tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22867048221705407652024-03-05T02:18:46.132-08:00TROPICAL ICEBERGtropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-24285829187154828452021-08-29T03:48:00.000-07:002021-08-29T03:48:27.271-07:00The Funny Bone<p> This is/was the title of one of her blog posts that I vividly remember reading. She was such a nice writer. I never knew her personally. She never knew me at all. We were just blogging our own stuff on the internet around the same time. She had her style, I had mine. However, it was always fresh and fun for me to read her stuff. On rough days, I knew that I would feel better reading her stuff. There are many of her posts that I have read more than once. </p><p>She chose the style of being funny in her blog. She now blogs on serious topics. She does it well. I like reading the stuff she writes today. I happened to come across one post where she wrote about why she got off social media and why she stopped writing in her blog, and came out with some really painful secrets about herself. It pained me to read the things she was accused of. She just wanted to be funny. She said stories that sounded funny in her old blog. And I am sure that a wide range of audience might have found her stuff interesting and funny. She had a good language, good wit and good humor. But the way social media took her to task by raking her own life was miserable to read, leave alone live the things she went through. If an individual or a group of individuals did not like reading what she wrote, they could have simply ignored. Why damage a person simply because it is possible?</p><p>"Why is it so hard to be funny?" I remember she had written in that article that all she needed to do was to fall down and break her nose for people to laugh; but it takes a lot more these days to make someone laugh. I remember reading it with amusement of some slapstick comedy and nothing else. She did not try to change the world's opinion, she did not preach anything, she did not shame anyone, she did not even hurt anyone else. She just jotted down figments of her imagination in a thread to appear funny. The stand she took was nothing short of an entertainer- a comedian who was trying hard to laugh at the ironies of her life. Yes, she was mocking her own self and inviting people to simply laugh. If this entertained others and at the same time gave her courage to laugh off her difficult times, it is not a crime nor a sin. </p><p>Like TM Krishna once said that an author is dead if he must take back his words., it pained me that she had to kill that entertainer. When the internet allows total arseholes and encourages an abundant array of bullshit, why did she have to stop being funny? Why did she have to stop writing? Why did people pry into her personal life and dig into the deep sorrows that haunted her? What was the cheap thrill that was achieved? Why and how do these insecure bunch of individuals not notice larger damaging things? Simply because attacking a small person is *easy*. <br /><br />I really wish free writers are allowed the rights by google and the internet to have personal lives untouched. I really wish that my words reach that comedian writer that she was damn good and did not deserve to go through the kind of pain that she went through. </p>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-76633462391324138722018-10-10T01:34:00.002-07:002018-10-10T01:34:47.058-07:00The Spectacle of Drama<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is quite common to see people, men in particular who say "I hate drama". I have heard this also from elderly women. Before I plunge in, let me tell you this, these are the very people who actually love or even crave drama regardless of how dramatic they are.<br />
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It has taken me quite a while to understand this to a considerable depth. Now, my understanding need not necessarily correlate with the facts of the psychology textbook, but I find my analysis to work pretty well. But let me start with the positives.<br />
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For a very long time, I have been a dramatic person. So much that my paediatrician called me the heir of Shakespeare (no kidding!). I eventually grew up, and I guess I have also grown old. In these years, I have been up to things that involved a lot of monologues with a varied audience. Recently, I realized that I am not bad at public speaking when I was giving suggestions to a friend. But all this did not come in a miraculous moment of stepping on the stage, nor any formal or informal education. My stage was everywhere. I'd be animated and dramatic whether I am talking to my mom or to an audience over 300 people or even while giving a presentation, and worse, even while I am thinking. Well, thinking is a kind of rehearsal, and it needs seriousness in my defence! Especially if you are a teacher. Sit back and recollect the teachers you remember the most with a sense of fondness. Although they can be categorized for your interest in them for their looks, their partiality towards you, and whatever paramets you might set. But the ones who have taught you lessons from and out of the book tend to hold a mighty position in your memory. These teachers are usually the ones who make good use of the stage, the board, emote effectively, have a powerful voice and a striking body language. You just cannot take your eyes off them, and they have your undivided attention! They actually make an impact in your life. The same holds good with people in the cinema/theatre industries. Such people are in a state of constant rehearsal when not in their stage. Many introverts are splendid performers. I, somehow fall in the ambivert category, implying that I get the best and worst of both worlds.<br />
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Now, there are people who hate drama. These are people who call themselves too mature for all this. Compare these folks with people who are actually mature. I have been called immature for my sense of drama. I have also made impact in people's lives. Now, people don't like you if you are in a perennial state of performance. Well, some who choose to not like you, won't like you like this. Whereas, I also do remember the random strangers who eventually became good friends thanks to my uninhibited performances in public places.<br />
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I actually went in pursuit of understanding this. At one point, I felt that people with no taste for drama are the ones who have a bland life, and no taste in life. I still believe this, and I strongly recommend people reading this to throw back this line at people who say they don't like you being dramatic. They have synonyms for you, drama queen, melodrama queen, dramebaaz and what not. I have heard quite a lot! As a dramebaz, I have also been offended deeply by the detailed hatred thrown at me for what I was.<br />
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I asked a friend who happens to hold a degree in child psychology. I was going through quite a turmoil at that phase in my life. I asked him what it meant to be mature, because the so called mature people didn't like me feeling anything at all. He gave me an explanation that put me at ease and actually helped me heal myself. I eventually noticed that really mature don't call themselves mature. Because, d'uh they are, and the language of maturity is action.<br />
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Now let me get closer to what causes this phenomenon. It is weakness. Yes, simple plain weakness. If you are weak or find someone who is weak, come to terms with it.<br />
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In this state of weakness, one is easily provoked, easily hurt, easily pleased, easily elated. Now, it takes time for these people come to a balance.<br />
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Coming to terms with it is a major step in healing and recovery. Although it sounds great that you can be easily pleased and kept happy, you can also fall down and get hurt very bad very easily. If you understand you cannot lift a bag that weighs 1000 kgs, you won't bother picking it up. Similarly if you come to terms with your weakness, you won't bother putting yourself in situations that will damage you. I am not recommending you to be a pessimist and not do anything at all because of this weakness. Remember, I call it weakness and not disability. I have also been called mature in quite a few aspects of life. I have had the good fortune of witnessing mature people. They do go through ups and downs, they do enjoy life, they do get happy. But they don't need someone else to make them happy. They allow all the good and bad of life to pass through them with same ease. It is their ability to handle the ups and downs and not get overwhelmed as much as a weak person would.<br />
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If I have found the cause, have I found the solution? Being a weak person myself, I cannot give a solution, but only make assumptions. I do believe that you will find ways to overcome this weakness by taking help of stronger people. If you don't have access to stronger people, you could meditate. Or, you could challenge your weakness bit by bit to become stronger by the day and eventually a strong person. There are also several self help books. But don't just stick to books. Go out and put yourself there, because your weakness is also your strength. You can impact several lives! <br />
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-60111898555609002722018-04-07T04:05:00.000-07:002018-05-30T07:53:24.018-07:00The Bride on Wheels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sipping on some ginger tea, I find myself recollecting the last time I had ginger tea. It suddenly dawned on me that I have not told this story, and it is worth being told and heard. </div>
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I had quite a depressing start to the year 2018, and I was desperately searching for some hope.<br />
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Somewhere in the meantime, I received the wedding invitation of Supriya, my friend from college. The wedding was supposed to happen in Gurvayur.<br />
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I jumped at the idea of going to Gurvayur to attend her wedding. The idea of travelling, Gurvayur, meeting her, and attending her wedding equally played parts in bringing up my enthusiasm. </div>
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So I booked flight tickets to and from Coimbatore and planned on continuing the journey by bus. Just before I left Hyderabad, I had managed to put my vocal cords to task by using them over-time. As a result, I had a bad throat and was not able to talk. On the day I left Hyderabad, I noticed my nose bleeding due to the heat and rupture of the blood vessels as a result of constant sneezing and coughing. </div>
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Anyways, I was all set to go, and I went! I landed well in Coimbatore and found my way to the connecting bus to Kerala. By the time I reached Kerala, I was completely sick. On my arrival in Gurvayur, I looked awful. So much that Supriya was feeling quite upset seeing me. When I told her that all I want is some water, she looked at me with a helpless expression on her face and said "But you will get only hot water here" She was quickly trying to figure out a way to get me water or a beverage that was not hot. </div>
