Isn't it beautiful?

Brooklyn bridge, NewYork.
Photo by Param using Canon Powershot A80.

வெட்டி செய்தி

போன வாரம் நான் officeku late.நொந்துகிட்டே உள்ளே நுழைஞ்சேன்.உள்ளே நுழைஞ்சக்கபறம் தான் எதையோ விட்டுட்டு வந்துட்டேனு தெரிஞ்சுது.. என்னோட Laptop தான்..அப்பறம் என்ன என்னோட Hero sir அன்னைக்குப்பார்த்து working from home, so உடனே நம்ம heroine (அட அது நான் தான்) call பண்ணவுடன் கொடுத்துட்டு போனார். ..வாழ்க்கையில் இதுலாம் சகஜமப்பா!!!

Oo la la I finished it

I finished the 5 mile (8 Km) holiday run at Central Park, NY in 1 hr and 14 minutes. The entire event was a great experience from me. Me and Param woke up at 5:30 AM on Saturday morning with the help of 3 alarms :-) We caught the 6:55 AM bus to NY City. I was looking for all excuses I can use if I could not complete the 5 Mile run :)

We reached the NYRR.org office at 8 AM and collected our bib (number), participant tshirt, and timing chip and waited for Myriam & her parents (55, 60 yr old) to join us. It was 45 deg F and quite windy making it a chilly winter morning @ central park (race venue). But it was a fantastic morning with bright sun. Soon everybody joined us as we walked towards the race start after attaching the timing chip to our shoes.

I was surprised to see the 6000 odd people ready to run near the start line ranging from 6- 70 year olds. The race started at 9:35 AM and we started running. Myriam (my team lead) and Param were running alongside me. The first mile was cheerful with thousands of people running along with you. I even saw a couple running with the husband pushing their baby stroller with large wheels (i will call that a jogging baby-strolley).

All of them inspired me to keep going. I am not a runner before this run, so completing 5 miles by itself is a big task for me. My team lead & Param encouraged me throughout the race to keep going. After completing mile 1 in 20 min, I was desperately looking for mile 2 which came at 33 min as there was lesser crowd running alongside. Then we reached mile 3 in 45 min and I was desperately gasping for more air. The pain on my rib cage (probably my lungs sending me signals to catch more air) kept increasing right after mile 1 and was near its peak at mile 3. I couldn't go further and decided to walk for 30 seconds after reaching mile 3. Mile 3 came after an upgrade (slope) and I was glad I reached mile 3. After my 30 sec speed walk, I again started running towards mile 4 and I reached there at 60 min. Now both my legs and ribcage were complaining. Param & Myriam were still running besides me and told me that we were almost there. I kept going towards mile 5 asking them every 2min whether we were there at the finish line :-) But the feeling after completing the race is nothing short of delightful :-) It is interesting to note that around 5000 people finished the race. Here is how I did in the run. I now know I can do better and still a long way to go before I can run a marathon ;-)

After completing the run, we started looking for Myriam's parents who we thought might have aborted the run halfway. But I was stunned to see them walking towards the finish line at 1:40 min. Myriam ran towards them and joined them to again head back towards the finish line. She must have been really proud and happy to see her parents finishing the 5 mile.

Overall its a great experience. Me & Param headed towards home and our legs were really sore. We took rest the whole of saturday and here we are on Sunday wondering whether we should go for a jog in the park. I for one sure wish to keep going.

And now I can proudly tell my kids (in future) that I once ran 5 mile in Central Park.

How to run a marathon in 4 weeks?!

Well thats what I am trying to find.

Just at the blink of an eye , I decided to run one of those marathon (originally 4 miles) races in NY city (organized by NYRR.org). I know it is a big hurdle for me to cross...My husband seeing my enthu told he also wanted to do it..

To start with, we ran to a park which was 1 mile from our home..I could not even run few blocks from my house...That was the day I realized that I am not really very fit compared to the thousands of those who will run this marathon. . I decided to work on it.

On the week following my first outing, I started jogging slowly and I took 4 breaks during my run of 2 miles. My husband was doing those miles without much effort compared to me.
But the good news is now I can run 2 miles..

So what? I thought I would run 2 miles and walk the other 2miles of the race :-)

This week an email came from the NYRR announcing that they changed the race distance to 5 miles ! Oh my god, I donno how I am going to do that.

My husband came up with a chart. Increase 0.25 miles to the distance I run everyday till 1st dec. Either I walk or run, I need to do it.

So thats a commitment I am making to myself. Hope I can do it.

Guessed it almost right

I have the “Mouna raagam” theme song as my ring tone..One of my colleagues told me that he liked the tune a lot and he asked me if it is from 80's, autumn season and is it about a melodramatic scene in a movie. The interesting part is he is a a French nationale who hasn't seen mouna raagam.

Under the Tuscan Sun

I recently watched this movie.A very nice but very slow movie. No big heroes, No catchy story line, but very nice performance of all artists in the film.The heroine after a bitter divorce would go on a tour of Italy, gets fascinated by a house in Italy, buys it and renovates it and her life also gets better. A simple story well enacted. The picturesque town in Italy was shown beautifully.

After seeing the movie and also after hearing the stories from my lead about France,I would love to see these countries soon.

From Shanthi

Hello ppl,
This is Shanthi @ Loga's blog... For people who donno me - I am Loga's friend. We were working together when she was in India. I have come for a vacation to US. And right now I am in Loga's place.

I had some sort of thoughts in my mind like - how is it going to be in her place. I don't know Param much and it is not easy for me to get along with guys easily. Also i don't feel comfortable staying with these couples.

But right from day one things have been different. Param came to pick me up as Loga didn't get a ride from her office. Wasn't i disappointed that Loga didn't come to airport ? But I decided that I should talk well to Param.We had a good chat and i should admit that I just hate the ppl at his office - they expect the onsite co-ordinator to be available in all throughout the day in all the time zones ?

I didn't eat well when I was in Ohio in the previous week. When we reached home there was kind of a surprise.... Loga was making Veggie puffs ! Then there was this veggie paratha and then Panneer butter (or cream ; ) ) masala (?). Hey it was awesome (still in ohio shanthi?).
I generally avoid heavy dinners (naangallaam paal choru chakarai pottu saapdra kudumbam u see :D )

We talked non-stop (naan thoonga poganumnu sonnaenaa paathukongalaen - naandhaan paesa
yaaraavadhu kidaichaa aruthu thalliruvaeney!!) We talked so much !! (not much gossip u see). But was amazed hearing her ask abt some not so important ppl (enakku appodhaan appadiellaam sila paer officela irukkaanganney thonuchu!)

