></span></div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-20450250594609273252016-04-28T23:40:00.000+05:302016-04-28T23:40:18.920+05:30R for Respect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Respect, a very commonly used word, but possibly a very rarely understood word.<br />
<br />
What is respect?<br />
Whom do you give respect to?<br />
Why should you respect someone?<br />
How should one show their respect towards others?<br />
And finally, when should you start respecting someone or stop respecting them?<br />
<br />
Everytime we meet a person, these should be a few questions we might want to find answers for.<br />
<br />
It is said we must respect our elders. Of course no denying it, but let's first decide if they deserve our respect or not. And this goes for everybody. At first, it's good to have some courtesy . After we have few conversations, let's think if we can answer all these. But in most cases, respect for a person jus emerges, just like love.<br />
<br />
If we love a person, it goes without saying, we respect and trust the person. If we don't, then it's probably not love.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it do happens you do respect a person and over time, there are certain circumstances, which make you realize, the said person was not really worth the respect you had for him/her.<br />
<br />
This was all about people. But what about these phrases:<br />
Respect other languages, other cultures, other religions other countries. Can we really respect them. Unless we know about them or have an experience with them, we can't really do that. We can acknowledge all these,but can we respect all of them equally. That's the food for thought.<br />
<br />
Till the next post: keep acknowledging but think twice about giving any respect </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-53314677131022586292016-04-28T01:06:00.002+05:302016-04-28T01:06:41.969+05:30Q for Question <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Questioning is an art? Depending on the question you get suitable answers. Your knowledge increases, the more you ask questions. It increases your thinking ability and makes you a rational and logical person. The 5 main questions which sum up an entire questionare are :<br />
How?<br />
What?<br />
Why?<br />
When?<br />
Who?<br />
<br />
Ofcourse these are just the templates. What you do with them? Why are you doing that? With whom are you doing ? How are you planning to do? By when would you do it?<br />
<br />
These questions will answer most of your questions.<br />
<br />
As a kid, I was a very curious person and ask lot of questions. Sometimes people would get fed up of me or say that I would not understand. But that did not stop me from asking questions.<br />
<br />
Even now I ask a lot of questions. You should not be embarrassed that you are asking a stupid question. It might be stupid for someone else... but may be very important to you. And a lot of times it so happens that so called stupid question actually solves a problem.<br />
<br />
Never underestimate a question and never look down upon the person questioning you. Atleast the person is attempting to listen and understand what you are saying. Respect that.</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-53912340533657800292016-04-26T19:53:00.003+05:302016-04-26T19:53:24.641+05:30P for people person<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Are you a people person?” is a very common
question.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I ask this question to myself, I don’t have
one answer. Sometime it is yes, sometimes it is a no.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earlier, I think , I was more of a people
person. I always wanted to be surrounded by people. Even though I liked my “me
time”, I would love to be with others. As time flew, I met different kind of
people. Some of them like minded, some of them, totally different from mine.
This was still ok, as long as we were not hurting each other.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slowly, I started enjoying only with few
people. And, with the rest of them it was more of an obligatory conversation. I
probably moved on from being a people person to not so people person. It’s not
that I don’t like talking to people. I still love it. But its only with a
selected few people. Only with those whom I feel I can enjoy with, or I want to
share my moments with. It doesn’t mean, I don’t talk to people whom I am not
very fond of. I am courteous to them, but it’s not that I wish to have them around
me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of times, I have heard from people,
that I have possibly changed. Well, what can I say, I have changed, and for the
better. So, when I am with people whom I like and love I am a people person.