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Now here is a little background... When I was in college, I consumed several gallons of fizzy drinks straight from the fridge. It has never been my style to appreciate hot or warm beverages of any sort. And I have always liked cold edible things, and cold environments(strictly physical and not metaphoric by any means) to be in. </div>
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Much to her surprise, I thanked her profusely. She had not known that I started realizing the benefits of hot water regardless of my general dislike. I asked her if she could get me some hot water with local herbs. She made me feel like I was asking someone in Alaska if they would be willing to sell me some snow. </div>
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Anyways, as I reached the hotel, I drank a decent quantity of hot water that she brought. I took some medicines because I really knew how bad I was and everyone around me was feeling sick just by the virtue of seeing me. She took me to the temple because I asked her to. We got ready in a jiffy, but she took me to the temple on a casual walk. I did not go for the standard rush that we are usually put on while on pilgrimage. She helped me get some exclusive temple visit because I am her friend. There was a time, I actually rested on her shoulders. We then went to have dinner, where I was a party pooper by only having curd rice and lots of local herb hot water. By the time dinner was over, I was already feeling better. </div>
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We went back to the hotel, and she had given me a room. I was fast asleep. The next day was a very relaxed wedding ceremony. It was a very beautiful wedding. Her cousins were taking care of me the previous day and on the wedding day. Many more people had joined in on the D-day, and it was lovely being in the company of such positive and kind people. I tried to not get too close to her around the wedding time worrying about the bridezilla mode that every girl is usually on. But it so happened that she was cool with others being around, and she was being on her own. She did not expect anything from anyone, and on the contrary was very helpful to her guests. I was greatly surprised by this. I was literally speechless, had my jaws dropping and did not blink for several seconds. She casually called herself "Bride on Wheels" when she was gliding through the room to fetch something that she needed to get ready.</div>
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It is very rare that we find a bride who doesn't make a fuss about everything. And exceptionally rare if she doesn't lose her wits. Oh, by the way, there was a major strike that day with no transportation facility that disrupted the travel plans of some of the guests. Like any event, there were a lot of times that tested her patience. She passed all those tests very well with poise and grace. </div>
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If I ever get to be a bride, I would like to be a Bride on Wheels instead of a bridezilla. </div>
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And, most important, I returned home in perfectly good health. </div>
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I am now having the same tea that she got me to treat my condition as I write this post reminiscing the quality vacation I had in a short duration on her wedding. </div>
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I wish Supriya a very long and happy married life. </div>
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-5318811253603566332017-08-29T20:53:00.000-07:002017-08-29T20:53:10.023-07:00Love, Hate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't know if I have spoken about it here, or anywhere. I don't know if words can do justice to love. Is that what always stopped me or, what was it? Was I afraid to think of it, feel it? Was I afraid to live, was I afraid to love? Was I plainly confused with so many opinions from the several discourses and articles and stories I had read? I honestly don't know!<br />
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How far can one go to love? These days my idea of distance seems obsolete. How far is really far? Is there any standard protocol? or is everything just measured with relativity? Simple relativity?<br />
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I like to believe everything is relative and most are subjective. In which case, does it also apply to love? Does it make one eloquent, or does it put one into profound silence? Is it the change you never anticipated? Where is love? What is love? Who loves? How does it come along?<br />
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What is hate? Is it as extreme as it is said? Is it just said or is it believed? Is it the action or the reaction?<br />
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Love and hate: what is the cause, what is the consequence?<br />
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Do I really need answers? Do you really need answers?<br />
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At one point, do you even continue to have questions?<br />
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Have you felt the relief in hatred and pain of love? Do you want it?<br />
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Do I want it? In all hell, heaven, and earth, yes! I want it. Is it just "it"? Aren't love and hate two sides of the same coin? You cannot have one without the other. There is no clear distinction between the two.<br />
Is there pleasure? Is there pain? Is it both? Can you handle it? Do you want it?<br />
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I cannot answer that for myself, I won't try to give you answers.<br />
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Then why am I writing about it?<br />
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I want love, and I want everyone to love.<br />
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Love, love, love.<br />
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-73304565214986606972016-07-04T00:18:00.000-07:002016-07-10T21:08:57.618-07:00Fashion and Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yet again I am here posting a random thought.<br />
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To be able to explore more on this topic, I picked up an online course on fashion, which I eventually did not finish. Hence my take on this subject is more personal than professional.<br />
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I have always been intrigued by the subject of style, fashion, and the types, and yet have had my own fair share (or more) of wardrobe malfunctions that I will never be proud of. But this is not about those bad times, it is about the rest.<br />
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After a few malfunctions, a couple friends who also happen to be colleagues gave me their valuable contribution of time to avoid another malfunction. When they thought everything was fine, one of them told me that the main aspect of all this is to be comfortable. I am compelled to believe in him given my experiences.<br />
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However, there are a lot of people who would walk that extra mile in pain wearing a smile to try hard to cover the agony they compel themselves to carry. In fact, a close friend always tells me "Beauty is pain" and she does things painful to her to seem beautiful. However, I have recently in the past been rebellious to please people to be accepted. It is a never ending saga to go about pleasing people by putting yourself in pain or betraying your own ideas in life.<br />
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There is another close friend in my circle, who actually does care for people. She probably cares for them a lot more than she does for herself. But the topic I am here to discuss is about her sense of dressing. I like her in any outfit she is in. I was pondering why, and realized that it is her confidence that makes her carry herself comfortably. She is unapologetic in saying no to a way of wearing whatever is uncomfortable to her. She only chooses what she feels comfortable to her. Surprisingly, I don't know if it co-incidence or not, she looks fabulous even in the most senseless colour combinations, and patterns of stitches that make the very outfit(I somehow overuse the word dress. I am trying hard not to abuse it by not using it at all)<br />
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The former friend I mentioned tends to wear clothes that don't look bad, and are not bad by themselves. But I don't find her appealing always. It is very rare that I take a moment to spare her my attention. On the contrary, I take time to keep my mind off her presentation or try to un-see what I saw. I always get reprimands from her, with her comments that I dress like an old woman. Sometimes the latter also worries I am turning into an old and grumpy woman.<br />
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At one point, I absolutely had to snap. When she(former) wanted me to alter a dress of mine to make it appealing to the "current trend" I just could not stand it. Because it was one that I got stitched to my interest. I was unapologetic to say "I don't believe I should wear what the self-proclaimed fashion gods believe I should be wearing. What I wear is pretty comfortable and fashionable to me" In spite of this agitated response, I still get unsolicited advises on how I should be fashionable by following a current trend.<br />
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Fashion, in my opinion is whatever one wears, and not always following a current trend or a person. I was a 15 year old when an old man in a bangle store told me that fashion is whatever one wears, and one must wear what one likes to wear. I still find that empowering. For fashion to be stylish, one must be confident, and to be confident, one must feel comfortable in one's own skin. Because it is not just what we wear, it is also what we don't do to our clothes, our skin, our hair or our very structure.<br />
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It is easier said that done for me to tell that you should like yourself however you are, when I beat myself up on not being slim. But there are times you must tell yourself that nobody is perfect.<br />
Perfection is your own perception of how you want to be. If you want to be fashionable and stylish, be that! Not being that, is what self proclaimed fashion gods en-cash on. There is nothing to be ashamed of in getting your clothes stitched by a tailor, when you pick your own fabric, colour, and pattern, and he goes by how you want it done. You are your own stylist!<br />
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Beauty is not pain. Neither does it lie in you (inside nor out).<br />
When someone says you are beautiful, it is the beauty in their eyes that gives you a compliment. </div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-70759040582538146322016-07-02T02:51:00.000-07:002016-07-02T02:51:39.239-07:00Comparing a day to the gym<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its been a long time since I wrote anything here or anywhere for that matter, I decided yesterday to write down something I thought was worth entering the blog<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHy4mGl1-JPH7bYVBL2NxhXgVeZhiVK0SnQgkNfaWhzoXvnyaVrOK5lkjiPsJrly0jFgR7zrK1wU3xnVnK8ZWVBZi6WEtvaKl51mwRM7cAokS_4ulwoyzLsL0nXV7ZMZPPkQRAgVMnYq_/s1600/tapis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHy4mGl1-JPH7bYVBL2NxhXgVeZhiVK0SnQgkNfaWhzoXvnyaVrOK5lkjiPsJrly0jFgR7zrK1wU3xnVnK8ZWVBZi6WEtvaKl51mwRM7cAokS_4ulwoyzLsL0nXV7ZMZPPkQRAgVMnYq_/s320/tapis.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">I do not own this image, I am merely using it to support my article, and to do a bit of marketing to the guy who actually took it. Just compare it to a random share on facebook-that is where I found it anyways</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I am inspired to write by the event that happened at home and the above picture. Translating it from French, it means "Are you telling me that people go to the gym by car to run on a rolling carpet?"<br />
