Not my birthday! And definitely not a pleasant surprise!
I had bought this huge bar of dark chocolate and had placed it on sofa so that I won't forget to take it to office the next day. At night, I hear these strange noises! The rustle of plastic...Is it someone in the room? Nah! Cannot be - I had locked it!
Being the very brave person that I am (hee hee), I take some time to switch on the light. :D
And what do I see??? My precious bar of chocolate! Attacked! By rat(s)
In a hotel room in US! Imagine....
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Security Checks
At the airport! At the mall! :S
Lost my face scrub at Amsterdam airport coz it was bigger than the allowed limit. Had to go through a secondary security check at Newark coz I happened to be wearing a belt that went beep beep when I went through that check thingy. They opened my hand baggage and actually took swabs for testing. Sheesh! That was embaressing and also learnt a lesson there!
Got stopped again at WalMart when the security gate went bersek again as I passed through it with a bunch of stuff in the shopping cart. The culprit turned out to be the Card Reader/Writer that I had bought from Circuit City. Took some time to convince the girl that I had not stolen anything.
Hmmm....security checks! What a bother!
Lost my face scrub at Amsterdam airport coz it was bigger than the allowed limit. Had to go through a secondary security check at Newark coz I happened to be wearing a belt that went beep beep when I went through that check thingy. They opened my hand baggage and actually took swabs for testing. Sheesh! That was embaressing and also learnt a lesson there!
Got stopped again at WalMart when the security gate went bersek again as I passed through it with a bunch of stuff in the shopping cart. The culprit turned out to be the Card Reader/Writer that I had bought from Circuit City. Took some time to convince the girl that I had not stolen anything.
Hmmm....security checks! What a bother!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Life in Champaign
Writing this post from a hotel room in Champaign, IL. A tiny University town with just 7 main roads, this place is as small as Limassol (which I did not expect from a town in US!)
Much of the town life revolves around the University (The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign)
Takes 10 mins to drive to work but this place has all the usuals that you can find in an American town - WalMart, Macy's, JC Penney, Taco Bell.... Well, you get the pic ;)
People say I came in at the wrong time. Why? It is winter and the temp is way below 0 deg C. Now, that is cold!
Well, welcome to the American Dream :)
Much of the town life revolves around the University (The University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign)
Takes 10 mins to drive to work but this place has all the usuals that you can find in an American town - WalMart, Macy's, JC Penney, Taco Bell.... Well, you get the pic ;)
People say I came in at the wrong time. Why? It is winter and the temp is way below 0 deg C. Now, that is cold!
Well, welcome to the American Dream :)
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Jane of the jungle
A lot happened last month!
Got married! Managed not look like a piglet (the workouts paid off) and got to spend one whole week with my R in the wilderness for our honeymoon.
The first 2 days were spent at Edakkal, Wayanad. A night in a tree house was a new experience and the view from the window in the morning was breathtaking. Blue mountains far away with cloud topped peaks were really a sight to behold.
A visit to Edakkal caves and a walk up the mountains followed by a scrumpilicious breakfast was the best part of the day!
Another 2 days were spent at Kabini near Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. Now this area is known for its wildlife esp the birds.
Birds - of so many colors, species. More than 300 species! The number of spotted deer that we
kept bumping into was mindboggling. We also bumped into a stray young tusker who seemed to have wandered away from his herd.
The most disappointing thing was the sheer number of people who were there at the resort and who seemed to have come there just because it is the in-thing to do. Children, noise, firecrackers - that was really a downer.
The rest of the 3 days were spent at Masinagudi. A quiet retreat located at the foothills of the Nilgiris, this is a paradise and a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The highlight of the stay there was the 2 hour trek through the jungle. Though we did not get to meet any leopards or tigers, the whole trek was amazing. We did bump into herds of spotted deer (again!). Totally relaxing and totally lost to the realities of the big bad world, it was an awesome experience. Definitely game for more (no pun intended)
Tarzan & Jane ;)
Got married! Managed not look like a piglet (the workouts paid off) and got to spend one whole week with my R in the wilderness for our honeymoon.
