Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Long Trip Part 2

Was so tired from Saturday's stuff that my alarms (I had 2 one at 4.30 and other at 5) rang and I dint even notice.. I was fast asleep.. Then my hotel room phone rang and I just sat up on my bed.. That was my wake up call (thank God, else I wouldnt have got up atleast for another 2-3 hrs). I had to be down near the pick up point by 5.50 in the morning.. [5.50 on a vacation day is too much]. So I reached there at 5.45 itself hoping that the bus dint leave without me.. Once we were in the bus.. I was very excited.. We went to the tour office.. checked in, had continental breakfast, picked up some brochures and got into the respecitve buses (South Rim or West Rim). I got myself a comfortable seat in the bus going to the South Rim..

The trip started off with our driver/guide telling us stories about Canyon and hoover dam.. We reached the architectural wonder - Hoover Dam in half an hr. Though we dint get to spend more than 15 mins there.. it was nice.. I was trying to enjoy the beauty there.. I always wonder deserts are so barren and yet so beautiful.. But the heat was really getting on to me.. Clicked a few memories.. and started walking to my bus... Just met a college friend of mine.. It was nice to see a familiar face there esp after 1 day of being alone.. We spoke for a couple of minutes and left to our respective buses.

Hoover Dam

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On the way to Canyon ( this was taken from the bus)
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Then we started finally towards the Grand Canyon. I was so tired and since the bus was relaxing, I just caught up with my sleep. We stopped for lunch (had pizza) and went to the IMAX where national georaphic had a movie on the Canyon. That was surely amazing.. Now I was getting impatient to go to the Canyon..After 10 mins or so.. we entered the 'GREAT' Grand Canyon.

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The first stop was Mather Pt. We were given 1 hr here to look around. So I walked fast and as soon as I reached the point from where I could see the canyon.. I was just stunned. It was amazing.. This was something which I had never seen... Seems there is a saying

"Nothing said written or pictured can beautify the grand canyon other than the Canyon itself"

I totally agree with it.. Anything I write about it, I will not be able to justify the beauty.. But here are a few pics.. this is just what I saw and was so lost in the beauty.

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Since we had just 1 hr, I ran from one view point to another and took as many pictures I could take... With a sense of joy I left from there to the bus.. I reached on time and we headed towards the next stop. This is more famous than the previous point. This was the Bright Angel Point. We entered this from a small hotel and the back door led to the great view.. Again here I ran with enthusiasm capturing everything possible in my eyes and in my camera.. In the meanwhile there was a show going on about endangered birds.. Spent some time there and then after an hour started back to the bus.. Just on the way got an icecream (it was like heaven esp in the hot sun).

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What are u looking at??

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Now the journey started back to Vegas. With a heavy heart we all bid good bye to the wonderful Canyon. The journey back was very lazy.. I was still catching up with sleep.. And finally reached my hotel at 10.30 PM. I was a little hungy, but was very tired. I thought I'll just go to bed.. But my stomach wouldnt listen. So I just felt that I'll go out eat something and come back. As soon as I got out of the hotel hot air just blew over my face. I then got into the monorail. It was a nice ride, I got down at Bally's Casino and then spent a few hours roaming around. I again saw the musical fountain at Bellagio. It was already 12.30 so, I thought its time to go and eat.

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I got down at Hitlon station and got a shock. It was a little far away from the strip. So now I had to walk all the way. It was little scary coz I was alone at the road was totally deserted. I walked as fast as I could, finally reached Dennis and then had nice dinner and then went back to the hotel and as soon as my head touched the pillow I started to float in dreamland.

Monday, July 30, 2007

Techies.. primitives

We use technology for the smallest of things..But we cant deny that primitve ways always come in handy wherever whenever..