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I was reminded of this picture that I first saw long back, when I saw Gordon Ramsay beat the eggs by hand, and said "Why use an electric beater to save time here and then fret out in the gym. Works well on the biceps eventually by the way" Now these are not exactly the words he used, but largely, this is what he said. I was not a fan of this guy, and am still not. Just that I don't hate him as much as I used to.<br />
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This guy compared an egg beater to a workout in the gym, just like the kid comparing a car and the treadmill.<br />
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I am now comparing the gym to a washing machine. The events are as follows:<br />
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Sadly, the locality I live in is infested with rodents. Although I think squirrels are cute, I don't share the same thoughts on other species of that class.<br />
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One of them entered my household, and happily enjoyed destroying my washing machine. The wires, the very frame(!) and plumbing pipes satiated its palate, and gave its teeth a pleasure of whatever nonsensical sort, at my expense.<br />
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Two loads of clothes have not been washed. The electrician, being a rare species is difficult to find, and if found, the probability of him actually doing the work is almost nil. And with my past experience, I will safely say "zero".<br />
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With no clothes left to wear, and an option of either washing the clothes or not bathing, I decided to sit down and wash the clothes.<br />
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By now, I was also in a state of despair for the extremely challenging things I was doing and not losing even a gram of weight. Washing clothes seemed like another thing that might kindle some promising results. I took one load of clothes, which consisted most of my clothes, and very few of my mother's. Since I had never washed clothes before, I had to get an instruction on how to execute this task. After mom explained how it is to be done, I decided to take the challenge. The very posture that I had to maintain to sit seemed like an endurance sport. Well, blame the kind of toilets we use nowadays!<br />
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By the time I began washing clothes, I was reminded of Gordon Ramsay and that kid in the above poster. I thought it was about time to forget doing any exercise, but just do my own work to keep me fit.<br />
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Like anyone's first day at the gym, my first day on the floor was....typical! I was exhausted pretty soon, by when I knew what an exercise it was and started falling short of breath because my legs were hurting. By now, I had successfully washed ONE t-shirt.<br />
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After finishing one load of clothes, I did the one thing everybody loves in a yoga session- sleep asana. I finished one session of intense workout and had my much deserved bath.<br />
As of today, it took me a while to understand why my thighs have been hurting so bad whenever I try to walk.<br />
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A pun intended rant, on a parallel universe:<br />
When you are driving on road, there is a reason you should keep an eye on the rear view mirror- so that you know what the bastards are up to behind your back!<br />
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-78304522081550368662015-06-08T20:56:00.001-07:002015-06-08T20:56:36.336-07:00Travel 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just realized that I have not written anything on the travel in the year 2014. I strongly believe that traveling this year is going to be terribly limited, a polite way of saying that it can be probably nil.<br />
All the more important to recollect travel 2014.<br />
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1. Solitude is a wonderful gift for therapy: I initially planned this trip as a destination I ve always wanted to go, and time was just right. It slowly turned out that I absolutely had to take the trip to reconcile from the several odds that I went through.<br />
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2. Don't build dreams based on Bollywood movies you saw as a kid: Enough said.<br />
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3. Breakfast is good: Those times when I was a kid, my dad used to tell my mom "she can as well stay home than go to school if she refuses to have breakfast". Not that skipping school was allowed, skipping breakfast is not allowed either. Trust me, it is a good idea.<br />
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4. You don't have to be rich to dream: Nor to live dreams. There is always a way if there is a way. Just go with the flow.<br />
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5. Have a map: I remember reading in the article "everyone is free to use sunscreen" that you should carry a map whether or not you use it. Don't always rely on the internet connectivity on your phone. Carry a map. The best thing that happened to me for having carried the map was that it gave me a freedom to go wherever I wanted to, and still find my way back, or my way wherever I wanted to go.<br />
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6. It is not bad to get lost: Come to think of it, getting lost was the best part of the trip. I went cycling to places I otherwise would not have bothered going to. I still found my way back. But those few hours of being lost were nice. If you are lost. You don't have to panic. Enjoy the new place, When you want to get back, just pull out your map. If you don't have your map, ensure you know how to find the trails to your place. It is not as tough as you might imagine.<br />
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7. The best part of an art museum is when you can get inside the head of the artist: I like Vincent Van Gogh. But having the option of knowing his life, his thoughts, his ideas and ideals in life could not make me like him more than what I now do.<br />
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8. Time management : It is a thing, kinda. However I hate this concept, and not a strict follower of it, it is something important to keep up with.<br />
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9. Life is calling: There is so much to see, so much to do, giving up is not a worthy option.<br />
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<img height="240" src="https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10505475_10152494641396918_5209673265592230642_n.jpg?oh=a808b769853257b3fc4482a45e8435a0&oe=562FC0A0" width="320" /><img height="240" src="https://scontent-hkg3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10801744_10152484968291918_6320331884010147302_n.jpg?oh=f867e9a0560ea23b97516dd91da09deb&oe=55FBA31A" width="320" /></div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-62026759514511514412015-06-08T10:52:00.000-07:002015-06-08T10:52:41.309-07:00Gossip<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Gossip has somehow been the most appealing activity to many women. Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, men also like to indulge in gossip.<br />
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I grew up being taught that gossip is not to be believed or entertained or to be considered as anything lesser than a sin where the Almighty will pierce your eyes out for that sin (Thank you game of Thrones season 4 for giving us an idea how it would have been like if the tambrahm kids actually had <i>Ummachi kuthufying</i> our eyes)<br />
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It is again noteworthy that the elders, nay the generation that has just retired, or has plans of retiring, or has retired long back enjoy the pleasure gossiping.<br />
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It takes a lot of people by an unbelievable surprise that gossip is something I don't engage in. Although I grew out of the fear that my <i>Ummachi</i> would bother coming all the way down to poke my eyes, I found it basically pointless. Further, I should also be honest that I never actually took the effort to learn how to gossip. Yes, I am THAT lazy.<br />
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As usual, there have been a series of events that made me take the effort of writing this post. I have been examining the nature of gossip. To me, I like to define it as the need to know private details of someone's life, judge, comment, have fun, compare thyself, mock insult, harm, feel jealous, (okay, the list is long), repeat<br />
The inevitable aspect of gossip is that there is always a scapegoat.<br />
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I have been noticing people enjoying the idea of having me in the center of the circle. I cannot deny that I absolutely loathed it in the beginning. I used almost every word in the bible of cuss words, I wanted to do everything to defend myself, offend those, till at one point I decided to give up. That point came when I understood the mechanism of gossip. This is when I was happy about being lazy, and fearing God as a kid. <br />
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The last time I almost began to worry about being a scapegoat, I was reminded of how gossip looks like from my perspective. To put the entire thing in a few words, and one picture, here below is how gossip looks like, and shan't bother if you choose not to care.<br />
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<img height="337" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/1376660513_h31qhHieSgG03BEeo6Pq_Pinky%201.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Amused, de-stressed, peace restored. </div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-55763699143337125252015-01-19T02:01:00.001-08:002015-01-19T02:01:13.969-08:00Roughness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Every year, I take time to retrospect the previous year, and introspect for the coming year. This session strangely has been immense.<br />
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2014 was nothing short of a massive turbulence. I turned 25, and thought that things could not get worse.<br />
Lesson 1: Never tell yourself things cannot get worse. Life will show you the worse !<br />
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These few days of 2015 has been much more severe and intense than the entire 365 days of last year. God knows what is in store for the rest of the days ! No, I am not questioning if it will be good or bad. I am just in my own paranoia to say the least.<br />
Lesson 2: Never let anything even touch your core being. The harmony of your life does not deserve battering that you otherwise take.<br />
