गिव टू रिसीव २

गिव टू रिसीव - २ तुर्की मधील इस्तांबुल शहरातला आमचा ४ था आणी शेवटचा दिवस. रात्री ८ ला मुंबईला जाणारं विमान होतं. हॉटेल रूमचं चेकआउट सकाळी अकराचं असल्यामुळे ९ ला चेकआउट करून सामान स्टोरेज रूम मधे ठेवलं आणी बाहेर पडलो. ४ वाजता एअरपोर्टला जाण्याकरता टॅक्सी सांगितली होती. ६-७ तास होते फिरायला. हागिया सोफिया म्हणून ५३० साली बांधलेलं त्या काळातलं सगळ्यात मोठं चर्च होतं. त्याची १४५३ मधे तुर्की आक्रमणानंतर मशिद झाली. त्यात १५०० वर्षांच्या इतिहासाच्या खुणा आजही आहेत. तिथे गेलो. मग टर्किश रेस्टोरंट मधे काही छान निवडक शाकाहारी डिशेसचा आस्वाद घेतला. नंतर एका दुकानातून घरी नेण्यासाठी बकलवाचे (स्वीट्स) बॉक्स घेतले. त्याचं बिल भरताना म्हटलं जवळ जी काही कॅश आहे (टर्किश लीरा) ती संपवू आणी मग उरलेले पैसे कार्डानी भरू. ते लीरा खिशात राहिले तर परत गेल्यावर त्याचा नुसता कागद होतो. ३ वाजता हॉटेलला आलो आणी लॉबी मधे बसलो कारण रूम मधून चेकआऊट सकाळीच केलं होतं. तिथे योगायोगाने पुण्याचा एक जण भेटला. ५ मिनिटं बोललो त्याच्याशी. मग म्हटलं आपली पाण्याची बाटली भरून घ्यावी. ५ तास उन्हात फिरून तहान लागली होती. होटेलमधे ब्रेकफास्ट एरिया मधे जाऊन तिथल्या कूलरवर बाटली भरून घ्यायला निघालो. हॉटेलच्या एकाने जिन्यातंच अडवत म्हटले कि तुम्ही आत्ता खाली जाऊ शकत नाही. त्याला म्हटलं, “पाणी भरून घ्यायला जातोय.” तर म्हणाला “नाही, तुम्हाला पाण्याची बाटली विकत घ्यायला लागेल, किंमत २ यूरो” म्हणजे साधारण ७५ लीरा. (टूरिस्ट एरियातले हॉटेलवाले यूरोची मागणी करतात. तेवढीच त्यांची एक्स्ट्रा कमाई होते). हॉटेल शेजारच्या छोट्या दुकानात पाण्याच्या बाटलीची किंमत १० लीरा होती. पण आम्ही आधीच जवळचे सगळे लीरा संपवलेले. परत लॉबी मधे आलो, म्हटलं “काय लूट आहे ही..” पण पाणी तर हवं होतं. हे आमचं बोलणं त्या नुकत्याच भेटलेल्या मराठी मित्राने ऐकलं. तो म्हणाला “काही २ यूरो वगेरे देऊ नका.” त्याने त्याच्या पाकिटातून १० लिराची नोट काढून दिली पाणी आणायला. आम्ही त्याला त्या बदल्यात १ डॉलरची नोट देऊ केली ती त्याने नाकारली. मग शेजारच्या दुकानातून १० लीराची पाण्याची बाटली आणली, त्याचे आभार मानले आणी टॅक्सी आल्यावर एअरपोर्टला गेलो. त्या अनोळखी माणसाच्या छोट्या मदतीने मन सुखावलं होतं. जगात माणुसकी शिल्लक आहे अजून ह्याची जणू एक खूण मिळाली होती. मग शांतपणे विमानात बसल्यावर २ दिवसांपुर्वीचा किस्सा आठवला आणी पुन्हा एकदा आपल्या युनिवर्सल बँकेतल्या खात्याची आठवण झाली. त्या दिवशी आम्ही इस्तांबूल मधील बलत एरियामधे फिरायला गेलो होतो. तो भाग खूप चढ-उतार असलेला आहे. आघीच चढ चढून फासफूस होत होती त्यात चांगलाच उन्हाळा होता. सगळा रेसिडेंशियल एरिया होता. रस्त्यावर फ़ार कोणी नव्हतं. चालता चालता एक दुकान दिसलं. भारतात छोटं वाण्याचं दुकान असतं तसं दुकान होतं. तिथे थंड पाण्याची बाटली घ्यायला गेलो आणी अचानक कुठुनसा एक ७-८ वर्षाचा मुलगा आला आणी त्या दुकानातल्या फ्रिजकडे बोट दाखवून “सू… सू” असं म्हणायला लगला. तुर्की भाषेत पाण्याला “सू” म्हणतात. मुलगा भिकारी वाटंत नव्हता. खरं तर ४ दिवसाच्या इस्तांबुल मधल्या वास्तव्या मधे आम्ही एकही भिकारी बधितला नव्हता. तो तिथेच कुठेतरी रहात असावा. कोणी पाणी मागतलं तर नाही म्हणू नये असं म्हणतात, पुढचा जन्म गाढवाचा मिळतो. आम्ही आत जाऊन पाणी आणी १-२ वस्तु घेतल्या. त्या मुलाला द्यायला पण एक बाटली घेतली. बाहेर आलों तर आधी तो दिसला नाही. थोडं शोधल्यावर दिसला. त्याला पाण्याची बाटली देऊन तिथुन निघालो. जरा विचित्र वाटलं खरं. तिथेच राहत असेल तर घरी जाऊन पाणी पिऊ शकला असता, आणी पाणी मागुन गायब कुठे झाला? असो. ह्या छोट्याश्या किश्श्याचा विसरंच पडला होता खरं तर. पण काय कमाल आहे नाही? आम्हाला पण बरोब्बर पाण्याचीच गरज पडावी आणी कुणी अनोळखी माणसानी द्यावं. अर्थात नाईलाज झाला असता तर आम्ही २ यूरो कार्डानी दिले असते. पण तशी गरज पडली नाही कारण आमचे १० टर्किश लीरा यूनिवर्सल बँकेत जमा झालेले होते ते परत मिळाले. ते ही टर्की सोडायच्या आधी. ह्या बँकेत पैसे जमा होतातंच, पण ताहानलेल्याला थंड पाणी प्यायल्यावर मिळालेलं समाधान? ते ही जमा होतं. परत मिळतं. हे खातं उघडायला लागंत नाही. आपलं सगळ्यांच असतं. तुमच्या खात्यात पण जे काही जमा असेल ते गरजेला नक्की मिळेल. 😇

