An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language

 Today, I decided to talk about my pets. I grew up with many if not too many still few different kinds of pets that I grew up with and I took care of them responsibly. 

I think I was four or five when my neighbors got a puppy for four hundred rupees. It was a jet black Indian Terrier breed. Our neighbor brought the puppy and called his kids and us as well and introduced to us. He asked what would you like to name and we all agreed to call him Tommy.

Tommy was a very happy, active and smart dog. We all played with him and since he was a puppy, he was always in the leash and he hated that as soon we all went back to school or do our homework. But one day our neighbor's Mom, kid's grandma visited and she hated the puppy. She would be running around him and Tommy was scared of her so he would pee all over and this used to make the grandma more angry. Finally, my neighbor decided to give the puppy away as he was losing his mind as grandma had a list of complaints about Tommy.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." ~ Roger Caras

As soon we kids came to know about this we all started worrying and feeling sad. An idea triggered in my mind and I ran to my Dad. I told my Dad about the situation and I slowly, cautiously asked what if we take the dog? My Dad such a sweet person he said yes lets keep the dog with us and he told our neighbor, let's kid enjoy since you introduced Tommy to them, now it is difficult for them to part, we will take care of Tommy. Yay!!!! 

We all were so happy and Tommy started growing with us. He had a special love for my Dad, don't know why but I always felt may be he know that he was rescued finally from the neighbor grandma! Tommy became part of our family and he used to sleep in my bed at times and at times on his own bed. I never felt that he is a dog, I always found a person in him who cared and loved us. I don't remember how time fly a day came when we saw he left us all at the age of twelve. He was not doing well and was eating very less at times. I cried a lot and a lot.

"Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life." ~ James Cromwell.

In between Dad brought two bunnies - a girl and a boy. I fell in love with them as soon I saw them. Snow white color with pink nose and red eyes. The name given to them is Boban (in Southern India most of the male names get added 'an' so its actually Bob), and Molly. We decided to keep them in our backyard where they can run around freely and lots and lots of cabbage and carrots for them as food worked out well. But one thing is that as sweet and cute they look they make a mess with their poop and pee as it stinks like anything. We had one of Dad's friend who was working in the National Defense Academy's Veterinary hospital and he used to give tips how to keep things clean and stink-free.

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliot

I remember putting talcum powder on Molly and a red dot on her forehead, Indian way of getting ready for a girl. My parents used to wonder why I put powder on a Snow White bunny because people in India would put powder to look fair. And my reason to put talcum powder on Molly was to make her smell good. They both used to play and their kids they were so tiny and scary that they would only come out of the burrow when we all are sitting in our front yard. Many times, I have caught them playing while I come to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. One night I saw a cat taking away the baby - that was a very sad day.

"A rabbit foot may bring good luck to you, but it brought none to the rabbit." ~ Ambrose Bierce

My parents both used to work and my Dad used to pick my Mom from her office while coming back in the evening. One day as they were coming from work, our backyard gate was open and first thing Dad said about what the bunny? He immediately parked the scooter and started looking around for the bunny as Molly was sitting quiet in a corner but Boban was not to be found. My Dad came home around 8:00 PM and said, seems he must be sitting somewhere as he must have got scared but then they say when bunnies get scared they don't live long as shock leads to heart attack. That night we didn't find Boban and next day also there was no sign. We thought to focus on Molly as they say as a couple the bond is so strong that they cannot live if separated. I only wished if Molly was there somehow, but no third day she also left in sleep. 

Time was riding on a super fast train as I got busy with my school and studies and one day outside of my seventh grade class a chipmunk baby fell from top. All my classmates came running and saw the chipmunk baby was still alive. Everyone was scared and some just left saying teacher is going to come to the class but I took care of the chipmunk baby - we all names Gillu. This name actually we got it from our text book where author Mahadevi Verma talks about her pet Chipmunk Gillu. In Hindi a chipmunk is called Gilahari and we concluded this to be a short form of that as Gillu. I kept him in my bag and after school I took him home, gave some water with the help of cotton wicks and put him in a Brooke Bond Tea box with a little window for him to breathe fresh air. When my parents came home, I introduced them to Gillu, everyone loved it as he is so cute. Gillu got very connected to me but as he was growing, I felt he should be free. One day I just opened the box and few other chipmunks from our guava tree started making noise and Gillu ran into the tree. Sometimes, I used to think the one who keeps throwing the guava on our veranda was the same Gillu that I rescued.

This post will continue tomorrow...as I have to talk about two more pets and this is already a long one!!!

Until then please hold on as my other two pets would love to share their story with you!!!

"I think having an animal in your life makes you a better human." ~ Rachael Ray

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Teaching is not a lost art but the regard for it is a lost tradition..

 

Education is such an important thing in our life without it we can see how people struggle to get a decent job. Imagine those who don't get education because of financial issues or political issues such as in Afghanistan, the Kabul University where all women students and staff has been asked to stay home.

I remember my parents generation, insisting on getting better education and getting a well paid job in Government as there you have job security as compared to private companies job. In India, teachers are considered as Guru and Guru has the respect that of a deity. 

"Teaching is the highest form of understanding." ~ Aristotle

The relationship between a Guru and a Shishya (a teacher and a student) is very unique in India. A Guru is always ready to teach his/her Shishya and a Shishya is always obliged and full of gratitude for his Guru's blessings and teachings. When I think back to my school or college days, I don't think we ever had to think about our teacher's income and I don't remember teachers going on strike. In some part of the world there used to be students having a strike for different demands but never saw teachers doing that.