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Lesson 3: The physical body is mortal, ergo temporary. Does not really deserve all attention. It is the immortal that always gets unnoticed.<br />
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Lesson 4: Silence is golden<br />
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Lot more lessons learnt, too personal to write. And certainly a lot of things I look forward to. </div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-27364943916672506202013-09-07T08:06:00.001-07:002013-09-07T08:06:26.418-07:00Things you should not do on a weight loss schedule<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All I needed to get back to writing was some interest to write, which I generally get when I read something inspiring enough, or come across something that touches me enough, or both.<br />
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Today, I felt the need of writing about weight loss. I also intend to write about my travel experiences. But that would come later.<br />
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It is a journey, and like any travel the destination is your own self. In this case as well, the journey is more important than the destination. The path you choose decides how and where you land.<br />
In the beginning, get your reasons charted out. Write down the reasons you must lose weight. If the number crosses 10 where each one of them is valid, you should pull up your socks, and tie your laces, and be ready for an adventure.<br />
My mother believes that when one is taught anything on practical application of a pure science, it is more important to say what should not be done than what all can be done. So I am writing down here all the don'ts, and my reason to write it. I have done all these things, and screwed my health massively, and learnt this the hard way.<br />
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<u><b>1. Crash diet:</b></u> Crash diet is a sudden change in your dietary habit replacing the food your body is familiar with. Remember that no system in the universe can accept anything sudden. Don't let your body take revenge on you for this act. Every diet of this sort is undoubtedly fad. I got admitted in the hospital for a whole month for going on a diet which my friend called indefinite torture, because I was on a liquid diet where I had nothing other than water for 13 days. I was perfectly alright till I touched the first bit of solid food, then had the worst pain of my life. I was in the hospital for a whole month, and it took me about a year to get the entire system to a reasonably good health. And for having done all this, I did not lose even one pound !<br />
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<u><b>2. Too much of exercise: </b></u>This is another thing that I did because dieting was out of option. Muscles lose their ability to do anything at one time. I landed in muscle fatigue, and could do nothing for weeks!<br />
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<i>These two points I knew were senseless, and still followed them. The irony is that I have an official degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry. And these things were well taught, and I had also been evaluated on my knowledge in these areas. The reason I am writing this is because there will be a time when the need to lose weight, the desperation, or the sorrow will be strong enough to deceive the knowledge and sanity. Everyone who is officially fat will have this problem. I had this. But what you have to learn is to pay deaf ears to people who comment or mock or ridicule or treat you different for the reason you are fat. I have had fat people with fat children giving me advice and making comments about me. It was hard, but now my attitude keeps them at bay. The</i>y<i> don't like the way I don't encourage their crap, but you should stop taking crap from people. </i><br />
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<u><b>3. Buying clothes of smaller size:</b></u> A lot of people think that clothes of smaller size is a big time motivation to lose weight. But it is not. There is no shortcut to losing your weight and knocking off those inches. So by the time you lose your weight, chances are high that it would be out of style. You would have wasted your money on something that won't fit you forever. Accept it, you will never come to a state where your skin will touch your bones. It is not healthy either. You will come again to a level to receive comments "aapka size nahin hai" (we don't have (clothes) your size)etc. I have big time junk in my house of clothes that don't fit me, and I have never touched at all. It is such a waste of space, and it demotivates me that it has been ages since I had this in my shelf and never succeeded in getting into it. It demotivates me more than anything else.<br />
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<b><u>4. Rely on someone to keep you motivated to lose weight:</u></b> Don't wait for someone to remind you everyday to workout or stick to your diet. If you don't care to be there for yourself, who do you think should care for it? You need commitment with yourself more than anything else. Don't either wait for an ideal time to start your schedule. Tomorrow never comes. If it does, and you are not ready for it, it will kill you for not having done things that should have been done yesterday.<br />
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<u><b>5. Hating yourself for the physique: </b></u>Well you deserve to hate yourself for the negligence that caused this weight issue. Evidently your feelings have not done anything good to have a positive effect on losing weight or on arresting weight gain. Don't be harsh on yourself. Remember if you love and care for yourself is when others will bother to love or care for you. If you are already a snob, this point is not for you, neither is my page for you. But when you love yourself, you will all the more have reasons to be careful while doing anything to yourself. If you think you are ugly, you must realize that it is your perception that is ugly, and not yourself(physique)<br />
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<u><b>6. Have unrealistic goals:</b></u> No matter what your weight is, even if you are just a few kgs overweight, give yourself plenty of time. Don't think that you can easily shed 1 kilo in 2 days. Give yourself ample time, and enjoy your journey of loving yourself and giving yourself the gift of a good physique. Don't make calculations of how many grams a day you should lose a day to reach your goal. It is not a wise way of working. Unrealistic goals are absolute certainty of losing motivation.<br />
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<u><b>7. Irregularity:</b></u> Discipline is a major asset in one's life. If you are not disciplined with your eating and working out, don't expect your body to be in a disciplined structure. You must eat the food the body is familiar with, and do your workouts so that it is sure that you won't deprive it of nutrition. Chances are high that you will bloat if you don't have regularity in your exercise schedule. Discipline in life will take you places. Inculcate the habit of discipline in every aspect of your life.<br />
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<b><u>8. Checking the weight everyday:</u></b> You should check your weight everyday only when you are in shape. When you are on a weight loss program, your weight would fluctuate, and thus will not keep your enthusiasm on top always. Check your weight before you start, and then every 15 days till you arrive at the ideal weight.<br />
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<u><b>9. Surgery/popping pills: </b></u>If your weight gain is due to medical conditions, have the medicines prescribed by the doctor. If you are popping pills to accelerate weight loss, you are going to be FUBAR. Surgery is even worse. I know a friend who went for liposuction, and was screaming everyday because she felt her body burn wherever the liposuction had been done. Trust me, it is not something you can even bear to listen when someone else is going through.<br />
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<b><u>10. Changing plans: </u></b>Remember that you should only do what you enjoy doing. If you don't like yoga, dont do it. If you don't like working out in a gym, don't do it. Do some physical activity that will bring down your weight. Don't remain idle. If you feel going to the gym is better when you are in a yoga schedule, or the vice-versa, it is a bad habit. Do whatever you like, but stick to it.<br />
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<u><b>11. Be your own doctor:</b></u> Having a degree in life sciences, I did not start my plan without taking the necessary tests to assess myself. Please consult your doctor about your health condition. For example, if you are not supposed to cut your sugar intake or salt intake, and do them, you will land up in big mess. Have a master checkup done, take the reports to your doctor, and ask him/her if you are fit for dieting/exercise, and most importantly ask what you should not do. Don't be your own doctor and make your own decisions. Go to your family doctor instead of a "nutritionist" in a corporate hospital who is actually an intern trying to kill time and make money. No sane person will give you advice without knowing your medical background. So switch to your deaf mode if someone starts giving you free advice. Tell them you have no intention to pay attention or money for their advice.</div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-55505983310765424972012-12-15T11:24:00.000-08:002013-09-03T10:20:31.167-07:00Bienvenue 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year is coming closer to its end. And as some people believe, end to the very existence. I am frankly speaking, not bothered about it at all. If I am dying, so are you, and the rest. So I wont be alone. And I will live my life till death. Well, that is not the point of this post. As usual, this is the time of the year I write about things that have touched me. I used to write posts in retrospect of how the year had been. It was a roller coaster of a year ! Since I have written a lot more than I ever expected, I am now going to look ahead into the future. Here is a list of things I wish to do in 2013.<br />
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1. Become slim : Honestly this has been on my list ever since I started making a list. But I really wish the change happens.<br />
2. Sing: Properly that is. To be able to join music classes and sing carnatic music. Because, whenever I sang carnatic music, I could sing just any genre with great ease.<br />
3. Run a marathon: Ambitious, I know. But it is a nice one.<br />
4. Swim : Not just survive when thrown into the pool, but actually swim quite a few strokes.<br />
5. Mountain biking: To go on an adventure in Leh-Manali by mountain biking. I heard it is a real endurance test, and something to do before kicking the bucket (given the insanity, earlier the better, and best done in youth)<br />
6. Bungee jumping: I hope to combine it in a 10 or 12 day trip and make this happen. Bungee and water rafting must happen this year !<br />
7. Play the guitar: I have made quite a lot of donations to people to tutors, but never managed to play one song.<br />
8. Paint : Atleast one masterpiece, and few good potraits as pencil sketches. Charcoal sounds ambitious, but I will see this at the end of the year.<br />
9. Gardening: To really bring life in my garden that was lost about 14 years ago.<br />
10. Travel: Insanity never ends, and I would never want to end travelling.<br />
11. Learn a lot more: may be an education, or may be just observation, or just learning. </div>
tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-31912993235654333392012-10-20T10:13:00.001-07:002013-09-03T10:21:42.776-07:00Weekends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I never realized why my mother used to tell her friends/students/acquaintances "I owe my daughter a lot for having sacrificed every weekend of hers for my work". The reason I never felt it a sacrifice of any sort was because she was there for me every day when I came back from school, and that completely made up for everything she felt she has denied me. It was a routine to help her with her work for a long time, long enough till I found myself a job where I started working on weekdays. I started thinking that her work was bizzare only when I got out to see people claiming a weekend to be "something". In the beginning of my new work, I felt the need to rest during the weekend to be able to jump again for work.<br />
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I happened to meet a senior in my line of work, who asked me "One job? that is it? What have you achieved, and what do you think you can achieve by the time you are 25?" I felt he was mad, I had people to support me saying that capacities for men and women are different, and I should not be bothering. And how horrible I feel today that I fell for the latter, when I believe a person should only be self empowered and not by anyone else for any factor, and the cheapest being a weaker gender. </div>
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Anyways, both the discussions happened for a short while, but thoughts were flowing for a long time. Long enough till I felt tired of resting for two full days of the weekend, and started finding myself useless the rest of the time. </div>
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Today, I shook up to help my mom. I promised her last night, and got up late. Early enough to help her for work. And for having lost the gap of doing this, I had a trouble getting back in touch in the first place. End of the day, I was tired, I don't deny. But I was not unhappy. I was happier for being useful, for I never understood what a great asset my mother gave me to teach me to be productive on weekends, and I no longer care if I cannot go to a movie, or do something crazy on weekends. I am blessed with enough craziness to be mad on any given day. </div>
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-71177183011363734762012-09-10T06:47:00.000-07:002012-09-10T06:47:02.264-07:00A little something for the Teachers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I still vividly remember an instance of my childhood, where a fortune teller told me that I have the "good luck" to become a doctor, and asked me "how do you like it?", and I quickly said "I d rather like to be a teacher" and he was not even a bit happy about what my reaction to his prediction. <div>
I have proven him, I am not a doctor, and I am closely related to academics, and have been a teacher. And it gives me immense happiness. </div>
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September 5th- A day in India when everyone likes to celebrate Teacher's day in the memory of Sarvepalli Radhakrishna, each person having his/her own reasons to celebrate being under a teacher. I cannot deny that I was once with the crowd for celebration just to avoid classes. But this was during the second year of inter at Narayana Junior College (that explains a lot doesn't it). Teaching is seriously not everyone's forte, and I have had some horrible teachers whom I wish to ignore. </div>
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This year, Teacher's Day brought a lot of things to my mind. I was on my way to Mangalore, and in the airport I realized that the book I carried was checked in, and I had nothing else to do till I could board the flight. So I went and helped myself with a book. The book that first caught my eye was "To Sir, With Love" By E.R. Braithwaite, and I believe the celebration began from the moment I bought it. I was pretty unwell, but I gathered all energy to make a phone call and wish two very special teachers in my life- my Zoology sir who took lessons in the first year, and my first French professor. They mean a lot to me, and everyone knows how much. But I want to dedicate this post to a few more people. </div>
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1. Mrs. Jessica Simon- Honestly, she was someone who scared the hell out of me, and I have spent many nights praying that she should not be my teacher. And later, every moment I regret that my prayers were heard. But the divinity taught me a lesson about being careful while asking things in prayer, and I have been careful ever since. She took may be 5 lessons of social studies at the max, and spent about a week with us, but I cherish all those moments listening to her in awe. She had a very bad temper, I agree. But in today's world we compromise with the temper of certain people who don't deserve it. She was someone who lost her cool only when things went out of control. When in class, she was the ONLY (yes, I dare to use caps to emphasize "only") modest, humble, patient, responsible, caring, mature, and rockingly cool teacher in that entire school. I remember meeting her at a public place once, and I was frozen as though I met an angel, and believe me, she asked me questions about me as a guardian angel would care, and told it in a way a sister would tell. </div>
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2. Mrs. Shiela Rao: A woman who taught me to appreciate myself, she taught me how to fight, how to face odd things that happened to me in school, and of all how not to take shit from others. If you haven't guessed it yet, she was a sports teacher in the complete sense. I still remember that day in school when she scolded the girl who bullied me for years. She brought that girl down to tears, and it at least kept her away from me. That was something I could certainly not have done. The way she loved herself, and taught me not to be scared to speak out or punch a person on the face and so many other things, make me celebrate and be happy about what I am till today. Once she told us all that she doesn't care if we didn't wish her on Teacher's Day. But if we had her in our mind for even the shortest fraction of a second during moments of triumph in our lives, she said it was her achievement. As far as I am concerned, I have her in my mind in the most respectable place whenever I achieve anything big or small. </div>
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3. Mr. C. V. Pragash: My mother sent me to tuitions as she could not sit with me to help me with studies. I did have tough times in his classes, but in due course of time, within two terms, I recovered from a lot of emotional trauma. I started finding solace in studying, and in getting good marks. He cared for every student as his own child, and balanced classes quite well. I owe all the credits to him for having changed my attitude towards mathematics, and making me like it. Now I have to get back to it, as the teachers in my UG have totally torn it apart, and I feel lost even while making simple calculations. If I got back to teaching, he would certainly be very proud of me. </div>
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4. Dr Latha Surendra: She was comfortably over 50 when she taught us Chemistry in our UG. If it wasn't for her, I would have surely not even completed my basic education given how horrible the quality of education was at UG. There was a charm of pure intelligence in her face, and her smile would put us at ease or discomfort, depending on what she actually wants us to feel. Something I never forget till date about what she said "...and life goes on". There will be things that trouble us, but life goes on, and we can't stop. I still respect her for what I have got from being her student. </div>
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5. Dr. Sarala Mahidra: Attending language classes will be a bore unless you have someone stern or it is your personal interest to attend it. But a person being stern enough to make you develop an interest to attend a language class is very rare. She is a woman of poise! Way shorter than me, but her aura of knowledge in her field, and the confidence in knowing what comes out of her mouth made a solid impression of her in my mind and heart. I doubt that I will ever be the very soft voiced teacher in class, because my role model Mrs. Sarala was someone who would ensure she is well heard. I get a good lot of inspiration from her to be a good teacher. </div>
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Sadly, I have moved out of teaching for the past few months, and I have suddenly started to regret that. "Life goes on..", and I can teach again as I really want to. Now I would like to add about a colleague who inspired me to get back to teaching. He was so happy talking about how much teaching made him evolve, and how he looked at it, and it was quite intense and passionate. Closer to the very end of the listening, I added that I was a teacher once, so I can totally understand what he felt, and how he looks at it, because I have enjoyed such moments as a teacher. I began to introspect why should I deny myself of that feeling when I don't really have to. With so many great teachers in my life, and the blessing of being in the line of academics, I am once again inspired to teach. </div>
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tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-75683669039897414462012-06-09T19:50:00.000-07:002012-06-09T20:01:28.403-07:00Child's Play<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is quite often that we hear from people older saying "life is not a child's play"<br />
Yesterday I witnessed something that totally contradicted this philosophy of the mentally, and physically old people, for such a conclusion is the very end.<br />
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The city had a few showers to cool the place a bit, and there was a small patch of water in the temple where I went yesterday. All of us made sure not to step on it, and went on with our own activities. There is always something charming about these small temples in the neighborhood. They play a wonderful part of your childhood, and about everyday life in general. So yesterday, there were a bunch of kids playing some game. A cute skinny girl caught my attention. I loved that child for the way she enjoyed every bit of running around. and suddenly in a while I saw her face not so happy. She was showing her mom how she got herself wet, and how it hurt skidding in the water patch. The small patch had become large, spread over by area, and you could make out that the culprit was a kid by the footprints that went out of it.<br />
The best part of it was that she continued running with the same enthusiasm as she was. I suddenly stopped and gave a look at her. I wanted to see her face clearly. Her milk teeth had fallen off, and she was a growing girl. the toothless wonder gave me a charming and warm smile and asked me "hEy!!! When did you come??" I said "a while ago" and continued with what I was doing, she continued what she was upto, we bumped into each other ever now and then, and she showed me how she got herself wet, how her hands turned red (due to some other prank), and so many such things in short intervals. I then saw her dance to the music on the water where she fell, with the same smile of hers. How we forget such beautiful things when we keep growing up. She learnt to get over it, and dance over the thing that could actually hurt her. How many of us today make conquer the troubles that potentially harm us, and make it a fun experience? Like everyone make friends at such places, that girl is now my friend. We don't know each others names, where we stay, but we are friends and we need no reason to give naughty smiles at each other.<br />