गिव टू रिसीव

“आपल्याला असं काही कधी मिळत नाही” असं म्हणत नवर्याने लकी ड्रॉ चं तिकीट वेट्रेस कडे दिले. एका restaurant मधे जेवायला गेलो होतो तिथे त्यांचा customer appreciation weekend होता. दर तासाला एका कस्टमर ला $२५ चं गिफ्ट कार्ड मिळणार होतं. दुपारी १२:३० ची वेळ, गर्दी होती. आपला नंबर कुठला लागतोय असं त्याचं म्हणणं. ह्याच्या अगदी चारंच दिवस आधीची गोष्ट. माझ्या ॲाफिस मधे एकीनी लंच आणलं नव्हतं. रोज ती काहीतरी सॅलड किंवा हॅम सॅंडवीच असं काहीतरी आणायची. त्या दिवशी तिला वेळ झाला नाही. आता अशा वेऴी आपल्याकडे किती सोपं असतं, “माझ्या डब्यातली एक पोळी घे” असं म्हणू आपण. पण इथे असं नाही ना. सगळे जण गप्पा मारत जेवणात दंग, पण माझं मन राहीना. तीला म्हटलं “तू इथलं कॅफे मधलं खात नाहीस का?” कुणास ठाऊक, काही ॲलर्जी वगैरे असेल. तर म्हणाली, “तसं नाही, आमचं बजेट टाइट आहे सध्या. जराही extra पैसे खर्च करणं जमणार नाहीये आत्ता.” जेवणासाठी पाच एक डॉलर खर्च करायला इतका विचार? मला काही पटेना. “you carry on. I am OK” असं म्हणून ती फोन वर मग्न झाली. Ok कशी असेल. तिचा फोन स्मार्टफोन पण नव्हता. फोनवर बिझी असल्याचं नाटक करत होती स्पष्ट. सगळे मनमुराद गप्पांमधे मग्न, माझ्या घशाखाली घास उतरेना. क्षणात निर्णय घेत तिला म्हटलं “तु प्लीझ काहीतरी घे, मी पे करते” आधी २ वेळा नको म्हणाली. मग म्हणाली “Are you sure?” म्हटलं “Yes.” मग जाऊन बरीटो घेऊन आली. तेव्हा कुठे माझा जीव भांड्यात पडला. १० वर्ष गॅप नंतर जॉबला लागले होते, पण मन ग्रुहिणीचंच होतं. कोणी उपाशी राहिलेलं कसं बघवेल? आपल्या संस्क्रुतीत तरी कुठे बसतं हे? भारतातून आपण ह्या ‘श्रीमंत’ देशात येतो तेव्हा काही कल्पना असतात आपल्या. त्या हळु-हळु मोडीत निघतात. विषयांतर होईल म्हणून ह्यावर फार नाही लिहित, पण आपण खरंच average अमेरीकन लोकांपेक्षा जास्त सुस्थितीत आहोत हे मला एकंदरीतच जाणवलं. तर त्या रेस्टॉरंट मधे आमचं जेवण आटपत आलं होतं आणी १ वाजता विनर डिक्लेअर करणार होते. मी म्हटलं, “आज मिळेल आपल्याला हे गिफ्ट कार्ड” माझा confidence पाहुन मुलगी हळु आवाजात म्हणाली, “आई तू काही cheating केलियेस का?” म्हटलं “छे गं, cheating कसं करीन?” झालं असं होतं कि मला एक पुस्तक वाचलेलं आठवलं, The Game of Life and how to play it - by Florence Scovel Shinn. बरंचसं spirituality आणी बायबल मधल्या concepts वर आहे. आपण कायम ऐकत आलेल्या गोष्टीं आहेत तशा, “पेरावे तसे उगवते” वगैरे. पण ते छान मांडलंय पुस्तकात. तर त्यात law of prosperity आहे - ‘गिव्ह टू रिसीव्ह’. prosperity फक्त पैसे ह्या अर्थाने नाही तर बाकी मैत्री, प्रेम, प्रशंसा, मदत सगळंच - दिलेलं कितीतरी पटीने परत येतं. ह्या concept वर बरंच लिहीलं, बोललं गेलय, पण मी हे पुस्तक नुकतंच वाचलं असल्याने तेच आठवलं. ह्या तत्त्वाची निगेटिव बाजु मात्र मला तशी लहानपणीच जाणवली. कॉलेजच्या काळात एकदा मला आणी माझ्या मैत्रिणीला एक पर्स मिळाली. ती कोणाची आहे हा विचार न करता आम्ही खूष झालो आणी दोघींनी त्यातल्या वस्तू वाटुन घेतल्या. पैसे नव्हते फार, पण मेक-अप वगैरे च्या