The next days plan was for New York. The dressing up for the fashion city (nagallaam pant pottu palakkam illaadhavanga u see!), bus travel, ilangai dosai (ofcourse - the dosi podravar and her meesai - when all the guys i know took of their mush - this man was straight saying (without words) that we are from asian country u see), the caricatures etc etc...

I will not forget the taxis in New york.

Loga don't worry that we missed Statue of Liberty and twin towers (seri seri sollamaley irundhurukkalaamla naan unakku nyabagam paduthuradhukku badhilaa ?).We are going for sure to both the places and a real New york sky ride (in a chopper) and the famous lion king show (enga managerkku puriyanum that shanthi deserves to earn in dollars and spend in dollarsnu!)

I did get a lot of comfortness and talked out my heart and really felt at home !!!

The cooking I did for her (and the cooking i missed to do for her), the TV shows i saw (and the DVDs i missed to see), the juices i drank (and the water i avoided drinking and drank atlast and abt to get cold!)... hey theres lot more to stay. Let me stop here.

Illai illai one last thing - Ennoda samayal eppadinnu comment adi Loga....
And i am so happy that u guys are really doing gr8 here : )))))))))))))))))))

Love,
Shanthi.

After a break

After a 2 months break, I am back.
I did not mean to take a break for this long, but something or the other was coming up and I did not have interest to write it ...
How did the last 2 months go...Not so good, Not so bad...Celebrated my first year anniversary, Played soft ball for the first time ,Lost 5 Kgs, My friend came to visit me,Diwali went on fine,tried to do Mysore bagu and thanks to this recipe at right time, I did Ribbon pakoda ..
But now, I am planning to write regularly and Here i come ...
Ciao

Bharatanatyam

One of my passions in life is dance....esp Bharatanatyam..

In my 4th std, one fine day I told my Dad I wanted to study Bharatanatyam. He took me to Kalai Kaveri, the school for cultural arts at Trichy...

I have felt and still feel its one of the few places where I feel happy just being there. It is a big campus with trees all around . You can hear music everywhere and see students dancing. Class rooms designed like huts,love birds, students playing veena and miruthangam, a small lovely chapel inside... much different than a regular black board, rows of benches classrooms.

Apart from dance, punctuality and orderliness were given great importance by teachers. I learnt a whole lot of manners from this school. I craved for Sunday classes where we used to dance under trees and recited slogams....

I studied there for 4 years and though this art could not be learnt in 4 years, I learnt the basics thoroughly...And every day I spent in the school was wonderful ...Every day in the class, we learnt dance with utmost devotion..

One of the fond memories of these days was with my mom. She used to wait for me with my dance uniform and snacks at the dance school everyday while I had to finish my regular school classes and rush for my evening dance classes. We did this five days a week for 4 years and we used to always have this mother-daughter talk while returning back...Just chatting with her all the way back is wonderful if I think about it now.

But after leaving trichy I did not get a chance to continue my quest with Bharatanatyam as I got caught into the higher classes rat-race. Dance slipped out of my routine just like that and would resurface only few days a year in the form of college hostel day parties, office parties etc - not bharathanatyam ;-) Now I am thinking about getting back on my quest for dance.

இப்பயாவது நியாபகம் வந்துச்சே?

Sometimes I feel strange when people react like this "இப்பயாவது நியாபகம் வந்துச்சே?"...This is one of the questions I often encounter when I call my relatives after a long time...Its only a matter of time who asks the question first...Even I can ask the same..Atleast I did call them...Why can't they simply be happy that somebody takes pain to call them?

I always try to maintain relationships, but once in a while when I don't do it, people open their mouth just to find fault in us...A week back when I and my relative had a long conversation, He also felt the same....He was jus telling"Why the hell people find fault in others when we take pains to meet everybody in family gatherings?..I often feel "Not attend the function and jus get a bad name" is far better than "going to functions and still getting hurt"..Only then I understood Its not me but others in my family feel the same, though none of us have the courage to open up even among family members...How strange ??
This conversation made me again realize that "None of us is perfect" and we just have to get along!!

Tagged

All about me :)

I am thinking of whether to switch on the air cooler or not

I said I would nag less and am trying it

I want to be more bolder

I wish I could remember different software versions of phones in market

I miss bhel puri from Adyar ananda bhavan

I hear sound of chimes

I wonder if I write atleast above average

I regret when I hurt somebody

I am more talkative than Param

I dance with my friends

I sing horribly

I cry when someone is harsh to me

I write silly nothings

I confuse right and left turns while driving reverse

I need a coffee right now

I should learn german soon

I finish by saying "OK What to post next?"

July Weekend

Day 1
Raga/ Manju had reached NJ . We had Pongal for b.fast and after a hr ride in bus, we reached Battery Park to take the ferry to Statue of Liberty..engum parthalum kootamm....naamaa kutchi iceii kaila vaichutu....angey ingey parthuturuntha ..intha kodumayana aasai vanthuchu...enna athunu kekkringala?...ithuthaaann


aprama oru valiya, we were at the island to see the lady liberty.... ....

When we returned from Statue of Liberty Island, we walked thru Wall St.,and the next place of interest was the Empire state building.......It was like 4th or 5th time for Param as guide...So now at the top of 86th floor, seeing the city again....Now it comes நம்ம ஊரு kadi, There was picture comparing the heights of various tall buildings, and a person was saying ..."நான் effel tower building la ஏறிருக்கேன், cn tower buildingla ஏறிருக்கேன்..இன்னும் ஒன்னு தான் மிச்சம்" and I was so mean and Ithought of telling"naan effel tower buildinglarunthu oru aalai thaliruken, naan cn towerlarunthu thaali irukken,ippo enna panalamnu" ..aana vantha oorla adivanga vendamenu vituten
We were hungry..so our next stop was saravana bhavan, bayangra kootam, we waited for another 45 mts, here comes the biggest sothappal, the waiter forgot my order , and when we re-ordered , he recommended us to rather cancel it owing to crowd and a possible wait time of 1/2 hr....It was really very bad of them to act this way....


