ACROSS THE MILES

2010-09-17T12:48:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY'S TWEET

When courage fails, tears help ease the pain.

Sorry I have not blogged or stopped by any of the blogs.I will get back soon, have not been feeling too well.Had a CAT scan yesterday,have not got the results yet, hoping something can be done.Thank you all for stopping by.

2010-08-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

FRIDAYS BOOK REVIEW

I just finished reading "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Ruben.In this book she dedicates a year for her happiness project, each month she tackeled a new set of resolutions.There are a lot of books on happiness on the book shelves but i found this book easiest to understand and may be she does address a lot of the things that trouble me.I have always been in search of happiness, I read over and over again that it is inside me and around me and that I don't have to go to the other side of the earth to find it, but did not know where to start.My daughter handed this book to me and said"Mom I think you will love this book".She was right because I could not put it down.

In this book she talks aboput the differences between goals and resolutions and also one has to start with "ME" , then others around you may change for themselves also.Like Gretchen I also have to find ways to eliminate bad feelings generated by snapping, being overly sensitive, not forgiving and also also givng myself an excuse for that behavoiur because I am always in pain.I do want to develop into a light hearted, kind and happy spirit,I know it is not going to be easy but small steps is all I need to take and make a resolution to stay with it.

This book is a good read because it gives you tips and scenarios to help you understand better.I also learned that contrary to some belief that money can buy you happiness if used wisely.This book has inspired me to do my own happiness projest.I hope you guys will come aboard with me.

2010-08-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

What is love

I came across this phrase "Love doesn't make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile"
Franklin P. Jones

The more I read it , it began to make sense and I asked myself "what is Love" I think this question has been asked so many times and used so often that the true meaning has been lost along the way.I think that you don't love a person because he loves you ,love has to felt and experienced.Love enhances and bonds a relationship.I feel that there has to be a lot of tolerance and acceptance to love and also you cannot create love by always finding the negative traits in a person.some have more negative traits and some have more positive traits, if we focus on the positive we can overlook the negative.

There are so many different kinds of love.A love between mother and child is unconditional and cannot be bought it has to be felt,a romantic love is deep and enduring,where as an affectionate love is what we feel towards friends and family.Love changes with relationships but it does help us live a better life.No matter how hard the journey I think it the love shown that helps us through .I think in my life it is the love from family and friends that has made the journey so far worthwhile .Do you feel the same way? How would you describe Love?

2010-08-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

LIFE

Life is but a cycle every so many years
Starting out as infants without a care in the world.
Then came childhood with its innocence and grace.

The teen years brought rebellion, a life without fear
and acne on your face.
Involved with becoming our own
We could not wait for the years to go on.

Then came twenties,college,fun times,parties and all
Followed by a time to settle down,raise a family and
set an example for your own.

The thirties flew by,with no time to spare
So much to do,no time to prepare.
The forties were upon me without a thought.
Filled with obligations and worries
with no time for self doubt.

Then I got sick,life almost came to a stop
The years have gone by I sure missed a lot.
The children have grown,have a life of their own
"J" still beside me weathering the storm.

Hopefully the next cycle will bring a new life
So we can travel,go to the movies and do all the things
we have put on a shelf.

each day brings renewed hope, even though I miss the early years a lot.

2010-07-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

GOOGLE SEARCH STORIESS

There are some neat google search stories that started out as an advertisement, now you can create your own over here

I thought I would share the one I made with you my blogging friends.Go ahead and make one for yourself also.

2010-06-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY'S TWEET

Tiny hands
scribbled notes
presents wrapped
memories of birthday's
painful at times
yet happy to set free.

2010-06-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY'S WORD

WHITE

Green (Algeria) and White(USA)
Are in for a fight
The winner may go on
the looser will go home.
May the best team win.

This is really an exciting match.

2010-06-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

OUR FRAGILE MIND

I saw the movie "Shutter Island" yesterday,I think it was an awesome movie and so did "J" .It did start out a little slow but kept you at the edge of your seat.It made you realize how fragile the mind was and how easy it is for a person to live two different lives and to think it is real.I think even in our daily lives we sometimes do and think things that are not real and we believe it is.It is very easy to get caught up and make it real and believe it too that it may make people around you believe. think often as children we have make believe characters and stories and believe them, but as we grow older we know better and do not believe those things,It is a disease when even as an adult you fail to seperate the two.
For those who have not seen this movie I recommend it.I am unable to go to the movies so was happy to see it on video.

2010-06-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER ON FATHERS DAY

Fathers day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad. It is a day to honor your father. Happy Fathers Day To All The Dads in the world.

When I think of my father
I remember a man of small stature, soft spoken
A silent provider, immaculately dressed
Shoes shining bright.
Always reading a newspaper, smoking a pipe,
Occasionally playing the Harmonica,
Watching wrestling matches into the wee hours
of the night.

I saw love in his eyes
Always giving without compromise.
A man of few words, confident and fair
Even though he was always away
I knew he still cared.

Proud of his children, and
he went to great lengths
To give us what we needed depriving himself.
He taught me the things in life that
I needed to know.
He was the tower of strength, source of love
Even in the midst of my imperfections and pitfalls
He accepted me and helped me grow.

I remember the train rides to and fro
And helping me with my home work because
I did not know.
He was a man who enforced discipline
Yet lenient in some
My mothers best friend
Who was there to the end.

I am sad that he is no more
But he lives in my heart
He will always be remembered
Not only today but forever .
I am honored to have known this man
I wish you were here Dad.

2010-06-15T11:12:00.001-07:00

TUESDAY'S TWEET

Drill Baby Drill was the chant we all heard
There is a big mess, will the clean water be restored.
Wildlife poisoned, livelihood destroyed
All for the love of really cheap oil.

Pellicans, fish,seagulls and birds
Soiled and oiled they wash up on shore
even after a clean up, no where to go.

responsibility we must take
To see that there is no mistake
when we drill on land or sea
we think of others and just not me.

we resist Goverment regulation
we resist public transportation
Gas guzzling vehicles we all want to drive
we want cheap oil,that off shore drilling provides.
There is so much blame to pass around,
we have seen it happen, now we have to learn.

2010-06-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

WORLD CUP FEVER

Differences set aside,countries comes together
Teams dressed in colors
Show case their talent
Once in a lifetime opportunity for some
prayers said, medallions held
To be the team that emerges the winner.

Across the stands, a sea of color
spectators buzzing like bees
traveled by air, land and sea
painted faces,waving flags
children inspired .

Referees running
legs flying
heads knocking
A goal scored
fans in an uproar .

For some defeat, hopes destroyed
dreams unfulfilled.
For others, lessons learned
sportsmanship earned
still time to be the best team that wins.

I love soccor.

2010-06-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

TUESDAYS TWEET

In between a busy day he
Takes time off ,drives me to the doctor
comforts, re assures and cares
Thank you for always being there.

Had a doctor visit today,it was a really long day, lots of traffic and in the end I did not get to see the doctor because he was doing some procedures at the hospital.I took some pictures from the car of the city .thought I would share them.

A Mercedes Taxi Cab.

A nice small cute home, not all the houses in Beverly hills are mansions.

Love the beautiful trees

$8/hr to park here...quite steep!

A beautiful apartment building

A street in Beverly hills lined with beautiful purple flowers

A view of the civic center

An Ad for the farmers market

2010-06-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

Don't rely on someone else for your happiness and self worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can't love and respect yourself - no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are - completely; the good and the bad - and make changes as YOU see fit - not because you think someone else wants you to be different.” Stacey2005 Stacey Charter quote

2010-06-03T18:30:00.000-07:00

I HAVE A BROKEN HEART

Ok I literally don't have a broken heart but a heart that is misbehaving.does not want to follow a pattern but do what it pleases.I dont have any chest pains or anything serious but sometimes I just have a sinking feeling when it skips a beat.I think my heart is enjoying all this good weather we are having and just feels like skipping around.Went to the cardiologist on Tuesday and I have an event monitor on.it is recording all my heart beats and then will send the information to the doctor via blue tooth technology.I was impressed with the device.I have posted a picture to show you what it looks like. this is my second day with it on and may have to have it on for another day or untill the doctor says it has to come off.so I am just resting at home watching tv and I watched a movie "Wake up Sid" which was really good and had a happy ending.to all my friends have a good weekend and thanks for stopping by.

2010-05-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

MY STIMULATOR

Electric pulsations throughout
sometimes uneasy,jittery ,feelings of distraught.
But makes me feel less pain
helps me regain some of the day that is left and not be in pain.

2010-05-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by White Magpie to do the following tag.

THE "IF" Tag

If I were a month.....I would have to pick the month of JUne.because it is the month of my birth, the first day of summer starts in June and also, most schools close in June so it is often a vacation month.

If I were a day of the week....I would have to pick Friday.I always loved Friday just because it was the end of the week,when I was a child I loved fridays because ther was no school on saturday.Now I am glad because "j" will be home on saturday.

If I were a time of day....It would have to be 5.30 am because it is the time that "J"wakes me up,its the time of day that we have coffee together and have some quality time.