We were in Atlanta on Saturday.. We wanted to go to a particular restaurant, and that was supposed to be on the West direction.. Now how do we find West sitting in a car. We dint have any GPS, no compass too :)
So this is what happened
Guy 1: Hey Arathi, bahar dekhke bata sooraj kis taraf hai??
(look outside tell which side is the sun)
Me : Huh!! Kyon?
(why)
Guy 2: Abe, sooraj jis direction mein hoga.. uske depending east/west decide karenge
(we will decide which east/west depending on which direction is)
Me : Oh!! Par ab to 12.30 hai.. sar pe hoga sooraj
(its 12.30 now.. it will be right on our head)
Guy 3:Arre yaar... ab west kaise dhoondenge??
(Now how will we find west)
Me : Itne techies ho.. phir bhi primitive mehtods use karna pada (*laughs*)
(all of u are techies.. but u had to use primitive methods)

After this.. with some guessing we did find West.. And had a extremely delicious lunch..

PS: By primitive I meant times when we didnt use any of our wonderful electronic Gadgets :)

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Been very busy lately.. My Trip part2 is still in the making.. I hope to post it sometime this week.. I want to post all the details.. before I forget my beautiful moments... This is how I can relive those moments later :)

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Long Trip Part 1

Day 1 : Saturday:

I start from the Los Angeles(LA) airport at nearly 2.00 AM with a Silver Chevy Mallibu (First trip where i never took a pic of the car). With my GPS enabled, I began my 4-5 hour long drive to Las Vegas (LV).
The drive in the night was not new.. only new thing was I was driving alone, and was going to be so for the whole of my trip.

The moment I reached Las Vegas (LV) I was very excited. Checked into one of the casinos (Sahara - Supposed to be based on the moroccon theme). I had to make calls to assue that I am safe and having a gala time. Though I wanted to sleep and take some rest... the excitement wouldnt allow me to do so... I was in the room at the 19th floor.. The view from my room was quite good...I could see the Stratosphere (one of the casinos in the end of the road).
Stratosphere from my room
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I left around 10 in the morning. Before I left picked up the Strip map. All the casinos are in one road (thats the Vegas Strip). The northern part of the strip doesnt have much casinos (rather not many interesting ones). The first one in the strip is the Stratospehre. The second was Sahara. After this there is a huge gap. As I moved forward, somehow the place started to be boring.. well. that was because of so many reasons.. It was very very hot.. I was sweating as if just got out from the shower. I was very very hungry.. Felt as if I could eat anything then.. As I went on, reached the fashion mall. There I spotted a Italian restaurant. Maggino's Little Italy:)
I went in and ordered for a lemonade (so nice and cooling). Then ordered for fried Zuccini.. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket They were so yummy.. and so filling.. After this ordered the very famous Tiramasu.. (hmm such a yummy pastry, I can still feel it) Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket The food was so lovely I even complimented the waitress and spoke for a few minutes. Once pet-pooja was done.. I had the enthu again to roam around... Outside Wyan (another casino) they had beautiful falls.. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Once I crossed this.. i started to look at the bigger casinos. As I went forward. I went into Venetian..

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Venetian is one of the biggies there on the strip.. The entrance has the Gandola Tours (Boat rides under the tunnels), It looked so nice.. They even had these tours inside.. (I personally felt inside ones would be better, one it had that feeling also its too hot outside to enjoy these).
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So once you are inside.. all the shops.. and the ambience try their level best to make you feel at Venice.. and I must say.. they do succeed to a great level.
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Once I got my tickets, I was having fun looking at the small shows like some jokers coming up with some funny tricks.. or a few performers coming and singing and dancing..
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I had my Gandola tour scheduled at 3.00 in the afternoon.. So I had nearly 1.5 hrs to kill.. There were weddings going on.. It was so nice to see all that.. You could get a private boat for 2 too.. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket So I did some window shopping there.. bought tickets for the blue man show that night ( i got a free entry to Madam Tussads Wax museum).. I went out and took some pictures, I was not sure if I wanted to go the museum.. Took the Gandola Tour and it was a nice ride.. The boatman would even sing for you.. Though I dint understand a word of it.. I thoroughly enjoyed the song.. The slow pitch they start of with and the high pitch they end it with is just amazing.. These tours take you to a small round in the Venetia. It was great except the that it would be better if I had my humsafar there..