So Whats next?...the place everybdoy likes to go if they are in NY..None other than Times square....So after roaming @ times square, its time to return back to home for the next day trip to Niagra....But, enga sothanaikku bus was 2.5 hours late....
Day-2
We headed towards Nigara...It was a 7hr drive...So after taking few breaks , We were at the city of mists - Niagra....So after having not-so-good-food throughout the day, we were at Kohinoor Indian restaurant..Believe me ppl, the food was so-so and service was the worst....
Pushing all these things away, we walked towards the falls...We were at the perfect time to see the fireworks...But namma luck eppadi ...appathhan malai chonu paiyya arambichuruchu....so we were not able to enjoi it....
Day-3

We were brisk and first stop was Maid of Mist...I was excited to the core...We were at the deck in the corner and got to view the falls up close..We were fully drenched (even with a rain poncho)...and I was visibily excited :-)


Next we decided to do a helicopter ride around the falls..It was a long walk and a pleasant day and we were ready for our first helicopter ride..We the rookies, flew around and over the falls, the view was simply awesome....I thought, they would take more closer to falls,but weren't ...konjam disappontment, but stilll happy

The next one was the Cave of Winds....We got the tickets and after a long queue for around 1 hour, we took the elevator to the base of the falls...Once we reached the base, we walked along the tunnel and reached outside to the base of the falls. It was a breath taking view as if water is falling from sky. Got drenched again, but enjoied every drop...



And Worth to mention, was Indian stalls everywhere...Jus Like eatouts at Streets, Lot of Indian stalls...So after having lunch at one of the stalls- Hear the menu- Dahi Puri, Pav Bhajji, Tomato and Peas oothappam, Chilly Oothappam, Masala dosai, Dosai.....
With revived enthu after lunch, we headed towards the most thrilling part of the tour-Jet boat ride along rapids....Its a class-5 rapid(class-1 being the lowest risk and class-6 being the most dangerous)..After having a security briefing and signing a disclaimer form, we were all set with life vests and rubber boots. When the jet boat started the instructor asked us to wear the seatbelt . We were all looking for it, but Oh man, there was no seat belt....



And the ride started taking a 360 degree turn ..and we were towards the Devil's hole....We went across the rapids four to five times, jet boat cutting through the rapids and pumping all water on us.Oh man that was the most thrilling thing I have ever done in my life !!! So after this adventorous sail, we were back to Goat Island (Terrapin Point) at Niagra falls to view the huge Horse Shoe falls. To our luck there were 2 fireworks (15 min each) and we were right on time to enjoy them.

Day-4 We started back to our home This is one of my memorable trips in life :)

Life

Time is 6:40..Bright outside..Trees moving in wind...Nice breeze out..Sky is clear and bright...Windows open....DPH song playing...Sinkla vessels-calling-me-to-clean-them(I don't want to do it now)....Enjoiing thanimai....Life is beautiful !!

Your beautiful moments please....

Tagged - 10 things I miss of Mom’s cooking Meme

I was tagged by Shankari chithi and here it goes

1. Aaavi parakkkum Idli and milagai podi- My mom is known for her soft idlis..

2. Chappati and side dish- The chappatis made by her is so soft .......Yummy ...

3.Bhel puri.

4. Aapam and thengai paal

5. Butter biscuit in different shapes like star, round, half moon....

6.Poli- Every diwali, she used to make it....Its like a favourite of everybody at home and also our neighbours.

7.Sodhi and potato fry.

8.thaalicha moor- When she has no mood to cook, she used to do this...

9. Ribbon pakoda...

10.maangai thokku

The list will go on...but lemme stop it.....I m feeling hungry now...oooh, I need to cook.....

ஜோசியம் பார்க்கலையோ ஜோசியம்!!!

ராசி பலன் எனக்கு பிடிச்ச topic....
சின்ன வயசுல தினமும் காலையில் calendarla, my favourite hobby would be reading my ராசி பலன்....
இது எல்லாம் போதாதா நமக்கு, beach போகும் போது கை ஜோசியம் வேற...உருப்படவே இல்லை

கோவில் போனால் கிளி ஜோசியம் வேற.....

23 வருடங்கலாக ஒரு ராசியை பார்த்து வந்தால் அப்ப தான் வந்துசு இந்த ஆப்பு ....இவ்வளவு நாளாக பார்த்து வந்த ராசி நம்ம ராசியே இல்லை...So Its been predicted wrongly by one of my grandfathers. And all these days I (no my whole family) has been seeing a wrong sign and correlating my life with it

But still, நான் திருந்தலை..now I started looking for my zodiac signs...Gemini

Though my brain warns me "Don't do it", my heart sometimes pursues the other way....Atleast I dont take too seriously nowadays...Guess Old habits die hard

Jus a thought

Is it delicious food?
Is it movies/tv?
Is it chatting with friends?
Is it spending time with family?
Is it going on a picnic?
Is it getting a compliment about cooking/about work?

So Looks like all the above makes me happy :)
Most of them is about environment and people.

But Can we be happy by ourselves, without the environment and people?

Taste of India

I had always looked for Amul's banner whenever I roam around at Panagal Park, The quotes would be more-appropriate-to-hottopic-of-India, but today when I was browsing, I found this ...Added to My Favourites :)

Turning Twenty-Six !!!

One more year come and gone. Happy Birthday to me :)

No parties@ office, No boquets from dear friends, No kesari from amma, No hand made cards from my sis, No vibudhi blessings from appa...This year, It was calm, but more fun when friends and relatives wish from different time zones of the world and a special person getting a beautiful cake :)

Tada My latest possession or rather gift is this black beauty!!



So, farewell to 25 and a fresh start !!!

Memorial Day Weekend

This long weekend, We planned to travel to Washington D.C.. (One of my colleague commented "D.C" stands for "Don't Come" :-D).. Saturday, we started off at 8:30 AM after having a strong coffee... We visited Baltimore's national aquarium first after parking the car at a multi-storey garage.

உள்ளே போனால்...அவ்வளவு கூட்டம்...அவ்வளவு மக்கள்...திருவிழா கூட்டம் போல இருந்துச்சு...அதை விட, நான் நிறைய இந்திய மக்கள் பார்தேன்....guess everybody is enjoiing the weekend..

