It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities

 

I want to talk about bully! As far as I remember when I was a kid, there were times when I was bullied but we never knew there is something called bully. And even if you share it with someone that you're being bullied, people will look at it as your inability to handle things of your own - so you have that pressure too. 

I remember when I was in first grade and there were these three kids who would scare me and just before lunch time they would sneak out my lunch box, eat everything and leave the lunch box near my desk. For many days I didn't know who is doing that even. Anyhow, one day one of them teased me saying we are the ones who eat your lunch and you don't even know till now. I was really very upset but didn't had the guts to even react there. 

My Dad used to drop me to school every morning and evening I used to walk home with my neighbor. That day I went home and told my Mom about the lunch issue. My Mom was upset and I think she told my Dad, because next day when Dad was dropping me he straight asked me who are the kids that eat your lunch and don't even ask you for? 

I gathered a bit of a courage when Dad was inquiring and I looked around, one of them was playing on the slide and I showed it to my Dad.

Dad straight walked with me towards the slide and the kid for some reason figured out and as soon my Dad reached there he asked the kid can I talk to you and the kid came and said sure. My Dad said, do you and your friends sneak my daughter's lunch box everyday? The kid just looked down and my Dad said don't do that. If you ask her she will definitely share with you and he left.

I was scared wondering what will be the reaction and just like I expected, when all three came together they again came to me and said things and I heard they saying, my Mom is more stronger than her Dad and I will bring her tomorrow. 

"No one heals himself by wounding another."

Anyhow, that first grade was terrible for me though I was a good student and was a favorite of all teachers. Those three kids were always trouble makers and were expelled what I heard.

Anyhow, these kinds of things did happen in later part of the school and in High-school. I remember one of the classmate would be always trying to put me down - I never figured out what did I do to deserve that?

"Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right."

When I am reading a chapter in my English class, I hear whispering how come she can read so well. When I get my test marks even though they have scored higher than me still they would be after me asking, how much did you get? and I would say, less than you.

One time it so happened, very openly this classmate said when we grow up - I will be an engineer from a prestigious college, the other person will be a doctor since they want to do medicine and will have their own clinic, the third person will be a government officer as they aspire to be and when it came my turn, the person said, I will be a housewife cooking food. 

"I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody."

I felt I was way matured by then because I didn't get angry then instead smiled and said good at least someone will have to cook so that's fine. Now when I think of it, makes me feel how much the person was jealous of me ? or hated me? but for what? I am never rude to this person even today but they always try to put me down all the time. The funny thing is cooking we all do and I am working too !

"Imagine a world where the words you speak appear on your skin. Would you be more careful of what you say?"

But what I want to say is that such things do make an impact on mind otherwise I wouldn't be writing about this here on my blog after so many years...!

So friends, please don't bully anyone and say NO to bully!!!! 

"You never look good trying to make someone else look bad."

~ 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

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Today I am going to talk about an incident that took place while I was in tenth grade. Some mischiefs that we do when we are young, and it puts an impression for life long. I remember it was our inter-school field hockey competition and we were actually visiting the other school this time.

We caught the Pune Municipal Corporation public transport bus and along with the team our sports teacher Mrs. Bose was also accompanying us. Mrs. Bose told us before leaving the school ground, that if we win the game with other schools, then she is going to take us to a big expensive restaurant for lunch and everyone got excited. This was teams first trip to go out of the home ground and play otherwise, usually our school is always the host.

We reached the host's school ground and got introduced to the scorer, selector and coaches and teachers of other schools and went back to our seating area. After looking at the lists and exchanging the team players names with the main scorer and selector, our teacher came and said, girls are you ready to win? and we all roared in one chorus yeah!!!!!

Everyone took their position, I was at left center half position and we played like a team. Team was very good in passing and I was always the one who was fast in hitting the ball so as soon the ball came to me I hit it and it was a goal!!!! Everyone cheered us and we team hugged and back to work, our opponent team was not happy and they started playing foul by hitting with the hockey stick left and right. Some got the warning and some got out of the team but we did get injured. I still remember after that win when we gathered and my school teacher said to me you have been selected as I saw your name on the list, I was on ninth cloud and suddenly my teacher said where's that blood coming from, on your shoe? It was a white colored shoe and a drop of blood fell on it and I didn't realize that I was hit by that hockey stick and the blood was coming from my right hand thumb. 