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Well after this.. I walked all the way to Paris.. Oh this is another casino in the strip.. not the real Paris. But like the real one this also has the world famous Eifel Tower. The difference is that the one in LV is half the size of the actual Eifel Tower. It looked very good.. I was just wondering. if half the size is so beautiful.. then how wonderful must the real one be... We had a trip to the top of Eifel Tower.. The view from there was awesome... You could see the whole city from there.. I took snaps from all the angles. Stayed there on the top for more than 15 mins.. I even had a wonderful musical fountain going on at the bottom.. and that was a great view..
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After Paris. I was very tired.. Walking in the hot sun in a desert environment is very difficult. I walked the strech even further down till Cocacola MGM casino..

MGM
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Dint find much interesting things to do there.. Then crossed over to Newyork Newyork.. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket They had the statue of Liberty, brooklyn bridge, and inside the casino.. the ambience was all NY type.. It was nice.. Lot of stuff to eat around, but I wasnt that hungry so just moved out of there.. Next was Monte Carlo.. Dint go inside.. but took a couple of pics.. after that not much to look until I reached Bellagio... Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
This is right in front of Paris. Its very famous for the musical fountains which happens in front of the caino/hotel. People gather in front of this for a long time.. I was also one of them.. I had already seen this twice from the Eifel Tower. But still wanted to have a closer look. It was worth the wait.. The musical fountains were wonderful.. It gives immense pleasure to watch when water is jumping around with joy...

Once this got over, I still had time for the Blue man show in Ventian.. By now, my legs had totally lost it.. I just wanted to sit somewhere.. infact go to the room and sleep.. So I went to the next casino.. Caesar's palace.. This was all Roman..Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket It was another Huuuuuuge one.. they had the roman sculptures all over They even had Lord Brahma in a garden.. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket It said Thai people worshipped Lord Brahma.. After Caeser's I moved onto Mirage (another Biggie) They had huge water falls outside.. probably a Mirage :)Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket.. By now I was tired of the heat outside.. So I decided reluctanly to use my free ticket to Madam Tussad's.

I have already been to the NY Madam Tussad's, so did not want one more.. But then I thought I could as well use my free ticket.. So went in.. and I saw Johny Depp ( Captain Jack Sparrow).. I had just then kept my camera inside.. Instantly this came out.. and I wanted a pic of him and Will Turner.. Then I just rushed thru all the models..(Its nice to see first time.. or if u have comapany) Now it was nearly 9 and I had to go to my show by 9.15.. so I reached there on time.. and by the time everybody was seated it took a while.. the people there were a lot of fun.. After some time.. we were give crepe paper to tie around ourselves etc.. It was one crazy auditorium... Finally the show started.. I loved the acts with the paint.. Well when it was just music.. I dint find that much interest.. I must say. I dozed off.. Not coz of the show.. they were great.. but my body was overly exhausted... But then again... I woke up and enjoyed so much.. We were throwing paper all over... there was a time when paper was allover me.. i was drowned in that.. had never done such crazy stuff.. so that was fun..

After such an exhausting day.. I still had to walk back to my hotel.. That took another 45 mins.. But finally I reached.. and my body was totally out.. I just went and crashed into the bed...

Friday, July 06, 2007

Long Trip

I was out for 5 whole days.. I went to the West Coast of USA..

Been to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon..

Did Skydiving..

Spend all 5 days alone..

Went to one of the highest crime area in US (alone)...

Had a splendid time...

Details yet to come in the future posts.. Since its a long trip, I will have to split it in 4-5 parts..

Monday, June 18, 2007

Again!!!