Well for the rest of the world, choose your own people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-38400232836178842342016-04-26T00:23:00.002+05:302016-04-26T00:23:40.328+05:30O for Orange<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, no it’s not the fruit, it’s the color I
am talking about here. Every time we ask somebody their favorite color, it’s
usually, black/white/pink/blue/red/yellow/green. Very rarely do you get to hear
Orange. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I don’t know if it’s my favorite color
either. It’s not that I want to see this color all the time. Or It’s not that
my wardrobe is full of outfits of this color.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the best place where I like this color
is, when it adorns the sky twice a day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sunrise and Sunset, these 2 amazing
phenomenon, without which our world cannot survive, witness the beautiful
shades of orange.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every morning and evening, its seems like
somebody has taken the sky for a canvas and painted it with different shades of
orange. You can just forget yourself and be one with nature during this time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, if somebody asks is this phenomenon a
favorite of mine, I would say, look at my blog title.. You will see a beautiful
sunrise. And for now, my background – Fire, also indicates the same.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">We were told as kids sun rises in the east
and sets in the west, later we realized, sun is going anywhere, but it’s us on
earth revolving around the sun. Well, whatever may be the theory, this
phenomenon has the power to make people stop whatever activities they are doing
and take a glance at it and smile atleast once….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">As long as Sunrise and Sunset, splash the sky
with the vibrant Orange, our world is alive.</span></span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-70513083186310741972016-04-24T23:39:00.000+05:302016-04-24T23:39:09.889+05:30N for Nest <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Isn't it fascinating to see birds build their nest. They gather sticks and twigs from places, and form such an intricate and delicate home for themselves.<br />
<br />
During school, I remember we had a lesson on different kind of nests. Not all birds build the same kind of nests. Not all of them build them with the same material as well.. Some use twigs, some use thread kind of materials.<br />
<br />
My favourite among them was the nest of the tailor bird. It's so intricate and also looks so beautiful. One day I would want my nest to be as beautiful as I find the tailor bird's nest... </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-28442656671938230472016-04-23T23:24:00.000+05:302016-04-23T23:24:01.805+05:30M for Mango <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's summer... There is one fruit which everybody waits for in this season and it's MANGO.<br />
<br />
My love for Mango has been there forever. As kids, during summer vacations we go visit our paternal grandparents. There were few mango trees in our house and the summer vacation meant eating mangoes to our heart's content. A mango after breakfast, a mango after lunch, a mango after dinner...oh yeah and if you are bored and want to just munch on something then have a mango.<br />
<br />
I am so fond of mangoes that, I scare every fibre out the seed and make it white. People even tease me that one day I will gulp the seed as well.<br />
<br />
After everyone moved away from that place, we used to eat the mangoes which were bought outside. The mangoes which were artificially ripened or which looked artificially yellow...it was sad state eating those mangoes.<br />
<br />
My parents now have 2 mango trees. And the precious time we had super fun eating all those mangoes. This year we have already got the unripe new ones and the pickles and chutneys are ready... Once the mangoes are ripe enough we will start gorging on them too...<br />
<br />
Bring them on this season. The pic below is from my parent's garden.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY5uCCD9OgKnZkZQqnfiQ1gZ_TOPdJI0ZtqiEDhFjw25q1Le0GootwsMvgCB_-p8zV4zAjbdT2Zw0jwQEqOtIz6Z6erpUIxAaFAa_HGrv-k75VDYfmCh3QQPi_FioctmmtzBpAw/s1600/IMG-20160413-WA0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCY5uCCD9OgKnZkZQqnfiQ1gZ_TOPdJI0ZtqiEDhFjw25q1Le0GootwsMvgCB_-p8zV4zAjbdT2Zw0jwQEqOtIz6Z6erpUIxAaFAa_HGrv-k75VDYfmCh3QQPi_FioctmmtzBpAw/s320/IMG-20160413-WA0013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-20837376386060933582016-04-23T20:50:00.000+05:302016-04-23T20:50:48.399+05:30L for Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Love is a very generic and commonly used simple word. In spite of being so common and simple, it's such a powerful word.<br />
<br />
Is this a feeling from the brain?<br />
Is it an emotion from the heart?<br />
<br />
It is something which can be defined in many ways and yet it remains undefined. This is not restricted to any particular gender, age, living/non living, tangible/intangible. You can love anything in this world. You can love life. You can love nature. You can love materialistic stuff. You can love something or somebody near you. You can also love something or someone who is miles away from you.<br />
<br />
It need not be a mutual feeling, if you love something or someone there is no binding that it has to be reciprocated. Love is always unconditional. If it's not, then it's not LOVE </div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-24639683342284810262016-04-21T23:33:00.000+05:302016-04-21T23:33:00.180+05:30K for Kites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's not a bird, it can look like one<br />
It's not an aeroplane, it can look like one<br />
It's not superman, it can fly like one. Well not really, but it would if there is good wind. What am I talking about? The kite.<br />
<br />
My maternal uncle was very good in making and flying kites. We would take the newspapers, the Broom sticks a bowl of rice and bundles of thread, go to the terrace and make lot of kites. Then he would show me to how to fly the kite..<br />
<br />
Once the kite would go to a certain height, he would tie to the metal string used to hang clothes for drying. We would fly 4-5 kites together.<br />
<br />
I never learnt the art of flying kites, but it was always fun with my uncle. The precision with which he would bend the Broom sticks and how we would stick them to the paper, then let it dry and go on to make the next one.<br />
<br />
I mat or may not fly a kite in the future. But the moments I had with my uncle learning and enjoying flying the kites are priceless. I will always cherish them<br />
<br /></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-27433342598413140332016-04-21T00:17:00.000+05:302016-04-21T00:17:10.079+05:30J for Juice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's summer and the best way to hydrate yourself is to drink lot of water. But since water is supposed to be tasteless, it would really help to add some taste to it. Isn't it?<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are loads of fruits available, but in summer we might not want to eat them, even though they are juicy and succulent. What's the best way then to have these nutrients - make juice out of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Although juice is not the best way to eat fruits, it helps if you are no way going to eat them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But the master of all juices is lemon juice... Isn't there a saying: when life gives you lemons make a lemonade. For the calorie concious, instead of sugar make salty lemonade, it's very tasty...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take 2 lemons and salt and a litre of water. Keep sipping the lemon juice for an entire day or for a few hours. Dehydration this summer will be far far away.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lemon juice a day keeps the summer heat away.</div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-72512914237772543892016-04-12T23:30:00.000+05:302016-04-13T00:33:01.136+05:30I for Ice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Its colourless, its odourless but definetly
not shapeless. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">As children, there were lot of restrictions
consuming ice. It was a luxury to have a fridge, unlike today where it’s a necessity.
