“Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”

Lately, even though work is keeping me busy- not just busy but extremely busy and I get to hear news from other modes – by listening to radio talk show or over heard someone saying or even someone just quickly giving me a rush news- did you hear about Jaipur Blast??? And I am like blast? In Jaipur? ….as if I don’t exist in this planet any more!!

“Happiness is a matter of one's most ordinary and everyday mode of consciousness being busy and lively and unconcerned with self.” ~ Iris Murdoch

Well, I do and it makes me feel so upset when I hear disaster happening either it’s Mother Nature (for China, Burma) or we- man made disaster such as in Jaipur.

“An ostrich with its head in the sand is just as blind to opportunity as to disaster”

I was shocked to hear that for Jaipur it was on bicycles that they had bombs, can you imagine? How bad one can think just to kill others?
Jaipur city is known for its beauty, heritage, people and the food. I always had a dream of visiting this place since I was a kid.

“There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

About Burma, where catastrophe has occurred and when people are trying to help by giving aid the military establishment that rules the country doesn’t want to let anyone come in the country.

They are ready to take the help but only monetary so that no one comes in person to visit the country and know the inside scoop of the military ruling. How bizarre one can go? People are dying and people are ready to help but they can’t be reached or they have conditions.

“Don't take life too seriously. It's only a temporary condition.” ~ Bill Knapp

China totally opposite to Burma, they are welcoming the aid from all over the place.
No matter how communist a country is, news travelled like fire all over the place about the disaster and the government too let it happen.

Recently, I saw one movie which talks about communist people and about communism and I realized actually people are not bad, it’s when one gets tempted and miss-use of the term for benefits.

In all I feel we are human why not just help leaving all grievances and grudges – it’s always easy to take life than to give one.

I always believed when we can’t make a dead person alive, we have no right to make anyone dead.

"Life is a gift we're given each and every day.

Dream about tomorrow, but live for today."

Some mothers are kissing mothers and some are scolding mothers, but it is love just the same, and most mothers kiss and scold together

This weekend I am going to be busy … :) yes you are right I will be busy with my book finalization and celebrating ‘Mother’s Day’ on Sunday May 11th.

Sophie was a girl with a courageous and yet innocent girls like any other kid. When she grew up to be with a man, even she didn’t realize that. Probably her childhood was so fruitful that she didn’t even realize it. When she got married and life was a new chapter for her. Each day she will have something new whether it’s from her husband or from her in-laws. Sophie didn’t know if this is how every girl goes through after marriage?

“What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, and everything nice, that's what little girls, are made of”

Well, she tried to keep herself busy with her hobby creating pots. She was very artistic
And since she wanted to immerse herself into it so the result was awesome!

How time flew, even Sophie didn’t know but one day while she was making the pot along with the wheel rotating she felt she is also revolving or is it the earth? Don’t know what happened but when she opened her eyes, she was in her bed with all her in-laws and hubby dear sitting besides her.

“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.” ~ Sophia Loren

Sophie got scarred for a while and tried to get up but by then everyone congratulated her!!! :) Do you know why?
Well, I am sure we all know by now….Sophie had conceived and she was 9 weeks pregnant. The feeling itself made Sophie speechless yet but her eyes was filled with tears.

You know why? Because only then a girl who after going through the stages of being – a daughter, sister, wife and when she becomes a Mother- that makes any woman a complete woman – Vama

“Motherhood is priced

Of God, at price no man may dare

To lessen or misunderstand.”

~Helen Hunt Jackson

I want to wish those entire women who are complete in their stages of life – ‘A very happy Mother’s Day’

I believe in this world where every now and then some or the other cruelty, torture or discrimination is happening towards woman yet, this world looks at a mother with a warmth and lovable manner :) this is what I believe not sure that it has to be like that :)

“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” ~ Jill Churchill

Happy Mother’s Day

“Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Celebrate it every day.”