We have seen in movies.. once a person falls in love.. there is no sleep there is no hunger... u dont feel like doing anything...
Well the same thing is happening to me..

Somehow.. i just cant sleep these days.. dont feel like eating and just so bored to do anything..( I can sing Mujhe neend na aaye song..)

Is it coz I have fallen in love again?? As in movies..

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Sunset

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So many people give so many meanings to Sunset...
But when you see this sight... Only thing which comes to my heart... how does nature paint such a beautiful picure in front of our eyes...
And a picture thats left to our imagination??

Is this a sunset or a pot of happiness which is to be uncovered.. Or is it hiding something in the water.. Can I go there and touch it.. I have never seen such a sunset ever.. Its the most beautiful sunset ever :)

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Koi Roko Na....

I was listening to the song

Koi roko na deewane ko..
ke mann machal raha
kuch gaane ko

I suddenly remembered my lunch times a year or so back.. We had a cassette with this song remixed...
Ans coincidence was this song usually started off while we were going for lunch... So me A and R changed it to ...

Koi roko na deewano ko..
ke mann machal raha
kuch Khaane ko

Some of the fun times which we had..

Found the link in youtube :) and its this

Friday, June 08, 2007

Garlic

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Garlic... one of the most important spices.. But when fried.. it gives out such a pungent smell.. Some people love it.. and some hate it.. Well I dont care who loves it or hates it.. I just hate it..I cannot stand the smell of this.. And these days.. i am getting kind of allergic to it.. Oh no not my body.. but its me.. moment i taste Garlic, i get this vomiting sensation.. I feel like rinsing my mouth a hundered times..
At home my roomie puts Garlic in Daal.. result I end up eating curd rice..
Today at breakfast in the morning.. we had got baegals from Paneera Bread.. They are supposed to be the best in breads. I love their baegals.. but today due to some confusion.. Got Sesame and something something today... (I had ordered for all baegals, but she gave me the wrong one.. :( I was in ahurry so dint check) So now I put this baegal in my mouth.. and all i get to taste is Garlic... (yuk!!!)
From that time i am trying to take out that taste.. Drank a whole glass of orange juice (juice over here is usually like its made from the skin and not the fuit. .so bitter) then had my strawberry cereal bar.. then had 3 gulps of water.. i still feel that vomiting sensation..
Probably its Garlic week :(

Saturday, June 02, 2007

How Safe??

Back home in India.. girls somehow get used to eve teasing.. Either coz we dont know what to do about it.. or sometimes.. its not very serious.. Sometimes you notice a guy following you everywhere you go... But sometimes its very trivial like a guy asking your name.. You just ignore and go ahead.. But lately in India.. (havent encountered those serious ones in the recent times)
And nowadays where ever I go in India.. its either with a huge bunch of friends.. (most of them being guys.. so u know u r protected, moreover u r very busy trying to spot a beautiful girl for them) or go with family.. where all uncles brothers are there to guard you... Even when I go alone.. maximum i have encountered in the recent times are the trivial ones.. which I can easily ignore..
Well the post is not about eve teasing.. When I came to US.. hardly saw people on roads (atleast in my place.. and this is not a city) so eve teasing is out of question.. but then what if in this isolated place.. somebody comes and talks to you??

Well all this questions cropped up 2 days back..

I usually go to the gym in the evening.. There was a man(black) in there (usually the gym is isolated too, very rarely 1 or 2 come in a week at the time I go). Here usually people just smile at each other and say hi.. irrespective of they know you or not. I enter.. this guy smiles at me.. and I smile back.. Now he comes up to me.. and this was the conversation we had (the ones in brackets are either actions or things going on in my mind