The first 2 days were spent at Edakkal, Wayanad. A night in a tree house was a new experience and the view from the window in the morning was breathtaking. Blue mountains far away with cloud topped peaks were really a sight to behold.A visit to Edakkal caves and a walk up the mountains followed by a scrumpilicious breakfast was the best part of the day!
Another 2 days were spent at Kabini near Nagarhole National Park, Karnataka. Now this area is known for its wildlife esp the birds.
Birds - of so many colors, species. More than 300 species! The number of spotted deer that we
kept bumping into was mindboggling. We also bumped into a stray young tusker who seemed to have wandered away from his herd.The most disappointing thing was the sheer number of people who were there at the resort and who seemed to have come there just because it is the in-thing to do. Children, noise, firecrackers - that was really a downer.
The rest of the 3 days were spent at Masinagudi. A quiet retreat located at the foothills of the Nilgiris, this is a paradise and a perfect getaway for nature lovers. The highlight of the stay there was the 2 hour trek through the jungle. Though we did not get to meet any leopards or tigers, the whole trek was amazing. We did bump into herds of spotted deer (again!). Totally relaxing and totally lost to the realities of the big bad world, it was an awesome experience. Definitely game for more (no pun intended)
Tarzan & Jane ;)
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Mistress of Spices
Yesterday I took a well deserved break from work and set out to enjoy the day and relax at home.
Happened to watch one of Aishwarya Rai's movie called Mistress of Spices. Now, am no big fan of Ms Rai (in fact I think she is too cold and doll like), but this was one really nice movie. Of the same genre as Chocolat, the story seems like an Indianised version of the same. Not that am complaining.
I loved Chocolat. The chocolate, the magic and Johnny Depp were too yummy...mmm!!!!
Ok ok - back to what I was talking about. The story is about this lady who has this gift to read people and help them with their problems. The medium - spices!!! Who would have thought that our ordinary pepper, ginger and garlic had healing powers or magic in them? The story unfolds in San Fransico and you meet so many characters you can relate to. The Indian girl who has an American boyfriend, the grandpa who cannot tolerate this, the struggling taxi driver and so on.
It is a well directed movie with a nice feel good theme (though I wouldn't credit it with originality)
So, after getting inspiration from this movie, the one thing I did last evening - cooked a damn good (ahem ahem!) gobi masala curry.....
Happened to watch one of Aishwarya Rai's movie called Mistress of Spices. Now, am no big fan of Ms Rai (in fact I think she is too cold and doll like), but this was one really nice movie. Of the same genre as Chocolat, the story seems like an Indianised version of the same. Not that am complaining.
I loved Chocolat. The chocolate, the magic and Johnny Depp were too yummy...mmm!!!!
Ok ok - back to what I was talking about. The story is about this lady who has this gift to read people and help them with their problems. The medium - spices!!! Who would have thought that our ordinary pepper, ginger and garlic had healing powers or magic in them? The story unfolds in San Fransico and you meet so many characters you can relate to. The Indian girl who has an American boyfriend, the grandpa who cannot tolerate this, the struggling taxi driver and so on.
It is a well directed movie with a nice feel good theme (though I wouldn't credit it with originality)
So, after getting inspiration from this movie, the one thing I did last evening - cooked a damn good (ahem ahem!) gobi masala curry.....
Monday, November 20, 2006
Rackets
Not the noise kind. Badminton kind!
Last Saturday, after a gap of 12 - 14 years, I managed to lay my hands on one of them and the game began.
And Yes!!!! I managed to win one game...... :D
Ok - I admit am not in the best of physical shape or anything and even though the game was played inside the house, it felt good to deliver those backhands and smashes.
Remembered those evening when my sis, my cousins and friends and I used to get out of the house by around 4 in the evening and how we used to play our guts out on the road in front of my house. Every day till around 7 or till it got too dark to actually see the shuttlecock.
Never used to feel tired. What a marvellous time we used to have.......
Last Saturday, after a gap of 12 - 14 years, I managed to lay my hands on one of them and the game began.