If I were a season....I would be winter because without it there would be no spring.

If I were a planet....I would be earth.nothing comes close to the planet earth with all its beauty and life.

If I were a sea animal...I would be a dolphin.I think they are cute and harmless

If I were a direction....I would be East for obvious reasons.

If I were a piece of furniture....I would be a bed because when my back hurts too much I find refuge in my bed.

If I were a liquid.....It would have to be water.No life without water.

If I were a tree....I would be an Oak because it is big and strong.

If I were a tool....I would be a wood cutter because you can carve out many shapes and build so many things.

If I were an element....Being a woman it would have to be Gold.

If I were a gemstone......A diamond indeed,

If I were a musical instrument....I would be a flute.I love the beautiful sound of the flute,it is very peaceful.

If I were a color.....It would have to be blue, because I love the blue skies.

If I were a emotion.....It would have to be Joy.

If I were a fruit...It would have to be a Mango.Because I love mangoes

If I were a sound...It would have to be the sound of Music, because music soothes the soul.

If I were a car..... it would have to be a BMW because I think it is a cool car to drive.

If I were food.......it owuld have to be rice, because I love rice and I think it is a food widely available and feeds a lot of people, the rich and the poor.

If I were a taste.....It would have to be sweet.I have a sweet tooth and love sweets
.

If I were a scent....It would have to be Jasmine.I love the smell of jasmine

If I were a pair of shoes.....It would have to be a pair of leather shoes with a soft sole.

If I were a bird....It would have to be an eagle,to soar across the skies .

I am going to tag Priya and Deepa and Renu

2010-05-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

AND THE BIRDS SING

On this bright,and sunny spring morning
I wake up to hear the birds sing.
I think to myself,no matter where or what
The birds begin their day with a song in their hearts.

Each bird sings in their special way,
sometimes they are just echoing the way.
Without worrying what the others have to say.
Yet when we listen, there is no chaos,
Each sound is distinctive and clear
It all depends on what we want to hear.

And the birds sing.

2010-04-27T13:15:00.000-07:00

MY BLOG IS OFFICIALLY CARBON NEUTRAL.

I recieved this email..........thank you so much for participating in our initiative and making your blog carbon neutral! Your tree will be planted this month by the Arbor Day Foundation. The scheduled start plant date was Monday, April 19 and the trees will be planted by a contracted crew. The roads are being plowed, all contracts solidified, and twelve shipments of 150,000 seedling each are being assembled. We thank you for the support!

There are still some trees looking for a sponsor. So if you know some people who have a blog or website, pass it on and we'll make their blogs carbon neutral too! click here

Best,

2010-04-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

EARTH DAY

In honor of earth day I would like a tree planted to make my blog carbon neutral.According to Alexander Wissner just planting one tree per blog can help the planet.So many trees have been destroyed in fires over the years and have not been replanted.Here is how you can participate

2010-04-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is what I see lying on my bed.

SPRING

I look out of my window
And what do I see
Yellow and red flowers staring back at me.
I see the blue sky over the hill
There is no wind ,the leaves are so still.

I hear the birds chirping
heralding the morn.
I see the rabbits scurrying
after munching on the lawn.

It is a beautiful day outside,
And I am glad to be alive
Even if most of my days are spent inside.

Everything awakens for this season.
The cold winter rest brings new reason.
I love Spring.

2010-04-09T12:38:00.000-07:00

Is it a Slate, is it a phone,is it a page? No it is my IPad

"J" walks in with this little bag from Best buy, I immediately say to myself "I wonder what he has bought this time". He opens the box and hands me the IPad. I hold it in my hands, look it over and then I am immediately transported back in time. It is the begining of the school year,my mother was really busy, there were books to be bought and new clothes to be stitched.My older brothers would be busy covering their books with brown paper and fixing nice colorful labels on the front of the book.I was just happy with my slate.

To me the slate was like an never ending book,you could write and draw and at the touch of an eraser you could start over, it was magical.I remember writing my name on the wooden frame and carefully putting it into my school bag,sometimes I would come home crying because my slate was broken,or sometimes it was because it was stolen,but I did love my slate. I would spend a lot of time sitting in a corner,slate propped on my knees writing and drawing.

Today I felt I was holding my slate in my hand again,it is the same size and shape and to me everything about it is magical.At the touch of my finger I can make things appear or disappear and I can also flip the pages as if it were a book.It is just so exciting.If only my mother were alive to see this,she would understand why I am so much in love with the Ipad. Thank You "J" for getting this for me.

I pick up my Ipad, put it in my bag and I feel I am on my way to school.

2010-04-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

MORALITY

"J" and I had this serious discussion this morning about morality.he posed this questions to me." Should Judgement be based on motive or outcome"?

For example he says. 'A.... drives recklessly on a road but does not kill or hurt anyone but B drives recklessly but kills or hurts someone, should they be judged the same way. we may say that A did not hurt anyone but B did, but in the end the motive to drive recklessly was the same.How would we judge them.

As usual I am stumped and don't know the correct answer DO YOU?

2010-03-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

MORNING HAS BROKEN

At the break of dawn he stirs me up
Wake up, he says it is early morn.
My eyelids are heavy, I cannot open them up
The spirit is strong, but my body says sleep on.
After an enduring few minutes, the heavy eyelids lift
I see that the morning sun has risen ,the room is well lit.

Are you up he calls
Come over and sit
by the computer , so that we can just sip.
The aroma of the coffee awakens me more
The thought of him waiting for me, takes me to the door.

Together we sit, coffee cups in hand
As he reads out aloud the news of the land.
From the New York times, then spanning the globe to India today.
He looks at me and says, this is the best time of the day
I would not want it any other way.
I agree, silently nodding my head.
It is time well spent,even if I had to get out of bed.

I think to my self, it is well worth the less sleep.
just to sit by him and follow the news,
sometimes its a game of trivia or hangman
sometimes it is just listening to a tune.

I am just fortunate enough to spend some time with him,
before he hits the freeway ,and is gone for the day.

2010-03-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

IS LOVE A CHOICE?

It was a very quiet day sunday,"J"and I had nothing much to do, one of those lazy, daisy days.we were tired of watching movies so we decided to just talk,he came upon a very interesting theory, saying that love is a choice.It is each one of us who decides whether we love the other person or not.sometimes knowingly and sometimes not.I was taken aback because I never ever thought of love like that.I always thought people fell in love.So he posed another question."What do you think happens when there is an arranged marriage? don,t you think the person makes a concious decision to love the other person even though they are strangers?" I thought about it for a while and then I asked him "Did you fall in love with me or choose to love me?" To this he replied."would you feel better if I told you I just happenned to fall in love with you versus I chose to love you."
I said "I don,t know". what do you think ? would you feel better if some one said they hand picked you from all the peole in this world to love or that by chance they just happenned to fall in love with you."VERY PERPLEXED

2010-03-08T12:20:00.000-08:00

INTERNATIONAL WOMANS DAY

"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily difference we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee"
Marian Wright Edelman, American Activist, Families in Peril"

HAPPY WOMANS DAY TO ALL

2010-03-03T11:08:00.000-08:00

WORDS THAT MADE ME THINK

Yesterday started out as a very uneventful day.looking out of my bedroom I can see the yellow and red flowers on the hillside,heralding the appearance of spring.Usually in the afternoon if there is something interesting on the Oprah Show I watch it. lately she has not had too many good shows so when I saw that Roger Ebert was on I decided to watch. I have been a fan of Ebert and Siskel who are film critics for a long time.Siskel died of cancer and then Ebert was dagnosed with cancer..After multiple throat surgeries he was back. He has lost his voice to cancer but he is the same funny person.His wife read something that he had written in his journal that really made me think and made me feel thankful for the life I had and also that no matter what my problems or circumstance in life is, I can try to make others happy and also be a happier person.I really wanted to share his words with you.

" I Believe that if at the end of it all according to our abilities,we have done something to make others a little happier and something to make ourselves happier,that is about the best we can do.

To make others less happy is a crime.To make ourselves unhappy is where all crimes start.We must try to contribute joy to the world ,that is true no matter what our problems, whether it is our health, or our circumstances in life we must try.I did not know this and I am happy I lived long enough to find this out."
Roger Ebert.

When he was asked if is unhappy about how he looks.this is what he said"Nobody is perfect, we have to find peace in the way we look and get on with life" I thought his words were so true.

2010-03-01T11:18:00.000-08:00

A YEAR WITHOUT PICTURES

A whole year has gone by and I had so much to say, so much to write about but I decided to be still.I have no reasons why, no excuses to get me by.It was more of feeling sorry for myself, engaging in self pity and blaming the whole world for how i was feeling.

A lot has happened during the past year, some colorful and some not.I started out with just a pneumonia , also aggravated my back condition and sent me down hill and it has been a long road to the top again.Had another surgery for my back and I am feeling a lot better.Now I am a little bionic and a little electric.I will write another post on that.