He : Are u scared of me??
Me : (with my mp3 player going on) pardon!!
He : Are u scared of me??
Me : (By now headphones on shoulders) (why the hell would I be scared!!) No..
He : Oh I thought you would be
Me : (huh!! whatever) ok
He : I see you here always
Me : (what crap!! I am not even here always) ok
He : I like ladies who workout
Me : (Workout!!! I run for half an hr in the gym with so much difficulty and this guy thinks i workout.. am I Bipasha basu??) ok
He : What are u listening to (I was trying to avoid the conversation and putting back my headphones)
Me : Indian music
He : Can I listen?
Me : Sure.. (hand overs the headphone, was listening to a kannada song)
He : This is nice.. its cool..
Me : (smiles)
He : Its like R....
Me : ok.. Never heard of that...
He : Thats jamaican music
Me : ok
He : Cool

(by now I am desperate to go away from the guy and start my routine. I am on the threadmill)
He was leaving and on the way.

He : U work in (so n so company)
Me : (oh god.. leave me alone) Yes
He : I see you always
(this guy happens to work in the same place.. somewhere in business)
Me : (pissed off by now) I have never seen you
He : I even play tennis with those other guys
(Other guys here are - my friends in office - we all work together.. stay in the same apartment complex)
Me : (so what!!!) ok
He : My name is (so n so)
Me : ok
He : Whats urs??
Me : (None of ur concern) its A...
He : hmm.. thats a nice name
Me : Thanks..
He : So next time we meet say whats up.. ok
Me : (oh yeah!! I hope not to see ur face in my life) Sure.. (smiles)
He : Bye
Me : Bye (thank god.. Good riddens)

Well the point was .. I was actually scared when he left.. Is it safe here ??

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Coffee!! Filter Coffee

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Pic courtsey : Wikipedia

One of my collegues just a got freshly brewed coffee.. The smell is too good..
I just recollect the one at home.. When I wake up in the morning.. I go down to the hall after brushing my teeth.. Both mom and dad are full of smiles wishing me a good morning.. And in 2 mins. I have the news paper in my hand.. All this while I can smell that wonderful filter coffee :)
Well I hate coffee.. Love tea.. but this smell sometimes just tempts me..So at home I drink coffee with lots of milk so that it doesnt taste bitter...
How I wish I could go back now and re-live those moments..

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Then and Now!!!

Aj - Akka naanu ninge kathe helloda??
- (shall i tell u a story)
A - Sari hellu...
(ok)
Aj - Ondu ooralli obba raja idda... avanige ondu rani idlu...
(once upon a time there was a king and he had a queen)
A - hmm...
Aj - Avaribrigu ice cream tinbeku anisthu...
(one day both wish to have an icecream)
A -huh!! icecream??
Aj - Sumne kathe kellu disturb maadbeda
(dont disturb.. listen)
A - ok
Aj- So avaru angadige hogokke decide maadidru..
(so they plan to go to a shop)
A - Raja rani angadige hogtaareno??
(Do king and queen go to shops??)
Aj - (imaptiently) hoon kane.. hogtaare..
(ya.. they do)
A - hmm.. sari munde hellu
(ok.. go on)
Aj - Avaru yochne maadtaare yavadu tinnodu antha.. aamele ankotaare park hogi tinnona antha..
( they think which one to eat... then decide to go to a park)
A - (puzzled) ok
Aj - Adikke avaribru bus stop ge odi hogtaare...
(so they run to the bus stop)
A - (roftl) what??
Aj - hoon kashta pattu bus hiditaare.. aamele seat siguthe... park stop alli illitaare.. aamele ice cream togondu jaara bande mele aata aadtaare... chennagi aata aadi manege wapis bartaare.. ashte...
(they catch the bus with difficulty, and then get a seat.. get down at the park stop.. .eat ice cream play on the slide... after they play nicely.. they get back.. Thats all)
A - [totally ROFTL :)]

This was my bro nearly 15 years back...

These days our conversation is like this...