वस्तू होत्या. कर्म फळाला यायला फार वेळ लागत नाही म्हणतात आणी त्या वेळेसही नाहीच लागला. लगेचंच पुढच्या महीन्यात मी आणी दुसरी एक मैत्रीण शिवथर घळीत शिबीराला गेलो होतो. तिथुन येताना एसटीत अंताक्षरी, धमाल मस्तीच्या मूडमधे मी तिकीट काढलेलं आमच्या ग्रुप मधल्या एकाच्या खिशात ठेवायला दिलं - temporary - पर्स लांब होती आणी १ मिनीटाचा खंड कसा पडु देणार अंताक्षरीत? काही वेळानी तो महाडला उतरुन गेला आमच्या मुंबई पर्यंतच्या तिकीटासह. माझ्या मैत्रिणीचं तिकीट पण मीच ‘जबाबदारीने’ ठेऊन घेतलं होतं. बरं अशा वेळी गप्प बसायचं का नाही? तर मी ओरडले “oh no, सारीका..आपलं तिकीट सुहास दादाच्या खिशात राहीलं…” झालं. आला conductor धावत “परत तिकीट काढा नाहीतर उतरा.” आम्ही दोघी अगदी रडकुंडीला आलो. अजिबात दया-माया दाखवली नाही त्याने १६-१७ वार्षाच्या मुलींवर. ८० रुपयाचं एक तिकीट, १६० रपये देऊन परत तिकीट काढलं आणी ते ह्या वेळेस सारीकाने सांभाळुन ठेवलं. हुश्श! अर्थात त्या वेळेस काही ही सांगड घातली नाही, conductor च्या नावाने बोटं मोडली फक्त. पण नंतर काही काळानी साक्षात्कार झाला, “ह्या दोन भिन्न घटना, पण ह्या निगडीत असतील? कर्म? Cause and effect?” ह्या ओघाने विचार करता करता आणखी असे लहानमोठे किस्से आठवले, लबाडीचे आणी नुकसानीचे. coincidence असेल का? असेल. पण माझ्या मनात नव्हता. त्यानंतर काही महिन्यांनी एकदा PCO वरुन फोन केला आणी पैसे द्यायला विसरले. बसची वेळ झाली म्हणून घाईत निघाले आणी अर्ध्या वाटेत आठवलं तशी परत धावत जाऊन पैसे देऊन आले. हे २ रुपये बुडवले तर ऊद्या होणारं १० रुपयाचं नुकसान दिसत होतं डोळ्यासमोर. ‘ गिव्ह टू रिसीव्ह’ च्या concept वर आणखी थोडं लिहीणं भाग आहे इथे. आपल्याशास्त्रातही आहेच सत्पात्री दानाचं महत्त्व. माझे बाबा तर म्हणतात “‘मी दिलं’ किंवा ‘मी केलं’ असं म्हटलं कि तिथेच त्याची किंमत शून्य झाली. आपण कोण देणारे?” ही आणखी वरची अध्यात्मिक पातळी झाली. एक किस्सा सांगितल्या शिवाय राहवत नाही. एकदा लहानपणी मी आणी एका मैत्रिणीने कंपॉस बॉक्स exchange केली. गंमत म्हणून. २ दिवसांनी तिला तिची कंपॉस परत हवीशी वाटली. पण मला द्यायची नव्हती. तिने तिच्या आईला सांगितलं. तिची आई तिला म्हणाली, “एकदा का आपण कोणाला वस्तु दिली कि त्यातली attachment काढुन घ्यायची. ती कंपॉस बॉक्स आता तुझी नाही. तिने ती कशीही वापरली, फेकुन दिली तरी आता तुझा अधिकार नाही.” दुसरी कोणी आई असती तर टीचर कडे गेली असती भांडायला. माझ्या मात्र ही गोष्ट चांगलीच लक्षात राहिली. तुमच्या लक्षात आलाच असेल ओघ, ते गिफ्ट कार्ड खरोखर आम्हाला मिळालं. तरी मुलगी म्हणतंच होती, “तुला कसं माहीत?” अर्थात, त्या गिफ्ट कार्डावर माझं काहीच अडलं नव्हतं. नाही मिळालं तरी आम्ही काही नाराज होणार नव्हतो, “आपल्याला असलं काही मिळत नाही, एवढं कुठलं आलय आपलं ‘लक’?” हे पालुपद पण सेफली चालु ठेवलं असतं. मी अगदी कोणी दानवीर वगैरे आहे असं मला म्हणायचं नाही, अजिबातंच नाही. आपल्या सगळ्यांनाच असे अनुभव येत असतील. फक्त आपण फायदा-नुकसानीकडे ह्या द्रुष्टीनी बघत नाही. सगळं गुड/ बॅड लक म्हणून मोकळे होतो.