Based on this even today, a teaching is highly respected profession in India and are highly paid irrespective of whether they work in a private schools and colleges or government schools and colleges.

A teacher is always a well-wisher of his/her students no matter what the situation may be, they help and guide and in many cases when Students don't have fees to pay due to financial situation in their house, teachers will make a way for them to get educated with support. Similarly if a student didn't understand then they take time to explain the problem n number of times. In every manner humanity is there and looking at their sacrifices that teachers make, they are well respected in India.

"A teacher affects eternity: they can never tell where they're influence stops." 

It was very surprising for me when first time I saw teachers in America, protesting with the sign-board 'Increase our pay" few years ago. It was heartening to see some of those sign-boards.

The teachers don't get any increase in their pay yet they teach because they didn't come into this profession by accident in fact they chose this profession because they love teaching. Being an educator is such a struggle in this developed country where education should be given higher priority and proper compensation should be given to the educators because they have the responsibility of raising the next generation.

I often get lost in these thoughts because where I come from there sometimes the teachers are in teaching  profession not because of their passion to teach, but in stead they are there because the pay is good. And you can see this based on their teaching methods and conducting the exercises for students. 

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others." ~ Mustafa K Ataturk 

This totally feels like injustice when I look at it as we send our kids to school and these teachers they want to teach the students but imagine how they can concentrate if they have rent issues, or other financial issues which is bothering them?

In India teachers are well paid and here even if I add the amount it will not make much sense because Rupees is always lower in US dollar currency but from an Indian standard point of view they make good income as a teacher as supposed to what I see here in US. In US teachers make twenty percent less than other professionals with similar education and experience. Many parts of the country teachers they live below the family living wage.

I can only wish as education is important we should also make policies that protects our educators too.

"Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions."

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

It's all about the pain ..The ink is just a souvenir ;)

 Today I am going to talk about Tattoo ! I don't know how many of my readers have tattoo or have been thinking of inking or might not even like doing tattoo. 

Well, what I have read in the past is Tattoo is something which they say started at the end of the Stone Age. There were different reasons based on the tribe they belonged and sometimes for spiritual and decorate. I can only imagine how people were tattooed those days because there were no machines, I am sure it must way more painful than today and also, not sure those tattoos might be forceful too.

The first time I saw a tattoo is on my Dad's hand. He has Ayyappan, the one whom he believed as his righteousness. And it is a simple tattoo - the outline of it and I can see its like an army green color. As a child, I often used to ask my Dad about this tattoo - as what is it? How did you get this? How come I don't have it? and so forth. 

"Wear your heart on your skin in this life."

I remember my Dad telling me that it is called paccha kuthal in Malayalam the language spoken in Kerala, India and he would also mention that it is very painful and he did when he was a young man. I used to ask did it hurt and he would describe, yes its very painful because they used to poke it with a pointed bamboo stick and that used to make me scare. 

But somewhere in my mind, I always wanted a tattoo and I think the inspiration was my Dad. I know my Mom never liked it but still I wanted it. At the same time, I wouldn't dare to check in India where I could do in those days.

When I came to Canada after my college, I often go in front of the shop but get scared to go in because I felt it always had a shady look and I wouldn't dare to go inside that shop.

After few years, when I came to US the thought of getting tattoo came into my mind and I shared this with one of my friend. My friend's reaction will be - you feel like doing it then just do it, don't wait for it. And I shared my dilemma and asked why every tattoo place looks like a very shady place? And I was told let's find out. My friend found a good place to get a tattoo for me and I chose a butterfly on my arm and thought a little color would look awesome.

I was all excited and the person who was actually going to draw this art on my hand asked me why butterfly? My answer to that was evolution!

In the beginning I felt a little pain but that only as a pricking pain as later the skin becomes numb. The outcome is beautiful and after few weeks it got healed, skin got pealed and the tattoo looked awesome. Everyone loved it but I didn't stop there and just went on with the theme - Freedom, Music, My Moon Kiss, Pen name and so forth and guess what I am still craving to do one soon...!

"Books are to me as homemade tattoos are to an inmate. Can't get enough of them." ~ Laurie Notaro

I remember once at work when the blood bank folks came they asked me if I had my tattoo within six months time only then I can donate otherwise they ask to wait. Luckily that time my last tattoo was done a year ago and I was able to donate blood. So yes if you think that after tattoo you cannot donate blood that is incorrect. 

I love art and my love for tattoo comes from there and my Dad is the inspiration 😊 behind it.

"Our bodies were printed as blank pages to be filled with the ink of our hearts. " ~ Michael Biondi

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Take only memories, leave only footprints..!

 

Today I am going to talk about my favorite vacation. Well, growing up every alternate year we used to visit my maternal grandma's place for summer vacation. My Dad's side of the family only had cousins as my grandparents died very early while my Dad was still young. Hence, summer vacation used to be in Kerala, India. 

I remember how we as kids are studying hard to give the final exams and Mom used to be busy shopping gifts for my granny and my aunts and kids and also clothes for me to wear in that part of the region. Mainly she would buy long skirts, no sleeveless, no shorts, no short skirts and these were clothes that I will be wearing when I am at my granny's house. I was told you can wear whatever you want here that's not a problem but when we go to granny's place its a village and people don't look at you with respect when you're wearing short dresses etc. It was weird but that's how it is.

"It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times."