I saw a lot of variety of fishes....Stingray, shark, peacock fish, yellow fish



And suddenly I saw a big crowd swarming a tank....I was also curious...It was none other than our Nemo fish (clown anemone fish). I have seen it in "Finding Nemo" - it was beautiful.
On the entrance to the aquarium, I read the following "If there is anything called magic that exists, its underneath water", that's true..So many colours :)


I liked the below photo on the walls of the aquarium.



Then we went to the most exciting part of the aquarium -Dolphin show ..But this time, our camera batteries went dead. It is sad we could not catch it in our cameras. It was too good, Dolphins going past the ring, playing with balls, dancing, whistling...It was a good show :)

So after the show and having a not so tasty lunch , We came out and decided to ride a boat on the small lake..We had our life vests on and then rode the electric boad for around 40 minutes in the bay....ஆசை மட்டும் இருந்துச்சு, ஆனா ஓட்டும் போது, எனக்கு பயம் மட்டும் தான் இருந்துச்சுசுசுசுசுசுசுசு :)

Then after a hour drive took us to Washington D.C., ...Citykulley nulainchavudan, after driving driving for around 40 minutes, we found a parking lot :( It was 7 pm and immediately we refereshed and stepped into a tour bus for 'After Dark Washington Tour'. So we saw lots of places from bus at night, all lit up...Lot of monuments and memorials (Lincoln, Washington, Jeffferson) throughout the city and other memorials to commemorate World war-II, Vietnam war, Korean war etc.. Sure this city is all about memorials, museums and buildings.

I saw Washington monument, Lincoln memorial, World war-II memorial..The best part about all these buildings were they were all in a straight line and a pool in between all these building to show the reflections of the buildings


The next day, after having a breakfast at McD, We jus decided to walk around all places, This time we had our new batteries, So we went clicking all the way :) We saw the White house from outside the gates....



And after walking around all the memorials, we decided to go to the famous group of museums- Smithsonian museum. We decided to visit space museum first, where we saw an IMAX film -Roving Mars. An excellent 40 minutes film, that tells about NASA efforts to send robot to Mars to confirm whether there was water and proof of earlier life in Mars.




But after a quick lunch we were quite tired of walking around the entire day and decided it is time to return back home. And here comes another highlight of the tour !! I drove on freeway for 160 km (approx 1.5 hrs). Quite exciting for me :-)

Overall it was a peaceful unplanned trip, we did not visit many places, but enjoyed it our way :-)

This is how I am not a doctor.

Caste Reservations for College seats!! I have read so many posts regarding this and wanted to share my experience with it.

When I was in my 12th...Though I managed to get not-so-excellent-but-good-scores at 12th, I did not get a medical seat..I lost my medicine seat because my cut-off was less than 1% from the required. On the other hand, few classmates who were having 6 to 7% less than mine were able to get medicine seats because they were reserved for them!! Our medical board (as though they were going to give seats to all qualified) conducted a counseling to 1,00,000 students when they had only 1000 empty seats. Was it logical? I also attended the counseling and was given waiting number 111 (nammam thaan!!!)

I heard Ambedkar recommended reservation for 10-15 years. But it seems to be around for much more than that ! I have seen some of my friends who have taken advantages of these reservations, They would be Christians , but as per government records they would be maintaining their Hindu caste so that they can enjoy reservations!!!

Let the people who need assistance be given financial support for studies even in school level, but I feel they should compete with everybody and win their seats.These are changes I sincerely hope should happen so that my children also do not crib about reservations later !!!

The birthday cake :)

I saw this recipe on Pushpa's blog...and wanted to try this !!
I learnt my lesson ...As an immature cook, I should not have tried baking!!

Few things..illai major things which I missed out
I did not use bread flour, instead used all purpose flour ..donno the difference
The amount of strawberries and flour quantity were not proportionate.
I used less quantity of sugar and it was not so yummy

Instead of coming out like this

Pic courtesy: Pushpa's blog

My cake was like this

I'll not try again atleast in near future !!
P.S. This was a gift to P for his birthday and so made some modifications.
His thoughts were "Enna kodumai ithu , athuvum birthday annaikuuuu"

This weekend........

This weekend watched The Davinci code..Ok I am not going to write a review ...
Went on Friday , but all tickets were sold out..There was a group of youngsters protesting the film...I was doubtful whether I should see the movie..But still,aasai yaaarai vittuchu, the next day, we booked tickets in advance,went for the film without any expectation

Probably I should have read the book and then watched it..Though I could enjoy the film, I could not follow the story well....

On the contrary when I was discussing about the film with my colleague today , he told me its not like book, portraying historic details...Another colleague of mine told me that the French accent of Sophie is too good...I was not able to appreciate it, but she could,being a French

But on the whole Its a nice film to watch and One Film would not change any religious beliefs...

What happened?

Its been few days since I did not blog..Random things going on in my life...

I did not like the new apartment in the beginning, but now I feel its pretty good and comfortable..Guess I did not like the change initially!!...There is a beautiful landscape out and Its a beautiful sight from the window
~~~~~~
I like my job too..I was very apprehensive earlier about how am I going to work at office.But Its not that bad as I feared. I am picking up the pace, though maybe I am the boring girl in the team of people with varied interests like mountaineering, opera watching, playing in bands, playing soccer...
~~~~~~
Learnt few words in German
~~~~~~
Tried to join a dance class, but could not ..."No dance classes in weekends for adults !!!"... Oops I am a grownup :)
~~~~~
Found a wonderful Indian restaurant near by ...
~~~~~
I was konjam upset about the split of LokParitran...I did not want this to happen!!
~~~~~~
I am looking forward to watch Davinci code, Over the hedge,Vettaiyadu vilaiyadu (long time wait)

Coffee with Honey

Daily at cafeteria, I see a person who adds honey instead of sugar to coffee ...Have you ever seen somebody else having this combo? I wonder how it would taste...

Sad Melody

Last Night, I was hearing this song...My mom likes this song so much and its always one of her favorites .....She has sung this song umpteen times that I started liking it....

