HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Wishing all my blogging friends Happy holidays and a wonderful New year.I look forward to the new year and I am positive it is going to be a better year for me.As I look back on 2008, I am thankful for all the good things that has happened and it is up to each one of us to make the coming year a good one.Thank you one and all for staying with me and hopefully will be with me through the next year.SEE YOU IN 2009.
IS IT OR IS IT NOT CHRISTMAS
I have been asking myself this question for a few days now.I was someone who really loved the holidays and could not wait for December to come by.But lately I don't feel to be in the mood.It just does not feel like the holidays.There is so much unrest in the world, so many people out of jobs,the economy looks bleak and to top it all so much bickering in the family.Family is supposed to be for one another no matter what.For me family meant standing up for one another and protecting them, but i see the opposite, family members talking about one another and on the whole making life miserable.Is it not sad when our own family has robbed the joy out of Christmas from you. I know I am just griping but have you ever felt this way.Yes everyone is going to say you should be happy, don't worry about what others say and so on, but deep down it hurts.I am having a Christmas lunch for my family on Christmas day and yet i am sad.I wish it were like before when everyone was happy and got along.I think life is too short to be bickering about the stupid things.Some people are fighting for their lives and here we are fighting about things which are not important.I always thought as we grew older we got wiser but I am seeing that as we are growing older we are getting even more picky and finding fault with one another.I am sorry for sounding unhappy, I had to get it out of my system.DO YOU HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IN YOUR FAMILY AND DOES IT UPSET YOU?
What is this Proximity award about?
"This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."
Thank you Priya for bestowing this award on my blog.I would like to bestow this award to the following nine bloggers who always have something interesting to read ,always have something encouraging to say and good reviews of film and books.
Krithika,Jeevan,Iditis,Ashley,Satheesh,Princess AizRenu,cyberkitty,artnavy
BRIBE OR REWARD
Plenty of parents do give money in exchange for A's and B's -- often $5 to $20 for top marks or $100 for a straight-A report card.
Cities are getting into the act as well. New York City rolled out a pilot program last year to reward kids in poor neighborhoods for good test scores. Fourth-grade students in select schools can receive up to $25 for their performances on each of 10 standardized tests, according to The New York Times, while seventh-graders can get up to $50 per test.
But the trend disturbs many experts on parenting and money.
"Rewarding good grades with money is really a gray area," said attorney Jon Gallo, a father of three and co-author with his therapist wife, Eileen, of "The Financially Intelligent Parent: 8 Steps To Raising Successful, Generous, Responsible Children." "Some psychologists believe that paying for grades is a bad idea because it substitutes an external reward -- money -- for an internal sense of satisfaction and therefore interferes with developing a work ethic."
I heard this on the news the other day and could not decide if it was a bad or a good thing.ON one side it does motivate children to study especially children from low income areas,it helps children who normally drop out of school stay in school, on the other side it does give them a wrong sense of value. we did not give our kids weekly allowences for chores they did at home because it was expected of them neither did we pay them to get good grades.I think most children try to deliver what is expected of them if we set ground rules. I really don't know if it hurts or helps a child. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
My Utmost Sympathy.
Sadness fills my heart today on hearing about the tragedy in Mumbai.I am just so sad and cannot find answers to why some one would do this.So many lives lost and injured.I pray for the famlies who have lost loved ones,and for the people who are injured.May God give them strength at this dfficult time.
THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I want to wish all my friends a Happy Thanksgiving.This year I will be going over to my brothers house to celebrate Thanksgiving.Everyone usually brings a special dish,there is a lot of food and a really fun get together.Unlike Christmas there are no presents or tinsel, just food.
As I look back , I have so much to be thankful about.It is two years since I had my back surgery, even though I am still not pain free, I am thankful that i am able to get out of bed each morning and do a few things around the house,I am thankful for a wonderful husband and two awesome children and a very large extended family and friends.God has been good and I am thankful for each day that I have on this earth and hope that I can live it the best way I can.I think we often forget the simple things in life that we take for granted. As you look back over the year what are you thankful for.