Living at lush green place was such a beautiful memory even today. There was a river called Pamba Nadi (Nadi means river) and my granny and her kids whoever were living nearby would take shower there and I used to love to play in the water hence I used to make a trip to the river more than three times and since we were coming from the city, my granny would say you city people may not be used to the cold water from the river and you will fall sick and guess what I would fall sick and then everyone in the house will come to rescue me as I was the youngest grandchild then. But guess what, after that I would be strictly asked to take shower at home with hot water! That was boring, but I really had fun with my aunt who would take me everywhere she goes.

Having those beautiful memories from childhood, growing up and traveling around is fun but the favorite one that I felt was when we as a family went to Hawaii - Maui island. 

We had booked an apartment where we could cook in the kitchen as well. The soil, the plants, trees and flowers everything was so similar to Kerala that I had to educate my kids about these and also shared my childhood stories. It was funny when I saw Mimosa Pudica flower and asked my kids to touch the leaves as they are also called touch-me-not plant. Kids started enjoying as they touched the leaves and the leaves would shy away and close and they repeated this just to see if it really happens. 

"Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots and wings." ~ Hodding Carter

I was surprised to see African Tulip tree in Hawaii as after leaving India, I don't think I have seen this in any other country that I have visited and one can only imagine my happiness connected to my childhood as this tree has ornamental flowers and has small claw like buds which has fluid inside. As kids we used to cut the tip of the bud and the water used to come out like from a piston and kids used to put it on each other while playing and the seed of this tree is hidden in a boat shaped shell and we used to also play with those after removing the seeds... so much to share with kids and my kids could see the happiness that I was having while sharing some of my childhood stories.

Similarly you go anywhere there's a beach and these beaches are so fun to be in as the water is warm unlike the California beaches where its so cold that you can't get out there without wearing your jacket. It was so much fun we did all the touristy stuff, road to Hana and watching the sunrise, the waterfalls, then for snorkeling which was an adventure because that time I didn't know how to swim and I was wondering if I would be able to snorkel.

I overcome the fear of getting drowned and with the help of the trainers I was able to initially go in the water and slowly as I was enjoying watching the sea animals under the sea water, I realized my trainer had left me to assist some other kid and for a minute I was conscious but soon got control of it and enjoyed snorkeling myself. That was an amazing experience which I will not forget.

Besides that, we also did the helicopter ride tour and it was so beautiful that reminded me of Kerala. Everything had a connection with my childhood, the Mother Nature, the flowers, the trees that specifically grows in tropical country and here I could see everything just like that. 

"Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly." ~ Van Morrison

It was a two week vacation but I fell in love with this place and started looking for job because I didn't feel like leaving this place!

Well, like they say your desires and priorities and responsibilities all will come to one decision - it's packing time.

No matter where I have been since my childhood, its always the nature that has captured my heart and it makes me feel happy that nature has so much to offer to us - the Love and Happiness!!!

"Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which consciously separates the past from the future." ~ Maya Angelou

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Farming is a profession of hope..!

It is said that the profession of farming began around 12,000 years ago with the domestication of livestock as hunters/gatherers settled down and started to plant their own food. In short, farming is one of the oldest jobs around.

This weekend I had the opportunity to visit two different farmer's market at different locations and as always my motto is to support our local farmers and since pandemic supporting location businesses is a norm now.

"Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness." ~ Thomas Jefferson

It so happened, that the town where I live, has a farmer's market on a Saturday and I had an early morning flu-shot appointment . While returning from there, I thought to drive around the farmer's market at Niles, Fremont.

It was such a pleasant view with hustle-bustle people in and around the market, just like back home. I know it will sound weird, but since last year life has somehow been turned it's back and everyone is locked up at home due to pandemic. And after that it seems like ages when I saw people around in the market and you could only imagine the vibe, the energy that transformed in that place.

"The discovery of agriculture was the first big step toward a civilized life." ~ Arthur Keith

While browsing around each stall I saw the Niles backing company stall with pastries and bakery items. I am sorry but coming from one of the British colonies, I have always loved my breakfast with some sweets and so I lined up to purchase some pastries. Believe me, I was lucky to be number fifth in line because after that the line got into double digits. Sometimes, when you see the display of fresh bakery items you would want to buy everything and I think that's what happened with the lady who was ahead of me and she brought for $169.00. I was excited to buy couple fruit and cheese danish, sweet potato pie, croissant with ham and cheese and chocolate cookies for my son. Only after that I went to purchase some fresh fruits and vegetables. Believe me, each time we eat those fruits we praise the farmers as it is so sweet and good in taste. I know my kids they love it and I tell them my story as growing up we always went to the local farmers who would sell vegetables and fruits what they produced in their farm. 

"The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings." ~ Masanobu Fukuoka

As soon I finished looking around and purchasing from the market, life looked like back to normal for a minute though everyone was wearing mask and keeping safe distance - the new normal!

Here they had local band playing music and that time I kept wondering what's special today? Is it music in the park that has started now?, as due to pandemic I know many artists have been impacted badly. 

I had plans for Sunday hike and hence after a short hike of 4 miles I came home and kids wanted to go for brunch and we thought to go to Livermore which is close our town and hence we went to a restaurant called Monica's. Apparently, this place is so busy that we had an hour wait but we didn't mind it as there was live music, car show and farmer's market. This one is a bit bigger than what we have at Niles.

