FLIGHT DETAILS
Tue. Jan. 3 (Arriving Jan. 4) Bengaluru, India to Houston, TX
Bengaluru (BLR) to Frankfurt (Frankfurt Intl.)
Lufthansa 755
Economy / Coach Class (W) , Boeing 747-400
Depart 3:25am Arrive 8:50am
Duration: 9h 55m
Layover: Frankfurt (Frankfurt Intl.) 11h 15m
Frankfurt (Frankfurt Intl.) to London (LHR)
Lufthansa 920
Economy / Coach Class (W) , Airbus A321
Depart 8:05pm Arrive 8:45pm
Duration: 1h 40m
Layover: London (LHR) 12h 35m
London (LHR) to Houston (IAH)
Lufthansa 7623 operated by Continental
Economy / Coach Class (W) , Boeing 777
Depart 9:20am Arrive 1:45pm
Duration: 10h 25m
Total trip time: 45h 50m
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Running for a purpose
This past week I have been lobbying to raise money for my best friend's charity while he prepares for a marathon. It is his first and I have seen the change that the training has brought in him. But this blog isnt about how much I admire him for signing up for this, but focuses on how difficult it is to convince people to donate to his cause.
The people who raise money for charity through running do it for themselves.
I wanted to run all year long. 9 months into the year, and I cant run 2 miles without feeling that my heart will explode into a gooey mass. And here are amazing individuals who juggle classes, research while training to run a 26-mile marathon. They dont need 26 miles to stay healthy, they dont need to even run to be fit and have lean muscle. All of them might as well take up belly dancing!! But they choose to put themselves through this ordeal because they want to create awareness. They want to make a slight dent in the society with their contributions. We have been privileged to get our schooling from the top schools in our cities, but there are many who cant attend ANY school.
I dont believe that people can't spare $10 for his charity.
Did I mention that the ones who dint spare a penny are his classmates and friends. When I got frustrated and complained about it to my friend, he used the word 'intent'. It calmed me then but I couldn't help thinking how people work. Somehow money is more important than everything else while we continue to eloquently explain how 'money can't buy you happiness'. The reality is in this case, the money you donate will help children in India through school. These are students who cant finish school due to financial constraints, let alone take a loan of 20 lakhs to slog through grad school to eventually earn 70-100k per year. Remember this when you return to India as an NRI in 10 yrs, you cant complain about the 'uneducated masses' because you hesitated to help!
If time is money, cant find you something deep down in your heart to contribute a few small change for their time?
PS: You get tax exemption so technically this is a SALE!
The people who raise money for charity through running do it for themselves.
I wanted to run all year long. 9 months into the year, and I cant run 2 miles without feeling that my heart will explode into a gooey mass. And here are amazing individuals who juggle classes, research while training to run a 26-mile marathon. They dont need 26 miles to stay healthy, they dont need to even run to be fit and have lean muscle. All of them might as well take up belly dancing!! But they choose to put themselves through this ordeal because they want to create awareness. They want to make a slight dent in the society with their contributions. We have been privileged to get our schooling from the top schools in our cities, but there are many who cant attend ANY school.
I dont believe that people can't spare $10 for his charity.
Did I mention that the ones who dint spare a penny are his classmates and friends. When I got frustrated and complained about it to my friend, he used the word 'intent'. It calmed me then but I couldn't help thinking how people work. Somehow money is more important than everything else while we continue to eloquently explain how 'money can't buy you happiness'. The reality is in this case, the money you donate will help children in India through school. These are students who cant finish school due to financial constraints, let alone take a loan of 20 lakhs to slog through grad school to eventually earn 70-100k per year. Remember this when you return to India as an NRI in 10 yrs, you cant complain about the 'uneducated masses
If time is money, cant find you something deep down in your heart to contribute a few small change for their time?
PS: You get tax exemption so technically this is a SALE!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Cancer explained
Cancer is something close to my heart. For various reasons, it has for the longest time been the area that I wanted to study and do research in. And now that I am FINALLY in a cancer biology program, I realized how little I know. Not that I was ever arrogant in my knowledge of cancer, but I gladly admitted my ignorance about a disease that continues to kill so many people every year. The aspects of cancer are many, and to even explain everything is next to impossible. For a history of cancer and how current research stands from a clinical standpoint, there is an excellent book called 'The Emperor of All Maladies'. But for those who don't have the patience to read a 500 page book, here is a small explanation.