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
The election in California had two faces. One is pride that a large majority voted for the man who would be the first African-American president of the United States. The second is the embarrassment of people voting to make same sex marriage illegal. I was very excited that Barrack Obama won the election but was really sad about the ban on same sex marriage.
I don't think it should be made illegal, if we can enjoy the benefits of being married why should we deny the same to the people we think are not like us.I was always taught to love and respect one another,even if I did not share their views or beliefs.Marriage has been redifined many times in the past so why cannot it be done again.I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman but i cannot and will not impose that belief on others.The same people who had to fight for equality not so long ago,and the people who consider themselves religious voted to make it illegal.How can one live with themselves in preventing people from loving each other.How would we feel if we were not allowed to marry the one we loved.I may not understand too much about people who are different from me, but I do believe that they should have equal rights.WHAT DO YOU THINK?
THE WIND AND FIRE
I see the smoke rising behind my neighbors house. 
WIND & FIRE Living in California we have accepted the fact that every year in October we have really bad Santa Ana winds and this sparks the fires.It is still very frightening, I live in Simi Valley and the fires were behind us and in front of us but thankfully not upon us.We were given two voluntary evacuations and were told to be ready in case we had to leave.Take what is important to you we were told. I looked around my house there were so many things but what was important to me was my photo albums, videos of the children and my laptop.Oh! and not forgetting my jewellery.today the winds have died down a little and the fires are dwindling down.If you were told to leave your home what would you take?
My Banana plants
I FEEL SO SAD
In one of my earlier posts I had written about Anjali and her baby,I am sorry to say the baby expired and I went to the funeral on Saturday.It really broke my heart, I had become very close to the baby and prayed really hard for him to live and also for his mother. I think sometimes we are selfish in our prayers.I knew the baby was ill and he was in pain and the chances that he will be completely well were slim but I still wanted him to live, so that I could see him and give him tons of kisses,fuss over him and carry him,not thinking for a moment that it was a very selfish thought.but I also wanted him to live because I knew how much Anjali really wanted this baby and how much he meant to her.She had prayed so hard for this child and after having two miscarriages he was born.He was three months old on the day he passed away ,he never got to go home from the hospital.I wonder what was God's reason.
I wanted to share this poem I wrote for him
My precious baby Samuel.
You stole my heart
from the very start.
I looked into your eyes
and knew you were meant to be.
I prayed everyday that God would let you stay
To make you well to come home one day.
I picked you up and held you close
Your heart beat next to mine
I wished I could give you part of me to make you well
I wished I could have erased all your pain.
God had his reasons,
I don't know why
He let you stay here, just for a little while.
My comfort and solace
is knowing that you are free from pain
Up above in Heaven
and smiling down at me.
I love you baby Samuel
IS MONEY THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?
6 die in family murder-suicide in Los Angeles
By CHRISTINA HOAG – 1 hour ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The only hints of trouble in the big beige house on Como Lane were the newspapers in the driveway and the lack of any activity behind the front door.
But when police summoned by worried friends of the residents got inside Monday, they found a horror — six members of a family fatally shot in a murder-suicide committed by an unemployed father in financial crisis.
The body of 45-year-old Karthik Rajaram, a gun clutched in one hand, was found by officers who followed a trail of carnage through the home in a gated community in the Porter Ranch area of the San Fernando Valley.
His victims, most slain in their beds, were his wife, three sons and his mother-in-law.
"Absolute devastation," Deputy Chief Michel Moore told reporters outside the home.
Investigators quickly found two suicide letters and a will, and determined that Rajaram held a master's degree and once worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, a major accounting firm, and for Sony Pictures.
But he had been unemployed for several months and his finances had reached a crisis point in recent weeks, Moore said.
"This is a perfect American family behind me that has absolutely been destroyed, apparently because of a man who just got stuck in a rabbit hole, if you will, of absolute despair," Moore said. "It is critical to step up and recognize we are in some pretty troubled times."
Rajaram wrote in his suicide letter that he felt he had two options — to kill himself or to kill himself and his family — and decided the second option was more honorable, Moore said. The gun was purchased Sept. 16.