"Grown ups are complicated creatures, full of quirks and secrets." ~ Roald Dahl 

Immediately first-aid was arranged and everything was taken care. We were done here and were supposed to be out for lunch so everyone was happy. After a great lunch at the restaurant we headed to go back to our school and then home. As we all were excited everyone was happy and felt as if we rule the world. It's that age and the win and the appreciation, it was all that effect and we ran to sit in the bus on the last seat. 

"Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts." ~ Nikki Giovani

We all sat and were talking loud and suddenly there was a guy who got into the bus and sat in front of us. He was big and the two-seater seat was fully taken by him and in a funny way I said, who's this elephant? I was not expecting that he would be able to hear me but the moment he turned back I, immediately apologized as suddenly I felt that's not me.

"You have to make mistakes to find out who you aren't. You take the action, and the insight follows: You don't think your way into becoming yourself." ~ Anne Lamott

It seems the guy also recognized that, because the way my face expression changed and I apologized - he said its okay but you shouldn't say that to anyone. I thanked him.

That day and till now, I have never made fun of anyone. I don't judge anyone. I have come to the understanding that everyone has their own story and we are no one to pass judgement to anyone. Let's live and let other's live. Life has so much to offer just enjoy and share your happiness if you can and move along.

"You need to give yourself permission to be human." ~ Joyce Brothers

~ 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

Today only happens once.. make it amazing!

 I wanted to ask today what motivates you? I mean pre-pandemic or post-pandemic this question is always there as what motivates you? and now its even more because no matter what we are stuck at home though in California it's not that bad but still we work from home and are kind of getting used to it.

How do you charge yourself ? I mean don't tell me that you listen to a motivational speaker and it works for you because that doesn't work for me at all!!!!

I like to do something that makes me motivated and so what I did last year while we were stay at home, besides hiking was something that I am going to share today.

Yes, even though we were working from home and were able to be with family all the time and enjoy the backyard still you need something more that will excite you isn't it?

"Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits."

It was last year same time when the Indian festival Navratri that I recently wrote about was happening. We were not able to meet with friends so I started the trend of wearing saree on those nine days of Navratri. Each day has a significance to a color that relates to the Goddess and for me it was more of the saree love which strike the idea to wear each day based on the color significance. At least for those nine days I was making sure that my work was planned well such that I could take time out to wear saree. 

Dressing up is something that at least excites most of the women and this is me who used to be a tom-boy, now loves saree so much that I enjoyed wearing each day. Some liked my determination, some liked my saree and some liked me all this was fun. By the way this year, again I continued and tomorrow is the ninth day 😍!

"You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined." 

Similarly, I opted for learning an instrument. Guitar being my favorite I picked it up and feels so good when I played Happy birthday on guitar for my son's birthday this March and April for my daughter, and Bob Marley's three little birds and then the Bollywood song and so forth...! It's a good distraction from the chaos of life.

"Try to find that motivation in your life which only you can create it no one else." ~ Dawn

~ 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

Priorities over conveniences

Do you ever feel that twenty four hours is not enough? Yesterday was one of those days for me and I am sorry I couldn't blog yesterday.

Yesterday being Tuesday, I know my morning till noon are busy with meetings. And when these meetings are about the work items that need to be delivered by end of this month, I had to do more drilling with the team so that I know exactly how much work is remaining and if we are still going to make it or not.

I am also working with two different teams to prioritize the interdependencies and hence the time was too less to get everything done. On top of all this, I have to do my self-evaluation and you know how that goes because you have to remember all the work you did last year until now.

"Be ambitious. Get things done. Keep your priorities straight, your mind right and your head up." 😜

Health and family comes first for me always, so my five mile hike is something that I never miss and cooking healthy food in case I am able to make it to the kitchen before my husband gets in there 😊! Because if he gets in then I don't have to worry he will take care of the dinner.

But I had some other assignment work that came in and it has writing exercise and need to be submitted by next week.  Because it needs lot of research work, I wanted that frog to be eaten first so that I have a draft ready minimum so that I could work on it later.  I have a course which is two days per week and yesterday was the first day so I couldn't miss that one as I needed to complete the first exercise on the console and I didn't want to be behind from class.

"Like it or not, the world evolves, priorities change and so do you." ~ Marilu Henner

By the time I finished all that, it was almost midnight and I went to bed.

I consciously decided I will skip writing the post and yes, I did feel a little bad but yesterday was something I couldn't do all of them.

This morning, when I got up I decided I will write it down things to do and follow that sequence. I have noticed these days I get easily distracted and I was trying to make sure I stick to my 'to-do' list and not get carried away with social media and other news.