Aj - Hey Lord of the Rings nodidya??
(did u see lord of rings)
A - Hoon... ashtu sariyaagi artha aaglilla
(ya but dint understand properly)
Aj - yene antha classic movie... artha aagalla antiya...
(its such a classic movie.. and u cant understand)
A - hmm.. yen maadodu..
(what to do)
Aj - hey get all new movies.. i want to watch them.. u also watch its too good...

My brother is really growing up... Or am I still stuck with those old days :)

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Moments in US

Why is this happening.. I am so fed up of life here...It is so lonely... How long do I keep myself engaged with stuff...I dont want to have such memories when I go back from here...

When I came here.. even though i felt a little home sick. it was coz i was away from home..so far... But i had gr8 roomies and we had lot of fun...it was like a second home..

We cooked together, watched TV together.. had dinner together...
Even for a small thing, we went to the shop together... And shopping meant so much fun..
Be it Walmart, K-Mart or Mall.. we always went together.. selected things for each other...

Once we were home... it was a rule.. we had to wear all the dresses we bought.. and do a fashion parade...then we scrutinize which ones to be kept and which ones to be returned...

I still remember and cherish these moments in my life.. which had made my life so beautiful in US....

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Just Mom!!!

I just want to run away from everything and everybody.. oh but over here there is nobody.. From whom do I run?? This situation is totally getting on my nerves. I dont feel like going to office.. dont feel like going home.. Just want to go back to mom.. Want to lie on her lap.. Want her shoulders to cry on...
Why does this keep happening every now and then.. I know that I love mom the most and I depend so much on her.. But sometimes inpite of me being so strong.. I depend on mom to find some mental peace.. How much ever i am confused or depressed.. once I talk to her.. all my burdens are just gone.. I feel that now I can sleep like a baby.. with no worried no tensions..

People are amazed by God's creations.. The animal the plants.. but God's best creation is Mom...
She is there anytime of the day (and night).. U dont have to tell her.. if u r sad.. She just comes to know .. and not just by ur face.. by ur voice.. just a touch.. just a feeling.. If there is Telepathy existing then mom has that power.. I just call home and say hi.. she knows I am happy or sad..

As and when u grow.. u meet other people and then someday you find a very special person in life.. with whom you decide to spend the rest of your life..
But even that very special person cannot take ur mom's place... U still find peace only with mom..

Thank u so much ma.. for being there for me.. as a mother..as a guide..as a friend.. as my life..

This post was initially not to talk about how gr8 moms are.. but somehow even the mention of her.. made me feel much better..

Thursday, April 26, 2007

How Does it Feel??

Start of the trip with a Ford Mustang (Convertible) - Wow.. amazing
Walking on the beach with water splashing on you every now - Relaxing
Sitting on the beach.. watching the waves come and go.. - Music to the ears
The ocean looking so calm far far away - Peaceful
Drive from Miami to the Sunset City (Keywest) - Breathtaking
Burning in the hot sun of florida - itchy
Going on a scooter (like scooty in India) - A 2 wheeler ride in US.. wow its cool
Going on a sunset Cruise - Romantic
Watching the sunset in the ocean - exotic
Get up early in the morning - Yawn!!!
Reach the boats in the morning - Exciting
Go on in the boat for an hr in the midst of the ocean in the rough sea - Excellent ride..
Water is so rough and that splashing on u in the boat.. - Ooooo
Instructions for snorkelling.. - Interesting..
Putting on the accessories - Strange
Getting down in the ocean - First time..
Stepping into the ocean with the snorkel and those funny shoes - Shiver
5 mins of being in water - Fear of drowning (inspite of the life jacket)
Back to boat - Thank God I am alive
Watching other snorklers fighting with the waves.. - hope they have a nice time
Boat starts off agian - Nice sailing in the hot sun
One quick nap after a sandwich - Refreshing
Going to ride banana boat - Wow finally i do something
Sit on the boat - Little scary
Motor boat tied to banana boat starts - Excited
Motor Boat speeding and we jumping up and down in water - Thrilling
The girl behind me falls off - Oops.. what if its me..
2 mins later I fall into water(Atlantic Ocean) - I am drowning
Come up to the surface (entirely coz of life jacket) - Will I be alive
See everybody from the boat in water - Who s gonna save me..
G comes near me - Hang on.. Save me!!!
G says dont worry u wont drown - I cant breathe. Do something..
Banana boat overturns - Oh God!! now I die for sure
Motor boat guy comes nearby.. - Please please pick me up from water.. I dont know swimming
2 guys pull me up from water - Thanks u ppl
Last bit of the ride on banana boat - Go slow..
Back to my ship - Now I am safe
Waiting for Parasailing - hmmm...
Parasailing - Amazing, spectacular, cool, Wonderful, Exotic, amazing, Beautiful etc etc
Back to the ship - I want to parasail more...
Just relaxing and eating fruits - Let this day not end
Back to the shore - Amazing experience
Going back to Miami during sunset time, drive back - Better than what we had earlier :) [Its the same, its just the sunset probably]
Get up again next morning - Office time :( [why why why after every trip?????]