And Yes!!!! I managed to win one game...... :D
Ok - I admit am not in the best of physical shape or anything and even though the game was played inside the house, it felt good to deliver those backhands and smashes.
Remembered those evening when my sis, my cousins and friends and I used to get out of the house by around 4 in the evening and how we used to play our guts out on the road in front of my house. Every day till around 7 or till it got too dark to actually see the shuttlecock.
Never used to feel tired. What a marvellous time we used to have.......
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Rain....
Its raining here in Limassol. The sky is dark but the mood is bright.
I LOVE the rains and I MISS it so much. It rains for around 120 - 140 days in Kerala and here in Limassol, it rains only 2 months a year and that too in winter. I mean, who would want to get out in winter???
So, when it rains unexpectedly, like it is doing right now, everyone welcomes it.
Here are some pics that I love to look at whenever I feel blue :)
My friend's house at Aluva
I LOVE the rains and I MISS it so much. It rains for around 120 - 140 days in Kerala and here in Limassol, it rains only 2 months a year and that too in winter. I mean, who would want to get out in winter???
So, when it rains unexpectedly, like it is doing right now, everyone welcomes it.
Here are some pics that I love to look at whenever I feel blue :)
My friend's house at Aluva
Monday, October 09, 2006
It's BBQ Time!
Saturday was BBQ time! Since my friends decided to help me celebrate my last weekend in Cyprus
As usual, I did something stupid (need I mention 'stupid'???)
The guys and I were playing catch and I slipped and landed on my back. Hee hee hee.Thankfully, am still in one piece. No broken bones, though it is a little difficult to sit down ;)
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Tag along
Whoops! I had been tagged months ago, by a warrier who wanted to know what an elf thought… :D
Here is what the elf thinks
If the world were to be flat – there are a lot of people I would have loved to push over the edge. But, since it is round, I guess I will have to just go on bumping into those people again and again…Damn this circle of life!
If I had a million dollars – I would retire from my job, buy a plantation in Wayanad, grow marijuana in between the tea plants and live in style with my man and 2 tigers (a rub off from tarzan, george of the jungle and of course my fav – phantom)
On the other hand, in the real world, I guess I would end up with a few thousands after paying off the taxes. And then back to the grind :P
If I had to relive some experience of mine – it would be the times I spent doing my undergrad. Was on top of the world (literally! Our college was on top of a hill with a BEAUTIFUL view). There was no program that escaped our presence, be it with dancing or singing. Miss those days!
I would rather be reborn as Belle. She ended up with a prince who had this amazing collection of books. The best library I have ever seen (hee hee hee). As Lumiere correctly points out – there are rivers of books which you will never finish reading in a lifetime.
On the other hand, since there is no hope of that happening now, I would rather use the downtown library. (No, the librarian is not a handsome young man, rather a sweet old lady)
My fav pastimes – reading, as you might have guessed, sleeping and of course eating. (still a piglet …. :( )
I love – to dance to any kind of music.
I love – to get red roses, clichéd… but if asked to choose between a pala and a rose, the pala wins hands down. Does that make me a witch???
I hate – dancing at parties. In fact, I hate parties (though I still attend the ones thrown by the company)
From my travels I learnt – people are basically the same everywhere, be it in India or Cyprus or Israel. A little bit of nosiness, a little bit of jealousy and tons of love and concern.
If people were to stop fighting and start living for once, there would be world peace. (cannot do without one on world peace. Can I be crowned Miss World pls?)
Asked what I learnt in these 26 years – time flies by too fast when you are having a good time, but during the best moments of life – time does seem to stand still. Life is just a bunch of memories strung together.
So, here is what the elf thinks. What about the warrier and elf’s sister?
Here is what the elf thinks
If the world were to be flat – there are a lot of people I would have loved to push over the edge. But, since it is round, I guess I will have to just go on bumping into those people again and again…Damn this circle of life!
If I had a million dollars – I would retire from my job, buy a plantation in Wayanad, grow marijuana in between the tea plants and live in style with my man and 2 tigers (a rub off from tarzan, george of the jungle and of course my fav – phantom)
On the other hand, in the real world, I guess I would end up with a few thousands after paying off the taxes. And then back to the grind :P
If I had to relive some experience of mine – it would be the times I spent doing my undergrad. Was on top of the world (literally! Our college was on top of a hill with a BEAUTIFUL view). There was no program that escaped our presence, be it with dancing or singing. Miss those days!