I was very sad and disturbed after hearing this news,this is another neighborhood close to my home.I personally don't know if I should feel sorry for Rajaram or not.I don't think we can take someone elses life.he was still young and could have worked again and made up the loss ,I don't know what made him do what he did, is it not having the money he had ,there were so many options out there than killing themselves,it is really sad.Do you think Money is the root of all evil? Do you think we have the right to take the lives of our childen?
LIFE IS FRAGILE
I am sure many of you must have heard about the metro link train crash.Chatsworth is the next city to where I live.It was very sad and disturbing to hear about the many lives that were lost and the people that were injured.Many of the passengers were from Simi valley, where I live.it would have been the next stop if the train had not collided.My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the families that have lost loved ones and my prayers to all the injured.Life is really so fragile,we never know from one day to another if we will be alive and also when we set out each day we never know if we will return.I feel we have to live each day the best way we can because we do not know what tomorrow brings.
picture courtesy of the LA times
A MOTHERS LOVE
I walk into the childrens hospital, upstairs to the NICU, along the way I see many children, some entering the hospital and some leaving, in the corridor are pictures of children who graduated from the NIcu (neo natal intensive care unit) and have gone home. some as small as a few ounces when they were born and some merely a pound.
I peek through the window and I see her sitting beside her baby, intently watching his every move, so aware of his feelings, aware of his pain,talking to him,telling him that soon he will be home.she has been doing this everyday for the last two months.she is there at the break of dawn and untill the sun sets, if she could be there twenty four hours she would be. she turns around and sees me at he window and becons to me to come in.
I scrub my hands for five minutes, put on a hospital gown and gently walk in, not wanting to disturb the other babies, I look around the unit and see many babies in isolettes.amidst the alarms and lights the babies are asleep except for a little wiggle now and then.
"Come see my baby "she says with a smile. I look at him,he is just adorable, has the sweetest face one can imagine.he sleeps soundly,mom puts her little finger into his and he holds on,knowing that no matter what she is there when he opens his eyes.It is Dad who stays the night,he goes home sleeps for an hour and goes to work.They are always there watching,waiting and encouraging him to hold on,and that they love him and are waiting to take him home.
I stay for a little while,and leave.I am sad because the baby is ill, he is recovering from surgery and I know how much he is wanted and this is her only child.but I am amazed at how positive she is .She is always with a smile,never heard her complain or ask" why"or about being tired,just happy to be there for her child waiting for the day when she will take him home.I also left the hospital thinking of how, I have complained about being ill,of how life is treating me and I thought of Anjali and her smile .A lesson to be learned.who says LIfe is fair.
Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.
-- Josh Billings
This award was given to me by KESHI..thank you for bestowing this award on me.I am just humbled, thankful and honored .
I need to give this award to seven other bloggers.
These are the rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link the person you received your award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you’ve nominated.
AND THIS CERTIFIED HONEST BLOGGER AWARD GOES TO
JAC there is always something nice to read about and always accompanied with some beautiful pictures that he has taken.
Jeevan. always something interesting.
eclipsed thoughts a real honest and interesting blog.
Prash stumbled upon his blog one day and have been an ardent follower since.
Mystic rose for her beautiful poetry and posts.
Hip grandma always an honest an interesting read.
Srijith unni awesome stories and pictures.
Kai C real honest poetry.
Hip Grandma has presented me with this award.I am honored to recieve this and I have to thank all my blogging friends for without their input my blog would not be here.I really cannot believe that I was awarded two blogs today.Isn't this my lucky day.
The rules are:
1. When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it,together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back
2. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs (or even more) that you find brilliant in their content or design.
3. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Brilliant Weblog’
4. Show a picture of those who awarded you and those you give the prize
(optional).
5. And pass it on!
Now I need to pass this award to bloggers of my choice who I consider brilliant.
So I pass on this award to-
Keshi who has an awe inspiring blog, full of sensitivity, laughter,humor and just plain fun.I think everyone in blogsville follows keshi's blog.
PRIYA .I love visiting her blog because it always inspires me.
Nasra . her never ending love of poetry.
Dawn.. whose posts and quotes always makes me smile.