The fruits that I brought previous day was almost over and we thought while we are here lets buy some more. It's always the thought of the farmers that comes to my mind and strongly feel like supporting them and hence I brought some more vegetables and fruits. One thing I noticed that, its not only vegetables and fruits but also small business such as boba tea shop, locally made honey, salads, dumplings, hummus, flowers, and what not. You can actually come to the farmers market and buy food and eat food as well. 

"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways." ~ John F. Kennedy

Yes, I agree things can be expensive since they are organic and fresh and not chemically grown but I feel at least the money you pay for these goes directly to the ones who actually put their hard work into it.

I feel happy because when the hands that grow the food that we eat are happy then definitely the crop they raise is also happy, healthy and tasty too.

Buy from your local farmers, support them and stay healthy by eating fresh and healthy produce.

"To make agriculture sustainable, the grower has got to be able to make a profit." ~ Sam Farr

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

It's not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about?

 

Time, no matter how much you try, it's never enough! Have you come across when you feel you have so many things to cover in the 24 hours where you want to get your eight hours sleep and yet do all the things that you have prioritized? And work priorities are different by the way 😁!

Well, I don't remember growing up it was an issue that time. May be because I didn't have too many things in my list - study, finish school homework, play and weekends, I will play again and read books and gardening time. These were all me time and giving bath to my pet dog was something weekly duty but I had enough time for everything that I felt a need to do. Times were good then I guess ...!

As a kid I grew up to organize my work and I think that came to me easy because having both my parent working I have always seen them planning their work and prioritizing and getting it done on time.

"Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves." ~ Lord Chesterfield

Learning from the Military academy about value of time is something I learned to respect since I was a child. Reaching places on time is so important that even today I reach at a place five minutes before its time just to make sure that I am on time and not disrespecting others. 

But lately with pandemic, I felt I have so much time hence what I did was last year tried to complete few certifications for my personal development which helped me to play around with cloud and understand some of the technical features and tools to use and also how Machine Learning helps to ease the business but identifying the customer behavior. 

After a marathon of certifications, I felt its too much and I should also think of things that I always desired to do. One of them is hiking - being with nature and then, music. I love music and always wanted to play guitar as an instrument which drives me crazy when I listen to artists in Red Hot Chili Peppers bands or any for that matter - its how they play and aspire to be like that. No, I don't have any dreams to perform, its for my personal satisfaction and enjoyment I want to learn this instrument. So I add that to my agenda, learning guitar which needs to be practiced every day....! Yes!!

"The key is in not spending time, but in investing it." ~ Stephen R. Covey

Blogging, and podcast in Hindi, writing poetry in Hindi watching the bird in the backyard, photography and some of these things cannot be planned as you don't know when you get to see a new bird in your backyard so those are spontaneous ones but still it takes up the time.

Over the period with all the other chores I have my personal aspirations that I have added to the list and I start adding them to my list where I have to manage with my time management and oh yeah did I mention about reading a book? 

When in management or at work, it is said eat the frog first meaning finish the difficult task first so that rest of your work you can do it peacefully and on time. But with your personal list of things everything is priority and of your favorite ones how you juggle with it? More over you have friends with whom you have to take time out for meet up, watch your favorite TV series, movies and all this happens in between!!!

These days in 24 hours, I work 8 plus hours at my job and then daily I do a four to five miles walk, during that time I am listening to podcast so it keeps me sane with awareness what's happening in the world based on different topics, then in between I read work related on technology, I try to blog daily and record my daily Hindi Podcast, in between I cook as my husband also cook and that helps me to squeeze in some of the things that I like to do such as bird-watching, guitar practicing and I feel guilty that I started this year well and now I am slacking on my daily practice but then I make sure I do my basics on the chords.

"I must govern the clock, not be governed by it." ~ Golda Meir

Indeed, it is tough but what has helped me to do things and manage my personal time is the list of things to do and checking them one by one but this is done in my mind. I think when you love about things that you like to do, you don't have a set time table that you will only do for an hour or two. Yes, I used to wonder when people used to say twenty four hours is less and now I can see where they are coming from.

I religiously follow my eight hour sleep because that's my childhood hobby and I love to continue that seems its good for your health too !!!

"The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time." ~ Abraham Lincoln.

How do you manage your personal time? Do you think twenty four hours is not enough? Suggest me if I can do something different?

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play!

 

Today's topic is playing sports. How many of you like to play sports? or watch sports? If you haven't played yourself and yet you like to watch sports that's a commendable thing as far as I am concerned because I see you as an ally for those who played sports and love to watch too.

                                                                Kabaddi 

As a kid, I always loved playing any sports. It didn't matter to me whether its cricket, hockey, volleyball, soccer (not the American one 😊 ), or even the local sports that we used to have in India, leg cricket (when we don't get the cricket kit we used to play with our legs and ball would be a football.), Kabaddi (contact team sport), KHO-KHO (one of the oldest outdoor sports of India), Pithoo (folk game played between two teams with a ball and rocks that can be placed on top of each other), and Gilli-Danda (played with two sticks one long and one short) and so forth.

"The five S's of sports training are: stamina, speed, strength, skill, and spirit; but the greatest of these is spirit." ~ Ken Doherty

                                                        Kho-Kho

                                                                    Pithoo

                                                        Gilli-Danda 

There is no limit if you try to find what to play, as long as I am on the ground that's all it mattered to me. I was more or less a tom-boy always on the ground playing sport until the street lights are on when someone from home - Mom or my brother would call, 'its late don't you have anything to study? 

