Happy Father's Day...!

A dad is the first guy in the life of any girl. The more he loves and teaches her to be independent, the more she loves him.
I grew up in such a way that I always felt I am the lucky child on earth and I am sure every girl friend of mine from school also must have felt the same.
My dad spoke few words but gave a deep wisdom and insight to me and probably thats the reason I always had a deeper thought about things that happen around.
One good advise that I got from my dad, which I give to my kids also and that is, to enjoy the present and live in the present. Tomorrow we are not sure of though we plan but don't spoil your present for a tomorrow which you don't know about.

This live in the moment philosophy was ingrained in me by my dad and I am so thankful to him for teaching me about the values of life.

It's my dad because of which I learned my mother tongue Malayalam, it was him due to which we used to watch Malayalam movies and poetry that he used to play so that we can listen. His story telling to us as each poetry unwinds the reality and all these made us to be close to arts and literature.

Love everyone and don't just be a spectator when injustice is happening - this has made me a human and yes, I love every living being on this earth and I am very hurt when injustice happens to me or to others - I will fight for justice and not be quiet because I care for everyone and thats what my dad taught me.

I love the guy who raised me this way with an independent thought to enjoy the moment and be the pillar for the needy.

Thank you Accha for being that light in my life and making me believe that there can be only one Dad who holds your hand and walks behind you to make sure you are safe.

Happy Father's Day Accha not only today but everyday.

~ Dawn

I felt it was a walk back to my childhood days...!!!

Growing up in NDA, was so much fun. I was raised more close to mother nature and we as kids always tried to connect with nature whether its through plucking berries from the wilderness or the curiosity to see different birds - hike was never like what we see in North America.

Hiking was part of a daily routine. Whether we are going from school just with friends or being the part of scouts and guides - climbing mountains, playing in the water, plucking wild berries and eat them with an excitement as if we earned it.

I have often felt that I wish my kids were raised in NDA so that they could have also enjoyed what I got to enjoy as a kid. But then I realize they got to be born at that time because now even in India it has become like an event.

Summer has started and kids are off from school but then parents don't get such summer time-off unless you are planning for vacation.
Weekends are the best time to spend time with kids and that too if you can't drag them out they will sit on their electronic devices.
I feel very fortunate and lucky to be a resident of Niles, where I get to be with nature and its not too far from home. 

A drive to the park in Sunol and my son who was trying his best to make excuse as where are we going and why we are going to a canyon. By the time we reached and started our hike, he says I am reading the signs and it says beware of snakes and mountain lions so we shouldn't go this side.
It was a fun walk because me and my daughter had lot of fun teasing him by making the hiss sound of snakes and he used to ask for little breaks to breath as he is tired.

This park has a canyon and if you are ready to hike and climb some big rocks then nothing better than reaching to the paradise where you have the cold water soothing your feet and the music of the water fall, its a mesmerizing feel.
I was never treated or raised with gender discrimination and thats what I do with my kids too. Boy or girl all should be equally treated and hence without any saying we headed to climb the rocks. Being the parent I had to be responsible for both of them and hence I was making sure I was behind my son yet allowing him to make his own decision as how to climb the rocks. Many times I felt once you teach them they will learn and thats what happened.
My son initially was scared that he may slip in the gravel but as the positions I was showing where to place his foot and get a grip start putting the next foot forward and keep going. The best part was when he saw water, I didn't have to teach him anything. He was getting pulled and the next thing I see him is getting in the water.

Relaxing after the climb was a blessing. Kids played and my son made friends with a baby and a boy called Joseph who was of his age. After couple of hours we thought its time to go back and guess what our guy who was tired and was worried about snakes and was not much excited about the canyons was upset that we are going back. He wanted to stay back little more and I agreed to it.

After all that fun while we were returning back it was a slope and at times one peak climbing moment and it was a worth hike where my son gave a review saying, we should come more often here and next time I want to bring my swim shorts. The best part he felt that we talked and shared lot of stories and spent quality time together.

The review was a worth of testimony. These days I am teaching kids to be in and with nature and listen to music it will sound much soothing and blessing.

Try to go out and take your kids too because if you let them sit in the house then they are going to be stuck with their electronic devices. A look outside the window, a walk outside of your house is a must. I felt it was a walk back to my childhood days.

Let's find some beautiful place to get lost ;)

~ Dawn

Papon - the musician and the human that I know !

Music is soothing and spiritual when the musician is putting his/her talent and art in it rather than being forced for few extra pennies or for fame. 

Being a music lover, I have always loved world music and the musicians who don’t compromise their art for money, fame or any other reasons. Luckily, I have had opportunities to listen to some of great musicians from around the world and some of them were such that they struggle to bring food and peace in their country.

One can imagine how heart rendering it can be when you hear they say, "when I get hungry I sing”.

I have seen one of the artist so closely who sings, writes, composes and plays instruments too.

Papon being one of those artist, I have always loved his music and I think after 4 years of listening and following him on Twitter, I finally met him in San Francisco in 2014 when he came for Assamese Bihu festival time and it was a dream come true.

After meeting him I am not only in love with his voice and music but more I love him as a human. He is very much down to earth and simple person who wants to do a lot for the needy.

This year when I heard he is coming again I was very excited and was again going through those moments when I met him for the first time. That moment only the artist and his fan which is me can only relate what it was, something that I will cherish whole my life.

This time when I saw he is coming with big artists such as Farhan Akhtar, I kept my ambitions low as to meet him in person because I had a visual of how promoters will try to bank on meet and greet. Hence, I convinced myself that this time I won’t meet Papon - my favorite singer and friend.

People took expensive tickets to meet him and I thought being a friend why should I pay and meet him and that too which he won’t get a share of it anyway.

I bought a reasonable ticket to see the concert and enjoyed every bit of Papon’s music being in that audience. The best part was that by the time I entered my seat I had heard from near and dear ones that Papon inquired about me - and believe me that was a blessing in disguise.

I convinced myself that I should be happy and glad that Papon remembered me and asked about me. It was more fun when he asked to meet for dinner as he has an early flight next day and hence he invited. It was such a nice gesture from Papon that all the friends that we were from his first visit in 2014, were gathered to celebrate the togetherness and love and we enjoyed the dinner, the talk and fun times….a moment which is not well described here in words yet what echoes in my ears is Papon’s words - Eat pasta from my plate, when you share from same plate its love that grows :)

There were many topics that was discussed and many were kept for later time which gave the hope for our next meet in the coming times...!

Best moment with my favorite singer and friend Papon…!

~ Dawn