I am able to do a lot more, not as depressed and dopey as I have been and am ready to take on the world.I am extremely sorry for this long silence.I did miss all my blogger friends.I know I have lost a few ,I do hope I am welcome in Blogosphere again.My family has been very supportive and if it was not for them I do not know how I would have got well.Anyway it is a new year and hopefully a new life for me.

2009-03-18T13:05:00.000-07:00

STAND BY ME Sung all AROUND THE WORLD.

MUsic the universal language

2009-02-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

HOLDING HANDS.....WHAT IT MEANS TO ME

I was tagged by RenuThe theme of the tag was Holding hands what it means to me.This a very interesting tag and made me really think about it, a flood of memories passed through my mind.I would like to share a few.

Holding my hand she takes me to school,
Crying,scared but comforted
by a strong hand,my mother.

Your hand in mine,feeling safe and secure
guiding me across a crowded street
My dad.

Holding hands singing together
my friends and I
Beautiful memories of time gone by.

Holding hands, forming a bond
The family stands together
weathering the storm.

Holding hands,not wanting to let go
When one has to leave loved ones
To travel to another shore.

The exciting feeling,
when i first held his hand.
A sense of love and belonging.
Walking beneath a starlight sky
I look up and see love in his eyes.

Holding hands
we look to each other for strength,
In a new country
As husband and wife.

Holding hands smaller than mine
A wave of love comes upon me.
these hands belong to me, to teach them,
to guide them and then set them free.
My children.

Reaching out
holding someones hand
comforting one another
Giving a helping hand.
Even strangers.

Anyone ...PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO THIS TAG.

2009-02-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

UNACCUSTOMED EARTH by JHUMPA LAHIRI

I just finished reading this book and thought I would share this with you.The book has eight short stories that span from Cambridge to Thailand.

In the first story Ruma who is married is visited by her father,who recently lost his wife.he would love to stay with his daughter and get to know his grandson better, but is torn between staying and taking a trip with a woman he is in love with.

In “A Choice of Accommodations,” a couple’s romantic getaway weekend takes a dark turn at a party that lasts deep into the night.

In “Only Goodness,” is a sad story where the sister is eager to give her younger brother the perfect childhood she never had is overwhelmed by guilt, anguish and anger when his alcoholism threatens her family.

Hema and Kaushik is a story of life, death, love and the lives of a girl and boy who, one fateful winter, share a house in Massachusetts. They travel from innocence and sometimes painful paths, until destiny brings them together again years later in Rome. But in the end fate seperates them.

All eight stories are about the lives of Bengali immigrants in America.Some may say that this book is a little similar to her other books about Bengali immigrants but I still enjoyed it, but was disappointed with it being a short story.I wanted the stories to continue.Do you ever feel like you don't want the story to end?

2009-01-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

A NEW BEGINNING,CHANGE AND HOPE

PART OF THE INAUGURAL SPEECH OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

I thought these words had a special meaning.
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of
happiness

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

ON THIS IMPORTANT DAY WE WISH OUR NEW PRESIDENT THE VERY BEST AND WE PRAY THAT GOD WILL GUIDE HIM AND HELP HIM SERVE THIS COUNTRY WELL.

2009-01-15T08:13:00.000-08:00

LIFE'S HUES

I hold the kaleidoscope to the light
Colors that were dull suddenly become bright.
I turn and turn and turn again
All the colors start to blend
each pattern shows a different view
Displaying every brilliant hue.

It starts out with just red and green
Then is added colors I have never seen.
A hint of violet, a touch of blue
A spray of pink and I am glued.
Sometimes I see silver and gold
some are faded and some are bold.

I think life is like a Kaleidoscope
Never the same as we hope
Each spin alters the way we feel
Colors will change from day to day
Sometimes they may be bright
Sometimes they may be grey.

It does not matter how they are blended
What shapes are formed or how they are ended.
We try to mix them the best way we can
It may not be what we intended
Maybe there are ways it could be mended.
But I feel there is always hope
while viewing life's Kaleidoscope.

2009-01-09T14:07:00.000-08:00

WRINKLES OF MINE

I stand in front of the mirror
And look at my face
Where did these wrinkles come from
I exasperate.

Are they wrinkles of wisdom
Are they wrinkles with age
Are they wrinkles from boredom
or wrinkles from rage.

Are they wrinkles from the sun
Or from having too much fun.
Are they wrinkles from smiling
Or wrinkles from frowning.

Wrinkles do have a story to tell
Sometimes it is of happiness
Sometimes it is of pain
And sometimes it is just vague.

Should we erase them
Or let them be seen
Should we just hide them
Or is that being Vain.

I dab on some creme
And say to myself
A few wrinkles on my face is not such a big thing
Considering all that can go wrong in this world we live in.

So I start the new year with a few wrinkles on my face!

2008-12-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-12-17T12:54:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-12-13T20:37:00.001-08:00

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 Aiz Renu,cyberkitty,artnavy

2008-12-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-11-26T21:41:00.001-08:00

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.

2008-11-23T21:47:00.001-08:00

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.

2008-11-12T21:27:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-10-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-13T14:19:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-09-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

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.

.

2008-09-01T09:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

SUMMER BOUNTY

Asian pears again
Banana Flower
Indian Jasmine

I see two pomegranates ,after 5 years.I am so excited

Remember the pics of the banana trees I posted last year after they fell to the ground, well they have grown again and has a flower.This shows we should never give up,we need to get up and start all over again.

I also had bunches of grapes this year.

Asian pears...J's favorite

FINALLY BLUE SKIES

2008-08-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

DREAMS

I hear the clock ticking

I hear the birds singing

All is well!I say to myself.

I roll over in bed

I think to myself

I just want to travel

See new places and faces.

Where time will stand still

No mornings or evenings

No doctor appointments

There will just be awakenings.

No fear of today or worry about to-morrow

But life is not so simple

There are commitments to keep and children to raise

But Nite will come by

My dreams I will have

Travels I will take

With no baggage in hand.

2008-08-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

My dear friends
I am really sorry for not posting in such a long time.Time has passed, so many things have happenened, I was just feeling sorry for myself and just did not want to be bothered blogging anymore. I tried to stay away but could not.I value each and everyone of you and I realized that you guys were the only true friends I have. My blog was a space that I could write what I wanted to and express myself freely and tell you my day to day happennings. Please continue to be with me as I travel through this journey called"LIFE". I will try and post something every week.thank you for looking in on me and always leaving a few lines.

2008-02-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

EMBRACE LIFE

------------------------------What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others. (Pericles).

2008-01-31T07:38:00.000-08:00

ITS A Month of Tag

I was tagged by Priya

This tag is called the blessing tag.You are supposed to bless three of your blog friends.the tag was started over here -ukok.
The idea and the rules of passing on the tag are:
While it is my wish to bless all who read this blog, for the purposes of starting this little endeavour it is necessary that I ‘bless’ 3 blogfriends, who may in turn ‘bless’ 3 blogfriends.Let’s use a simple format, and let’s make it even simpler by suggesting that the recipient simply copies and pastes above picture when they become the recipient of a bloggin blessing themselves.
The idea… it’s a game of tag with a difference, rather than looking inwardly, we look outside ourselves and bless, praise and pray for one blog friend. By participating in this endeavour we not only make the recipient of the blessing feel valued and appreciated, but we are having some fun too. We’re going to see how far the bloggin’ blessings can travel around the world and how many people can be blessed! Recipients of a bloggin’ blessing may upload the above image to their sidebar if they choose to. If you recieve a bloggin’ blessin’ please leave a comment on this thread here so that we can rejoice in just how many blessings have been sent around the world.

I am going to tag five people because I cannot stop at four:

1. Shionge

1.2.Mystic rose

3.Jeevan

4.DotM

5.Adi

2008-01-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-28T08:55:00.000-08:00

IT ARRIVED! IT ARRIVED! IT FINALLY DID

Finally the package arrived.I was actually waiting for the UPS man to deliver but "J" walks in with a box under his arm and sets it on the table. I cannot tell you how happy I was.It was though I had landed a winning ticket or something. I am so excited.Now I can post and surf and just enjoy doing all the things I did. Thank you "J" for being so thoughtful and getting me this computer.

It has been a very lazy, daisy kind of weekend.still raining and rather gloomy outside. I have not done too much.was just waiting to tell everyone that I have another new friend, I still miss my old laptop.I had really grown to love that computer.this one is going to take a little getting used to because it is a little larger than my old one. Now I have no excuses for not blogging, so Bye for now, I better get busy, so many blogs to visit and posts to read.

2008-01-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

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.

2008-01-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

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.

2007-12-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

A BLOGGING BREAK

So long farewell
I hate to say goodbye
I hate to go and leave this pretty
site.

I will be back before long
with new poems and stories
and news about family
to bore you immensely.

Take care one and all
Happy holidays and have a wonderful new year.
I will be back to visit your blogs
At the start of the year.

I do hope you don't miss me too much.I know I am going to.

2007-11-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

RENEWAL

This is how the Banana plants looked after the wind blew it to the ground

we had the branches cut down to the stem.

Do you see the new leaves emerging from the stems.