This story ends where the water patch got completely disappeared. She spread the little water all over, and it got dried immediately. Everyone walked across comfortably not having to worry about skidding.<br />
So next time you find someone saying "it is not a child's play", you can most certainly take it for granted that they are frustrated souls who cannot connect to the coming new generation. (For people of my age: accept it, a new generation has started coming, it is beyond your own niece/nephew, the kids in the park, street, local temple or just anywhere.) Stay connected with people of different races, generations, cultures etc. It will keep you most lively and you will enjoy every moment of living, and literally play your way through everything.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZp2Kll6wPD_viTyEVRhInumQ1Gt-clIN7GXNc_iyOmXQC-NpxrVDyQg03XyFwtDusPovxyVqs8FNnqSTwStq5d-Mwju3gRCsJLst5amUSEHrUPWUphBsPZHu1f4i9yEuZRlJToN4VEQV/s1600/rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZp2Kll6wPD_viTyEVRhInumQ1Gt-clIN7GXNc_iyOmXQC-NpxrVDyQg03XyFwtDusPovxyVqs8FNnqSTwStq5d-Mwju3gRCsJLst5amUSEHrUPWUphBsPZHu1f4i9yEuZRlJToN4VEQV/s320/rain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something that just came on my facebook home page. So apt to the situation</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Current track: Birds chirping outside the window... (importance of connecting with nature will come on some other time)</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-63416839477171812392012-05-15T20:14:00.000-07:002012-05-15T20:24:15.611-07:00Reasons to Smile<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Most of the times when we have felt sad/unhappy are the times we ve felt so without knowing the reason, or because we don't know answers/solutions.<br />
But should we at all need reasons to be happy or feel anything for that matter? IMO, not at all. Yet we need reasons to be convinced for just anything. Being reasonable, rational, and objective is perhaps fine as long as all goes on well. As for me, just for today, everyday I choose to be happy.<br />
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Having beaten around the bush, I am going to get to my point. I am not searching for happiness (that one doesn't actually ever lose, but just overlooks, I am no exception), I have rather been thinking of reasons to smile (pose) for pictures.<br />
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Yesterday I updated my status on facebook about how wonderful my recent travel experience was. Work on the other hand went off pretty well. But to my surprise, it always says "this is visible only to you" no matter how much I try to change the settings. Now I cant even ask for help in that column!<br />
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There are lots of things we are immersed in life that is worth sharing, worth looking at worth retrospecting, worth storing. I never liked the way I look, that I have been avoiding posing for pictures over the last few years. But today when I look at the few pictures that actually came up, or the really old ones, I realized what big mistake I did by not freezing many moments in life.<br />
Besides that, here is a video that I would like to share with you that changed a lot about my perception about youth, and also changed my mind as to why I d want to have pictures of mine.<br />
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Here is the conversation that happened with voice number 1 and 4 inside my head:<br />
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V1: Should I really get back to posing for pics?<br />
V4: Its beyond posing. It is to capture those moments of life that take our breath away ; and of those moments that make us smile different and unique every time.<br />
V1: I m quite skeptic that people already think I am mad to be smiling too often<br />
V4: Good, because it is love that is madness (temporary or not-no comments yet). Rights to insanity; love and peace with thyself, what else could justify it better? Go ahead, see yourself smile when you are out living life. <br />
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We don't realize how much we have created in life for ourselves, how much of opportunities, chances, the future and most special and important- "the present"<br />
So I decided that it is no longer just enough for me to live my life to the fullest, claim posing for pictures to be mundane, and concluded that having my own pictures is living a life larger than given. <br />
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On a completely different note: Quite a few people asked me if whatever I covered in the post <a href="http://tropical-iceberg.blogspot.in/2012/03/one-life-well-lived.html">one life well lived</a> is really possible, here is a video that quite conveys what I had in my mind when I wrote that post. Thanks to the facebook fraternity for giving that thought a good publicity.<br />
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Current track (in the player) : Snow on the Sahara - Enigma <br />
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<br /></div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-60568765545664732482012-04-28T06:03:00.001-07:002012-04-29T04:41:29.692-07:00The connection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post is dedicated to all the people who miss a special person in their life.<br />
Losing a person close to you is never a pleasure, it will hurt for eternity even if you have thousands of friends, hundreds of close ones, and a few really close who would do their best to keep your mind away from pain. But practical reality is that nothing is permanent. It takes us a long time to realize it.(took me 12 years!) All we can do is to keep them alive with us in the best possible way, and somehow through that space, we see they do try to live with us.<br />
I ve been missing my dad really bad for the past three weeks, horribly bad. Although I have an adorable mom, a mom is a mom, and dad is dad. It would be silly of me to ask her to be like him, which she is not made/meant to be. So there has been a lot of silence in the house from my side, and a lot of sound from her trying to pull me out.<br />
So I decided yesterday that I have to break it open and go out. I went out for a walk, and then for a run in the gym (Didn't go for either today, taking my weekend off even for that. How sad can I be), and felt much better, in continuation, today I cleaned my room. Believe me it was so messy and I was not yet in peace with myself that I actually googled "how to clean your room". Life can get that pathetic. I cleaned a major portion of my room, and it now looks livable. I then decided that I am going to the grocery shop (its not even a proper super market) that I ve always fancied shopping. (For some strange reason, I like grocery shopping the most. It perhaps talks about my quality/nature/character that I am more a home bunny).<br />
I went there, and spent about half an hour, a duration which is generally not permitted, and bought a very few things for my own absolute necessities, somethings for the house in general, some things for my mom, and some absolutely useless things (er.. dont think i bought too many things.. all put together would sum upto 15 items at the max, and I spent half an hour for it. Imagine!)<br />
I enjoyed every bit of staring at everything in the shop, all the things in the market on the way to the shop.<br />
As I came home, I realized that I now had things to reduce the available space in the room which I cleaned in the morning. But in a short while, the room looked exactly like what my dad's room would look like. A computer table cleaned regularly, and well organized, goodies stacked in a corner, just sufficiently well lit, cozy and very daddy.<br />
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Moral: I felt that dad reached out to me only when I made an attempt to go out and set things right for myself, and make sure I bring him on a positive note. If you are missing that specialness of that person who has left you, it is all up to you to to keep them with you. There are many other banal things that I miss, I am sure in a while I will either get over them, or get them over!<br />
Wishing all the people out there fighting hard against depression, a successful way out<br />
Love and peace !<br />
</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-65787242508284381892012-04-15T10:24:00.000-07:002012-04-15T10:24:50.266-07:00U Turn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It has not been even two complete weeks since I returned that I have started planning for another major outdoor activity far far away from home (and worse, reduce my bank balance which is on an all time low).<br />
Its a rather strange time of life where I prefer to travel than arrive. I have not yet concluded if this is something that I see in me which has been a part of many great people, if it is a spark of greatness, or is it just that I prefer this to stay away from a few things, or if it is something out there I need to discover, or whatever the reason could be, the truth is that the feeling of having arrived doesn't make me feel anything great.<br />
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I came back from the North of India covering few places. Few years back my mom took me to Kanyakumari, and this time we went toghether to Jammu and Kashmir, practically covering the two ends of the country. But I am just not contended yet. I would rather say that J&K have made me all the more want to travel (with a good camera of course). It is a U turn I decide to take when I have been thinking how hopeless and helpless I am with my life. <br />
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For the extremely odd adventure that I choose to take in my travels, I would prefer not putting my mom through all that stress and strain, and rather travel alone. I am not sure if I am going to announce to my friends about this intention or the exact plan considering my previous experience that it is always a big flop when I make big plans by discussing aloud with people. But again, like I recently read in the blog of an inspiring person, I should not let the probability of failing stop me from dreaming.<br />
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The best part of this is that my room looks beautiful with my dreams. I ve made posters and charts systematically planning my future for the next six months. The big encouragement I get is "If this dream can make my room look so beautiful, it will surely enrich my experiences in life, and make my present a pleasant past in the future".<br />
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Nandhini's mom has told her that she can go as far as she wants. I am not sure if she would want to join me on a trip yet. There is a lot to decide, and a lot more to implement, implying that there will be a lot more to think and even more to write here. I hope to see a day where this banal blog of mine becomes a wonderful travelogue.<br />
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I am keen on exploring places in my own country that I haven't. Rest in the next.<br />
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Current track (playing): Meter Down - Taxi 9211 <br />