Weekend was a bit relaxing for me. I had a bit of drive-thru at the near by place in the Bay Area.
Through out the street all I see was Mexican flags. People have plastered the flags to their helmets, cars, self and what not! But all my confusion was …is there a match going on as I always thought that the flag is used to support a specific country and this was a very similar situation but I was not able to make out which game that was … lol

“You don't stop cheering because you've grown old - you grow old because you've stopped cheering”

It reminded me of Caribbean festival times in Toronto…I used to enjoy a lot good summer weather (not like what we have here in the Bay Area where its still cold)! BBQ, good Caribbean food, music and over all the cultural celebration with people around the world!!! I have always enjoyed these festivals and believe me I have not missed any whether its Greek festival, Irish or Caribbean, moment of celebration was never missed :)

“If I need a cause for celebration
Or a comfort I can use to ease my mind
I rely on my imagination
And I dream of an imaginary time.”
~ Billy Joel
This morning I came to know the Mexican flag was all about “Cinco de Mayo” (Spanish for ‘5th of May’). This is a regional holiday in Mexico and primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla. It is not an obligatory federal holiday but it commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces in the battle of Puebla on May 5th 1862.
This date is observed in the US and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Some people think it to be Mexico’s Independence Day which is not as that date is Sep 16th which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.

“Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.”

It seemed quite a good stunning celebration as I saw people with loud music, food and drinks around sharing with people.

Around 5th afternoon I see margarita at work with Corona beer as part of celebration – wow! Isn’t that amazing!!!

It’s celebration moment and the more it’s merrier so let me wish everyone
A great Cino de Mayo!

“Fly free and happy beyond birthdays and across forever, and we'll meet now and then when we wish, in the midst of the one celebration that never can end.” ~ Richard Bach

“Art raises its head where creeds relax”

This weekend was quite a relaxing one. I happened to watch two movies, not that 2 is my limit though weekends used to end once upon a time in many movies ;) 5-or 6!!!
I saw Hindi ‘Krazzy 4’ and English ‘Next’ staring Nicolas Cage!

“Humor is a whisper from the soul, imploring mind and body to relax, let go and be at peace again.”

I have two things to say as now a days Hindi movies either they are copy of some or the other English movies if not then from some South Indian movies!!

“Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one's sensations.” ~ Paul Cezanne

This movie kind of good but I felt the concept or the element that was tried to bring in was like the one ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ where Gandhi principles were brought in as how it can be workable even in today’s situations! So I would say I liked the songs almost all and yes the Sharukh and Hrithik’s dance number was cool!

“Xerox is a copying device that can make rapid reproduction of human error possible”

About ‘Next’ it’s a fiction yet cool. Imagine if you can see your future 2 minutes ahead ;) isn’t that tricky yet funny: D…!
I found Nicolas Cage young from his last release :)
Over all it was fine I can say three Star…is that too much lol!

“The only relevant test of the validity of a hypothesis is comparison of prediction with experience” ~ Milton Friedman

“What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.”

Dear friends, it had been a long time since I am talking about publishing my Hindi Poetry book and I believe I was thinking of publishing it on the valentine’s day Feb 14th of this year.
Unfortunately, I gave very aggressive date for myself and tried completing it from my end however; I forgot to count the hurdles that will come on my way for printing this book through a publisher.

“Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.”

It is indeed a great experience as to know what all requirements are there which needs to be fulfilled and more over one needs to prove before writing anything to publish.
People want to know who you are and your education. First I was offended as why can’t anyone should have the right to write something or say something which can be published – thinking of freedom of speech: D

“An obstacle is often an unrecognized opportunity”

But then yes it is also true one need to convey the speech in certain manner and if it is appropriate or not should be validated. This is my understanding; hopefully that is what the motive of the publisher is too!!!
Finding a publisher, then meeting his needs, then poor my friend who had to go every now and then to the publisher’s office (it reminds me of some old art movie where a write is struggling to publish something) and finally we got our draft copy completed which needed lot of editing and correction as sometimes spelling was incorrect or at times the sentence itself didn’t made any sense;)