I am sure we all have those time-management and priority list and I used to be a mentor for the interns at work and other places helping on these topics. But I realize lately I am getting distracted a lot.

I realize making a daily to-do list puts me into discipline and hence that's my goal now on.

"Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters." ~ Margaret Peters

~ 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

Ask for help not because you’re weak, but because you want to remain strong!

 

Today I am going to talk about Help! It's a small word but very powerful and yet many hesitate to ask.

"You are never strong enough that you don't need help." ~ Cesar Chavez 

This word you can use anywhere when you need it and when I say anywhere, what I mean is at work, and at home as well. Many times we go through so much in life that we forget that we can ask for help. There is no one who will judge you because at the end when they hear why we are asking for help let's hope they will get the idea behind it.

I have reached at a level in my career where I know what needs to be done to manage the release work on time. But then I want to learn more. Lately, we are working from home and because of that we don't see our colleagues anymore. At the most its on the slack where we will ask for each other's well being or if they are part of your team then you're just meeting virtually online and then you don't bother with anything else. It has become a routine to run after the release one after the other and other...!

I am getting bored of this routine and hence I have been wondering to learn something new. But each time I look at things, it is outside of my work like a theory but practical is the only way I can learn and if that is done at work what best do I need then. It will make more sense for me and I will be able to learn in true sense being a visual learner. I have been going from website to website and trying to see what I can learn being in my current role which will enhance my skills.

"Don't let your fear of being judged stop you from asking for help when you need it."

I also thought about reaching out to someone at work, in my team who can just allow me to watch them doing and I can ask questions wherever I have doubts. But then I was a bit hesitant and this thought has been in my mind for weeks and months. Nothing was coming out and I was getting restless. When my one on one meeting came with my manager, she asked how is that going? Did you ask if you can watch them and learn from it? And my immediate response was that, no I am going to ask.

"You can do anything but not everything." ~ David Allen

I don't know why I was hesitating because in my mind I was giving all kinds of reasoning what if? So these thoughts kept me away from asking.

Today when I was on my walk I said to myself, I am going to ask and see what they say. In my mind somewhere I was hesitating because I thought they will say no? or it will be a dilemma for them to accommodate this request of mine etc.. !

After my walk, came back had my lunch and I straight away pinged my team member and asked for help.

I was eagerly waiting for a response but you know how things happen? The more you're eager the more delay in response and that increases the suspense altogether. Anyhow, I just walked away from my desk and watered the plants in my backyard and refilled the bird-bath and came back to my desk. To my surprise the answer was sure, that's not a problem.

You see, I was hesitating for something which should not be my concern and for that matter I delayed it for weeks and months. This is about my personal growth but let me tell you this can be for anything.

"Sometimes the loudest cries for help are silent." ~ Harlan Coben

This October month is for so many national awareness month, some in the world and some in specific countries. There's one for breast cancer awareness and the other is domestic violence awareness and I feel in both these cases  please seek help. Don't be under the assumption that it feels okay and so I am okay. 

Please when in doubt, just ask and answer will be this way or that way but at least you will be clear in mind and be relieved that you asked for help! Nothing is too late when we ask for help or advice and you can make choice out of it that's better for you, for your own good.

So my women friends,  please make sure you go for your annual mammogram, you can ask for it. And if you're going through emotional violence it is domestic violence so please seek help. 

"Find your happiness and independence first only then you can give happiness to your loved ones." ~ Dawn

~ 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

The art of conversation lies in listening..!

There are so many ways we express and these days there are so many ways that you can express yourself.

Here it is about talking, expressing yourself through words to someone. There are times when we talk, explain and make one another understand each other. It could be at work, at home or at any place that you can think of. 

These days people have emojis to express but then that doesn't give you sufficient ways to express - say if you are happy you will say 😄 but why you're happy you can express through that emoji can you?

"Speech is power: Speech is to Persuade, to convert, to compel." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Hence, talking and expressing is so important, but if no one listens to it then what's the use of that talk or expression? I learned in a sales training that it is so important to listen. It's not that before that I was not listening, I would listen to whoever is talking to me, whether my friends, my family or even someone who is fighting , still I will give an ear to it. 

"Freedom of speech should be wide open as long as it doesn't incite violence." ~ Mike Leach

I believe, one should listen to understand the issue, or scenario to come to any conclusion because otherwise it is called assumption and one shouldn't make that because it will not lead you any where. Hence, listening to someone as what they are trying to say? If you still have doubt you can ask questions and get clarification but if you just stop listening and keep blabbering while the other person is talking then its a chaos monkey!!!

