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
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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...
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Learnt few words in German
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Tried to join a dance class, but could not ..."No dance classes in weekends for adults !!!"... Oops I am a grownup :)
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Found a wonderful Indian restaurant near by ...
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I was konjam upset about the split of LokParitran...I did not want this to happen!!
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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 !!!