Shot around 43 years back..But still One of the best songs of Susheela

கண்ணா கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே

கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே
கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே
உன்னை மறுப்பாரில்லை
கண்டு வெறுப்பாரில்லை
என்னைக் கண்டாலும் பொறுப்பாரில்லை

கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே

மனம் பார்க்க மறுப்போர் முன் படைத்தாய் கண்ணா
நிறம் பார்த்து வெறுப்போர் முன் கொடுத்தாய் கண்ணா
மனம் பார்க்க மறுப்போர் முன் படைத்தாய் கண்ணா
நிறம் பார்த்து வெறுப்போர் முன் கொடுத்தாய் கண்ணா
இனம் பார்த்து எனைச் சேர்க்க மறந்தாய் கண்ணா
நல்ல இடம் பார்த்து சிலையாக அமர்ந்தாய் கண்ணா

கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே

பொன்னான மனம் ஒன்று தந்தாய் கண்ணா
அதில் பூப் போன்ற நினைவொன்று வைத்தாய் கண்ணா
பொன்னான மனம் ஒன்று தந்தாய் கண்ணா
அதில் பூப் போன்ற நினைவொன்று வைத்தாய் கண்ணா
கண் பார்க்க முடியாமல் மறைத்தாய் கண்ணா
எந்தக் கடன் தீர்க்க என்னை நீ படைத்தாய் கண்ணா

கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே
உன்னை மறுப்பாரில்லை
கண்டு வெறுப்பாரில்லை
என்னைக் கண்டாலும் பொறுப்பாரில்லை

கண்ணா .. கருமை நிறக் கண்ணா
உன்னைக் காணாத கண் இல்லையே

Lyrics:Susheela.org

Always idle ;)

Somehow Google talk knows about me.
Whatever status I change it prefers to always show me as "Idle" !!!

How could I ...?

Everybody likes their birthdays to be remembered and everyone likes the peron who remembers it.I was one among them, always liked by my friends.

Then this unacceptable thing happened ..I failed to wish my best friend B on her birthday…

It don't usually get in term with excuses a friend gives when they don't wish on birthdays. I just can’t bear it. I always feel that we are not too busy to mail a single line to a friend on their special day.

But *pooh* I have done the same mistake. In the confusion of shifting my house, I forgot to wish her on her birthday…I really feel very guilty

I am at the other side, of asking excuses..But I swear not to do it again!!

Moving

Of all the ho-hum works in life, One among the top-10 is moving...Its really boring to pack everything into boxes, unpack again, settle down...Of course, lesser the luggage,lesser the work..But athu ennaikku nammakku theriya poguthu...vangum pothu naalla thaaan irukkku!!!

Even during my school days, as my father worked in bank, we used to move once in every 5 years...My parents did the whole job, I used to be just excited that we are moving to new home...Next when I moved to college, my whole family packed for me...right from bucket to slippers, they got it, packed it..And every year in 4 years, we need to shift rooms and so we need to pack our items...But its all sweat free work...

But now, its the first time, I am going to do it...To start with, I have packed our clothes...Anyhow Saturday is the D-day...And No internet access from tomorrow until next Tuesday...So no updates until then...

On a different note, One of my friends is getting married and I am going to miss the fun too...
Congratulation buddies!! One more wicket down in our group!!

First Time tagged :)

For the first time I have been tagged....by hastobeme.... So here it goes from a sincere student....

Name 10 of life's simple pleasures that you like the most and then pick 10 people to do thesame (optional). Try to be original and creative and no to use the things someone else has already used.Here they go.......

1. Whenver I am appreciated by people, for small things that I notice and do for them .

2. Whenver I eat dairy milk (especially when I am depressed).

3.Get a reply for my mail from friends...especially from friends who check mails once in blue moon

4. When somebody tells I have reduced my weight ...(It happens only once in a while :))

5. Switch On the TV when there is a favourite movie/song of mine is being telecasted..(which I did not know earlier)

6. Whenver I did projects for my sis, it made me happy...After completing the project , I would be like a godmother for her..I still remember the day I did biology projects for her..:)

7. To wipe the dust..I jus like it when it gets wiped out....

8. See a girl driving a hummer/SUV...

9 . Whenever I get a coffee in morning...I jus don't like to make coffee for myself immediately after getting out of my bed...so Weekends, Its always my husband's turn to make coffee.

10. Have bajji/samosa and hot indian coffee while its raining outside.

I am not picking up 10 persons..Whoever feels like, please feel free to write..
I would write the second tag soon...

Photo of the week

Saw this buddy on my way to office!!! Clicked him :)

Conversation-1

On the first day when I met my manager,

M: Did somebody hit you on your head?
Me:(had a blank face, didn't know what he meant)....hmmm....what?
M: You have something red on your forehead....I thought ur team mates hit you on ur first day? ....
Me: ?!!?!!!

By the way he meant the kumkum in my forehead.....

These people do have nice sense of humor, but Gosh, I donno how to react to these statements.....

P.S. On a different topic, My posts have crossed 50...test batsman mathiri ninnu ninnu runs eduthutu irukken :)

New year resolutions

With Tamil new year coming up, I have been thinking of resolutions to follow..Ok here it goes...

Try to be an early riser...As I have said earlier, I am a night bird, This is a habit I am trying to inculcate in me since long time, but again I would add it to my list

Try to be more organized...Though I try to finish things at time, I don't do it in an orderly way...One of my friends has been a source of inspiration to me for being more organized..He is an epitome of perfection!!!

Help CRY...Actively participate rather than donate...I have been reading about CRY recently a lot and I would like to be a part of it!!!

Try to write my expenses in a notebook or probably in excel!!!!...I have not maintained an expenses account at all, but I feel I need to start it sooner....

Possibily try to grow few indoor plants!!

Would give up chocolates(I know I am not eating a lot nowadays but still)....this is surely on my to-do list always

Would try to be more patient and to nag less!!!(One of my worst qualities)

Though the list is quite lengthy, I am going to follow it ...

Early bird Or Night bird ?

"Early to bed and early to rise
makes Jack healthy, wealthy & wise"

This is what my father used to say in the mornings when I refused to get up from the bed.
I always like to work/study at nights.I can stay awake until 3 am, but If I need to get up at 3 am , its the most irritating activity for me.Though I love the slight chillinesss of mornings , I love the morning sleep more..kaalaiyil poorvaikkuL thungkuRa sugam irukkee...koodi koduththaalum kidaikkaathu...