Day 4 - update

I won't lie. I had my doubts about this for the first three days. I felt down and weak. Small pimples made a short lived visit, but they are clearing out as fast as they came. I was sleepy and groggy most of day 2 and day 3. No workout!!

My detox symptoms were not as bad as most people because I have been vegan for more than 6 months now. Even then, I ate salad every day. Well almost. Green Apple-beet-celery-spinach-kale-carrot-ginger juice was a part of every morning routine.

I made this divine smoothie yesterday. 1/4th cantaloupe + ground flaxseeds + almond milk + 1 medium date. mmmmm... If you think it was high calorie stuff, the answer is it does not matter. Not when you are eating raw 24*7. As it is, getting enough calories on a raw food diet is the challenge, not watching calories :)

At the end of day 3 and since this morning (day 4), I am feeling great! The grogginess is all gone. An hour of cardio has done wonders. I feel more confident this morning than I did same time yesterday.

Raw food challenge day 1

I scoffed at the idea when I read about it a while back. I changed my eating style in a big way in September of 2011. Unrefined plant based foods with absolutely no animal products. Dairy, Eggs, meat. (i have never eaten meat anyway). I lost 20 pounds in this time, even though I was eating junk on weekends. Stuff like samosa, chaat, chips, a cookie sometimes (it has egg I know.), a piece of cake at birthday parties.
But on most weekdays, it was fruit, sometimes oatmeal for breakfast. Huge salad followed by some dal-rice for lunch, steamed vegetables with soup and beans for dinner. I made pizza whenever the craving hit. No cheese, only vegetable pizza with herbs and spices. Yummy.

I guess, it was a natural progression when I started thinking of going raw, at least for a few days.

I started this morning and failed right away. Gobbling up about 7/8 Ritz crackers (low sodium). Just finished up with my breakfast smoothie - spinach, lettuce, 1 banana, 1/4th cantaloupe, ground flaxseed and cinnamon. it was, well, palatable.

I will be doing about 80% raw. It will be hard to last on 100% raw, psychologically that is. I might still eat some rice-dal at lunch, beans at dinner. I will try not to dig in the Ritz box again :) Will update progress every day.

No milk moustache

Here's the thing. I have been dairy-free for 6 months now. No milk, butter, cream, cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, Most Indian desserts, Icecream. Yes, you heard it! IceCream too. Since October of 2011. Never even turned to look at the icecream isle in the supermarket.
I read Dr Joel Fuhrman's 'Eat to live', followed his nutritional approach in principle, straying a lot, but within plant products. One or two instances of eating milk products have not been pleasant. A small serving of kheer (rice pudding made with milk) one day gave me the worst migraine I ever had. It was hard to connect the dots, but another incident sealed in the conclusion. (pretty bad headache after some hot chocolate).

There have been many physiological changes which I will (hopefully) talk about on this blog.

But till then, Yeah! to 6 months free of animal products.

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan

My analysis of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's horoscope. I am not an astrologer. Not an expert by any stretch of imagination. Astrology is a hobby.
For whatever is correct in the analysis, I give full credit to my guru, Milindji (www.astromnc.blogspot.com) Whatever is wrong is all my fault :)

Here It goes.

1. 1994 Miss world title
Guru in Libra over her Sun, Shani in kumbha. 3rd to her moon. The whole miss world thing got her a lot of travels. Plus fame and gains 11th Guru. Moon is in Saggi plus venus is also there. So, guru was 11th not only from moon, but from Venus also, that too in Libra, Venus's own rashi. Over the Sun.
She had Moon-Saturn antardasha. Saturn in 10th in Gemini, Navamansh saturn also in 1oth in makar is sure good. It gives her the ability to work towards her goal at a well-measured, steady pace. Her next saturn antardasha was 2002-2003. (Devdas comes to mind as her grand work during this period.)