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Akki Rotti

Was very hungry in the morning.... No patience to do anything.. So thought of a very yummy and a quick breakfast.. AKKI ROTTI (made of rice flour)

So in a few minutes.. I had the dough prepared...

Ingredients:

Carrots - grated
Onions - Finely chopped
Tomatoes - Very finely chopped
Cocout - grated
Green Chillies - Finely chopped
Rice Flour
Jeera
Salt
Water

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The vegetables mentioned are optional... Today i dint add tomatoes.. but added a pinch of turmeric :)

Mix all these together.. to form the dough

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Then with little oil in hand.. make rounds and on the tava press such that it becomes bigger rounds ... once cooked both sides.. into the plate...

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U can have it with chutney.. or chutney powder.. Since I had too many things in rotti itself.. I had it just like that :)

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very yummy..

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Friday, April 06, 2007

Tarot Card :) - I am an Empress!!!


You are The Empress


Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.


The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.


The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.


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Sunday, April 01, 2007

Blooming Season :)

Jugalbandi
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Pinkies :)
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Whites :)
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I call this Mickey Mouse :)
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Mr. Frown Face
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Mr.Frownface and family
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Orange !!!
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Life in the dry
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Triplets
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Monday, March 19, 2007

Happy Ugadi!!!

Its New year again...

Though we are not going to do any different from last year...

I just wish.. everybody has a fantastic year ahead

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Friday, March 16, 2007

A is going Back

A is giong back tom... I dont know if I will miss her or not.... But I will surely remember her...
It dint strike that much until one of them in the office said to her... I am sure people living with you will miss U....
That was a moment where I felt my eyes were moist...That moment I was just not looking at her, scared that I might just let out those feelings...
When I came to US, it was always me, her and R who were always together.. Now we are together.. but still now our group has so many people that its not possible to be close to everyone... Even though due to so many reasons we dint talk much sometimes, we always had a gr8 time shopping...
Will always remember her when we pass thru Tanger on the way to Atlanta... Will always think of her when we go to any shopping Mall...
But she s going back home and that will make her happy.. and thats what friends want... so that the other person is happy... Will meet her again when I go back to India..
Till then I wish she has a gala time back home

Friday, March 09, 2007

Splashing Weekend!!!

Now y did I call it splashing.. coz it felt like a gush of water just being splashed on me.. :)

It started off from Friday evening... We were to go for an English movie after dinner at the Italian Restaurant..
Before that, I had to sort out some problems of mine.. So just went away from home.. from office.. near the cool breeze at Lake Juliet.
Was there for an hr or so and it was dinner time.. By now I was much relaxed.. But we left too late for the dinner.. The Restaurant we were supposed to go for didn't take reservations on Fridays.. and when we reached they said 90 mins wait time... (are we crazy to wait for 1.5 hrs?? Naah!!)
We moved on to Mexican ( I have got bored of this.. next time a big no-no to mexican).. Had dinner there and then went to the movie.. Bridge to Terabithia. Once we came back I watched a kannada movie at home...