I would rather be reborn as Belle. She ended up with a prince who had this amazing collection of books. The best library I have ever seen (hee hee hee). As Lumiere correctly points out – there are rivers of books which you will never finish reading in a lifetime.
On the other hand, since there is no hope of that happening now, I would rather use the downtown library. (No, the librarian is not a handsome young man, rather a sweet old lady)
My fav pastimes – reading, as you might have guessed, sleeping and of course eating. (still a piglet …. :( )
I love – to dance to any kind of music.
I love – to get red roses, clichéd… but if asked to choose between a pala and a rose, the pala wins hands down. Does that make me a witch???
I hate – dancing at parties. In fact, I hate parties (though I still attend the ones thrown by the company)
From my travels I learnt – people are basically the same everywhere, be it in India or Cyprus or Israel. A little bit of nosiness, a little bit of jealousy and tons of love and concern.
If people were to stop fighting and start living for once, there would be world peace. (cannot do without one on world peace. Can I be crowned Miss World pls?)
Asked what I learnt in these 26 years – time flies by too fast when you are having a good time, but during the best moments of life – time does seem to stand still. Life is just a bunch of memories strung together.
So, here is what the elf thinks. What about the warrier and elf’s sister?
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Yet another Onam...
Has gone by. Onam, the most secular of all festivals is THE festival that is celebrated by all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion in Kerala.
This Onam was made special by 2 friends of mine who decided to throw a proper sadya for the few unfortunates on the island (read - bachelors/spinsters who are not much into cooking).
There were 7 of us and so I decided to help the girl by offering to go over and be her assistant. Chucked half a day's work at office and off to her house after lunch. Out comes the tons of vegetables and the knifes. Any thoughts of sharpening my culinary skills were lost admist the slicing and dicing of carrots and beans and drumsticks. She was the chief chef while I was just the assistant.
We took around 5 hours to prepare 8 dishes, rice and then of course the yummy 'palada' payasam (this is a sweet porridge kind of thing and is served as a dessert).
The girl's husband managed to get banana leaves and in the evening we had a splendid onam sadya. It was so yummy! Home cooked food!
Well, there are 2 sides to every coin. Even though I felt like heaven, I guess my stomach could not handle the overdose of authentic kerala food and it is still protesting. :(
This Onam was made special by 2 friends of mine who decided to throw a proper sadya for the few unfortunates on the island (read - bachelors/spinsters who are not much into cooking).
There were 7 of us and so I decided to help the girl by offering to go over and be her assistant. Chucked half a day's work at office and off to her house after lunch. Out comes the tons of vegetables and the knifes. Any thoughts of sharpening my culinary skills were lost admist the slicing and dicing of carrots and beans and drumsticks. She was the chief chef while I was just the assistant.
We took around 5 hours to prepare 8 dishes, rice and then of course the yummy 'palada' payasam (this is a sweet porridge kind of thing and is served as a dessert).
The girl's husband managed to get banana leaves and in the evening we had a splendid onam sadya. It was so yummy! Home cooked food!
Well, there are 2 sides to every coin. Even though I felt like heaven, I guess my stomach could not handle the overdose of authentic kerala food and it is still protesting. :(
The food we made!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Wine Festival
The Limassol Wine Festival is back!
It is an annual event which we all look forward to. (Read - lots of free wine ;) )
Last year, my friends and I spent a wonderful 3 - 4 hours walking among the crowds, tasting the different kinds of wine, watching the local artists sing and dance. The best part was watching the grapes being crushed and the music and the dance during the whole process.
The Entrance
From here floweth the wine
It is an annual event which we all look forward to. (Read - lots of free wine ;) )
Last year, my friends and I spent a wonderful 3 - 4 hours walking among the crowds, tasting the different kinds of wine, watching the local artists sing and dance. The best part was watching the grapes being crushed and the music and the dance during the whole process.