"A trophy carries the dust. Memories last forever." ~ Mary Lou Retton

I don't know but I loved being on the ground and that's how since my elementary days I was a P.T. Usha (Queen of Indian track and field athlete ). I was a sprinter and always got lucky to win cups for my school, for my House (School divided into four different houses for sports and extra curricular activities). Looking at this my sports teacher would add my name in long jumps, hurdles and all these I played smoothly, that's when she said your potential is in Field Hockey.

                                                        Field Hockey

I was introduced to field hockey by my sports teacher, its not that I didn't know about the game as I was a big fan of Major Dhyan Chand (An Indian hockey player) but I had only heard and read about him because by the time I was playing he was not alive. But he was the inspiration.

One thing I learned being in my school hockey team, I learned the physical, emotional and interpersonal skills. I never looked around the to make friends as sports was a mode to make friends, my team - we were like five fingers of a hand and when came together we would become that fist and ready to attack - I mean to play hockey on the field. 

"Never give up, never give in, and when the upper hand is ours, may we have the ability to handle the win with the dignity that we absorbed the loss." ~ Doug Williams

Team sports always helps you to learn about sportsmanship, friendship, teaches you to respect one another, it helps creating strong relationships, and definitely improves your willpower. I feel I learned all this here. The care and support being a team player is so motivating that your coordination and communication skill on the ground can be seen and that team always wins who coordinates and communicates well on the ground through your hockey sticks and ball in this case.

We had played so many matches against different schools from different region and it really opened my eyes about what is a true sports person based on their game. There was this one team which we were playing against in Bombay, India and they were so rough players that I could see referee giving them the yellow card every now and then. We were new from that perspective and hence always followed what our coach taught us, to play like a professional and yet when we used to get hit by the opponents through their trick of using the hockey stick in such a way that players used to get hit under the chin. 

"The only way to prove that you're a good sport is to lose." ~ Ernie Banks

We lost to that team that match and we all were very upset. We knew that team didn't play like a professional there was nothing great about it but at the end our players were injured and were scared of their bad game and injuring us by different ways - all this made us feel biased and partial. 

But guess what, when the selections of players for Nationals were made not a single person from that team got selected and along with few of my team members I was also on the selection list to play for Nationals. 

This is a big thing, which means my more time and dedication towards the game and unfortunately I was not given to play as my parents believed you can't make a career out of sports, only one or two in millions make that stand so better focus in studies. 

"What makes something special is not just what you have to gain, but what you feel there is to lose." ~ Andre Agassi 

I have no regret though because sports teaches you so many things that your self-confidence and your strong will power lets you lead you where to focus on. Being a sports person it has completely changed me as a person and I feel I was lucky there!

Today's generation is so much into sports but that is only through devices mainly otherwise you have to be selected in the school sports and so forth which is another task for parents to travel around with their kids for each game. 

Team sports always teaches you how to lead, it helps you to reduce your stress, improve self-confidence, helps to develop social skills and not only this but helps you to be fit.

"Sports serves society by providing vivid examples of excellence." ~ George F. Will

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

It’s easy to stand with the crowd it takes courage to stand alone..!

Have you ever lived alone? I mean for the first time how was it? I am not sure if this is something that you will think could be different but for me it was a whole new experience and that too in a completely different country.

Like here in US/Canada, kids would be out of home by the time they are sixteen or later for college and they learn early to be independent and live their life.

I grew up in a country where kids don't leave their home until they are married off and this is specially about girls because boys will get married and bring home his wife and live with parents. But that doesn't mean that kids don't live in dorm or hostel for their college, they do. In my case, I literally grew up living with my parents until that one day I decided to migrate to Canada. A decision very gallantly taken by me without even thinking.

Things worked out for me in such a way that I landed in Canada and after couple months living as paying guest in couple folks house, I decided to be brave enough to live by myself as paying guest was not literally paying guest, it was more like an extended family where even though you pay your rent and hope everyone will mind their own business but that was not the case.

"I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone."

I moved to a one bedroom apartment in Toronto, on the East York side as I wanted to be close to my work place as those days I am completely relying on public transport system TTC.

Living alone for me had its own experience as I was scared too because I have never lived alone before.

I had a call-center job those days which would start at 4:45 pm to 11:45 pm and there was no commission of the sales that I make hence it was a typical office contract job as medical is free so didn't have to be a full time job with benefits. 

Since the timing was such I used to come home late night and that was very scary and tensed moment - the walk from the bus-stand till my room and why I say room because even if I enter the building the worst part was going in the elevator as after midnight you don't know who's who?

Once I was inside my apartment, It was my world and my life no one has anything to know or do with it. I used to come home get fresh and go to bed those days I didn't have mobile phones and there was no smart-phones so the only phone I had was landline and no one would call that late unless it was an international call to India. 

I think living there alone in my own world, I felt this was the first time I was trying to know myself better. It's not that as a child I didn't have the freedom to do things that I liked but I figure that lot of things that we do gets carried away with our family, parents, siblings and we just follow those and we do find happiness.

"Sometimes, you need to be alone. Not to be lonely, but to enjoy your free time being yourself."

I used to love to keep my apartment clean and tidy. I would read books after that and make food and at times I used to go to the nearest public library and go read newspapers and magazines. It used to give me a feel of I am responsible and making my decision though it was new so I would think properly before making that decision - should I take the bus and just travel from one end to the other just because I have a monthly pass and anyhow I have to use it.