I used to be always a night owl during school and college...study when everybody is sleeping. The deep silence of night is also wonderful time to study, but my father used to say the productivity is more during early hours, U can study fast.I used to set alarms at night like the father's girl, Goddamn I hate them when they scream ,breaking the silence of mornings.I used to hit the snooze button hard and me back to my sleep.This would continue the next day also...Old habits die hard, isnt it ...thats the exact justification I used to give!!!

Are u all early riser or night bird?

Countdown begins

My days in this house will come to an end in few more weeks or so...By end of April/May I would be moving to new house...Its a good bye to the beautiful garden apartments,its a good bye to the old couple who stays near my house,its a good bye to carefree lifestyle !!!..So as everything is coming on the way, I or rather Param should make arrangements now to disconnect and pay final bills for electricity, cable ,phone and arrange for connections on the other hand.

On the other hand, after 6 months break(these 6 months have been quite positive for me though boring at times, I have learnt few things like cooking, housekeeping..donno if I would have shown the same interest to learn, had I not taken a break), I am going to join the new job, new place, new faces and I am quite anxious about how things are going to shape...

Fools day- I have my own reason to celebrate

Time has really really flown in the last one year...Its exactly 1 whole year since I and Param met...Last year, same day I met him for the first time. Ours was a typical arranged marriage and he came to "see" me :-D. Now he has to see me everyday whether he wants to or not :-D. He answered all the questions from my relatives and I was sitting next to my father, quite in a blank mood, Everything went on well and He said Yes..My father asked me if I was OK with the proposal, but I was stumped, I didn't know whether to say Yes or No..Something inside my heart said Yes and I said Yes...(though i really did not know what I wanted at that time) ...And then we started a relationship which is getting better by days...

My japanese name

My Japanese Name Is...

Dai Gojo

What's your Japanese Name?

சுத்தி சுத்தி வந்தேங்க !!!!

We started looking out for houses to change....நம்ம ஊர்ல நாலு பேர்கிட்ட சொல்லுவோம், புரொக்கர்கிட்ட சொல்லுவோம், வீடு காலியாருந்தால் போய் பார்போம், முடிச்சிடுவோம்...
இங்கே இவங்க பண்ற ரௌசு இருக்கே...அடடா தாங்கமுடியலை.....முதலை webla தேடனுமாம்..அப்புறம் phone பன்னனுமாம், rental office manager கிட்டே பேசனும்...then he gives us an appointment...oh, ok appointment கொடுத்துடாரு, அப்படினா வீடு இருக்குனு நினைச்சிடு போன்னா jus he tells us about the apartments and then he tells us that we are in waiting list....எனக்கு காதுலருந்து புகையா வருது, போடா டோய் சொல்லலாம்னு நினைச்சேன் ..சில apartments அதை விட மோசம்,we are having it free, but we can allow only after a month, எதுக்குனு கேட்டா paint அடிக்க 1 மாசாமாகும்னு சொல்றாங்க....ஒய்ய் என்னங்கடா ஒரே அலும்பா இருக்கு...தாங்கலை டா சாமி....

Lovely Gift

Casa Loma-This is a home built on a hill by a romantic, Henry Pellatt for his lady love Mary Pellatt.It took around 3 years to complete for him, but unfortunately they spent less than 10 years at this house....

A beautiful gift for her from him indeed !!!

Down the memory lane

Back to Hostel days... In our first year of college life, We around 5 members shared a room...nallaa aatam pottom....ellorukum puthusu hostel life... The first lesson we learnt was "Don't be afraid of any insects"... engey hostellaa per solla theriyadha ella vagai insectum parthurokkom...And not to mention, if it starts raining, our friends frogs would also share our room... As usual annaiku, it was raining, and We were late for the Workshop class..So we need to wear shoes..One of my room mates while wearing the shoes, did not check it ....I locked the room and we were out..She felt something crawling inside her shoes... She jus took her shoes out and our friend froggie jus hopped out....and orey kathuuuu.... athulernthu, we always check our shoes, and she was always teased as frog's princess

Watchful eating?

Coffee
Mango Maui
Cake
Veggie burger
Coke
Cafe Latte
Double choclate chip frappucino
Dulce de liche icecream
Swiss roll (dessert)
And finally sumptuous curd rice thalichified with ginger,chilli,onion,cashews,Cilantro leaves prepared by Param...

Nothing but , My Diet for the Day :)....Oh God, where is it going ?

By the way , check this out

பாட்டி: என்னம்மா ரொம்ப நாளா இந்த பக்கம் காணோம்?
லைலா: நீங்க இருக்கும்போது நான் எதுக்கு....கோலிவுட்கு...

Nameless relationships

I was just wondering about few nameless relationships we do have around us.

The doctors we meet, whom we don't know in person,still we trust them.Few others to mention were the cashier at grocery stores, the tailor of ours, the newspaper boy who starts our morning, the security officer at office.

These relations do not have any names , they play a small part in our life, yet they are around us in our day to day life. More courteousness would be making our life more complete, isn't it?

Hostel days

Flashback to few years ago, this was the time I started living by myself...Those were my pleasant hostel days. I always have a very special softcorner for those days.

It happened during my second year study holidays. Most of the hostel rooms were empty, but we were at hostels to study (nambungapppa). We were at second floor. After a great (?!!?) dinner at mess, when we started studying, Our friends at third floor dropped a lit-candle from their windows. They were in the idea of terrifying us by showing us a flame in dark. But Oops we saw the thread tied to the candle....We tried to catch the candle, but we could not.

After sometime, when they did not hear any noises from our floor, they were bit upset and so they took it up.We were quiet and so were they. After sometime, a friend from third floor came to our room to jus check us. She was expecting us to be in panic and discuss with her. On the contrary we were very calm. She could not resist us being silent. She said "Oh gals, Please bayapadungappa..naanga evalavu try pannom "

We all burst into laughter

More memories to cherish and more stories to share...
Would write it whenever I have blogger block!!!

Guess what...

I haven't done this for past few months.....
I haven't been so excited lately....
I haven't been so careful like this...
I haven't been behind the wheels recently..
I haven't done U-turns and Left turns of late.

Yeah that's right.....

I am attending driving classes and started (just started) driving.

Is it really required ?!#!%!