Well, we managed to get out not too drunk and with a few bottles of some really nice village wines.
The Entrance
From here floweth the wineWednesday, August 30, 2006
Letters of appreciation
29/Aug/2006
Dear Ms Gopinadhan,
We are glad to inform you that the company has decided ot reward you for your extra efforts.
As a token of gratitude, you will get an amount of 250 CyP and a gift hamper from GUCCI. Please collect the same from your floor secretary.
With warm regards,
Dido Baygon
30/Aug/2006
Dear employee,
On second thoughts, the company has decided to limit the extra efforts bonus to less beautiful girl employees and to those who is expected to stay with DVCC for next three years. So, you are kindly requested to give the money back. You can do this by depositing the amount with the secretary, whose name starts with an "A"
With regards,
Dido Baygon
Well, as you might have guessed, this was a prank pulled by one of my friends. He took a printout of these letters and left it in my pigeon hole.
Have sent a reply, but all that later......
Dear Ms Gopinadhan,
We are glad to inform you that the company has decided ot reward you for your extra efforts.
As a token of gratitude, you will get an amount of 250 CyP and a gift hamper from GUCCI. Please collect the same from your floor secretary.
With warm regards,
Dido Baygon
30/Aug/2006
Dear employee,
On second thoughts, the company has decided to limit the extra efforts bonus to less beautiful girl employees and to those who is expected to stay with DVCC for next three years. So, you are kindly requested to give the money back. You can do this by depositing the amount with the secretary, whose name starts with an "A"
With regards,
Dido Baygon
Well, as you might have guessed, this was a prank pulled by one of my friends. He took a printout of these letters and left it in my pigeon hole.
Have sent a reply, but all that later......
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Paphos and Parasailing
Saturday was a change for me after a loooong loooong time. One of my friend's gf has come down to visit him and we decided to show her around the island.
So, out came the map of the island and among the 4 – 5 places of interest, we decided to head out for Paphos.
Paphos lies to the west of Limassol and it is one the most beautiful drives I have ever been to, in this place. The best part about the drive is that we are passing through mountain sides and all along we can see the sea stretching below us, all sparkling blue and inviting.
Stopped near Curium Beach, Aphrodite's birthplace, Paphos port, Mosaic exhibition and then went parasailing.
Parasailing was the high point of the trip!
The boat that we were in got overheated in between and we got stranded and had to be rescued. The whole parasailing thing was AMAZING. It definitely is a whole new world up there. Like taking a ride on Aladdin's magic carpet ;)
But the bad point - now a tanned little piglet :D (not a pink one)
A very red lobster look (definitely not fit for a blushing bride)
Ended the day with a nice dinner at a Kerala Restuarant and then a sleepy ride back to Limassol.
Curium Beach
So, out came the map of the island and among the 4 – 5 places of interest, we decided to head out for Paphos.
Paphos lies to the west of Limassol and it is one the most beautiful drives I have ever been to, in this place. The best part about the drive is that we are passing through mountain sides and all along we can see the sea stretching below us, all sparkling blue and inviting.
Stopped near Curium Beach, Aphrodite's birthplace, Paphos port, Mosaic exhibition and then went parasailing.
Parasailing was the high point of the trip!
The boat that we were in got overheated in between and we got stranded and had to be rescued. The whole parasailing thing was AMAZING. It definitely is a whole new world up there. Like taking a ride on Aladdin's magic carpet ;)
But the bad point - now a tanned little piglet :D (not a pink one)
A very red lobster look (definitely not fit for a blushing bride)
Ended the day with a nice dinner at a Kerala Restuarant and then a sleepy ride back to Limassol.
Curium Beach
On the way to Aphrodite's birthplace. You can see the blue sea right ahead.
Aphrodite's Birthplace (the rock a little far from the shore)
View from the road
Aphrodite's Birthplace (the rock a little far from the shore)
View from the roadFriday, August 18, 2006
A Monumental task
One Two! Huff! Puff!!