And it’s mainly used for juices, sherbets especially in summer. Ofcourse there
were times, when we would just pop an ice cube in our mouth and it used to be
so cold, that you couldn’t spit it out, neither could you gulp it, and you would
hope it melts soon, and the numbness is gone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, when I went to US for the first
time, I saw people carrying ice from the machine to their desk, and eat it just
like that. I used to feel it was weird. I tried that once, and what can I say,
I was hooked. It served dual purpose. One, if I wanted to pop something in my
mouth, so that I could get the feeling of eating, I could just put a small
piece of ice in my mouth. Second, I wasn’t eating any junk food, and it was
plain water, which I was err eating. This way my water intake could increase.
Ofcourse there was no weight reduction due to this. And I won’t blame it
either, there were other times, when I have had junk food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">The thing that I observed was, earlier when
I would try to eat ice, my teeth would go numb, my gums would go numb, and at
times, I would get headache. But, when I did this in US, I never had that
problem. Was it because, the ice was cylindrical and had a hole. May be the
quantity of ice per pop was lesser, and so my mouth wouldn’t get number.
Whatever the reason was, I enjoyed the phase of eating ice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua",serif; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even now, when the mocktails come with ice
cubes, I keep playing with the cubes in my mouth. But I don’t enoy it as much
as I used to in US. Maybe if I see it in the same shape.. my mind might say – Ice
Ice Baby.</span></span></div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-31157569952851682772016-04-11T14:47:00.001+05:302016-04-13T00:33:14.147+05:30H for Hiking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My first ever hiking experience, was when
during my 9<sup>th</sup> std holidays. We were to do hiking in the pristine
Himachal. As kids, going on a 2 week trip was a very big deal. That was the
first time I was travelling away from my family for such a long time. We
trekked in the jungles and montains of himachal. We reached the tip of the snow
point. It was the first time, I saw snow, the first time I touched it, the
first time I felt how snow could numb you. The 1 week hiking taught me many
things. Ofcourse as a school kid, I did not realize much. But as I think about
it even now, I know, it’s been a great learning experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, after that for a few more years, I don’t
think I did much of hiking. I started working and then, with G and his hiking
friends, went hiking to KumaraParvata. This is one of the most difficult hikes
I have ever done. Although we climbed from the Somwarpet side and got down from
the Kukke side, climbing was a very big challenge for me. The peak is one of
the most difficult ones in Karnataka. There was even a rock which was around 45
degrees, which we climbed, without any support to hold down. If not for G’s
encouragement, I would have never completed the hike. Once we reached the peak
I was ok. I don’t have much problems, getting down the hill, somehow I manage
to get down, without much exhaustion. It’s mainly the going up part which is
difficult for me. We had stayed overnight at a mantap there. The next morning,
was one the most beautiful mornings of my life. All the exhaustion and pain
which we endured the previous day was gone. Till date, I haven’t gone again to
hike here, since I don’t know if I can do it once again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have been to quite a lot of smaller ones.