I walked over to the Banana plants expecting them to be dead, but was surprised to see new leaves emerging from the stems that were cut.Is that how life is, no matter what happens in your life and no matter how down you are , you can always get up and go.It may take a long time and it may be a difficult path but all is not dead.Look at the banana plant, it was swept to the ground, my gardener cut all the stems down but still the plant had the will to survive, I see new leaves and shoots .New life begins.Just looking at this plant gives me a sense of hope and renewal.We should not give up and die but rather pick up ourselves and give it our all and fight to live. Sometimes I do find myself giving up , do you feel like that and what do you do?

2007-11-21T12:35:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I am really sorry for not updating my blog and also for not visiting any. I have no excuse to give. It has been a bit hectic though.Most of the time it is either to physical therapy or Dr visits or just sitting around or usually on the phone with family .This thanksgiving I am thankful for fairly good health, a wonderful family and friends like you. I am going over to my brother's house to-morrow for Thanksgiving dinner.Maya will be home for thanksgiving so I am really happy. will give you an update on everything next week.Untill then have a wonderful Thanksgiving day and weekend.When you look back what are you thankful for ?

2007-11-07T13:06:00.000-08:00

Wishing all my friends a Happy Diwali.

2007-11-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

TIME TO REFLECT

Nobody likes going to the hospital or the doctors office. The problem is not so much as seeing the doctor but the wait.I am beginning to think that there is a purpose in waiting. First of all you get time to just sit, stretch your legs, make conversation with strangers, watch TV.(the doctor I go to has this nice plasma TV in the waiting room)and most of all you get to read all these magazines.sometimes the wait can get annoying and may send your blood pressure up the roof by the time you see the doctor.Today I did not feel like watching TV or reading and there was no one else in the waiting room, but I still sat there for more than an hour before I was seen.
Today makes one year since I had my back surgery and as I was sitting in the waiting room to have some Doppler studies done on my feet, I had time to reflect on the year that was behind me. so much has happened.I am able to do a lot more that I could before my surgery. I do have some residual pain in my left leg and the numbness and burning in my toes.sometimes I do have an aching back also, but all in all I have so much to be thankful for.I am on the road to recovery .I am thankful to all the people in my life who stood by me, gave me encouragement and prayed.I would not be the person I am today without their help.I am also thankful to the blogging community who made me think positive and even in the times that I was sad, uplifted my spirit and got me through the rough times.Thank you everyone.
So what do you do while you are in the doctors waiting room or any other place you have to wait. do you just get stressed out waiting impatiently or do you use this time to reflect?

Picture courtesy of the internet.

2007-11-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

RIGHT BRAIN vs LEFT BRAIN

THE Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise? FOR RESULTS CLICK ON THIS LINK

Just some weekend fun.

2007-11-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Dare to Dream

I was tagged by Hip grandma to write about my dreams.

"So where did you go last night?"J" says. "This trip was not very good" I say to him, I don't remember the details. I have been taking these nightly trips but without the burden of paying for Air fare and Hotel. And the best part is that these trips have been always fun , no vacation nightmares for me. I have been to faraway lands, sometimes with people I don't even know but mostly with my family.The downside is I have not piled up any miles.and no pictures to post.I bet everyone wants to know how I go on these free trips. well! I have been put on a drug called LYRICA for some nerve damage that I have , it is supposed to help with the burning sensation I have in my feet.Ever since I started to take this medication I go on these trips, they are always peaceful but in the morning I wake up and try to remember parts of the dream and it has always been a journey to some place or another. Sometimes I am able to recall the whole trip and sometimes it is bits and pieces.I am always going somewhere.

So what are dreams? Dreams wake us up to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. according to Robert Moss the author of the book "The three only things, tapping the power of dreams, coincidence and imagination."
He also goes on to say that dreams can make us smarter, more creative and better able to cope with problems. And also they are tied to goals , motivations and desires.I am sure there are many instances where dreams have played a part in someone being successful, or have alerted them of an impending disaster.

As for me I am just happy that I get to go on these free trips with no baggage and passport. A world with no borders.where I am free to roam and enjoy nature, meet new people and just be ME.Is that not how this world is supposed to be? What do you dream about. Do you always remember your dreams. Has your dream helped you in your work or in your daily living?

Do you have any dreams that you want to share? Starry would like to know. I will leave this as an open ended question without tagging anyone.but please feel free to write about your dreams.

2007-10-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

I DON'T KNOW WHY

Sometimes life seems unreasonable
I am blamed for everything that goes wrong.
There is no explaining, or reasoning.
Everything should be perfect, no use complaining.

Sometimes I am just tired, I don't want to argue
I am not trying to give excuses
Just my point of view.

Maybe I should just be quiet
And pretend it does not bother me.
Is that giving in, being subdued
Or is just trying to get by
And live each day as it comes
Without being understood.
I really don't know. Do You?

I have been awarded the 'Schmooze Award". By cuckooThis is what she says Lalitha – She always comments on my blog when I don’t expect her and I don’t remember since when it is happening. A selfless blogger, full of life. Her blog reflects the same. Do I need to say more ? Thank you so much cuckoo.the award is much appreciated.

.About the award :- "This award is “for blogger who “effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.”

I have to pass this award on to some other bloggers who rightfully deserve this.

1..Pria..always there to dot a few lines.
2..Asha...I think you have been awarded this before but I think you fall into this catogory, so I bestow this award on you again.
3..Jeevan...always stopping by even when you least expect him to.
4..Kalyan....I pass this award to you with pride.always have something nice to say.
5...Kai....leaves her smiles whereever she goes.
5..DotM....Blogworld would not be the same without you.
6..Keshi..all the hugz I have got when I really needed it.
7..Anali..Always weaves in and out with something positive
8..Aviana...Even though she is always stressed for time, finds a few minutes to stop by my blog.
9..Lotus reads..Even with all the books she has to review still finds time to stop by and say hello.
10..Pink ginger...suddenly she will appear when i am least expecting her and drop a few lines.
I can go on and on but have to stop.forgive me if I have missed names.In my heart everyone of you deseerve this award. Accept this award and pass it on to the bloggers you think deserve it.

2007-10-24T14:41:00.001-07:00

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE

We took a drive to see what was happenning around the neighborhood, all we could see was smoke. The sun looks so red against the smoke.I took this video from the car.

As all of you know by now that parts of california is on fire.I am so glad that the fire skipped our side of the valley but came really close.It is sad that thousands of homes were damaged in the fire.We just had no electricity for two days, so there was no TV or internet service so "J" and myself spent time reading and talking, mostly reminiscing about our childhood.The winds were really strong , below is a video of the wind, and the trees swaying.Can you hear the wind? I took this video from the porch upstairs. Thank you for all the enquiries, sorry I could not update earlier because we had no service,all the lines were down.

A picture of my curry leaf plant ,looks so sad.I was protecting this plant and watched it grow all summer to be torn down by the wind.

See what happened to my banana trees.just bowing down in awe of the mighty wind.

2007-10-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

I spent my weekend reading "A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS".by Khaled Hosseini. This book ate at my soul and I was just unable to put it down.The author is a great story teller and takes you through three generations and three decades through the war in Afghanistan in the 1970's .through the 80's and 90's and through the war in 2001.The story begins with Nana, Mariam's mother ,who commits suicide then Mariam who is only 15years old is forced to marry Rasheed who is so much older.later on .Laila comes into Mariam's life and marries her husband, but in the end it is Mariam who saves her life and loses her own.The author gives a description of the cruelty of war and what Afghan women had to endure at the hands of the Taliban.I really liked the ending of the story because it gave hope and that true love is never lost and women do stand by each other . This book was irresistible.

2007-10-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

A MOMENT IN TIME

For a brief moment I was back in time, when the children were younger and Halloween played a big part in their lives.It was October costumes had to be made, candy bought and pumpkin's to be carved. It was Sunday and I was leafing through all the ads in the Sunday paper. Jo Ann's the fabric store had Halloween fabric on sale and all the costumes were 30% off. " Maya " I call out, what would you like to be this Halloween? Mom I would like to be a 50's girl she says.Vijay hearing the chatter runs into the room, "mom I would like to be suuuuuuuuperman" he says running around the room with a towel over his shoulders like a cape.I think it was me who was most excited, it was always fun making the costumes and sometimes shopping for them. We would go to the fabric store, look at all the different material, thumb through numerous patterns and finally settle on one.
The next couple of weeks would be spent cutting, sewing,gluing trying on and undoing , eventually after many a trial and error the costumes would be done. Now that the children are away I feel the emptiness, there are too many reminders of Halloweens gone by.The pumpkins keep begging to be picked up and carved, the costumes in the Halloween store want to go home with me. I wish the children were home once again. Their voices yelling"Trick or Treat" still echo in my ears. Halloween is not the same anymore. I think I have the Halloween blues.

2007-10-01T12:59:00.000-07:00

RED OCTOBER

Summer is over,fall has begun
The leaves turned red, gold and a beautiful brown
lie fallen on the ground.
I wake up this morning to the rustling of the leaves
As they are tossed around the hillside
by the Autumn wind at play.
It is natures way of saying goodbye
to picnics in the park, barbeques and the summer sun.
But brings me closer to a trip to India
To visits with family,shopping and a place called home.