And when someone does that, you know they don't want to listen and when they don't want to listen means they are not willing to make any friendly approach towards what you are planning to share.

It's very absurd when someone tells you that you talk but I am not going to listen. There is no point in saying even that you talk!

"The power of speech is the ability to express a lot in a few words." ~ Plutarch

I had such experience but somehow I wanted them to listen what I had to say because it is very important to clear off any misunderstandings and I always believe one must get the opportunity to clear that off. No matter what, one must listen and then what you have to make a decision is up to you but make sure you clear your part either by talking or by writing because these days communication can be in many different ways. People send flowers and express their happiness and love so why not we listen if someone is talking to you?

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say." ~ Bryant H. McGill

I understand unnecessary talking becomes noise. When someone is explaining the situation or a question or an expression in what regards they started, that should help the person who is listening. Hence, a communication and a good conversation is very important between people and if there is no hope still a goodbye is a good closure to the topic but yes, you must say and listen to it too.

~ 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 the destination, it's the journey ...

Road-trips..who doesn't love it? I don't know about others but I love road-trips since my childhood.

"All you need is a wheel in your hand and four on the road." 😉 ~ (modified Jack Kerouac's quote)

It was after my high-school exams, that we got into our summer holidays as the results were not out yet.

Family decided to go to Mahabaleshwar, which is in Maharashtra State of India. The British colonial rulers developed this town into a Hill Station, served as the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during those days.

"Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter." ~ Izaak Walton

This place is a treat for nature lovers as it has lush green forest, there is a fort that King Chatrapati Shivaji built it called as Pratapgad. It's beautiful and to go there you need to do some hiking. Since there is a holy river Krishna Nadi, at the bank of it there is a temple as well.

Besides visiting the scenic places, and eating the local cuisine of Maharashtra there are five temples with old Indian architecture. It's basically a holiday resort, honeymoon sport and pilgrimage site for people. So any age can enjoy the trip.

"Roads are a record of those who have gone before."~ Rebecca Solnit

We had booked a van and it was so much fun, I remember through the trip it was Samantha Fox who's cassette was playing in the van. So many beautiful vista points and pictures and the best part was to stop at certain places to eat because the food taste will vary as you make progress within the Maharashtra state.

I remember going for a boat ride at Venna lake and a horse ride, it was such a fun ride. There's also an Elephant point rock which reminds me of the Elephant rock at Valley of fire near Las Vegas.  

After all the fun, food and friendly time, on our return we were all dead asleep until my Dad suddenly started the 'funky town' on the cassette and everyone jumped off the seats..lol!

Road-trips are so much fun that it gives you, your own space and privacy when you are in your car or van. You will enjoy specially in this pandemic time as people were crowding at the airport for vacations.

We often do road-trips in US as there is so much to see here and you can drive along and go to as many States as you can based on your vacation duration. Music is one best company during such trips and one must be ready for anything and everything to face whether it's the food, stay or meet people along the way.

"The only impossible journey is the one you never begin." ~ Tony Robbins 

~ 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

Rare as is true love, true friendship is rarer..!

 Today I am going to talk about friendship. How many of you talk to people once or twice at work or school/college and say I have a friend? Or how many of you have friends that you meet and greet, eat and go merry and say we are best friends ?

If you think seriously are they really your best friends? Who is your true friend? I know this is something only comes with experience because when you meet anyone and have good times, you assume you two are good friends and can hang out for life but then when you see certain wavelengths where you don't match and then you think oh, I don't think we can be together as friends. Life is so tough at times when you see that you have lot of people whom you know and who also know you but there is something missing. Sometimes, it's the experience that you get and you will you were not understood well, or you were cheated in friendship.

Many times it's those experiences that you realize you have a friend actually. I have such realization where I found a friend and I can talk anything with this friend and yet we can laugh at ourselves and be happy. 

Today, was such day where I had the chance to be with my friend. Sometimes, when you meet in a crowd you hardly get a chance to talk or should I say you only talk what everyone likes to hear.

"Things are never quiet as scary when you have got a best friend." Bill Waterson

There is a big difference in that as what you like to talk versus what everyone likes to hear from you. I agree when everyone has something or the other going in their life, no one wants to hear any more anyone else's issues. But when you meet you best friend with whom you can be open and share whatever you want to say and in this one on one meet, both of them opens their heart and share about good, bad, and ugly that's happening in their life. 