2 more months to go and I still look like a piglet. Ahem, don't have the heart to call myself a pig. :D
Now, the days of binging on yummy chocolates (1 bar before lunch, one after and of course the one before going to sleep) and the huge helpings of dessert are over. Sad, but I must say I relished them to an extent that was quite sinful.
Have to get back into shape (err, whatever shape I used to be). Gotta be the radiant bride! Proving to be quite a task.
All my cousins and sis are on a diet and they seem to be succeeding. Think the air in Cyprus has something to contribute?
Somebody help me out!
Liposuction seems an option
Well, of course there is always the age old argument that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and that beauty is skin deep and all that.
But call me a little vain if you must! :P
2 more months to go and I still look like a piglet. Ahem, don't have the heart to call myself a pig. :D
Now, the days of binging on yummy chocolates (1 bar before lunch, one after and of course the one before going to sleep) and the huge helpings of dessert are over. Sad, but I must say I relished them to an extent that was quite sinful.
Have to get back into shape (err, whatever shape I used to be). Gotta be the radiant bride! Proving to be quite a task.
All my cousins and sis are on a diet and they seem to be succeeding. Think the air in Cyprus has something to contribute?
Somebody help me out!
Liposuction seems an option
Well, of course there is always the age old argument that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and that beauty is skin deep and all that.
But call me a little vain if you must! :P
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Who wins? Who loses?
The urge to protect one's own territory has been present in man and beast alike since the dawn of evolution. This is a well known fact.
Cats scent-mark their territory by rubbing their faces and flanks against objects (never knew this. My cat always used to do this to me! :D)
Birds and gibbons defend their territories by either visual or auditory means.
While in the animal kingdom, defence of territory rarely takes the form of overt fights, it is not so in the human kingdom.
It is when this urge becomes an obsession that the urge to protect becomes more than just that. You transgress and then there is chaos.
A beast is born. A beast who is unstoppable and like a juggernaut picks up pace and flattens all that comes in his way – be it the innocent or the criminals that invade his space.
Now the question is – what do you get out of all this? A land to call your own? A territory to be marked and proclaimed as 'my land'? At what cost?
This is the modern age where war is one country affects not just the people there or their neighbours but every one else.
Consider this.
Terrorists blow up a pipeline in the middle east. What happens next? The price of petrol shoots up all around the world. Cooking gas becomes dearer.
Israel attacks Lebanon. And then? Countries all over the world have to send in their ships to move their people to safety. The air ways of the neighbouring countries are jam packed. The normal routines of millions are disrupted, not to mention the lives of thousands and the emotional turmoil of the people.
I recently read this article on the net which proclaimed
GE was one of the first companies to recognize the business opportunity in counter-terrorism and has spent over $4 billion since 2002 to acquire smaller business to take a bigger slice of the $160 billion global security industry.
Recognise the business oppurtunity in counter terrorism!!! God! How can you be so cold when saying something like that?
Terrorism opens businees doors and oppurtunities to so many companies – now that is really something new!
Someone makes better weapons and then the next individual markets a way to get over this. Now – that is what humanity is all about, isn't it?
Instead of proclaiming this so proudly, why don't people find a way to break this vicious circle? Coz as far as I can see while the common man on either side loses out, it is only these businessmen who still manage to laugh all their way to the bank.
Cats scent-mark their territory by rubbing their faces and flanks against objects (never knew this. My cat always used to do this to me! :D)
Birds and gibbons defend their territories by either visual or auditory means.
While in the animal kingdom, defence of territory rarely takes the form of overt fights, it is not so in the human kingdom.
It is when this urge becomes an obsession that the urge to protect becomes more than just that. You transgress and then there is chaos.
A beast is born. A beast who is unstoppable and like a juggernaut picks up pace and flattens all that comes in his way – be it the innocent or the criminals that invade his space.
Now the question is – what do you get out of all this? A land to call your own? A territory to be marked and proclaimed as 'my land'? At what cost?
This is the modern age where war is one country affects not just the people there or their neighbours but every one else.
Consider this.
Terrorists blow up a pipeline in the middle east. What happens next? The price of petrol shoots up all around the world. Cooking gas becomes dearer.