The best part was that for TTC you can go one way no matter how far you only use one ticket except that the transit is in one direction. If you break and go some other route then you have to pay another ticket. Hence going one way and getting down to do some shopping and getting back in the same bus was something I found very comfortable and easy as compared to moving around in Pune, India, where you have to know the route and then the right bus to go there and then find the right address to reach the destination. I used to feel so happy that I am traveling alone and that too in Toronto, Canada.

I used to make phone calls to some friends that I had made in the call center and the funny part was that they used to talk to me on the phone for hours and hours because they would say its only twenty five cents. I used to feel worried as in India I used to make phone calls only for emergency purpose or to give any message as I am going to be late or so. But here, I was able to keep my relationship with my friends as we daily meet at lunch time at work but weekends it was good to connect with them specially when I was all by myself, talking to friends would bring more cheer to me.

"Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better." ~ Henry Rollins

And this making phone calls to my friends didn't come up just like that, it was the time when I used to feel very lonely. Weekdays was busy with work and hence it was the weekends when I used to feel lonely. After finishing my chores and reading books as the sunsets my day would be more gloomy and when I shared this with my friends at work, they immediately said don't worry we will turn by turn call you and that will take your loneliness away. Such good friends I had one was Lisa Jattan from Trinidad and other one Valerie Shan, she was from Pakistan married to Sri Lankan. We had so many beautiful days whether it's on the phone, at work life was for like college those days.

I remember going to a dandia (dance with sticks that you play at India festival). Today when I think I laugh at it but those days I don't know much about things but I would look at the advertisement pamphlet and find my route on the map and just dress up in Indian saree and would show up alone and dance in the group and before midnight I would make sure I come home. Those ones really boost my confidence as back home, I was always taught to be cautious and careful and hence many time when I am traveling alone I would be more stressed with that thought but here I was happy though cautious but I was doing things that I thought I will give a try.

"The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone."

I also one day figured out to keep myself busy, went to nearby old age home facility where I used to go and sit with elderly people and spend time. I used to just sit and watch them initially and later I started engaging with them in conversation and one time I got scolded by one of the elderly lady who thought me to be her daughter. Later I realized she is Alzheimer patient and she scolded me for not showing up all these days - I got nervous and cried but immediately the staff came and rescued me. But next day I was confident to go and hug her and she smiled at me and said comb my hair its been long time. I remember I used to play with them, laugh and cry too.

It's true that I would be very cautious when I am out but inside me I was a free living being. I loved those moments and still cherish the memories.

"Sometimes, you find yourself in the middle of nowhere, and sometimes, in the middle of nowhere you find yourself."

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Things end but memories last forever..!

 

Today I want to talk about unforgettable experience. I have many when I think of it because in life there are so many opportunities where we experience good or not so good but those remains in our mind like a memory book. The moment you think of it, like each page the incident or the experience unfolds one by one.

"Memories are timeless treasure of heart."

I am going to share one of them today with my friends here.

I was in Toronto, Canada in they year 1997 May timeframe when I had just started a parti-time cashier's job as I was new in the country and I was still looking for a job based on my education and my interest. Once you land your bill starts so its better to get going with any job that you get and that's how I ended up at this role. It was at Marche in downtown. My job was only on weekends because weekdays other cashiers would be there and hence I don't get a chance to work on weekdays but I used that time to apply at different jobs and give interviews etc.

I started my job a week ago and the problem was that I was always reaching my job late though I am always ahead of my time waiting for the bus but I only get it at 9 am and hence I used to be late. I got first time a warning from the manager saying, if I don't come on time he will fire me. 

I was very stressed and not only that but I was very scared too as I was new in the country. I used to be at the stop at 6 am to reach 9 am and still I get the bus at 9 am from my stop. I was very frustrated and I asked the people where I was renting and they also didn't give me any proper guidance as they said go early and stand at the bus-stop.

That day after getting the warning from the boss for the second time, I was very nervous because my fear of loosing this job, then how am I going to pay the rent? How I am going to pay for my grocery, my bus-pass and so forth and all these worries were sitting on my head and I was getting tensed.

"We don't remember days, we remember moments."

This was my 2nd week's weekend and I decided I have to go early no matter what. As usual I got ready and went to the bus-stop and waited. There were not a single person around there except me and at times you will see some cars would drive by and people inside would stare at me. I used to get nervous because being a woman standing alone at the bus-stop early morning and Sun had to come yet. All the street lights were still on and in my mind I would say, You have to reach on time. You can't give another change for your boss to scold you.

I kept repeating in my mind and I saw couple people wearing jackets walking by the bus-stop. But I thought they must be going some other place so I didn't bother but when I saw frequency of people going increased, I stopped one guy who was passing by the bus-stop and I said, Excuse me please! do you know when the bus will come because I have been waiting since long time and I have to reach downtown by 9 am. Can you help?

The guy seemed from Sri Lanka and how you will wonder but it's not a tough to recognize for people like us who are coming from India. If I say they have a different look, some will laugh but believe me, Sri Lankan Tamil person has a unique feature and they speak different type of Tamil language than people speaking Tamil in Chennai, India.

The guy looked at me and smiled, said the bus here will come at 9 am and if you want to catch an early bus then you can walk with me as on weekends, this area buses only starts at 9 am whereas, if we walk a half a mile, you will see there is Blue Night Network bus service that goes overnight. This was an enlightenment for me because first of all no one told me about this and now I was going to discover this blue night service bus which I will have to walk a mile now from my home but at least there is a hope.

I literally wanted to hold his hand and say thank you, but he was a stranger and I said I will walk behind you but thank you for your guidance because if today you were not here I probably would have lost my job. He smiled and walked in front.

"Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory."

I reached the stop and what I see is all those people who were passing by the bus-stop that I was waiting at they were all heading to this bus-stop to catch the blue night service bus so they can go to their work.

I was so happy, so relieved, so tension-free that when I got in the bus I thanked the gentleman again and then I went and stood at one corner as the bus was crowded and seats were all taken. 

As the bus was crossing Eglington station due to traffic the bus was stopping in between and this gentleman got down in between and then suddenly appeared with two coffee in his hand and offered one to me. I was surprised but he said please have it, you looked so tensed I thought I can at least do this because I don't know if I will ever meet you again.

Those words melt my heart and I accepted the coffee and thanked him again. After taking few sips when I look, this man disappeared and I kept on looking for him front of the bus back of the bus, inside and outside of the bus and I couldn't find him ever.

"People say that bad memories cause the most pain, but actually it's the good ones that drive you insane."

That day onwards I was always on time in fact ahead of my schedule and manager was happy too.

Even today when I think of that day, I tell myself if he had not shown the way to the blue night service bus then probably I would have lost my job. I was new and naive in that country and anyone could easily make out that I am new here and could have taken advantage of my situation but nothing like that happened.

I still remember that face but I never met him ever after that day.

Often we meet people in life for a reasons!

"Life brings tears, smiles and memories. The tears dry, smiles fade, but the memories last forever."

~ Dawn

Festivals and Celebrations are rooted in history and tradition!

 

Ganesh (Elephant God), festival or Ganesh Chaturthi - this is a Hindu festival and it is the celebration of Ganesha to earth from Kailash Parbat with his mother Goddess Parvati/Gauri. The festival takes place by installing a Ganesha made out of clay murti at home privately and publicly by Bal Gangadhar Tilak or knowns as Lokmanya Tilak in Pune city in 1893 to elaborate on pandals or stages. Pune city where I grew up and has so many memories.

It's a ten day celebration where people chant mantras and prayers and offerings during these ten days and on 11th day the clay murti of Lord Ganesha is immersed in the water such that the clay dissolves and it is assumed that Lord Ganesha has gone back to his home to Kailash Parbat.  

The Elephant God is considered to be the lord of new beginnings and also the one who removes all obstacles and God of wisdom and intelligence. 

"Most festivals are wrapped up in tradition and are tied to the past. People add special foods and celebrations to make festivals most memorable and exciting."

These are all mythological stories that we grew up listening to but we enjoy these festivals, as everything has its special way to do things, what you offer during the prayers - the sweets and modak and then the ten days just swifts by quickly. 

Most of the states in India celebrate this festival and being in Maharashtra I have seen as a child attending all the pandals in the city where different Ganesh murti's are kept with different decorations, lightings some of which will light as per the music that is being played and there used to be competition as who got the best decorated and the best one gets a prize too.

Last year with pandemic lot of things were not celebrated publicly and even the private ones were not the one where anyone was invited to homes. This year, since most of the friends are vaccinated hence I had the opportunity to visit two of my friends house for Ganesh puja.

The reason could be Lord Ganesha but it really brings the festivity in among everyone and it fills with happiness and galore where friends visit, help with decorations, cooking and making special offerings and when you do all this together as a team it brings a different kind of joy.

"Feasts and festivals are a feature of all major religions."

This Ganesh festival there's lot more to be thankful based on the time that we are living in and I was so happy to learn how to make modak (dumplings with sweet inside as stuffing made out of jaggery, coconut and sesame seeds). Being with friends, and getting ready for the event all this brings the sweet memories of Pune that I grew up watching and doing things closely during the Ganesh Festival.

These days with environmental concerns people have found innovative ways to make the idols such as either you make it with chocolate so you're not disposing it to the environment or sometimes they are made out of dirt and a seed will be inside so that you just plant it on the 11th day and this way no sea, or river water is polluted with its immersion. 

At the end like I said its mythological story and how much we have to follow the old ways is up to us. As long as we don't harm the sea animals and the environments everything should be a celebration and joy with greeting friends and eating along with them as one family.

Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Laukar Ya!!!

(The prayer Meaning is : Lord Ganesha the father of everyone, who was worshipped by Morya Gosavi, should return soon next year).

"Festivals are happy places, and you don't really want to enjoy them on your own."

~ Dawn

Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart...!

 

Today I am going to talk about abortion. Yes, without being pregnant you cannot abort right? But I feel without understanding what is abortion? Why is abortion? and How is it done? We cannot understand even why it is there - abortion!

In India pregnancy is usually celebrated and is considered to be a blessing - why not because you got the opportunity to bring a life into this world. And hence, abortion is a taboo. 

" Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch." ~ E. B. White

Anytime you hear about abortion in India, it has to be tagged with health issue or weakness etc. But never one will come and say I did it because I don't want the pregnancy at this time or I am not ready for it or even that it is an accidental or whatever. It's not considered as a good thing - abortion!

Though Abortion has been legal in India for past 50 years under certain circumstances with the introduction of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act 1971. Abortion can be performed until 24 weeks of pregnancy as per Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act amendment 2021 rules and regulations.

When we look at what is happening in USA, it is true Indian women never had to go through the struggle or march on the road for their rights.

But I feel instead of sharing the real stories that women has gone through, it has become more of a political agenda and even media writes about these in similar manner by going away from the actual topic.