When I say good, bad, ugly, it could be about health, or about one's stress and yet how everything is under control. It's someone to have a listening ear to you and just listen and not judge you in anyway or any manner.

Friendship is not about just meeting, for the sake of meeting and taking pictures for social media, it's much more than that.

Having a talk about how things are going in life? Hows things at work? How about health of each other or family? If you're a good friend you will always be happy to listen and nothing much is needed, that is friendship! 

If you have such a friend then preserve it and make sure you're there for each other for life long.

"The language of friendship is not words but meaning." ~ Henry David Thoreau 

~ 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

If animals spoke, humanity would cry!

 continue...

Time was like on a flight as I got busy with my studies and my sports commitments. We had helpers at home for dishes, laundry and cleaning. It was a mother and daughter who used to visit us. Sometimes, they are together or sometimes the daughter would come alone and what I heard was that she is twenty six and need to find a suitable boy for marriage. Ranju bai we used to call her though her name was Ranjana. 

In Maharashtra, Bai is like calling Madam - its called out of respect. One day Ranju bai's Mom told us there's this dog where I go for work and they really torture that dog and don't give anything to eat. I was thinking if that dog comes to your house he will live like a king. 

"If you pick up a starving dog and making him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." ~ Mark Twain

The moment we heard Dog, me and my Mom we both said please bring it we will take care. Our Bai brings this dog who is skinny with bones and a thread like tail which had some coal tar on it dried. He was smart, he just won our hearts with his twinkling eyes. Me and my brother decided to name him Tony. Those days we were fans of Tony Greig, the English Test Cricket Captain who later turned to be a Commentator.

I am known for being self-starter, so I took the charge in my hands and took Tony for a quick shower. He was scared for a shower but with my wittiness and care he made things easy for me. After a nice shower, we gave him some food, mind it those days there's no dog food or so. Tony ate whatever we ate, and I made sure that he gets whatever me and my brother eats be it a chocolate or a candy or a laddoo. Sundays when Dad used to go to the market to buy vegetables and fish or meat, he would bring for Tony as well. In the mutton market they sell you for 25 paise pieces of meat, and things that we don't eat and my Mom used to cook that in the rice with little bit of turmeric powder and its his feast on that day.

In a week's time Tony completely changed into a handsome boy. He was confident, happy and proud to be with us. I remember, one of the family when they visited our neighbor's house they started calling Tony with a different name and said this is our dog. Guess what, even before we react to that question, Tony barked and jumped on them and that was the end of that discussion.

Tony, I can say grew up with me. He was there everywhere, only when I am going to school, he knew he cannot accompany me but otherwise he will never miss any chance to be with me. I was also naughty and playful and so was Tony, many times while playing he would bite and later feel sorry for it and will put his hand on my hand as if saying I am sorry.

Tony taught me what is love? and how to be responsible. He also taught me how to be expressive whether it is love, anger or frustration he had his way. I almost felt like I have a little sibling in the house and we lived happily. Tony was like a shield to us. One day a dog bit my brother as he was picking the cricket bat, the dog got scared and in self-defense barked and tried to come and bite. Nothing much happened but since then he was Tony's biggest enemy. It would be difficult for us to control him but later when we scold he would listen with his head down. During that fight, the dog bit Tony's ear and hence he got wounded. As I was taking care of him, everyone else started giving my parents advise that the dog is wounded in the ear, it might impact its brain and he will have rabies and we all will get infected and die. 

"The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog." ~ M.K. Clinton

To all this, one even suggested to call the dog shooter next day and put down Tony. The moment I heard that, I freaked out and I was the voice for my Tony that time. I said I will take care of him and he will be fine in no time so I begged my Dad to give time until then. He agreed but he said, the dog is not going to be in the house. He will have to stay outside in the backyard in our scooter shed. It was literally like a Bollywood movie scene where I am in tears, and taking care of Tony, every day and night I will wash  the wounds with dettol (anti-septic) water and put some ointment that was from the Vet. Someone told me if you put Camphor powder it will extract all the worms in case he has one. Those days, everything was tried so that he can get cured fast and during my ten days Dashera holidays, I put all my effort and took care of him and guess what Tony was back in action except that he lost some piece of his ear but that didn't take away his charm a bit.

After that day everyone came to hug Tony and I had to remind them how they treated Tony. I think by now everyone felt it was a mistake to do such a thing and Tony became more close to me as he knew I am there for him no matter what.