Israel attacks Lebanon. And then? Countries all over the world have to send in their ships to move their people to safety. The air ways of the neighbouring countries are jam packed. The normal routines of millions are disrupted, not to mention the lives of thousands and the emotional turmoil of the people.
I recently read this article on the net which proclaimed
GE was one of the first companies to recognize the business opportunity in counter-terrorism and has spent over $4 billion since 2002 to acquire smaller business to take a bigger slice of the $160 billion global security industry.
Recognise the business oppurtunity in counter terrorism!!! God! How can you be so cold when saying something like that?
Terrorism opens businees doors and oppurtunities to so many companies – now that is really something new!
Someone makes better weapons and then the next individual markets a way to get over this. Now – that is what humanity is all about, isn't it?
Instead of proclaiming this so proudly, why don't people find a way to break this vicious circle? Coz as far as I can see while the common man on either side loses out, it is only these businessmen who still manage to laugh all their way to the bank.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Languages galore!
Talking of languages, I have always wanted to learn new languages. I have always been fascinated by cultures different from mine, their way of living etc.
I have always liked to believe that it is easy for me to learn new languages. But was I wrong!!! After coming to
And there was this short stint at learning French! Man! That language has more exceptions than rules. Am still struggling with the basic phrases.
I read somewhere that it is easier to learn a language when you are a small child. Small children have this amazing ability to pick up languages, any number of them. One eg would be the Indian babies that I see here in
I remember watching this 1.5 yr kid who has a malayalee mom and a tamilian dad. The kid was so smart that he used to talk to him mom in malayalam and to his dad in tamil. After saying something to his mom, he would translate the same into tamil for his dad. Now, is that smart or what? Ever wondered how the kid picked this up?
On the other hand, I also know kids of mixed parentage who could not pick up either of the languages. Not their fault am sure!
Monday, July 31, 2006
What language do you think in????
We Indians are the only people who can boast of so many languages. 14 official languages. And there is also the concept of a 'mother tongue' . Not just something that your mother speaks….there is more to it. It is supposed to identify your roots, where you come from and so on. Don't know how much of it holds true for kids nowadays.
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Losing a Friend
I have been in Cyprus for the past 2 years or so and I never thought I would meet someone who matches my wavelength on this tiny island.
But I finally did end up meeting someone and talk about wavelengths matching!!! It is so totally weird.....
Let me explain.
My friend and I share the same taste, same views, same experiences, same everything.
I would recollect something from school or college when he would say he also went through the same thing.
We seemed to communicate via ESP. I would be thinking of something and it used to end up that he was also thinking of the same thing. Pass the same comment (not even a difference in the words used or their order) at the same time. How weird can that be? Every day that we were together, we used to have something funny happening.
I have never come across such a person. And now he is leaving.
Well, that is life I guess... meet someone, have some fond memories for the rest of your life. There are very few people who would be with you forever! :)
But I finally did end up meeting someone and talk about wavelengths matching!!! It is so totally weird.....
Let me explain.
My friend and I share the same taste, same views, same experiences, same everything.
I would recollect something from school or college when he would say he also went through the same thing.
We seemed to communicate via ESP. I would be thinking of something and it used to end up that he was also thinking of the same thing. Pass the same comment (not even a difference in the words used or their order) at the same time. How weird can that be? Every day that we were together, we used to have something funny happening.
I have never come across such a person. And now he is leaving.
Well, that is life I guess... meet someone, have some fond memories for the rest of your life. There are very few people who would be with you forever! :)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Am Orkutting...
Got drawn into this damn crazy and addictive stuff called Orkut
Man, whoever came up with this idea for a network of friends has definitely hit the jackpot.
In a space of 2 weeks, I reconnected with long lost friends and classmates most of whom I had not even heard of for almost 10 years.
This thing is unbelievable and has me hopelessly enslaved.
I fall at thy feet! Oh Master Orkut!
Well needless to say - my work is suffering....wail!
But as a friend of mine says - it is just a matter of time. Easy to say - he somehow managed to survive the same fever and emerged victorious and unscathed. Having no Internet connection at work also helped I guess.