2. Next big success for her, directly 1999. HDDCS released in june. Shani and Guru BOTH in Aries. 5th to her moon and venus! Success, awards and ROMANCE :)

At the same time, Aries is 8th from Lagna. Got her into the very famous relationship with Salman, which started well, but took a bad turn later!!

3. 2001-2003 was tough and downhill. 2002 was fine with Devdas released. Guru in Gemini aspecting moon and venus. Along with Shani. Then in 2003, Infamous breakup with Salman, alleged affair with Vivek. Supposedly pushed him to do the infamous press conference. Saturn in Taurus (6th) and then Gemini over her natal saturn, in 10th house, 7th from moon. Guru 8th and powerless. not good for partnerships. Aspecting moon and venus in 4th house.

4.2003 end with shani still in gemini, Guru went 9th in Leo. In 2004, came Bride and Prejudice. Her first international venture.

5. 2004-2006, Ashtam Shani was somehow balanced due to 9,10,11 Guru. She got some good prjects like Raincoat, Shabd, Umrao Jaan. Most different and meaningful work she has ever done. Guru got her all this work, but critical acclaim was withheld. At least from the general public. That was Ashtam Shani making its presence felt. 11th Guru (again passing on her chart sun. Ego boosting.) towards the end of Ashtam shani was when she started dating Abhishek Bachchan.

6. Apr 2007, her wedding. Guru was by this time in Scorpio. 12th to her moon and Venus. Shani was retrogading in Cancer. Ashtam. Its imperative for me to say that this was a very calculated move. I am not a big fan of her, but I would not bash someone just for the sake of it. Guru in Scorpio passing over her Mercury. I would say, Scorpio Mercury is deadlier than Scorpio Moon or Sun. PLus in her case, this mercury has Mars aspect. Manipulation comes naturally to these people. And Guru passing over this Mercury at the time of wedding makes me think this was more a calculated move. Of course, nothing wrong in thinking practically before marrying someone.

7. Now as for the current peiod, Shani in Kanya is 10th to moon. Abhi-Ash has become a brand. May be over-rated. But a brand alright. In fact, Shani went 9th in Jul 2007 immediately after her wedding. Since then she is on a roller coaster ride of fame. Rated one of the top actresses in Bollywood.(justified or not! anyway, top actress is measured by the money they earn rather than acting abilities.) Bachchan last name has only added to the charisma. International face of bollywood. Appearing on Oprah, Martha Stewart etc. Pink Panther 2. Now! here I am not talking about talent as actress. But hey! it does not matter to her as long she is getting good money, fame, and media attention! This kind of frenzy for Aish was absent/ not very noticeable after 2000 (5th Guru). 9th Guru in 2004 got her good projects, but shani was holding back Ego-boosting attention. It came only when Shani entered Leo in Jul 2007.

8. Jun 2011- May 2012 would be another rocking period. We might very well see another HDDCS kind of performance. That time both shani-guru were 5th, This time Shani is 10-11 and Guru is 5th. Though this time possibly she might not get as many awards. Libra Shani will make sure of that.

9. Shani will be in Libra from Dec 2011. After Guru leaves Aries in May 2012, things would gradually get a little tough. Shani is Libra is good for her, 11th from Moon. There would be gains, yes. But it will pass over her Sun, and that would be a tough period socially. Not good for ego. All the Abhi-ash frenzy would slowly come down in 2012-13 and wrap up by 2014. Thats when her sadesati starts. Shani in Scorpio also passing over Mercury. No more manipulations would be possible for her. Whether its people, career, public appearances. Her PR would not do the good job that its doing today. Hype would be termed as hype and not accepted blindly by public. By the time she emerges from sadesati, it would be 2021. After that, she would play roles like what Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini etc. play now. She would be 48 then.
Her career would pretty much be wrapped up by 2014. It makes sense for her to hold on to the family, husband and motherhood when it happens.

10. As for the manglik question lot of people have, the answer is yes. Assuming her birth details I have are right, she sure is Manglik. I don't think its a big issue though, because she married at 34. Late marriage was good for her. The issue here, more than manglik is condition of Venus. It is in mool nakshatra. Plus the 7th lord Jupiter is deb in 5th house. This sure spells trouble for married life. Not necessarily divorce, but difficult married life. deb Guru in 5th house, and the strong Aries Mars is 5th from Moon. These can cause problems with having children. her best chance is when Guru is in Aries in Jun 2011- May 2012.

11. Lastly, Does her chart show acting abilities? IMO No! Venus is not in a good condition, in mool nakshatra. Close to Rahu. 2nd house Libra has the blazing Sun.
Taurus has the Mercury aspect. Its more about PR for her. She is a smart smart woman. She knows how to communicate effectively and use her good looks. Note that She has never said anything remotely controversial when Salman-Vivek-Rani have been burning up the gossip columns. Thats the shrewdness Scorpio Mercury gives you. That too in the 3rd house of communication. 5th house which governs creativity has deb Jupiter. Capricorn sign is far from creativity, but is very ambitious and good for success which is planned, calculated.