To make it more relatable, we will use India's current political situation as an analogy.
The day you were born is like India getting independence. The cells are the millions of people who saw our country celebrate its first independence day. There were the good people, the young, the old, the restless and that is exactly how a new born baby is too. As time progressed, there were new people, new ideas, new developments and progress very similar to a new-born growing up.
Much like India in the its infancy, there was a clear demaracation of power in the country. There were some families which were more powerful than the others. Ditto with cells, that some are more robust and can divide and take over the tissue. Like India learning its lesson after the emergency and not electing Mrs. Gandhi, sometimes the immune system wakes up and takes care of the cancerous cells and destroys them. However, just like we failed to eliminate corruption of power completely way back then, some cells escape this process.
Life seems normal again, and we get on with life. In the meantime, a corrupt politician is gathering his forces silently without grabbing too much attention much like a cancer that has formed. One fine day, we wake up to see another extremely corrupt person as our PM and that is pretty much how we will realize we have rogue tissue too. A scar that we ignored, a lump that dint matter, an infection we dint care about etc etc. We get the devastating news that person has cancer, and it is taking over more than just the primary organ.
Exactly how we bring an RTI or a Lokayukta to combat corruption, we seek our first line of defense by chemotherapy and other suitable treatments.Sometimes, this fixes the problem and the politician is sent to jail aka the cancer is controlled.
Control isn't elimination and there is always a chance that the politico gets bail, and comes out stronger and cleverer but most importantly with a hungrier appetitie for money. In cancer, the tissue metastasizes to other parts and shows more resistance and becomes that much more devastating. Like a politico finding other means to make money when one method lands him in jail, cancer cells seek other tissue to derive nutrition and grow incessantly.
When this goes out of hand, much like Anna Hazare, more radical treatments will be required. For those who followed the crazy circus that was the Lokpal, sometimes the corrupt government (like a metastasized resistant tumor) will not yield to any call for normalcy (treatments will fail).
In India's case, the Govt agreed to the terms, but tumor cells dont buckle as easily, and the result sadly is the demise of the person.
Note: 1. As a patriotic Indian, I would never wish harm to the country even from a scumbag politico, but this was the best analogy I could think of.
2. Not all cancer cells kill, just like not all politicos are corrupt.
To make it more relatable, we will use India's current political situation as an analogy.
The day you were born is like India getting independence. The cells are the millions of people who saw our country celebrate its first independence day. There were the good people, the young, the old, the restless and that is exactly how a new born baby is too. As time progressed, there were new people, new ideas, new developments and progress very similar to a new-born growing up.
Much like India in the its infancy, there was a clear demaracation of power in the country. There were some families which were more powerful than the others. Ditto with cells, that some are more robust and can divide and take over the tissue. Like India learning its lesson after the emergency and not electing Mrs. Gandhi, sometimes the immune system wakes up and takes care of the cancerous cells and destroys them. However, just like we failed to eliminate corruption of power completely way back then, some cells escape this process.
Life seems normal again, and we get on with life. In the meantime, a corrupt politician is gathering his forces silently without grabbing too much attention much like a cancer that has formed. One fine day, we wake up to see another extremely corrupt person as our PM and that is pretty much how we will realize we have rogue tissue too. A scar that we ignored, a lump that dint matter, an infection we dint care about etc etc. We get the devastating news that person has cancer, and it is taking over more than just the primary organ.
Exactly how we bring an RTI or a Lokayukta to combat corruption, we seek our first line of defense by chemotherapy and other suitable treatments.Sometimes, this fixes the problem and the politician is sent to jail aka the cancer is controlled.
Control isn't elimination and there is always a chance that the politico gets bail, and comes out stronger and cleverer but most importantly with a hungrier appetitie for money. In cancer, the tissue metastasizes to other parts and shows more resistance and becomes that much more devastating. Like a politico finding other means to make money when one method lands him in jail, cancer cells seek other tissue to derive nutrition and grow incessantly.
When this goes out of hand, much like Anna Hazare, more radical treatments will be required. For those who followed the crazy circus that was the Lokpal, sometimes the corrupt government (like a metastasized resistant tumor) will not yield to any call for normalcy (treatments will fail).
In India's case, the Govt agreed to the terms, but tumor cells dont buckle as easily, and the result sadly is the demise of the person.