2007-09-28T19:28:00.000-07:00

A NAME IS A NAME IS A NAME

was tagged by DOTM for the following tag.
If you are tagged, here are the rules to follow.

The first thing you have to do is post the rules . So, here they are:

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

My name is Lalitha and I like the name I have so I thought I would just use this name in this Tag.My name has quite a few letters , so please be patient I will try not to make it a long post.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

L.....What comes to mind is the luxury of having a large and loving family.When I was ill with the back injury they stood by me and helped me every step of the way.I would not have made it this far without them.

A.....I love Astronomy,the sun, moon and stars and everything that is in the sky.I hope to take an astronomy class next spring.

L....Another L! well I think it has to be love.I have a lot of love to give and am a hopeless romantic.

I.....I think it is India.Even though I have been away from India for many, many years, I still feel drawn to India and I always tell the children about my childhood in India. I am planning to visit India soon.I am so excited.

.....It has to be the love I have for Tibet. I would really like to visit Tibet one day.I love the people, the religion and the mountains.I want to go there and tie a prayer flag.

H.....I am really a home body.I am happiest in the comfort of my home.and I love handicrafts, love to knit, sew and crochet.i try to do some scrapbooking.

A.....Another A and I dont have anything to say.

I am going to tag Keshi, Neers, Jeevan, Priya, Kalyan,Shiv and MM.

2007-09-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

UNDER THE WEATHER

Sorry everyone for not updating, I have literally been under the weather.First it has been raining non stop ,I should not complain because it is a much needed rain.I have not been feeling too well either. I was having quite a bit of pain in both my hips, apparently I have Trochanteric bursitis .
I had never heard of something like this but I am told it is pretty common especially if you have had back surgery. So i went in to see the surgeon and got two injections in my hips, it was pretty painful and has me bruised but it is getting better. I hope to be up and running on my treadmill and my blog soon.( actually I meant walking). Take care and will be posting soon.Actually missed all of you.I am feeling better but it is still pouring.

THE SCHMOOZE AWARD Has been awarded to me by Kalpana

" The POWER OF SCHMOOZE AWARD is the award for bloggers who effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don't limit their visits only to the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship. "

Thank you Kalapana. I have met so many wonderful bloggers and I think each and everyone deserves this award that I just cannot give it to a few.

2007-09-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

"DON'T BLAME ME"

This is part TWO of the class that "J" attended.He shared this with me and I have found it helpful ( I am still in the learning stage)so thought I would share it with you.

How often when something goes wrong, our first thoughts are "Don't blame me". I know I am guilty of doing this. I either do this because I am afraid to say that I have made a mistake, appear to look like a failure or it is my ego .we are always looking to place the blame on someone else. I can only speak for me and I think this happens in my relationship with "J". I feel I always have to defend myself and place blame on circumstances in my life that have made me do or be the person I am.

We have to be accountable for our actions.There are different levels of accountability

1.WE CAN GET ON WITH IT
2.FIND SOLUTIONS,OWN IT
3.ACKNOWLEDGE REALITY

4.WAIT & HOPE
5.GIVE PERSONAL EXCUSES, want sympathy.
6.BLAME OTHERS.

When we find ourselves in a given situation there are different things we can do.The first three make us powerful,it shows a desire and willingness to learn and change. and the last three make us powerless and gives us a feeling of helplessness and makes us feel like a victim.

Sometimes it is hard to choose the levels of accountability and it is so much easier to just blame others and pretend that you are the victim. But by accepting that we made a mistake we may look imperfect,but we reap many benefits, such as we learn, we grow, we have better relationships and have more control of our lives.

Sometimes the results we get are not the results we expected.And this happens to all of us , some people feel victimized by the circumstance and events in their lives, while others make the best of whatever happens.The difference between the two is how they see things.It is not possible always to make the right choice but if we are aware that we have the ability to make a change by our choices I am sure we can.

INSTEAD OF WANTING TO CHANGE THE OTHER PERSON ,TRY CHANGING ME (That's what I have to do in my life)

ACCEPTING THE SITUATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU CONDONE THE BEHAVIOR OR THE OUTCOME.RATHER ACCEPTANCE AND HUMILITY RELEASES A RESILIENCE AND ENERGY TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE DEMANDS OF THE DAY AND TO GAIN THE PERSPECTIVE NECESSARY TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH.

"A success is one who decided to succeed and worked.A failure is one who decided to succeed and wished" William ward.

"He that is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else." Benjamin Franklin

"As adults our choices are almost unlimited.That does not mean that they are not painful.Frequently our choices lie between the lesser of two evils,but it is still within our power to make these choices."Author unknown.

I have learned that I have to be accountable in my life,to the choices I make and that Only I can change me. I know that I have always felt that my relationship with "J" would be better if he changed. (Maybe it would help a little) But I think it is in my hands to make it better. I think the first step is to accept blame and not be the victim.("Dear God please help me follow this")

credit to "Senn Delaney leadership class."

2007-08-28T08:34:00.000-07:00

"BE HERE NOW"

"J" had just returned from a leadership class from his work.He was trying to tell me what the class was about but I was busy trying to get dinner ready, so he sets this sign on the table which read"BE HERE NOW" and asked me to read it."What on earth is this and what does it mean" I said.

He began to explain to me how two people can be talking and one person is not really there.So often when we are at work we are busy thinking of home, the children and maybe what we will be doing on the weekend. At the same time when you are at home you may be thinking of work and the project you have to complete.The class also says that you cannot be effective in either if you are not there mentally and physically.We are often caught up in the past or the future that we lose our ability to be present in the moment.We do the same things at home.we are distracted with things going on at work that our relationships suffer and we lose valuable time that we could have spent with our loved ones because we are constantly thinking of work.

Another point that "J" brought up was the ability to listen.Listening to what is being said with an open mind rather than judging whether the person or the content is right or wrong.This allows you to see the other person's point of view.

I began to understand maybe that's why sometimes "J" and I don't see eye to eye .Maybe because one of us is not listening and we are quick to come to conclusions.I decided to read the book he brought home.It is written by the "Senn-Delaney consulting group" I learned quite a few things and I am trying to use it in my life.

The value of being here now

Better balance of personal life....The more that we can fully be present both at home and work the more we will have a rich, fulfilling environment in both places.

Easier, more fulfilling relationships...when people feel heard and appreciated, they feel better about you and themselves.

Less stress, more peace of mind....when we think about the past or worry about the future, our thoughts can often create stress and reduce our peace of mind,

Better creativity.. When you are in a reflective state of mind you can think better and you are more creative, that's because there are no distractions.

"Behavior is a mirror in which everyone displays his own image" Johann wolfgang

Another quote that i really liked."Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine. William Feather.

Part two of this class will be posted next. I learned a few things from this book so thought I would share it with you.

2007-08-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

WHERE WAS GOD?

A magnitude-8 earthquake struck the coast of Peru.Thousands of families were left homeless.According to the peruvian Government the quake's death toll stands at over 500, with hundreds more injured and at least 80,000 people affected. Authorities estimate that at least 80 percent of houses in Pisco have been destroyed, leaving at least thousands of people homeless .

Pisco's mayor said at least 200 people were buried in the rubble of a church where they had been attending a service. Some 17 others were killed inside a church in Ica, according to the Canal N cable news station. The historic Senor de Luren church was among several heavily damaged in Ica, where at least 57 bodies were taken to the morgue.

Services were packed when the quake struck at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday because Aug. 15 is celebrated by Roman Catholics as the day when the Virgin Mary rose up to heaven.

As I sit reading this today I am sad because I ask myself this question "where was God?" These people were praying to God, most probably asking Him to take care of their families and themselves. I am always troubled when I read something like this. In my mind if God was the protector of all people how did he allow this to happen? I have so many questions and most of them unanswered. Most people will say that it is God's will,I find it hard to believe that God would do this especially to children. Do you have any answers. Where do you think God was?

2007-08-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

SILENCE

A moment of anger
hurtful words
Pierces the soul
shatters like glass
The pain is endless

Then there is silence
days go into nights
Nights go into days
No words are exchanged
No apologies,only the silence
and the pain.
Will it ever ease?

2007-08-09T00:30:00.000-07:00

CALM,QUIET AND TRANQUIL

UPDATE

I first want to thank each and everyone of you for stopping by and asking about my sister.I have some good news, the doctor said she does not need the last two chemo's so they have stopped it.she was getting very weak and her heart was getting overloaded. so now she just has to get stronger and her hair has to start growing back. We could not have made it without all the prayers and kind wishes from everyone especially all my dearest, dearest blogging friends.Thank you for staying with me through this rough course. Now I see the light at the end of this tunnel.I will be back blogging soon ,I have so much to catch up on and so many posts to read.take care.

2007-07-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

DARK CLOUDS AND BLUE SKIES

She lies curled up in bed
I touch her forehead
And feel the heat.
She can barely open her eyes
She is so weak.