Dumb Mommy!!!

As usual, I am busy (?) on the laptop.
The kid shows her palms and says,
Mom What do I have in my hands?
I stop and think. (!)

She says, Come on! It starts with the letter Z.

I say, Zebra!!
(Z for Zebra is all that comes to mind
I wonder who was my KG teacher. She is to be blamed.)

No!!!! Not Zebra. Its a number!!
She is kind enough to give clues and I am dumb enough to not take it seriously.

There is NO number that starts with Z!!!

What are you saying?
There is! ZERO.
I have nothing in my hands!!

Gee...
Why do I have a feeling that this is just the beginning.
Of "smart kid dumb mom" series.

Bored kid... Help!!

Whats with children and "Mom! I am bored"?
Boredom is natural and according to me constructive. Spells of doing nothing for hours. Can help one develop patience, being introspective, even get more creative.
What with the 24 hour cartoon channels, On Demand and the internet, Boredom threshold has sure gone waaaay down.

The kid sets off for school 7:15, comes back 3:35. Has 2 of her favourite programs between 4 to 5. Arthur and Word girl. At 5, she puts off the TV, yells, "I AM BORED"...You JUST put off the TV kid! left thumb still on the TV remote power button....Bored?

And today morning, while I am surfing away, she is watching Spongebob Squarepants. She goes, "I am bored". I am like, "excuse me, i think you are watching Spongebob?" Yes! But its the commercial break!! And I am bored!!

Boo hoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Meteor Shower

As I lie down on the bed and look at the cloudy sky from the bedroom window, I say to hubby:
There's going be a Meteor shower tonight.

He is like, What Shower?

Meteor Shower!!

What is it?

Remember this thing that happened some 8-10 years back? Its like....

WAIT!!! Before you delve into a scientific explanation, just answer one question.

Err.... What?

Is it going to rain?

NO!!!

Then its ok. Coz if it does, I don't want to get up in the middle of the night to close that window.

@#@#@#@#

Clean energy

We get our electricity from this company www.greenmountain.com
You can choose your electricity company and not rely on what's there. Say MSEB. We chose this one.

The electricity bill says something like this each month. Very unique.

Thanks for helping clean the air we breathe! By purchasing Green mountain energy electricity, you have helped avoid the emission of this much CO2, pollution over the past month

KWh Electricity used : 1,316
CO2 emissions avoided (pounds) : 280
Equivalent Automobile miles not driven : 312

Quite something to have on an electricity bill?

nimbooda

There's this small Indian restaurant nearby. They play hindi movies. Were there for breakfast on the morning of July 4. They were playing "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam".
The point where Aish gets married, she is reading the letters from Salman.
One of the letter ends like

Tumhara,
Khatta Nimbooda

Ok.. what I am trying to say? The best part about watching Hindi movies in US, for me, is the English subtitles.
The above part was translated like-

Undersigned

Your's
Tangy Lemon

Passports renewed in a week...yay!

Hubby and kid's passports had to be renewed.
After a month's procastination, I decided to take action. Made hubby fill up the online forms (read: harassed him) and get the printouts. Filled the blank spaces on the form with pen.

Decided to spend 18$ for passport size photos taken at Walgreens. Hubby insisted on taking prints from our digicam photos. But my decision prevailed. The last thing I wanted here was a returned application due to some issue with the photos.

Made out cashier's checks in favor of CGI Houston.

Got a stamp-pad from Office Max for the kid's thumbprint. I am sure she can now sign her initials, but may not be able to reproduce the signature. Thumb print was safer.

Printed out a Change of appearance form...for the kid...infant to child

Bought a set of 2 sized paper clips. organised the documents using small paper clips...eg utility bills together, marriage cert, 'add spouse name' application, my passport photocopy together.....and wrote on the top document what the bunch was for. eg- For addition of spouse name.
Took the small clip bunches together and secured with a large paper clip along with the application, remaining 2 photos(1 affixed on application) and original passport.

Went to the Fedex shipping center where they have a notary. Got all photocopies notarised. For passport copies, only the pages with a picture.

Sent everything to CGI Houston, along with a pre-paid self addressed envelope. It reached them on June 24. I got the new passports today, July 1. In exactly 1 week. I'd like to believe its the organised paperwork I sent, that got the process speeded up. Could be the efficiency of their staff? Yes, lets give them half the credit. :)

And for those of you who are in the process and have bumped into my blog looking for information

Photocopies:

Got 2 copies of my passport, 3 of hubby's and 1 kid's
a copy of my passport each with both their applications, a copy of hubby's passport with both (even his own...wierd i know) and a copy of both their passport for our records.
2 photocopies of both of their I94s and Visa pages. - 1 to be sent and 1 for records
Photocopies of marriage cert and kid's birth cert.