ADI I find his poems sensitive, emotional and just brilliant.
Diana there is always a good read at her blog.
shiva for his many inspirational and health awareness posts.
Deepsat interesting read always.
I have met so many bloggers that have brilliant blogs and it is just hard to pick seven.It was a very hard task.even though I cannot bestow this award on all , I think anyone who takes the time to write and maintain a blog deserves an award.
.
SILENCE
Silence is golden
silence is good
the reason behind the statement
is misunderstood.
Is it good to communicate
to explain how you feel
Is it good to verbalize
And make the other person reel.
when you are silent
people think you are mad
when you walk away
you are considered bad.
I am totally confused
I just cannot understand
If silence is Golden
why do I feel so sad.
Silence
the sound of a leaky faucet
trying to understand
meaning of life
purpose of existence
SUMMER BOUNTY
Asian pears again
Banana Flower
Indian Jasmine
FINALLY BLUE SKIES
Read more...
TAG -11
Priya tagged me to do this interesting and simple tag.
This link loving in 2008 came from Simone's Butterfly
I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)It’s real easy!Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!
The benefits of Viral Linking:-
1. Make new friends.
2. Learn stuff you never new how to.
3 .Always be updated on whats new
4 .Attract more visitors
5. Just for the fun of it.
The Strategist Notebook /Link Addiction/ Ardour of the Heart /When Life Becomes a Book /The Malaysian Life/ Yogatta.com/ HYPERLINK "http://www.thyeoh07.blogspot.com/"What goes under the sun /Roshidan’s Cyber Station /Sasha says /Arts of Physics/ And the legend lives/ My View, My Life /A Simple Life /What Women REALLY Think /Not Much More Than This /Jayedee /Jenn /Beth/ Christie/ Marla /Cailin /Simone /FlipFlopMom Katrina /Gill's Jottings /Work of the Poet/ Wakela/Modern Day Goddess/Livin With MeHYPERLINK "http://mouseski.blogspot.com/"Are /We There Yet?? /Everything And Nothing/The Diamond-drops Mansion / Staying Young..and Healthy /What happens if I don't blog /Across the miles. You are next... Finish copying here.
I am tagging
Keshi
Id it is
cuckoo
Kalyan
e homemaker
THE SAD DEMISE
It was December 2005.I was lying in bed, with a lot of pain and really frustrated because I had a back injury and there was not much I could do. I was always an active person and was always on my feet, many a time I have wished that i could just sit and do nothing. Now looking back I should not have made that wish , because here I was doing nothing and still not happy.
It was Christmas time and there were a lot of deliveries.A large box arrived but it did not interest me.I did not bother to look at it.little did I know that inside that box was my friend and companion.something that was going to make my life a little easier. "J" comes home that evening and opens one of the boxes.There was a neat little notebook computer looking up at me.I was overjoyed and knew this was the best present ever.
I would lie in bed with the laptop on my stomach and surf the net. One day I stumbled upon a blog written by Silverine,this was my first encounter with a blog.I stopped by everyday and for most part was a silent reader.One day I got the courage to register and start a blog .Thats how I got started and it is because of the laptop I received. My computer made it easier for me to get through the last two
years.since I was home and unable to do much.
Well! "J" accidentally broke my computer and I am very sad. I am unable to spend too much time sitting in front of the PC .That's why I have not visited many of my blogging Friends. I think there is another package in the mail.( I sincerely hope so).Until then my posts and visits will be sporadic.take care everyone.
TWO YEARS AND MY 202nd POST
Happy New Year to all my frinds.As promised I am back and cannot wait to read all the posts that I have missed. Looking back over the last two years since I started blogging, I can only smile because it has been a wonderful two years.I made many new friends, learned a lot about everything especially how to deal with life's challenges and about food.Blogging has helped me through my illness, has made me stronger, and I learned that other people all over the world are just like me.We all feel the same and have the same aspirations and goals. Thank you all my friends for standing by me and making the blogging experience a wonderful one.I love it so much that I am ready to start my third year and hopefully go on from there.
So go on..Have a slice of cake and help me blow these candles out......Happy 2nd Birthday to me.