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</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-67752200664790949172012-04-06T22:49:00.000-07:002012-04-06T22:49:43.895-07:004 C s<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Conflict, Confusion, Contemplation, Chaos !<br />
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Disappointing, I know as it is nothing diamondy or romantic here. This is how my life is at the moment. Ever since I returned from J&K, these 4 C s have been playing a major role.<br />
It has been a few years that I decided I will never want to see my future, but there was a time when I desperately wanted to know something of the future, and thankfully my principle did not reveal anything.<br />
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What makes one find it difficult to live with these 4 Cs? Everyone of us have these four throughout our lives, and even in the most insignificant years of our life, we strive hard and let the desperation find significant achievements. When we are completely aware that it is inevitable, why do we let it trouble us?<br />
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I had been pondering on the last point as to why do I let it trouble me when I know that life is about being in a perpetual want/need of something where these 4 imply. Today morning I woke up with great hope that I would be able to have access to the internet to do useless things, and a solution to this struck me on reading the blog of an inspiring person.<br />
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I will have to live with these four, I have no choice, being completely aware of it, I would never want to leave any stone in life unturned, and should I fail or fall, I will dust the shame, gulp the pain, and rise with confidence to fall another thousand times till I succeed. Life hasn't been easy to most of the people who have lead it in a way that inspires me, mine is no exception, I will have to go with it like a mountain trek, or even a horseback ride. I prefer to take this courage and try my life out than going for a soul searching at this age. Anyways what is youth meant for?<br />
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On a completely different note: My spectacles aka the real eyes are on its way home ! God Bless Amitava<br />
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Current track (listening) : Quatre murs et un toit - Benabar.</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-57033636852064766072012-04-03T06:48:00.003-07:002012-05-10T07:02:23.546-07:00Vacation March 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes I call it vacation "March 2012", as I am excersising my rights to insanity.<br />
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1. Delhi metro is good, but traffic on road is bad, and it is never pleasant to miss a flight due to traffic.<br />
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2. Missing a flight is bad, especially when your old mom is waiting for you at the destination.<br />
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3. You will look nothing less than a joker running on the road with the luggage with hopes to reach the airport when there is heavy traffic. ( Nevertheless, I would say I managed to reach Jammu only because I was bold enough to run)<br />
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4. If you still don't follow what happened, I heard that the facebook fraternity has already made a great publicity of the traffic on the 29th of March in New Delhi. (atleast, that is what I was said)<br />
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5. When you have to take yet another road trip, but you have your mom on whose lap you can sleep, you will be in the state of bliss<br />
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6. It is never wise to go on adventures after hectic work schedules.<br />
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7. Six hours of horseback riding on a mountain can ruin your back for good (it took me some significant time to recover inspite of the medecine ! ). Sadly, it doesn't even give you a feeling of being a princess charming or a Jhansi ki Rani. <br />
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8. ---- ---- (For my own professional safety, I prefer to avoid writing this point. If you are still interested to know what it is, you will )<br />
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9. Being a parent to your mom who is in her second childhood is priceless !<br />
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10. Being a part of making your mom's long lost dream come true is a blessing. <br />
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11. Rushing home earlier than mom just to make her favorite food for dinner gives the feeling of "being alive" that you really need !<br />
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---- All is well that ends well----<br />
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Current track (inside my head): Tournent les violins- Jean Jacques Goldman. <br />
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<br /></div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-17934204485770728562012-03-28T07:51:00.000-07:002012-03-28T07:51:23.954-07:0010 travel things- March 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">There are so many things that you discover when you travel. This time I decided I ll even make a list !!<br />
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1. If you find there exists enemity, just understand that it is there for a reason, and that there is no point trying to bring about peace.<br />
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2. All morons look alike !<br />
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3. Books and Music are the best companions<br />
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4. It is not always chivalry when men embarrass you with the "ladies first" principle.<br />
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5. Spectacles should be taken well care of. As much as you would for the actual pair of eyes<br />
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6. Southies should beware of Northies.<br />
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7. Road trip is movement of rolling in dust, and is never pleasant when you are all alone.<br />
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8. Delhi metro is goood<br />
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9. There is a reason why the song has the lyric "dekha to katora, jaaga to kuan" You ll never understand its gravity until you fall inside a pit in Delhi.<br />
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10. Sabko, apna kooda kudh utana padtha hai.<br />
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I am going on my vacation tomorrow, and I wonder what more adds on to the list. But this should do for now.<br />
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Current track: Jaage hain der se - Guru <br />
</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-49953413531852499432012-03-16T07:21:00.002-07:002012-05-15T20:25:52.935-07:00One Life Well Lived<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was inspired to write this article after listening to Amitabh Bachan sing this song. Although he is old, and you can evidently feel it in his voice, you cannot deny that it adds a significant weight to the meaning of the song. </div>
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Amitabh Bachan in this song inspires me of how I would want to be even when I am as old as he is. This is how AB has influenced me with this song. </div>
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<span style="color: #999999;">Follow this</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekla_Chalo_Re" style="color: blue;">wiki link</a> <span style="color: #999999;">to find out the meaning of the lyrics, and you would find the video clip</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VcaiUOmjDQ" style="color: blue;"> here.</a> </div>
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One Life Well Lived !!!<br />
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Having something nice to tell even when i can't hear clearly myself<br />
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Having something nice to sing out even my voice has worn out<br />
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Having things to show my younger ones even when my eyesight starts to wane<br />
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Being able to inspire people to live another day, even if I myself am struggling to respire comfortably <br />
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To straighten up smiles even after my face has wrinkled<br />
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To show people a way to travel, even if my knees don't support me to walk anymore<br />
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To leave something worth reading, even if my fingers don't support me to write anything <br />
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To show people that you can live to the fullest till you die. <br />
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To be of the best use till the moment I die even if I have walked all alone<br />
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To be able to spread love even when my heart stops beating <br />
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<br /></div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-9932495931700922882012-03-10T09:57:00.001-08:002012-03-16T07:25:44.140-07:00Invisibly Significant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">My mom was watching a show where the interviewer asked the interviewee, "If you had the choice to again see two dead people, who would they be? And why?"<br />
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So I thought I would write down two influential people I ve never met as they are no longer alive, why I would want to meet them.<br />
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1. My grandmother Vimala Rajamani: In the 40 years of life that she actually lived, she lived well enough to set a splendid example to people and greatly influence me.<br />
2. <a href="http://www.wernererhard.com/">Werner Erhard</a>: My parents attended his seminar "est", and have been live examples of his influence. If you liked Ayn Rand, the creator of Atlas Shrugged, you would find this man a creator of a John Galt World.<br />
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1. Vimala Rajamani: She was married off to my grandpa at the age of 14, had six children, and died at the age forty due to heart expansion.<br />
But her life in these years were extremely significant, and if I had told anyone I was her grand daughter, they all pitied the fact that I did not meet her, and she did not survive to see a grandchild. And people are generally lost recollecting what an amazing person she was.<br />
Her influence on me: I am fortunate enough to have people who have seen her and tell me stories of her. She was a singer, an artist, a fantastic cook, a doctor in the neighborhood, spiritual, divine, and extremely talented.<br />
The very thought that a woman learnt to do all this by the age of fourteen shook me ! With what all I heard about her, I realized that she had known much more about science than I did by the time I was 19, after going through a formal education in Science. And she did it all without harming nature, which is not seen today. Ever since I decided that I am going to follow her footsteps, my life has seen changes. If life ever gives me the chance to meet her (which is completely hypothetical), I would hug her, and never leave her. <br />