This is what i attached :
For husband
1. 3 passport size photos, including 1 pasted on the form
2. photocopies of first 5 and last 2 pages of passport, I-94, and visa page.
3. Passport application
4. original passport - along with the I-94
5. An application for addition of Spouse name
6. Two utility bills - cable and phone
7. Photocopy of my passport
8. Cashiers check 40$

For daughter
1. 3 passport size photos including 1 pasted on form
2. passport application
3. Original passport along with the I-94
4. Change of appearance form
5. Photocopy of both parent's passport.
6. Cashier's check 25$

home coming

Was on India visit jan of this year. Stayed home for about a week,(remaining time at in-laws place) relished mom's cooking, had dahipuri in Shivkrupa, took my daughter to play in the park at Sagar Vihar, met old friends, And stayed home a lot. :)

Sitting there by the window, watching the chaotic traffic move by, most vehicles with no regard for the environment puffing black poison. Man! how did I never see it before? Was Vashi always so polluted? Was it always so difficult to breathe? Was it always this warm in January? The beautiful scene from the mini-seashore which i saw every evening...why does it look lost in fog? Wait! Is that the pollution? It wasn't there 6 yrs back. Or was it?

Have the roads always been so unsafe? Did I really cross these roads every day in full traffic? Were the drivers always this horribly rash? Little school kids forming a human chain waiting on the sidealk for a chance to cross the road. Was I one of them? Were the stairs in most buildings always this Dungeon dark? When were the buildings last painted? Whats the black soot like thing on every standing structure in the city? They looked so fresh a few years back.

Were my school age photos this yellow right out of the studio? Was our house this small? No, its got smaller over the years I am convinced. Was there so much dust behind the furniture before? When did the Fridge get its beautiful blue paint all chipped off? Did we never have a closed shoe rack? Was the neighbour's conversation always audible in our house? The adjacent building was not this close, looks like its moving closer by the day.

The TV, the dining table, the Fridge were much bigger. Believe me. They have been sheddding weight. The ceiling too was higher before, its caving in. The fans actually made the rooms airy and cool, not go in circles just for the sake of it. Like they do now.

A few years away from there, and how things have changed in my absence. huh.

Finan-sense

We, as a couple are not alike. Quite the case of opposites attract.
Inspite of it, thankfully we vehemently agree on money-issues. And that, is the secret of our happy married life :)

1. We don't head for Calvin Klein, Levi's, Gucci and their kin. (Man! I am having to rack my brains for brand names.) We both are happy to wear what looks good and is fairly priced. No, the factory outlets are no good too.

2. Our car is a means to get us from point A to point B. Without leaving us on the the road midway. As long as it can do that, we are happy.

3. Furniture doesn't have to come from from Ikea. We look for good deals on Craigslist. Heck with so many people moving back to India, its so easy.

4. We lived in California for 2 years and never, i repeat never even thought of seeing Las Vegas. I'd rather not get started on whys of it. Would just quote Liz Pulliam Weston, the famous personal-finance writer.
"A city based on the squandering of wealth really should be allowed to melt back into the desert from which it came."

5. Most movies are not worth spending 15$ per person for ticket and insanely high food prices in their cafeterias. Not to mention the fuel expenses.
We prefer to wait until it comes out on a DVD. Rent it for a dollar. Enjoy it from the comfort of home. Make sure the volume is in control. (And most songs are skipped altogether.)

6. Alcohol and cigarettes is something we both have never fallen for. No estimates on how much we save, don't even know what it costs to be alcoholic. But going by popular opinion, I assume we save there. And have better chance of being healthy grandparents.

7. With all the attention and love I get, I don't feel the need for make-ups and manicures and haircolors and so on.(its afterall for attracting attention, ain't it?) Guys, another money saving trick.

The list can go on, but for now, I'll be frugal with the blogger space and end it here. :)

Foodie talk - 2

Samosa
Deep fried cone pastry filled with potato and peas.

Utthapam
Indian pancake with the topping of Bell pepper, Onions and Tomatoes

GulabJamun
Wheat flour balls dipped in flavored sugar syrup

Rasmalai
Homemade cheese balls with ceamy sweet sauce.

fork

Not the better half of a spoon.
The supposed fork/s in life.
At some point you reach a fork they say.
You can go one way or the other.
The choice makes you who you are.
All the forks you cross
make the life you want for yourself.

How I would like to reach one.
I cannot even see any fork.
The only one direction available
is the one i keep going on
No choices available.
Its all decided for me.

The only choice I have here is
to be happy on the predestined road
Or curse the fate, be unhappy.
What choice do I make you ask?
happy I choose to be
but wait, unhappy at the same time.

Twister scare in Dallas

Quite a day, for someone coming in from California. See my post from jan 08. That storm was really not a big deal. but I apologise for, and rollback my general statements in that post.
Leaving the safe haven of bay area has been an eye-opener.
In Dallas/ north Texas, june 10, there were thunderstorms predicted in the forecast. It was dark since afternoon and all we expected was, Well rain.
By 6PM, they(weather guys) were suddenly talking tornado. By 6:45, the quiet quickly dissipiated. I could hear sirens going off. Didn't know where they came from until a neighbour filled me in. There are poles on all streets, and the fire department starts off the sirens. What they are saying is, "Take shelter immediately" It was pitch dark, rain was sure on its way. TV programs were interrupted to warn us about a probable Tornado. And we were advised to stay indoors and away from windows.