Note: 1. As a patriotic Indian, I would never wish harm to the country even from a scumbag politico, but this was the best analogy I could think of.
2. Not all cancer cells kill, just like not all politicos are corrupt.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Burrito in 10 min.. :) Grad-glad cooking
Ingredients:
Rice (brown or white, good recipe to finish leftovers)
Beans (soak and pressure cook or canned)
Salsa (store bought: Newmann's $2.49)
Sour cream (store bought $0.99)
Cheese (store bought)
Cilantro (optional)
Lemon juice (bottled $0.99)
Wraps (optional)
Salt
Paprika
Prep:
1. Mix rice, lemon juice, salt and cilantro. Keep aside.
2. Strain beans and add salt, paprika/pepper.
3. Arrange BURRITO!!
4. Bake wraps for 10 min at 325F (optional).
Makes 6-8 GIANT burritos in 10 min (under 10 bucks too!!)
Rice (brown or white, good recipe to finish leftovers)
Beans (soak and pressure cook or canned)
Salsa (store bought: Newmann's $2.49)
Sour cream (store bought $0.99)
Cheese (store bought)
Cilantro (optional)
Lemon juice (bottled $0.99)
Wraps (optional)
Salt
Paprika
Prep:
1. Mix rice, lemon juice, salt and cilantro. Keep aside.
2. Strain beans and add salt, paprika/pepper.
3. Arrange BURRITO!!
4. Bake wraps for 10 min at 325F (optional).
Makes 6-8 GIANT burritos in 10 min (under 10 bucks too!!)
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Smokin'
I am currently reading a book about the history of cancer. A good 10% if the book is dedicated to explaining how tobacco increases risk of cancer and how difficult it was to convince the Govt to take preventive action. One of the ways to deal with this was to have a 'warning' on the packs. One can see this on Indian cigarette packs too. But here is the difference: Knowing something is harmful is not good enough! Check what an American company needs to print by law. Mention loud and clear that you can get cancer, you can cause harm to a fetus, DIE from smoking. THAT needs to be done! Statutory warning saying 'Smoking is injurious to health' does NOTHING!!
Oh well, looks like there has been a LAW to include 'Smoking causes cancer' on packs in India in 2008. But, read this..!!
Oh well, looks like there has been a LAW to include 'Smoking causes cancer' on packs in India in 2008. But, read this..!!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Why I dont follow IPL
Cricket is a religion that everyone follows in India.. And Sachin is everyone's God.. Although everyone worships one cricketer more than the other, Sachin is the God-Supreme.. The God of Gods.. The creator of interest, the sustainer of the love of the game and the destroyer of the opposition ALL in one tiny, smiling piece of man.. That said, he unites the country when we play the WC.. The whole country comes together to watch a game that is in our DNA to love and follow..
So when the concept of IPL was thrown in, cities playing cities in the shortest, most aggressive and probably the most entertaining form of cricket, the Twenty20 version I was supposed to be intrigued.. But NOPE!! Never happened.. Somehow, the thought of cities playing each other did not work for me.. I watched EPL every year since 2001 and was hooked to it.. As a big ManUtd fan, I also could not stand a Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool supporter and could spend endless hours trash-talking..
Why was cricket different for me?? As a sport that brought the nation together, cricket would divide the country into 'city' supporters.. The sport that made everyone proud of being Indian (when we win), would start a rivalry based on which city you were born in and where you lived.. I did not care less than very few native Bloreans were part of Royal Challengers Bangalore..
Digressing a little here, what is with the name?? Royal Challengers?? So meh!! As part of popular culture, 'Royal' in Karnataka is almost always referred to Mysore.. Challengers?? The way we played in IPL 1.0, yeah RRRRIGHT!! More cricket-challenged than challengers.. Royal-challengers together does not even make sense.. The color of the team.. I wish I were colorblind (although technically, I can never be colorblind).. I remember some famous designed conceptualized the barf-inducing combination of reddish-pink and gold (or dirty yellow)..!! I am still confused whether it is Bengaluru or Bangalore.. But the Anglicized name stuck with the team..
Back to IPL.. So, auctioning of the players resulted in insane amounts of money poured into the 'league' and players selected to play for a team like toy being sold on eBay.. The buildup to the game was a heady mix of cricket, Bollywood, models, cheer-girls and politics.. And while the cricket was good, everything else also became equally important.. The team had its song/dance, foreign cheer-girls (fully clad in some cases to appease all the naysayers of skin-showin the country), numerous after-parties to celebrate 'cricket'.. Eessssh!! I would have punched anyone who compared IPL with EPL.. EPL is serious football.. And NOTHING else..!!