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2. Werner Erhard: Not much was spoken to me about him till I attained a certain age. But my parents always said what influence he was to both of them. When I grew up, I was told a few quotes of his for awkward situations I was going through, and it made remarkable difference ! The point was well absorbed at my core without any thinking. His point on the situation was extremely precise, and hit me like a dart. You can never disagree on what he says. I somehow regret that my mom doesn't totally live up to all the lessons she learn't back then, but I really wish I attended his seminar on est.<br />
I was told that he died in a plane crash, and I wished his soul rest in peace.I was totally shocked to learn that he is still alive. I wish he has a peaceful life in solitude now. Some lucky people have already got the essence of what he wanted to spread. <br />
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These two people promise to keep letting out necessary secrets at the right time. Hence they are the invisibly significant people of my life. <br />
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</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-87124104917651733842012-03-07T22:07:00.000-08:002012-03-07T22:07:19.158-08:00A significant Decision<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamCAfBRIfbYvxSNqf83SmASQdQuAHze5SHw4K5SYpgxQ5f06aBv5vbKLp6oW6RNWkd4800XnJOv5Y49HD4-oCtEg_uW1j_6Ml96SOFrP9lB_P_R6mE_TQQpcG4UNhp4pJAWVnFpIicaYe/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Till last Sunday, I was cribbing about few particular people who get a job done out of me, and forget about it when it comes to giving me my credits/recognition. Worse, I was pushed away having my age as a factor(I never even received anything like "thank you" to add up to my frustration). So at about Saturday, I decided to put an end to it by reminding these certain people of my age whenever I would have to oblige them. <br />
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The plan was all set, and I was relieved. Sunday was an event, and I was dropped back home by a friend who is pretty senior to me by age, and I happened to quote this situation and my decision. This is what she said as a reply "Welcome to the real world, where you shall not find recognition at all no matter what you do. You just have to accept it and keep going on. And this will be so till you die"<br />
It struck me real hard, and made me think the whole night. I am a person who believes "You are never too young to work on anything, you are never too late to reach out to your heart" <br />
Indeed, I worked on things that came from my heart. I take pleasure in working even on weekends or late nights at times. I then decided that if I chose to ignore comments made at me for working at odd hours which means nothing to me, I should ignore the "need" to be recognized. As long as my work has touched my heart, I have got the best recognition.<br />
And like I spoke in my previous post, I would be living happily than surviving on credits/appreciation given by others which most certainly wont always be genuine. <br />
I took a moment to go through this picture and use the logic in it in my life. Things that I want to do to make sure I always reach out to my own heart. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamCAfBRIfbYvxSNqf83SmASQdQuAHze5SHw4K5SYpgxQ5f06aBv5vbKLp6oW6RNWkd4800XnJOv5Y49HD4-oCtEg_uW1j_6Ml96SOFrP9lB_P_R6mE_TQQpcG4UNhp4pJAWVnFpIicaYe/s1600/blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhamCAfBRIfbYvxSNqf83SmASQdQuAHze5SHw4K5SYpgxQ5f06aBv5vbKLp6oW6RNWkd4800XnJOv5Y49HD4-oCtEg_uW1j_6Ml96SOFrP9lB_P_R6mE_TQQpcG4UNhp4pJAWVnFpIicaYe/s320/blog.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-48830350681818155392012-03-07T22:05:00.000-08:002012-03-07T22:05:26.431-08:00Surviving, living, just being<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We are at an age where our identity is not our family name nor the achievements/history of the family, but what we are! our studies, our looks, our work. <br />
I would not want to say that this change is bad. I in fact like this change. There are several reasons that such criteria are measures of an identity. <br />
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Building a new generation identity, and creating a niche is a completely self made process, and most of the times not an easy task. But doing all this for the people who are judgmental is total crap!<br />
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Living vs surviving: This somehow is a major point of ponder for me over the last month. Of how people have different ways to look at life and actually live it. <br />
I just finished reading nandhini's post on marriage, and I relate a lot of the content to acceptance. <br />
Acceptance has a lot to do with personal and professional life. <br />
There is a friend of mine, who is a geek/nerd, who decided to teach engineering students immediately after graduating. It is his life, his choice. But the problem started when he decided he was old enough to have a partner. He was not chosen by people (#Indian arranged marriages ! ), because he did not go to work for an IT company to earn few more lakhs than he actually does. <br />
One fine day when he was talking to my mom about this, he said <br />
"well yes aunty, I agree I could mint money in an IT firm, but the women are too dim to understand that I have something that those guys don't have : the time to spend the money I earn !" <br />
Such a solid point it was ! <br />
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One has to work hard no matter what their work is. Period ! <br />
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Then I happened to meet a colleague who was telling that going to an IT firm was absolutely of no use when he got all that he wanted with what he is doing now. <br />
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Another colleague whom I immediately took into a close circle, told me "I am not rich, neither is my husband. He works as an architect in a small firm, doesn't earn much. But you see he always earns something for sure, and is not in an eternal threat" #Most valid point !<br />
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Another friend (a senior actually) "My brother works in the UK, earns a whopping salary, whereas I started my work here in a very small scale, and over the years, today I earn more than my friends. But if you compare me and my brother, I have something he doesn't- Surety of job, and peace of mind ! "<br />
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A small statistics here about Indian men who earn less (< 5/ 8lakhs per anum): These are the men who don't care whether the woman works or not. The ones who earn less than 5 lakhs on the other hand prefer their woman not working at all and take care of her like a queen. Whereas the ones who earn anything more than 8 (there might be some rare exceptions), are firm that their woman should earn (her own) money ! <br />
So you see how too much money makes you greedy for more, and how you just survive on probabilities on having a better project, more money, a rich wife, or a supposedly big life. Whereas people who find happiness in every little thing, actually live. <br />
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I don't mean to say that you need to earn less to live. You need to find your time to live. You can even earn lakhs or crores a year, and still know where to draw a line, to "live". But for some strange reason most of us are madly driven into building a reputation of earning big, than living big, and I can very safely say that the ones in a rush are the ones who are least happy or peaceful. Having read this, decide if you see yourself surviving the several competitions or living the real life<br />
</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2286704822170540765.post-25370769932958305912012-02-25T18:53:00.001-08:002012-02-26T04:59:43.471-08:00Chennai 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I can very safely call it the "Chennai 2012", as I go there only once a year for one or two days, and it is enough for an entire year. I have never bothered to extend my stay even for an hour. I go there to worship my Guru, and He is the only factor that takes me to Chennai.<br />
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Chennai is a city that changes itself often. Even if you live there for a decade, you can still be new there. Its extreme climatic condition makes visiting there an unforgettable experience. This trip, including my mom a lot of close friends have fallen terribly ill.<br />
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This year, I was busy traveling elsewhere and didn't bother accompanying mom to buy the Chennai tickets. Neither did I bother to know the dates, as I know for sure that no matter where in the world I am, I will definitely make it to the annual worship. So when I get to know the dates, I realize we are leaving Chennai the next day!<br />
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The first thing I want to do is to meet my two dear friends there, and we made a plan to meet. If you would like to know what exactly happened throughout the meet, read <a href="http://nandhinitalks.blogspot.in/2012/02/thrilling-thursday.html">N's perspective of the meet</a>. (I am sure you will love reading it)<br />
Don't ask me why suddenly I have started loving the beach again, but I just happened to love it the way I used to long back. Hence it was me who insisted on going to the beach. And I just realized that we had a brownie to substitute a cake. <br />
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Time just FLEW. Talking nonsense, seeing a not very useful person, and doing so many useless things was compensated by knowing more about photography, photographs, Govind's camera, and posing for Nandhini and Govind's camera. (After reading my previous post, Govind asks me, oh by the way who is the G in that post of yours knowing well that it is him! I don't know why he chooses to act funny at times)<br />
The time was well spent, and I didn't regret my extended stay as meeting Nandhini and Govind was such a pleasure.<br />
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My opinion about Chennai- It is a city that has its own charm in several ways, I was talking to Sri Ram the other day about Carnatic music, the way it is in Hyderabad and the way it is in Chennai. Both of us who extremely dislike Chennai could not disagree that Chennai is indeed better than Hyderabad in many ways.<br />
The first time I actually enjoyed Chennai was when I went shopping with my cousin. There was SO much in the city. If it were less polluted, and had a more tolerable weather, I would infact love living there. Now that my work doesn't demand me to live there, I am extremely happy.<br />
But for the above two, you can certainly find a lot of reasons why Chennai can be a good place to live.<br />
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I am glad that this visit has ended on a nice note, and I am looking forward to visiting it next year. And before that I am waiting to have Nandhini and Govind at Hyderabad.<br />
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PS: Govind has now got eatalian poisoning.<br />
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Current Track: Doosri Darling- 7 Khoon Maaf <br />
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</div>tropical iceberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14227142311035523085noreply@blogger.com6