I give her medication
To bring down the fever
And massage her legs
because she has pain in her feet.
Through it all she always asks
if I am alright.

This goes on for more than a week after chemo.
Then all of a sudden
The fever is gone.
She perks up and smiles.
The down time is over.

She has a few days to refuel and recover
Until the next Chemo
Then it will start over.

Thank you everyone for keeping my sister in your prayers.She had her fourth treatment yesterday. Only two more to go.She is doing better, just very tired and weak, and lost all her hair, but I tell her she is going to have more hair than me when it grows back. She has an awesome attitude and I think thats what gets her through.

2007-06-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE
REJOICE IN THE WAY THINGS ARE.
WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE IS NOTHING LACKING
THE WHOLE WORLD BELONGS TO YOU. Lao Tzu..

MY BIRTHDAY

As I lie in bed this morning I think of the years gone by.I can truly say that for the most part I have happy memories . It may have been a little hard growing up because we were many children but still my mother made each one of us feel special.Not with buying us many presents but with just a hug, a special meal and a tin of sweets that we can give to the other children in school.I did look forward to going to school on my birthday.

God has blessed me with a caring husband, two lovely children and many brothers and sisters and a host of friends especially my blogging friends because they unconditionally care about me and wish me well.Someone they had never seen or met before but only through blogworld. Thank you each and every one of you for making the last year go by really fast,I made it through surgery really well and am recovering good, better than most people. I am thankful for being able to get up each morning and look at the beautiful world we live in, listen to the birds chirp, admire the butterflies and the flowers and be able to take care of myself.

My birthday wish is that my sister will be well soon, get through the chemo and be able to visit India soon. Another year has passed and a new year begins, I am sure this year is going to be even better than the year before. Thank you each and everyone of you for being with me through the good and the bad times.I also want to wish everyone who is having a birthday a Happy one.

I got a special Birthday present from "J" .it is called a skyscout.I think it was a very thoughtful gift, because he knows how much I love looking at the stars and the sky.Through which I can locate the stars and know the names.it works of a GPS. It is really neat. Our backyard is really open and we can see a lot of stars at night so I am sure it is going to be a lot of fun. Take care , I will be with my sister for the next week as she goes through her chemo.please remember her in your prayers.

2007-06-17T21:23:00.001-07:00

UPDATE

Well! friends, I have not been reading any blogs and have not posted anything.sometimes I just feel so over whelmed. I had to have an EMG done to check on the nerve conduction because of the numbness I feel in my toes.It was not too bad,just some electrical jolts along the path of the nerve down my legs.It was just a bit uncomfortable. On Friday I had to have a Myelo-CT scan done.I was very nervous because I was told I could not have any sedation.Apparently I have been spoiled with being given sedation before all my other proceedures. Actually it was not as bad as I thought it would be.SOme dye was injected into the spinal canal and then the Ct was done. Here is a picture of my spine with the artificial disc and the interbody cage with fusion below. I am doing better today, was not feeling too good the past few days, a lot of back and leg pain.I think it will pass.I hope you guys had a good week. I sure miss all of you.Thank you for keeping my sister in your prayers.she will be undergoing her third chemo treatment next week.

2007-06-04T09:47:00.001-07:00

MY BACKYARD

Thought I would share some pictures from my backyard.I don't go out much so nothing else to share.. My sister is going to have her second Chemo treatment so I will be spending some time with her.Will be back next week .HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK

2007-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER TAG

I have been tagged by Srijith to do this book tag. I have been really busy for the last couple of weeks and have not had time to read or visit many blogs, something I feel really sad about. I miss all my blogger friends and most of all I miss all the interesting posts and poems. Now back to the tag..

1..I have to simply take a book, turn to page 123 and reproduce the fifth paragraph .

I reach over to my nightstand and take the book "Always believe in yourself and your dreams" edited by Patricia Wayant. The book has only 63 pages so I close my eyes and open the middle of the book. There is a poem "Create your own world." by Dena Dilaconi .

The last paragraph says It is up to each of us to decide which way we want to go; how far or how fast we go in life are the choices we all must make for ourselves"

This last paragraph hit home to me because there was is much truth in that phrase. I know that everyone does not get the same opportunities in life, but it is up to each one to create the world we live in. We can either take the worst circumstance and make it better or we can just accept it and be miserable.

I have to share this second poem with you:

IT'S UP TO YOU

by Linda E Knight

This life is the only one you are given

Look for opportunities to grow
and never be discouraged.
Replace your weakness with positives.

Take life's broken pieces
and re- create your dreams.
Never measure the future by the past
let yesterday become a memory
and to-morrow a promise.

Begin each day by focusing on all that is good
And you will be in a position to handle whatever
comes along.
Take responsibility for your actions
never make excuses for not being the best
you can be.

If you should slip,
be comforted by the thought
that we all do sometimes.
Determine your to-morrow
by the choices you make today.

Do you think we create the world we live in , or does destiny play a part?

I dont know if others have done this tag but anyone who wishes to can take it up.

2007-05-22T11:06:00.001-07:00

ROUND AND ROUND

For three weeks he has come and gone
Back and forth round and round.
Hitting his head on the window pane
Trying to enter, maybe seeing
his reflection in a mirror in vain.

Confused, disoriented, maybe lost
Why does he come back to the same place at any cost.
He leaves when the sun goes down
And returns at the break of dawn.

I wish I knew what he wanted or what he is looking for
I appear helpless just like him.
As he goes round and round
And finally hits the ground.

I took this video of the bird from my bedroom. , he used to wake us up every day,I miss him even though sometimes I wished he did not come.Isn't life like that sometimes. Sorry for not visiting any blogs. I was with my sister, she completed her first dose of chemo and is doing fairly well, just very weak.Will be going for her next treatment in two weeks. Please continue to pray for her.I have started physical therapy. my back is still bothering me but is getting better. We are coming to the end of American Idol.I am not sure who I would like to win because I like Blake and Jordan.

2007-05-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

THOUGHTS OF MY MOTHER

A beautiful smile, a soft voice,
A kind heart and a soft hand.
This is what comes to my mind
When I think of my mother.

Always forgiving, rarely complaining,
Through the many hardships she had to endure.
Taking care of the children,cooking and cleaning,
Trying to read a book inbetween.
Good at sewing, knitting and crochet,
Not forgetting embroidery too.

Taught me to be patient and kind
To take one day at a time.
Embrace all people, don't say anything unkind.
Treat others the way you would want to be treated
She would say.
And don't forget to say your prayers each day.

I am thankful to God for the time I had with her,
Resentful at times because she was taken away too soon.
Never had a chance to say I am sorry
Or to give her a big hug
And say Thank you and I love you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY

2007-05-01T08:54:00.000-07:00

MY FRIEND

We met in a classroom
Instantly we were friends.
Spent three years together
Had so much of fun
We could not be apart.
And always vowed
we would be friends forever.

We stood by each other
skipped classes, went to movies
Walked through the park.
Helped each other with homework
Shared our lunch
There was always a laugh.

Then came a day when we parted ways
I came to the U.S. You stayed in India
The letters were frequent, then they were few.
I was starting a new life
And forgot there was you.

The years have gone by
I often think of the good times
we had.
I wish I could relive them
The good and the bad.
I have tried to contact you
But heard that you had left
the country too.

Each night when I say my prayers
I always say a special prayer for you.
Good friends are rare to come by
I wish I had you.
Time has gone by
I am a mother of two.
I often think of you
And wonder if you have a family too.
I would love to meet yours and show mine to you.

2007-04-24T14:47:00.000-07:00
MY VEGAS TRIP
(These pics were taken by my nephew) He captured the blue and dark skies really nicely and also some pics of vegas at night and also one of the Joshua tree. It is supposed to be one of the oldest trees on the planet.

It was about to rain and we could see the dark skies on one side and blue skies on the other side.It was an awesome sight.

Here the skies are getting really dark

I think we can see the rain falling in the distance

Blue skies after the rain.

Joshua trees (and most other yuccas) rely on the female Pronuba Moth (Tegeticula) for pollination. No other animal visiting the blooms transfers the pollen from one flower to another. In fact, the female Yucca Moth has evolved special organs to collect and distribute the pollen onto the surface of the flower. She then lays her eggs in the flowers' ovaries, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on the yucca seeds.

Without the moth's pollination, the Joshua Tree could not reproduce, nor could the moth, whose larvae would have no seeds to eat. Although an old Joshua Trees can sprout new plants from its roots, only the seeds produced in pollinated flowers can scatter far enough to establish a new stand.

Mormon pioneers are said to have named this species "Joshua" Tree because it mimicked the Old Testament prophet Joshua waving them, with upraised arms, on toward the promised land. This unique species grows abundantly at Joshua Tree National Park in California and Joshua Forest Parkway in Western Arizona.