Saturday.. I got up early, and was sipping my saturday morning tea a 9.30. I called home.. Mom was wondering how come I was ready by then :) I spoke for an hr.. By then I was feeling hungry.. Wanted to eat something different.. I was bored of rice and chappatis... So decided to make akki rotti.. (rotti made of rice flour speciality in Karnataka). So in an hr I had 2 yummy rottis.. Now with my stomach full, I just wanted to so something, but what.. Just then my friend wanted me to drop her to office... So after that.. I thought if I go home I'll be bored.. so went to meet M....
Went to B's house spoke to them for 10-15 mins... When I came out of their house.. my projmates were
.. so spoke to them for a copule of minutes and then went to meet D. After some time came back home.. prepared akki rotti for D and M. It was time to go to office.. (we had something to do that saturday).. We had pizza for lunch.. till 5.30 we worked.. had fun.. got starbucks coffee... and then decided its packup time.. Before we left... it was decided that we would have a get together and the occasion was Holi....

So by 10.00 PM we were ready with the food.
Menu -

Bajjis and pakoras
Bisibele bhaat
Gulaab jamun
(Seasoned) Curd rice
2 chicken curries (I dont eat)

Once the dinner was done... After a few songs, we thought of playing cards..so we played Bluff!!!
I got rid of all my cards pretty soon.. And enjoyed the game very well.. Finally it was 2.00 AM when we left their house and reached home. I still wasnt sleepy.. So watched another movie...

Sunday morning I woke up around 9 and by 10 I was sipping my tea and talking to my roomies... Later I called mom and suddenly felt I should leave for shopping... It had been so long since I had gone on a shopping spree (well whether i bought anything or not is not important here) I first went to get myself a phone charger.. Then roamed in between the electronic sections.. dint interest me.. so just came out... Went to Thai restaurant.. Had lunch alone.. first time in so many days did not feel lonely even though I was alone... After this I just did window shopping..bought small stuff...
By the time I came home it was 6.30... then did some kitchen cleaning.. and A prepared dinner... So by 9.30 I was tired but very satisfied with my weekend.. spent some peaceful time listening to music and reading the book - The Suitable Boy....

So I had a very ordinary.... but very refreshing weekend.. or can I say again.. a Splashing Weekend!!!

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

What is it??

There are times when you pour ur heart out in front if a person..
Do we ever realize is it because we have nobody to talk to and we just want to vent out our feelings..
Or
Is it so that we really feel the other person will understand our feelings.

Does it mean we are very week and cannot handle the turmoils life pushes us into...
Or
Does it indicate the courage we have so that we could take the strength to go and talk about our feelings without even thinking if we can trust the person.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Belief, trust and friendship

Sometimes we believe in certain people.. have expectations from them...
G says we should not expect.. but we are human.. and expectations and human go together..

There are so many complications in life.. and most of it is because of these expectations..
Be it professional .. be it personal.. these always have some value.. Its a different topic if we are able to meet other's expectation or not..

We might not be raising upto that level.. and when we dont and see the pain in our loved ones... we feel guilty... and not go and advise.. dont have any expecations from me.. or nobody has ever had any expectation from me.. These are words of escapism...

When in a relationship.. be it parent child, brother sister, husband wife.. even in friendship.. we need to know that a little bit of affection is always expected... You need to be confident that when the whole world leaves me alone... my friend is always there for me...That is what is friendship after all... The confidence in the other person, the trust which you have on that person irrespective of whether the person will really do it for you.

What if there comes a situation you are no longer going to trust your friend... the friendship is off on a vacation.. probably that is the day, you realize, you did a mistake...

They say.. parents are by chance
frineds are by choice


So choose your friends wisely... Choose your life wisely!!!