Check this out for heights of kirukkuthanam !!

Personally, I don't like to celebrate this day.I feel the hype ppl are creating nowadays is tooo much....I feel everybody might have a special day to their heart on their own-the day they proposed, the day of marriage -Then why this day ???
This is not the only day to love ..If u love anybody, love them everyday....
I read the line below somewhere:
Love is the flower you've got to let grow."- John Lennon
So Let us allow it to grow in our hearts instead of ostentating it.

By the way, I am not an unloving creature , but I don't like the way the people are freaking out to display their love

Disclaimer: These are my opinions and not to hurt anybody who celebrate this day sincerly

Biscuits

After a long time, I have added one more to my "Few Dishes I have tried" :)

This weekend was a somberi weekend . As there was snow storm I did not go out any where..
I was jus thinking of trying to do biscuits in the oven, as my culinary skillls have improved a lot (konjam too much thaan)

And here is how I got it....





And It is a very quick recipe... Mix maida(1 cup), sugar(1 cup), butter(1/4 cup), pinch of baking soda and water into dough.Jus then do any shapes as u like and bake it in oven for about 15 minutes and the biscuits are ready...

Two names

What do u think about two names?
In my family, everybody was given a standard name (which would most probably be grandfathers/grandmothers names) and another nick name without any reason. As days go by, everybody will be so accustomed to the second nick name and called by their nick name. But when it comes to official purpose, they go by their standard names, even though its not always used.

I feel the the child was given the standard name to please the elders of the family. The parents prefer the nick name as that name would be their choice. And so everybody have two names.

Whenever I need to introduce myself,I was always confused whether I need to tell my standard name or my nick name.

Two of my cousins did not get their standard names registered itself at school.But we others have still that confusion- whether to call ourselves by First standard name or Second Nick name. This is weird, isn't it?

I prefer atleast the future kids in our family be given a single name!!

Do u have the same confusion in your family Or Is it unusual only with ours?

Miss u friends !!

A photo in one of my friend's blog lighted all the old memories in me.
This reminds of me , the fun and farewell I had on last day

After College, I made friends for my life at my first job.This life was an extension of my college life .

Just after college days were over, when I was at Chennai looking for a job, It was a whole different experience for me. I used to feel lost whenever I met people of my age who were very fluent in English,the way they were independent and enjoied their life.Life was not the same as it used to be at college.But I had nice five friends who helped me a lot to overcome my inhibitions.Everybody was friendly in different ways :)

I cannot forget my last day at office..the fun I had with my friends, great lunch we had at Komalas, where the waitress misinterpreted the party as birthday party and played a birthday song for me

But Life changes and We need to keep going on...And I am here missing my friends and my old days...

It reminds me of a Sujatha's dialogue from film Muthalvan
"புகழ், VCRல இருக்கற மாதிரி வாழ்க்கைலயும் ஒரு Rewind button இருந்தால் எவ்வளவு நல்லா இருக்கும்??"

Google talk in Gmail

I saw a new setting in today.
Chat - It automatically saves the Google talk chat history in mails.

This is an attractive feature, atleast to me. I can save my chat in my gmail, whenever I like to.
So I can read it whenever I feel to read my old interesting conversations with my friends/relatives.

A short prayer ?!!?

Oh God,
Please try to make me understand that the house will not get vaccumed by itself , vessels will not get washed automatically...I need to get up and do it...
Thank u
Lazy me

Rang De Basanti

After having read so many positive reviews about the film, I was waiting to watch the movie and I finally watched it. The reviews were apt.
I cannot express in words about the movie- WOW!!!- Thats what I felt about it.

Few aspects which I liked in film were:

1. I always wondered even if one Britisher was not conscious in the olden days about our struggle. This film sees the struggle of Indians in olden days thru the eyes of a Britisher. This is the best part I liked about the film.
   
2. Music , worth to mention, has blended into film unlike where most of songs are picturised out of the film. Nice work of ARR!!
3. Siddharth and Sharman Joshi have acted out very well..Casual acting...Especially the scene where they have a running competition and everybdoy tries to run, but he would walk casually.
4. Dialogues are worth mentioning...One of them- "There are two ways to live life- Either tolerate the way it is Or take responsibilty and change it.So try to take responsibility and try to change our country "
   
5. A nice team effort to show the patriotism in a simple different way.....From Aamir to Madhavan, Good Acting
   

This film has its own minuses, but It correlates the past and present at a different angle.

Only few films makes me to think.This is definitely one of them.
Am I taking responsibility Or Should I not be taking?

But Overalll, Film is worth to watch !!!

Short story-2

Asha was bright and happy.Her life is not going to be the same in the next forthcoming months.She was excited to enter the new phase in her life. Her husband, her family were happy for her. Her friends congratulated when they heard the good news.
Read more...
She has got a new job!!!
P.S: This is not me

Weekend

After a long time, We went to New York.

I like to walk in the streets to see the tall magnificient buildings.This time we planned to visit UNO .But the plan was sothappal :(.UNO does not allow visitors in January and February.So We jus saw the UNO building from the gates.




So என்ன செய்ய, jus thought we'll jus spend time by walking on the streets.I have seen few artists on the road, who draw funny portraits of us, if we pose to them. I wanted to do it..So I insisted on doing it..again plan sothappal :( No artist was there on the streets...

So eppo என்ன செய்ய, jus to while away the time, We thought we would visit "Hotel Saravana bhavan"- Long term planned place to go!! Atlast this plan was fine .It was open.
உள்ளே போனதும் எங்ஙும் தமிழ்..ஒரு சின்ன சந்தோஷம...

Few minutes later, a friends group entered in.I was overhearing the conversation.(திருந்த மாட்டியா- என் மனசாட்சி !!!)

Person 1: Ladies எல்லாம் ஒரு இடத்தில் உக்காருங்க..... (ஆஹா திருந்த மாட்டங்ஙடா !!!!)

Person 2 : மைசூர் போன்டாவில் மைசூர் இருக்குமா...(ஓய்ய் இந்த ஜோக்கை நாங்க எப்பவோ கேட்ருக்கோம்)

Person 3 to the Waitress: Last time, I came looking for ur hotel, but it was closed.So I ate at duplicate Saravanaaas.
Immediately she:டூப்லிகேட் டூப்லிகேட் தான்...ஓரிஜினல் போலே வரும்மா..... (ஆஹா இந்த மாதிரி பேச்சை கேட்டு ரொம்ப நாள் ஆச்சு...)