"Let us make pregnancy an occasion when we appreciate our female bodies." ~ Merete Leonhardt -Lupa

I am going to share my story here, I had my abortion at a very young age and it was not a planned pregnancy. As per doctor I have high fertility but then it was something that I had to take during a tough situation. It was not because of my health issues. 

When I was visiting in the beginning, my doctor knew how happy I was but soon I went through a trauma where my mother-in law would measure what I eat and why I eat? In fact as per doctor I got fresh coconut water to drink and when she saw the coconut shell thrown in the garbage she questioned and made a big issue out of it. I tried every way to make it work out even doctor had a one on one to discuss with my mother in-law then but it was of no use. Everything was looked at as waste of money or too much drama for a pregnant woman.

Something I visualized in my mind, if I have to go through this what the child will go through once comes out of my womb? Because I was working those days and everyone liked the money that I bring home but don't like the attention I was getting at that time and then I was thinking about the future..how it will be? I visualized my kid crying and I am coming home from work - that scene in my mind registered in such a way that I was not ready to bring a child at such place. I am fine to lead my battles but I don't want my kids to suffer and that was about it. I made my decision but before that I discussed this with one of the elders in the family because I didn't want this to be unnoticed or something to be swayed under the carpet.

"Life need not be long-lived for it to be meaningful."

When I discussed the scenario with the elders of that family they agreed that things may turn out that way as what I visualized but they stood with me in whatever decision I took. I went to my doctor and requested for abortion. My doctor was not ready in the beginning and she tried her best to convince that things will be fine once the kid is born and I was adamant that's what I don't want because then I won't be able to save the child and will suffer more.

My doctor finally said, I will only do it after looking at your blood (hemoglobin) report and luckily it was good and I got clinically aborted. After that, I was going through depression. I remember I used to often sit and cry looking at the wall. Something, that used to bring anger in me and sadness too. 

Everyone in their family were told that I was not healthy hence this happened and even my mother believed that because I was skinny though I was strong medically fit still society has their judgements - if you are healthy but skinny you're weak, if you are unhealthy but not skinny they think you're in right frame of life. Though my doctor knew the reality and few other members. 

"Do not muffle your cries, for they are the sound of pregnancy loss."

I went back to work and that helped me a lot like a therapy. Today I have two kids thankfully healthy and happy and they both are planned kids. But when I think back, I have no regrets because I reached the doctor on time and yes I often think if it was the other way probably how old that kid must have been now? Or Who that kid would have been? Some things just remain within you.

"I carry your heart with me, I am never without it."

It is very important that we should educate women about abortion, as well as sex education it is so important because knowledge is awareness and everyone can make their decision appropriately. The worldwide report shows from 2000 - 2017, the global maternal mortality ration declined by 38 percent - from 342 deaths to 211 deaths per 100,000 live births. We should bring down this percentage and education will help in doing so. 

Women are powerful and strong so why not educate them about things that relates to them and bring awareness so that they can make better decisions of their life.

Abortion should not be a political agenda, because it's more than that.

"Education is everything - education is your power, education is your way in life for whatever you want to do." ~ Ciara

~ Dawn

Let Hindi spread its wings more. Happy Hindi Diwas.

 

Today in this part of the world it is September 14th and this day is celebrated in India as National Hindi Day or Hindi Diwas (day). The main reason to celebrate this day as Hindi Diwas is because the Constituent assembly of India adopted Hindi as the official language of the country on this day in 1949 under the Article 343. This started being observed after stalwarts like Beohar Rajendra Simha, Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Kaka Kalelkar, Maithali Sharan Gupt and Seth Govind Das lobbied hard for the cause. These are great poets and writes who promoted the Hindi literature in the country, I remember studying some of their work in Middle and High- School.

It is said that Hindi language is spoken by as many as 250 million people as the original language and it is the fourth language of the world, after Mandarin, Spanish, and English.

I remember in School days this day is a celebration of the Hindi language and its cultural heritage and values among the people of the country and abroad as well as I reside here now and see those happening in here as well.

"You have got to know your language to understand your culture." ~ Beatrice Taylor

Various Hindi literary festivals, Hindi poetry sessions, Hindi essay writing competitions and speech contests are organized and I remember participating in those and getting the first prize in the competition.

I am born in a Keralite family where the language spoken is Malayalam and I was raised in a city called Pune, in Maharashtra State in India, where the language spoken is Marathi. Since Hindi is the official language of India we get to learn in School.

"Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world." ~ Rumi

I am don't know when and how I fell in love with this language that I used to read a lot of books and I used to write letters to the authors who were still alive. It was a fun exchange of letters as I would ask questions to these authors based on the book I read and I try to ask why the end is like that or why in the middle certain situation happened and you didn't gave a continuation to it etc. 

I started writing poetry in elementary school in Hindi and it continued, but when I started getting highest marks in Hindi language at High-School, that's when I got the confidence that one can score in language too. There was the myth where everyone used to tell one can't score much in language. 

I had some of the friends who would be jealous on this as my Hindi teacher always appreciated my approach towards the language and my references in the answers during examination time. 

"Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." ~ Rita Mae Brown

My Hindi teacher would often use my example in other classes and friends from that class used to share these information.

The modern standard Hindi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken mainly in northern India and in southern side of India not everyone speaks this language, hence English as International language is used in India for official purpose.

It's interesting to read history and understand how languages formed and how we started communicating, writing, reciting and using it across the continent around the world.

"When you lose a language and a language goes extinct, it's like dropping a bomb on the Louvre." ~ Michael Krauss

Happy National Hindi Diwas to those who still can speak and write this language! 

~ Dawn