2007-04-13T12:40:00.000-07:00
UPDATE

Hi everyone.I am sorry for not posting anything earlier.I have been very busy.My sister is doing well post mastectomy.She will be seeing an oncologist soon.thank you for your prayers and kind thoughts. I had to have a nerve block to help some of the sciatic pain that I have been having.It is a beautiful spring day.I hear the birds chirping, there are a lot of flowers and butterflies. My nephew and his family is visiting from India,we are going to Las Vegas for the weekend.It is a get well trip.Will post some pictures when I get back. Have a good weekend everyone.

2007-03-27T12:43:00.000-07:00
HI everyone,

Sorry I have not visited any blogs or written any new posts.I will be back next week.I will be with my sister this week.Take care and I will be back soon.

2007-03-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

MY IDOL PICK

24 Interludes of Life . . .

1. Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth even that fades
away. Go for someone who makes you smile.

2. There are moments in life when you really miss someone that you want to
pick them up from your dreams and hug them. Hope you dream of that someone.

3. Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go, be what you want
to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things
you want in life.

4. May you have...Enough happiness to make you sweet
Enough trials to make you strong
Enough sorrow to keep you human
Enough hope to make you happy
And enough money to keep you comfortable.

5. When one door of happiness closes, another opens. But we often took so
long at the closed door, that we don't see the one which has been opened for
us.

6. The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch, swing with,
never saying a word and then walk away feeling like that was the best
conversation you've had.

7. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's
also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.

8. Always put yourself in other's shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it
probably does hurt the person too.

9. A careless word may kindle a strife;
A cruel word may wreck a life
A timely word may level stress
A lovely word may heal and bless.

10. The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves
and not to twist them with our own image, otherwise we love only the
reflection of ourselves we find in them.

11. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they
just make the most of everything that comes along the way.

12. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right
one so that when we finally meet the right person, we should know how to be
grateful for that gift.

13. It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone
and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

14. Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have
searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the
importance of people who have touched their lives.

15. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, the romance and
find out you still care for that person.

16. A sad thing about life is that when you meet someone who means a lot to
you only to find out in the end that it was never bound to be and you just
have to let go.

17. Love starts with a smile, develops with a kiss and ends with a tear.

18. Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been
disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed,
need to love those who still love, even though they've been hurt before.

19. It hurts to love someone, and not to be loved in return but what is most
painful is to love someone and never finds the courage to let the person
know how you feel.

20. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't
go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

21. Never say goodbye when you still want to try;
Never give up when you still feel you can take it;
Never say you don't love that person anymore when you can't let go.

22. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you
back. Don't expect love in return, just wait for it to grow in their hearts
but if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

23. There are things you love to hear but you would never hear it from the
person whom you would like to hear it from, but don't be deaf to hear it
from the person who says it with his heart.

24. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling.
Live your life to the fullest so that when you die, you're smiling and
everyone around you is crying . . .

Poem by - Unknown

2007-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

UPDATE

Dear Friends thank you all so much for stopping by and enquiring about my sister.She is scheduled to have surgery on the 28th of march. I just returned after spending a week with her.It was really nice, we just talked and talked and reminisced about old times.She still has a lot of tests to go through.Thank you for remembering her in your prayers and please continue to do so.Sorry I have not stopped by any blogs.I will try and catch up soon.take care. It feels so nice to know that so many of you out there genuinely care for other people.

2007-03-12T13:20:00.000-07:00
JUST WANTED TO GIVE HER A HUG

I actually made a trip to orange county with "J" on the weekend, to visit my sister who is back from India.( for those who do not live in California, Orange county is about 65miles from where I live). It was a nice change because for the last three years everyone has always made the trip to visit me.I used a back brace which kind of harnessed me to my seat so it was not too bad. It felt just nice to give my sister a big hug.I wished I could just wipe away her illness . I am positive she is going to be well but I wish she did not have to go through the surgery and the other treatments that go along with breast cancer. I felt like the mother this time around, I want to take her under my wing, to pamper her and look after her and tell her that everything is going to be alright. I have always had a special bond with her and thats why it makes me sad.Please remember her in your prayers.She is scheduled to have her surgery by the end of the month.She has numerous tests to go through before that, so she is kind of overwhelmed with everything. I have to say that it is her positive mind and her strong faith that is going to help her through this.(And me being by her side).If I had one wish from a genie..I would wish that my sister would be healed. IF YOU HAD A WISH FROM A GENIE WHAT WOULD YOU WISH FOR?

2007-03-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

SPRING

It is a beautiful morning
There is a breath of fresh air.
The frost bitten plants
that almost looked dead
sprout new leaves and look refreshed.
Rosebuds have started to appear
The lawn looks greener than last year.
Bluebirds and Robbins are building their nests
Butterflies appear looking their best.
Rabbits are scurrying along
Amidst the small yellow flowers
Along the hillside.
This I see from my window in bed
Spring is here to awaken the dead.
All is well in this world, I have so much to do
Time to get up and see whats anew.

MY IDOL PICK

Jared Cotter

CHRIS Richardson

Melinda Doo LIttle

Lakisha Jones

Blake Lewis

Haley Scarnato

Jordan Sparks

Sundance Head

2007-03-06T07:47:00.000-08:00
WHAT IS THE "SECRET"

I am a big fan of Oprah and a couple of weeks ago I was watching her show where she was talking about the book "The Secret" written by Rhonda Byrne. The main idea in the book is that people need to visualize what they want in order to get it.It also goes on to say that the energy that you put into this world whether it is good or bad is what will come back to you. Does this mean that you create the circumstance of your life with the choices you make every day? I kept thinking about these things.First I agreed with the author of the book and was sure that this is how things happen. I had a talk with "J" and asked him what he thought about the book. He believes that sometimes we do not have control over our lives and the circumstance we are in. How do you explain an innocent child being killed or a person who is just born poor and has no way out even if he keep telling himself he wants to be rich. How about the person who has been exposed to Aids without her even knowing about it. Did that person ask to get Aids, did the child ask to be abused?

The author goes on to say that the only reason you do not have money is because you are blocking the money from coming to you with your negative thoughts. I think that you have to work towards earning that money and that being positive may make you a better person and will give you the will to work hard, but just thinking about money is not going to make it.

The book goes on to say that based on the principles of the laws of attraction "The universe is governed by the principle that like attracts like." Positive thoughts attract positive events. But somehow I have seen that opposites attract.

Does this mean that you can just wish for all the good things in life and you will get it. Does it mean that if you keep telling yourself you will be well and not get sick you are going to be healthy. I don't know. I was totally confused after talking to "J". I cannot explain all the bad things that happen to people for no fault of theirs. Do you think the people who lost their lives in the war wanted it to happen that way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

2007-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00
Drops of Oil . . . I came across this story and thought I would share it with you.

A certain shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world. The lad wandered through the desert for forty days, and finally came upon a beautiful castle, high atop a mountain. It was there that the wise man lived.

Rather than finding a saintly man though, our young lad, on entering the main room of the castle, saw a hive of activity: tradesmen came and went, people were conversing in the corners, a small orchestra was playing soft music, and there was a table covered with platters of the most delicious food in that part of the world.

The wise man listened attentively to the boy's explanation of why he had come, but told him that he didn't have just then to explain the secret of happiness.

He suggested that the boy look around the palace and return in two hours. "Meanwhile, I want to ask you to do something," said the wise man, handing the boy a teaspoon that held two drops of oil. "As you wander around, carry this spoon without allowing the oil to spill."

The boy began climbing and descending the many stairways of the castle, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon. After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was.

"Well", said the wise man, "did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in the dining hall? Did you see the garden that took the master gardener 10 years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in my library?"

The boy was embarrassed, and confessed that he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil that the wise man had entrusted to him..

"Then go back and observe the marvels of my world", said the wise man.

Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. He saw the gardens and the mountains all around him, the beauty of the flowers. Upon returning to the wise man, he related in detail every thing he had seen.

"But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you?", asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone. "Well, there is only one piece of advice I can give you", said the wisest of wise men. "The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world, and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon.."

This story serves as just a little reminder that while we get all caught up in the frenzy of work and assignments, we mustn't forget about the "drops of oil", the things in life that really matter... friends, family, stuffed toys... and the ties that bind . .
These are my American Idol Picks. Just hope Sanjaya makes it to the next round.

2007-02-27T10:43:00.000-08:00

ALWAYS MY SISTER FOREVER MY FRIEND

I was lying in bed and thinking"Why does bad things happen to good people" and I don't have an answer. My eldest sister has always been there for me.I am the youngest sister in a large family .I lost my mother even before my children were born and my sister acted as my mother,she helped me alot through everything I have been through.Has been by my side through all the Joys and the sorrows.If there was anything I needed I had to just call her up and she would be there to help me.She stayed at my bedside while I was in the hospital for my back surgery.Always looking out for others and thats why I am sad.My sister is in Bangalore right now, her first vacation to India since 1993.She was so sad to take this vacation because she wanted me to go to India too. She was hardly there 10 days when she found out she has breast cancer.It is a shock to all of us because we don't even have a family history of it and this was something we did not even think would happen. I spoke to her last night,they are trying to get an early return flight so she can start her treatment. She is trying to stay strong and has a very positive atitude. Please pray for her that she will be well and will have a safe trip. I still don't have the answer"WHY DOES BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE" Do YOU?
Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there.
Amy Li

2007-02-26T11:11:00.000-08:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

2007-02-23T09:07:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY'S WORD as per MONA......."COOKIES"

INTERNET COOKIES

PROBLEM: Cookies are short pieces of data used by web servers to help
identify web users. The popular concepts and rumors about what a
cookie can do has reached almost mystical proportions,
frightening users and worrying their managers.