Within 5 min of the siren going off, wind picked up. Up and up. got really scary all of a sudden. Siren and the kid both wailing, hubby at office. Not ideal at all. We had wind gusts upto 80mph i heard later. About 15 min of ferocious wind followed by equally ferocious thunder and lightning. Thunder rumbles like crazy. Someone who has no idea whats happening would pee his pants. God. Even the window panes shake, like they would in an earthquake. We can call this one a skyquake? The rain whacked us for about an hour and then died down.

As if the whole storm scare wasn't enough, later in the evening, there was a Raccoon on our patio (balcony). The pizza box i kept there (to take out to trash dumpster later) was what it came for. I had never seen the animal before, did not know what it was. Thought of calling 911. But it went away.
The thunder and lightning went on through the night. Another funny thing was, when the thunder rumbles reeeaal bad, the cars start panicking. We got up once or twice to check if it was our car. There were 4-5 cars panicking at the same time. There goes the night's sleep. :(

As of today, june 11 morning, no wind gusts. But thunder. lightning. rain still here.
To quote weather channel, The storm is still flexing it muscles over the city of Dallas. :)

Man!! I love these weather guys. Have written about the weather forecast before. Its here
They predict the time and location of the storm and are fairly accurate. The wind gusts started within 5 min of the wailing alarm. You can at least get to a safe area.
Isn't that all we want?

Curious case of LIFE

The Curious case of Benjamin Button

Not a movie, but an insight into how we think about aging, wrinkles, love and life.
If every birthday makes you peer in the mirror looking for crows feet, this movie is for you. It will change the way you think about aging.

The main character Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) is born with wrinkly skin, arthritis, fading eyesight and little hearing. In short, he is born 80 year old. He works his way backwards from there. When he is 10, he meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett). She is 5. They instantly form a special bond. At 17, with the spirit of a teenager and a body of a 65 year old, he leaves home to be a sailor. After being thrown in World War 2 and surviving it, he comes back

To quote Benjamin, "It's a funny thing about comin' home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You'll realize what's changed is YOU."

He is already in love with Daisy. But can never really express it.
She is now a famous dancer in New York, with lot of young men swooning over her.

When he is 49, there is finally, an intersection of body and spirit. Both of a guy in his 40s. Daisy comes back to him, she is 43. Just that one of them is going forward and one backwards.

My favourite dialogue comes in this phase

Daisy : Will you still love me when I am all old and wrinkly?
Benjamin : Will you still love me when I have acne? And i wet my bed? When I am scared of whats under the stairs?

Brad Pitt has played the whole inverted life of Benjamin in a way only he can. He has this southern accent which i am sure he had to work on. He sounds like a true New Orleans guy. Its not easy to do accents and in such natural, believable way.

The curiosity, energy, enthusiasm, spirit, innocence of a 15 yr old boy who has a body of a 65 year old. The poignance, serenity, been-there-done-that look of a 60 year old person who looks like a teenager. Very well done. By Brad and the digital Benjamin for first 50 min of the movie.

A must-watch.

Roger Rocks!!

Saw the French Open match between Roger Federer and Tommy Haas. Saw a few hours later, not live. Did not know it until the match ended. Good! made me stay glued to the TV and not google the result.

What a sportsperson he is!

In the countless encounters between Federer and Nadal, I have always cheered for Nadal. 1. I am the root-for-the-underdog types and 2. I always thought Federer was too full of himself, trophy-churning-robot.

Today's match was really special.
It takes towering character, confidence, composure, not to mention ability and belief in self to come back from 2 sets down to win.
Roger lost first 2 sets, 6-7 5-7. Looked totally out of sorts. I am sure most people had already accepted the idea of French Open sans Nadal and Federer. Readying for a new champion.

But people with a towering character have it in them to come back from the ashes.
Federer came back to win the match, last three sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-3
Thats one thing i like about tennis. Any player can win from any point of the game, unlike cricket.

I remember watching Ramesh krishnan in Davis Cup. Don't remember the year/ opponent. (Was it Ivanisevic?). He was 2 sets down, went ahead to win 2 sets and the rain stopped play during the 5th set which he won the next day.

Of course, winning after being 2 sets down is not unheard of. Still is a great achievement, so much so, that i am writing my first ever Sports post :)

Whether Roger wins the title or no, this perfomance overflowed with tons of grit and character. Kudos to Federer.

Foodie talk 1

A sample read on menu card of an Indian restaurant
Medu wada Sambar:
Lentil DOUGHNUTS deep-fried in Coconut oil and dipped in Sambar- A concoction of lentil soup with spices.

Chitale bakarwadi:
Crispy tasty Spring roll to jazz up your coffee or tea time.

Mix chiwda:
Mixture of roasted nuts with beaten rice and gram flour balls

To be continued when some such stuff catches my eye......