“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times” ~ Aeschylus

After all the struggle and effort its time to see the output and I am so proud of my friend who took all the do-diligence to make sure everything work out properly: D
My thanks will not be sufficient and hence I am visiting my friend this July to give him that big hug which he definitely deserves :)! I have decided for any of my future book releases he is my manager. You would think why I call him so, well like a true manager he has taken charge and have already defined an agenda for my next releases, keeping me on my toes isn’t that awesome!!! :D

Well, friends this is how the cover page of my book looks like and the poster too. I loved the poster and the cover page. Blue is my favorite color and I didn’t realize until I saw this cover page …what a coincidence!!! But I hope its not too bluish ;)

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” ~ Epicurus

My book will be released by June, as soon I will be getting my first copy in hand by end of this month.
As I said this is sharing of emotions with everyone and hence I don’t see this book to be charged more than $ 9:00.
This poetry is in Hindi currently, this is a dedication from me to the language of the country and to the people of India. I have all my intentions to translate this poetry in English too as I have so many friends around the world who have shown interest in reading it and I am really excited to do the translation of the same.

“Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” ~Denis Waitley

So watch out friends, it’s coming and I need all your blessings and wishes while I take that baby step and I believe you will hold me before I fall :)

It’s land of dreams!!!

“The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle”.

“The secret of success is sincerity.”

Lately dealing with lot of government officials and this is not of one country and hence I cannot generalize any comment on any particular country but yes it seems I am coming to a conclusion to agree the generalized statement that is said about government services in all countries ;)

“A government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims.” ~ Ayn Rand

I always have this confidence getting things done with government when I am present in person to handle it. But then how often can you do this kind of visits?

It is very inconvenience when someone doesn’t do their do-diligences and sends your documents back saying something is incomplete, without noticing that what they are asking for is already enclosed.

“What we hope ever to do with ease, we must learn first to do with diligence.” ~ Samuel Johnson

It is very frustrating, because for such things you are not sure even if you resend the entire set of documents what is the assurance that this time again the officials due to their ignorance will return the document?

“Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment” ~ Dale Carnegie

Some times I believe privatization of services is beneficial than having it with government officials not that I am against anything or prejudiced but then such kind of ignorance is not expected and everyone has the fear to risk their job.

“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” ~ Douglas Adams

It is quite frustrating, when you want to take it all on the so called government official proving that its error on their part.

When things will change, for a change? :D and why government services has to be as they are known to be?

“Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion . . . . I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.”

“A new year is unfolding – like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.”

Every parts of India its celebration time as ‘New Year’ with the harvesting season and what not.
All, I remember is celebrating with food and sweets :)

It reminds me the poem written by William Arthur Ward….

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!
This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!
I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”

I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year.
And to those its Vishu – Happy Vishu …:)

During Vishu you get money from elders as blessings ;) isn’t that fun!!!! I remember saving lot of money that I used to get but hesitated to spend as I thought my parents will scold me …lol

What is Vishu? I have always heard stories and read articles so there are various stories depending on the region of Kerala State. Some what I heard as a kid ;)

Once the custom of Vishukani gets over, people take a dip in the holy water or take bath at their home and visit nearby temples to offer prayers. To celebrate the festival of Pooram Vishu, (as commonly called in Kerala) people of Kerela wear new clothes specially worn on auspicious occasions. People of Kerela multiply Vishu celebrations by traditional singing and dancing. They also burst firecrackers. Then its time for lavish meals. Women prepare sadya (feast). These are special dishes prepared using jackfriuts, mangoes, pumpkins and gourds hmmm mouth waters as I write :D.
The best part is Payassam (porridge could be of rice or made of rice called ada etc), Malayalam feast is an equal proportion of all tastes!

Gosh, I got lost in it …as I describe…but this year few friends organizing this ‘sadya’ unfortunately I wont be there to enjoy as I will be in Lake Tahoe.

Well my dear friends I will be away so have a great one you all

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”