Everytime, my worry is until we reach the peak, the moment I look up, my brain
goes into denial mode. The moment I realize, its time to go down, my brain
eases up, and I feel like a free bird.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 years back, we went to Tadiandamol, the
second highest peak in Karnataka. It was an amazing experience. We hiked in
rain all the time. This hike had everything, plain land for a while (a nice
breezy walk), a slight incline in the beginning, a thick forest in the middle,
where the roots of the trees formed the steps, and then the final steep
incline, where if you slip you go down few feet, with no support. The best part
was the peak. It was so cold and windy that day, I realized what pins and
needles actually meant. I could feel every little hair in my body being pulled
from me. Infact it was so cold, I was already thinking of options on how G and
my brothers were going to carry me all the way down, coz I felt like dying out
of cold. The steep incline was the most difficult to get down, since it was all
slush due to rain. Once we crossed that, I felt much better. All this was
happening with rain as a background. It no longer felt wet anymore, we were
drenched upto our bones, or so I would like to believe. Ofcourse the next day I
had fever, and unbearable body pain. Was it worth it? Totally yes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do you bring back as souvenirs? Well,
there might be scratches. There might be leech bites. There can also be scars.
But what’s most important you bring back great memories. Every time I go on a
hike, I have inhibitions, I have a feeling, I will not be able to complete it.
There are times, when I curse myself for doing this to myself. But it also
teaches you, patience, endurance, pushing your limits. Once you are back, you
are in pain, you can probably feel every body part of yours screaming at you
for waking them up. But that’s the beauty isn’t it? You are made aware of what
your body can take. Hiking in all possible ways is a Life Coach.<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-46346644334801819652016-04-08T17:45:00.002+05:302016-04-08T17:51:07.079+05:30G for God<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">God – a very common topic, I am sure. But the
feelings for God. Is that common too?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think my relationship with God, is a very
private one. We might pray in front of others, might pretend not to believe in
God, might pretend to have faith in God, depending on how our surroundings are.
But what we really feel about God, is something we cannot express in front of
others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are we scared of God? Or do we think of God
as our friend? Do we believe, God will punish the evil? Is there an evil? Do
the evil have their own God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As children, we are always taught, be good,
else God will punish you. May be God does punish you. But when is something we
are not aware? I have seen people, who have not been very nice at one point of
time, and felt, God are you going to punish them or not? Years later, I see
them in a not so happy state. Is it their punishment? I don’t know. I probably don’t
care anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know of people, who are scared of certain
Gods, but are on friends with some Gods. And we also have our favorite Gods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I am not disclosing what kind of
relation I have with God. Not totally. I sometimes feel its faith. There are
days when I feel, God doesn’t exist, and maybe I am an atheist. There are other
days when I have 100% faith in God. There have been days when I have had a
conversation with God as if talking to a friend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So what is God to me? I don’t know yet. I don’t
plan on finding out either. May be God is my best friend. Maybe when I am
really in need, God will do some God deed. We are also taught isn’t it. God
helps them who help themselves.</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-45974479817707198012016-04-06T23:33:00.000+05:302016-04-06T23:33:22.662+05:30F for Father <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking what could I write for F. First I thought friends, then I thought flowers. Then there was a bulb on the head moment. Today is my dad's birthday so what better day than to write about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Father... As kids before we join school, we are taught or rather the names of our parents are drilled into us.. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">what is your name?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is your mother's name?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is your father's name?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It is said a daughter is her father's pet. I dont know about others but in my case, it's completely true. I am my father's princess. Ofcourse I am my mom's princess too..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like all children I too have learnt a lot from my dad. But what I cherish is that in spite of me being stubborn and rebel I have never got punished by him.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember one incident when I had done some mischief and mom jus mentioned to dad he us never strict with me and dad, for fun just patted my head saying why did you do this. I remember crying for that small pat. From that day, dad did not even hit me or tried to hit me even for fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another one which mom mentioned was that my dad was a chain smoker and he quit smoking only for my sake. One fine day he just stopped and never touched a cigarette again in life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We have celebrated so many of our birthdays together. Dad, how much ever I wish you, it just doesn't seem enough. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday Daddy!!!</span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10025609.post-35255998348955371122016-04-05T23:50:00.000+05:302016-04-06T00:43:24.516+05:30E for Emotion <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Emotion.. This is something which everybody has. It is irrespective of your gender or age. There might be people who might not put it on display, but inside they definetly have some emotion playing. Nobody can deny this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have heard people say, X is such a emotion less person. How can that be true? He/she might not express it, but being devoid of it is not human nature...be it happy or sad, angry or content, frustrated or content... all these are different kind of emotions. Just because a person doesn't show you what you expect from them doesn't mean they don't have it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next time you judge a person of being emotionless...Think again...Is it really so?</span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00361938268399916452noreply@blogger.com0