As old age came in when he was thirteen, he was not well and while I was helping my Mom with chores, I was sitting with him, talking to him and asking if he is in pain. He would look at me and did say goodbye to me before closing his eyes.

That bond was something very strong in my heart with Tony that I could never forget him, his love and his every incident with me and at home. Tony was so stubborn that if it was not me to give shower then he will not let anyone else give him shower. He was such a human!

Tony's death made all of suffer a lot specially me and my Mom. We didn't eat for couple days and were sad and Dad was more worried for us so he showed his love through his anger asking us to eat and now on no dog will come in this house.

As they say time heals and now we see a Cat started coming to our house since Tony is not there to guard the territory. My Mom started giving this stray cat food since it was pregnant and I was kind of trying to avoid any closeness with anyone as I have had the taste of losing them.

The cat would come home to eat food and one day the Cat brought a baby cat with it and that one was so beautiful with dark features that I immediately took it and claimed this is mine and the Mother is Mom's. Since then we had cats - Mother and Daughter (Kalyani and Sundari respectively).

"Pets have more love and compassion in them than most humans." ~ Robert Wagner

Life was back again as here I didn't have to do much, Sundari would just come whenever she sees me or she will be on our roof lying down with her mother Kalyani. One day Sundari came home crying we didn't understand why she is so much meowing but later came to know her Mother died. It was sad but I hugged Sundari and made sure she is taken care of. 

One day we came to know that we are moving from this place to another and I had to leave Sundari as she was not our pet, and never lived with us. But she visited us before we leaving and that was it. I once came to see Sundari when I was visiting my neighbors and that time she had started to look like her mother Kalyani, the charm was gone, she looked like a matured one with a baby in her tummy. We both looked at each other from far, and said goodbye.

"Every stray deserves a chance at love, a home and a warm bed to sleep at night." ~ Penny Reid

The journey from there to my home was in deep thoughts as learning about food chain in science class was terrifying that now I see how life revolves, a small pretty kitten turned out to be a grown, matured one to be a mother and life goes on.

We moved in this new house and everything was new, the neighbors, the surroundings and I was in college  and guess what, one of my Mom's colleague visits home saying our Pomeranian dog gave babies and now we have one left - no one is taking because she is a girl. I thought of your daughter because she would love to have her. My Mom said, no we will not have it and more over her Dad will not allow to keep any dog so please take back.

It was that time when I entered the house from college, and the moment I saw this tiny puppy who looked like a snowball I took in my arms and started playing and that was it. I said Mom. please let's keep her and I gave the name Jimmy.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

My Mom didn't want to be part of this hence she said I don't know let your Dad decide. When Dad came home, I requested and pleaded to keep her but Dad wasn't ready and I being his daughter was not ready to give up either. Finally, the guys left but Jimmy was home. Dad wouldn't look at her or pet her because he said we don't want any more dogs.

Jimmy was smart, she would slowly go to my Dad and play with him, lick him and slowly Dad couldn't turn his back to her and that was it, reunion of all.

Jimmy being a female dog, people didn't want her because she will give babies and as those days neutering was not a common thing and hence my parents sent me and my brother to take the dog to Vet and get her neutered. We both were going with Jimmy on a two wheeler bike. As we were in the city, I asked my brother, how good is it to take away her right from her? Just because she can't speak her mind, can we really do this? We both decided we will not be part of this sin and hence we turned back from there and came home, said the Vet was not there.

Jimmy was never neutered but we made sure she was on a leash whenever we took her out. She was a beautiful loving girl. When I left home after my marriage, I used to visit weekends and she would recognize the scooter far from home and would start jumping, wagging her tail, and Mom would tell seems she is here that's why Jimmy is happy. 

I know by that time Jimmy was my parents responsibility as I was not home as I had moved to Canada, but then this restricted them from traveling and hence they decided to give Jimmy and it was one loving family who always loved Jimmy at our place took Jimmy with them. 

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." ~ Gene Hill

As far as I remember, she was a happy kid and remembered us till her last breath - no news is always good news and so we stopped checking about Jimmy as this would cause us also feel sad. I am sure she understands!

After that, I decided not to have any pets. When kids insisted I bought them fish but ended up cleaning the tank etc. But now, we have Reyna an English cocker spaniel whom we rescued when she was five and today she is eleven living a life like a queen.

"Rescue does not mean damaged .. it means they have been let down by humans."

~ 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

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