So we had dinner, went back to bus stand and got back to home...

This is how my weekend passed by!!!

எனக்கு என்ன எழுதுவது என தெரியலை...so jus wrote down this...

Why am I reluctant to say my opinions?

I always refrain from giving opinions. Whenever my friends/relatives discuss a topic, I always feel safe to be on neutral side. I just don't want to disagree with anybody.
Lately I feel that's not right.I feel it would be fine If I am more assertive in giving my opinions straight from my heart.

So nowadays I try to write what I feel, I try to talk what I think.But even then its difficult for me sometimes.Even now I sometimes take the neutral side if people don't like my opinion after disclosing it.

God, I need to change it gradually..

Ek thithali...Anek thithaliyaaan

Earlier, in our school days, DD used to broadcast an animated song

Ek chidiya ...Anek chidiyaaann....

I saw the same video again after so many years.Nice memorable one..

Click here to view it

Numbers

Few days back, I read in one of the blogs how that blogger gives importance to numbers in his day to day work. Jus thought why not write about what I do with numbers.

-> I used to always say 7 whenever i need to say a number or include it in my username.
-> I used to always do things when minutes ends up with 5 or 0 i.e. if suppose time is 5:23 and I need to wake up, I used to postpone it until clock strikes 5:25.
-> Whenever I excercise, I always do until the time ends with 0.
Earlier when I used to walk from my bus stop to my home, I tried to reach home within a time that ends up with 0.

To consummate, My favorite number is 7.My registered number at college was 98EC07 and my classmates used to tease me always as Log 7.So even after college, I am still continuing to have it as my favourite.

All these doing work by numbers are weird but still I just go by it.

On a different note, Some of the other weirdest things that I always do:
Whenever I shop, I buy a choclate..
Whenever I go to a stationary shop, I buy a pen.
Whenever I listen to music, the first song that I hear is Iravaaa pagalaaa...
Whenever I browse, I click any links related to Surya.
Whenever I write as points, I format them with bullets
Whenever I mail, I include atleast 1 :)

But these things makes my life interesting!!!

Just share if u do anything interesting with numbers. :)

Republic Day Wishes

Happy Republic Day.
Let us remember the leaders who loved India, our nation



Note: I just tried to draw this using Paint

Costly Spelling mistakes

I feel it’s really worth when teachers emphasize on spellings in our English classes. This is just because of a silly mistake I made few months back in my wedding card.I read the blueprint of the card, but did not make out that the word “celebrate” was misprinted as “celebtate”.Only after I received my invitations, my sister found out the mistake.I had to re-print the cards because of a silly mistake of mine

This reminds me of a mail, where all letters in all words except the first and last letters is wrongly written, but still we could interpret those words!! I did the same mistake !!

May be everybody else will not be like me

But this was quite a good lesson learnt in spellings

Just a Try to Write A Short Story

Every time he crosses the road, he used to watch her. Sometimes, he used to stop his bike and look at her.He used to mention about her and her smile to his friends. Just like other days, when he crossed the road, he looked for her. She was not there and He missed her...

The hoarding of Jo was removed due to heavy winds and rain!!

Enjoy Life

Friends
Hostel Life
Arattai from night till morning with friends
Night Tea
Hostel Outings
College Tours
Chat under the disguise of Group Study
Pakoda, Hot Coffee while raining outside & Watching Maniratnam movie
Chat with an Old friend thru messenger
First Job
Head massage with warm coconut Oil
Chumma chinna Gossips
Birthday parties at 12midnight
Chinna Chinaa Gifts
Chinna chinna sandai with younger sisters/brothers
A call from an old friend with whom we have lost contact
Appreciation for the Job done
Shopping with friends

Above moments are cherishable only when we enjoy it exhaustively.
So Let us enjoy the life , even treasuring small and simple moments

I jus don't know why

Sometimes some people, who really don't have any genuine interest on me , just show their interest or care (or whatsoever they refer to) by enquiring too many personal questions about me to me. I jus get annoyed by these individuals !!! :(

Few favourite lyrics of mine

"Azhage Sugama- Parthale Paravasam"

This song is an epitome of melody, ARR has composed very well and I am an ardent fan of Sadhana sargam.
I have always admired her for her pronunciation though she does not know Tamil well.
Especially the following lines

வாழ்க்கை ஒரு வட்டம் போல்
முடிந்த இடத்தில் தொடங்காதா

" O Vennila -Kadhal Desam"

தருகின்ற பொருளாய் காதல் இல்லை
தந்தாலே காதல் காதல் இல்லை

"Melliname Melliname -Shahjahan"

பகவான் பேசுவது இல்லை
ஆனால் பக்தியும் குறைவதுவும் இல்லை

Pleasant Nostalgia

After a long time, I talked with my very old school friend.I somehow lost in touch with her but luckily I caught her as she was at her home town.

We had been cycling to schools , tuitions together.Every time we were cycling , we had lots of conversations about each and everything around us.

During college days, we used to chat only when we were back at homes from hostels .

After College, I shifted to Chennai , she was at Tirunelveli and We used to phone once in a blue moon.

Things changed, she got married and went to London..The communication nearly stopped

A few days back, I got to know that she was at Tirunelveli. As I had her tvl address alone, I searched her number in BSNL website .Thanks to BSNL, I got her phone number and I called her

It was very pleasant to talk with an old friend with whom I had lost contact

Pleasant incident to start the day with!!

Its since long time, I have thought I should be writing about the FM transmitter we got...
Its a small and simple device...but I find it a great companion..

I was getting bored, playing the same set of songs repetitively in the Cassette player in Car due to limited number of Tamil cassettes available and change to CD player would take a couple of more months

When I saw this FM transmitter, I found it very useful...esp. to me...

Jus insert the FM transmitter in the headphone socket of iPod, and turn both the devices ON.
Set the FM transmitter to a frequency btw 88 MHz and 89 MHz.

Thank GOD!!, except 88.1, other FM frequencies have stations transmitting.
So I jus need to stick onto 88.1, but now I hear a variety of songs...

Bye Bye 2005

Happy New Year 2006