Now am waiting for the day I can say the same, but till then I WILL KEEP ORKUTTING!
Man, whoever came up with this idea for a network of friends has definitely hit the jackpot.
In a space of 2 weeks, I reconnected with long lost friends and classmates most of whom I had not even heard of for almost 10 years.
This thing is unbelievable and has me hopelessly enslaved.
I fall at thy feet! Oh Master Orkut!
Well needless to say - my work is suffering....wail!
But as a friend of mine says - it is just a matter of time. Easy to say - he somehow managed to survive the same fever and emerged victorious and unscathed. Having no Internet connection at work also helped I guess.
Now am waiting for the day I can say the same, but till then I WILL KEEP ORKUTTING!
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Of husbands and sleep
Man, I realised something very important today. Men HATE it when someone wakes them up from a nice long sleep. They demand 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep and go around like a bear with a sore head if they don't get it.
We females on the other hand can handle interruptions to our beauty sleep at any time of the night.
I was discussing this phenomenon with a male friend of mine and he was complaining that his girlfriend does not understand this basic rule. She takes it as a personal insult when he does not wish to talk sweet nothings late in the night.
This led to interesting discussion and in the end we blamed it on evolution.
Women being the child rearer has a genetic makeup that lets her handle any interruptions to her sleep. This is particularly useful when her baby starts crying in the night.
Men on the other hand do not have to handle this and is hence used to his precious 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Am sure there are lots of fine fathers out there who would disagree with me, but on the other hand, am sure there are just as many girlfriends, wives and mothers who would stand by me.
We females on the other hand can handle interruptions to our beauty sleep at any time of the night.
I was discussing this phenomenon with a male friend of mine and he was complaining that his girlfriend does not understand this basic rule. She takes it as a personal insult when he does not wish to talk sweet nothings late in the night.
This led to interesting discussion and in the end we blamed it on evolution.
Women being the child rearer has a genetic makeup that lets her handle any interruptions to her sleep. This is particularly useful when her baby starts crying in the night.
Men on the other hand do not have to handle this and is hence used to his precious 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Am sure there are lots of fine fathers out there who would disagree with me, but on the other hand, am sure there are just as many girlfriends, wives and mothers who would stand by me.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Loneliness
"My loneliness is killing me....." sang a pretty blonde
It is summer time and here in Cyprus, I see a lot of happy people roaming around on the beach, all half naked of course! :-D
Kids with ice creams, young couples with babies and old couples who are here for a well deserved break. Everyone is soaking up the sun and enjoying the calm of the Mediterranean Sea.
I stand all alone on the beach and the loneliness sets in. I once again realise that life is not meant to be lived for yourself. It is meant to be shared with someone special. Roam around the beach at night, make love under the moonlight, watch the sun set from atop a hill ..... :-)
It is summer time and here in Cyprus, I see a lot of happy people roaming around on the beach, all half naked of course! :-D
Kids with ice creams, young couples with babies and old couples who are here for a well deserved break. Everyone is soaking up the sun and enjoying the calm of the Mediterranean Sea.
I stand all alone on the beach and the loneliness sets in. I once again realise that life is not meant to be lived for yourself. It is meant to be shared with someone special. Roam around the beach at night, make love under the moonlight, watch the sun set from atop a hill ..... :-)
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Astrology - wise or vice?
"Astrology is a 4000 crore business in India" - one of my astrologer friends mention.
Not a big surprise since a majority of the Indian population find it necessary to consult the astrologer before taking any decision in their life.
Is our destiny really written in the stars? Aren't we the makers of our destiny?
Not a big surprise since a majority of the Indian population find it necessary to consult the astrologer before taking any decision in their life.
Is our destiny really written in the stars? Aren't we the makers of our destiny?
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
At Last!
After months of trying to escape the blog fever, I succumb!
My better half, my fiance, the blogger maniac pulls me into this...When someone goes to the extent of creating a log in for you and even publishing the first post, what else are you supposed to do?
My better half, my fiance, the blogger maniac pulls me into this...When someone goes to the extent of creating a log in for you and even publishing the first post, what else are you supposed to do?
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