PLATFORM: Any platform that can use a modern web browser.

DAMAGE: No damage to files or systems. Cookies are only used to identify
a web user though they may be used to track a user's browsing habits.

SOLUTION: No files are destroyed or compromised by cookies, but if
you are concerned about being identified or about having your web
browsing traced through the use of a cookie, set your browser to
not accept cookies or use one of the new cookie blocking
packages. Note that blocking all cookies prevents some online
services from working. Also, preventing your browser from
accepting cookies does not make you an anonymous user, it just
makes it more difficult to track your usage.

MOTHER'S COOKIES:
Smells awesome, tastes scrumptious, tempting, , addicting. so many different kinds for so many different occasions cannot stop with one.

DAMAGE:
There are many rumors that cookies are unhealthy for you, but don't believe all the rumors.cookies eaten in moderation is good for your soul.Makes you feel content and happy. Brings back many beautiful memories of when you were a kid.

SOLUTION: Don't bake too many cookies.Limit it to a few on special occasions.One cannot avoid having cookies in the house especially if there are children.But those cookies usually disappear really fast. If you don't want to be identified as ther person who stole the last cookie make sure you dont leave a trail of crumbs.Hide some in a cookie jar, sneaking a cookie when the kids are at school does not make you an anonymous user, it will just make it hard to track your usage. .

Chocolate chip cookies, Christmas cookies,
Internet cookies and Fortune cookies.
Sweet cookies and Spicy cookies.
Large cookies, medium cookies and small cookies.
Hard cookies, chewy cookies and soft cookies.
So many different kinds of cookies.

Cookies we eat, cookies we share
Cookies we bake, cookies we take
Cookies are part of our everyday intake.
Cookies we enable
Cookies we disable
Cookies on the web,cookies on the shelf
Cookies for everyone
Please help yourself.

IDOL UPDATE:

Sanjaya made it to the second round.Nineteen more to go.Good luck to him and I hope he selects a better song.

2007-02-21T12:03:00.000-08:00
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED.....................

Thank you all my friends who commented on my post about "Quarrel". I have gained a lot of insight about why we quarrel and what one can do.I thought I would summarize it so others can also take something back .

Why we quarrel:
We argue because we care.
Two opposite views always bring on a quarrel.
Sometimes we argue because we get a false sense of satisfaction when we win.
Quarrels emerge when one person feels threatened.
Most often we concentrate on the adversary rather than the issue.
The focus is shifted from the problem to the person.
Unless there is acceptance and realization that we cannot force our opinions and thoughts on others. we will quarrel .
What we can do :
Try to remain calm.
Listen with your heart and be patient.
Think before you speak.
Do not bring out past issues, try to keep focused on the present problem.
Do not say hurtful things.
Do not add fuel to the fire, instead find a way to dampen things.
Your tone of voice should be kept low.
Do not have an argument when you are already angry.
Try not to lose our individuality.
It is better to let go than to try to prove a point.
Feelings and emotions should be kept outside the box.
If you feel an argument is going nowhere it is alright to make a sacrifice and walk away. Swallow your pride.
Sometimes walking away shuts the other person out so return when the coast is clear and you are not angry and then try to have a decent conversation.
Do not try and force your opinions and thoughts on others.
And dear God please help me follow these rules!
DO NOT GO TO BED ANGRY.APOLOGIZE AND MAKE UP.

A Note to idol fans.
I don't think Sanjaya did very well yesterday on American Idol.I hope he gets another chance and is not voted out.I am still rooting for him.

I LOve this song By Cat Stevens.

2007-02-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

ANOTHER TAG........................

TAGGED BY BRUTE So Here I go.

FAVORITE COLORS: Blue, Green, purple and orange

FAVORITE MONTH: December

FAVORITE FOOD: Indian food

FAVORITE MOVIES:

TAMIL: NO favorite movies, have seen a few that I liked a lot.
HINDI: ANAND
ENGLISH: A WALK IN THE CLOUDS

FAVORITE SONGS: I have a lot of favorite Hindi and English songs.

FAVORITE SPORT: Love to watch Basketball, wrestling and Boxing. Played hockey in school.

FAVORITE SEASON: Love spring and summer.

FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK: I always loved Fridays. I think the feeling of not having to go to work and get the kids ready for school made it really nice. Even though I don't work now still like Fridays.

FAVORITE FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM: Love black cherry

FAVORITE TIME OF DAY: Mornings.I think its because I feel really good in the morning and have no pain after resting at night.

EIGHT CURRENTS

Current mood: Happy

Current time: 1pm

Current taste: Coffee

Current clothes: Capri pants and a tee shirt

Current color of toe nail: none

Current desk top: starry nights

Current thoughts: when am I going to finish this tag.

Current surrounding: My bed , TV and Treadmill.

SIX FIRSTS:

First best friend...Grace she was in my school.

First screen name..none

First pet: A dog called Gypsy

First piercing...My ear lobes

First Album....The beatles and ABBA

First Movie..my memory is not that clear

SIX LASTS:

Last cigarette: The surgeon general warns against cigarette smoking

Last alcoholic drink: A couple sips of Absolut mandrin last night , Non alcoholic....Coffee

Last car ride...to Beverly hills to the doctor

Last movie.."Lily of the fields" saw it on TV on Sunday

Last phone call..Called "J" at work , he is not having a good day.

Last Book you read: I am currently reading a book"Stumbling on Happiness" By Daniel Gilbert

Have you ever broken the law: NO
Have yo ever been arrested: NO
Have you ever been on tv: Yes on home videos
Have you ever lied: Have you?
then you have the answer
Have you ever kissed some one you did not know: You think I am stupid

FOUR PLACES YOU HAVE BEEN TO-DAY: I have been to the Bathroom, living room, kitchen and the Bedroom

THREE PEOPLE YOU CAN TELL ANYTHING TO: My sisters , "J" and my daughter.

TWO CHOICES:
1..To stay healthy
2..My family

ONE THING YOU WANT TO DO BEFORE YOU DIE:
I would love to go into space but it aint happening so the next best thing would be TIBET.

2007-02-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

A Quarrel

What starts out as a simple discussion sometimes ends in a big quarrel.Why does this happen I ask myself. Is it because we have strong minds or is it because it is in our nature to quarrel.sometimes it starts off as an argument and then hurtful words are said when one feels they are losing the argument.Is it because they don't love or care for each other or is it because the fear of losing was too great.
Why is it that something very simple can escalate to a really big argument. Should one just stay quiet even when one knows it is not right.Is trying to explain yourself considered an argument.I don't know these answers and was just trying to understand the human mind. Because in the end both people are sad and bruised.Then why do we do these things. Does it make people come closer or does it drive them apart.
What do You think? Should one person keep quiet and just walk away? I don't know. ANY ANSWERS?

2007-02-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

IDOLMANIA........MY 150th POST

I have to admit I am an Idol fan and have been for the last five years. I know "J" does not think too much of American Idol. Last night I was ecstatic because an Indian kid made it to the top 24.I do hope he makes it to the top ten. I think American Idol even with all the hype that surrounds it, does give opportunities for everyone to show their talent. I know that some really talented people do not make it , but then thats life.

On another note..I went for my three month check up yesterday, it was a nice long ride to Beverly Hills. There was a lot of traffic returning because it was peak hour but it was Ok. I have to say that I spent some quality time with "J" on Valentine's Day. we talked all the way there and back. I am really happy that the doctor said that my back is healing well.The CT scans looked good.The doctor showed me pictures of my back with the artifical Disc and on the second level you can see the spinal cage and a plate with two long screws. So now I start Physical Therapy for eight weeks. After which I hope to be doing a lot more.My first stop may be to a mall, which I have not seen for a couple of years. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I think I have made it after all.

2007-02-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

THE SEEKERS "I'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER YOU"

To "J" My Valentine.Thank you for always being there for me.

I think the best valentine days I had was when my children were young.There was always candy to be bought and cards to be made.The day before would be spent addressing each card and attaching a candy to it.The children would go to school excited and would come back with a brown bag filled with cards and candy. We did this year after year until they reached Junior high ,after which they did not want me to see the cards they received. Adults spend too much of time worrying about what present to buy or what they would receive. There are people who are going to be sad especially the ones who do not have a valentine. Some couples are going to end up fighting because the day was forgotten and they did not receive any card or candy or was not taken out for diner.

Valentines day was not a special day for me and "J". I don't think we ever exchanged anything. In a way I think it was good because there was no expectations so there was no disappointment. I think everyday should be valentines day. It does not have to be cards or candy but just expressing your love for each other.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL MY FRIENDS.