My BIGGEST pet peeve of IPL.. It does not breed healthy competition.. What started as a battle between cities for cricket soon transcended to an open war of your culture v my culture, your language v my language.. Cricket used to unite.. But I guess that news is soooooo last week when we won the WC.. Alright folks, get the war paint out.. Looks like my city is better than yours..
So when the concept of IPL was thrown in, cities playing cities in the shortest, most aggressive and probably the most entertaining form of cricket, the Twenty20 version I was supposed to be intrigued.. But NOPE!! Never happened.. Somehow, the thought of cities playing each other did not work for me.. I watched EPL every year since 2001 and was hooked to it.. As a big ManUtd fan, I also could not stand a Chelsea/Arsenal/Liverpool supporter and could spend endless hours trash-talking..
Why was cricket different for me?? As a sport that brought the nation together, cricket would divide the country into 'city' supporters.. The sport that made everyone proud of being Indian (when we win), would start a rivalry based on which city you were born in and where you lived.. I did not care less than very few native Bloreans were part of Royal Challengers Bangalore..
Digressing a little here, what is with the name?? Royal Challengers?? So meh!! As part of popular culture, 'Royal' in Karnataka is almost always referred to Mysore.. Challengers?? The way we played in IPL 1.0, yeah RRRRIGHT!! More cricket-challenged than challengers.. Royal-challengers together does not even make sense.. The color of the team.. I wish I were colorblind (although technically, I can never be colorblind).. I remember some famous designed conceptualized the barf-inducing combination of reddish-pink and gold (or dirty yellow)..!! I am still confused whether it is Bengaluru or Bangalore.. But the Anglicized name stuck with the team..
Back to IPL.. So, auctioning of the players resulted in insane amounts of money poured into the 'league' and players selected to play for a team like toy being sold on eBay.. The buildup to the game was a heady mix of cricket, Bollywood, models, cheer-girls and politics.. And while the cricket was good, everything else also became equally important.. The team had its song/dance, foreign cheer-girls (fully clad in some cases to appease all the naysayers of skin-showin the country), numerous after-parties to celebrate 'cricket'.. Eessssh!! I would have punched anyone who compared IPL with EPL.. EPL is serious football.. And NOTHING else..!!
My BIGGEST pet peeve of IPL.. It does not breed healthy competition.. What started as a battle between cities for cricket soon transcended to an open war of your culture v my culture, your language v my language.. Cricket used to unite.. But I guess that news is soooooo last week when we won the WC.. Alright folks, get the war paint out.. Looks like my city is better than yours..
Monday, February 21, 2011
You know your lab has a sense of humor when...
...this little note is prominently displayed on the bulletin board meant for research papers!!
"Life is all about ass;
You’re either covering it,
Laughing it off,
Kicking it,
Kissing it,
Busting it,
Trying to get a piece of it,
Behaving likeone,
Or you live with one!!!"
"Life is all about ass;
You’re either covering it,
Laughing it off,
Kicking it,
Kissing it,
Busting it,
Trying to get a piece of it,
Behaving likeone,
Or you live with one!!!"
Thursday, October 21, 2010
My experiments with Shaadi.com: Part 3
This had to be a blog entry all on its own!! (Yes, he was on part 2 as well)
I am XYZ, got medical education in one of the BEST Medical Education Institute and apart from English-Hindi-Gujarati-Punjabi-Marwadi-Marathi, I know FRENCH-GERMANY-ITALIAN-SPANISH and I have friends every where and they are inviting me visit THEIRcountry coand that is the Intrest in my life and every year I have plan to visit -Travel.
I have plan to do resarch work on BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM, for BLODD CANCER, and this rearch work is very unique and not a single Individual or any Institute doing, and this does not attahch with any CHEMOTHERAPY / BORN MARROW/ and quiite different, and that can drive a big RESEARCH WORK and can give BIG NAME. and XYZ,
FAMILY :- My Father Dr YZ is MEDICO LEGAL SPECIALIST and MY Mom XZ is GYNECOLOGIST AND OBSTRECIAN both live permanently live in CHICAGO USA. i am only son and I have 2 sisters and both elder to me and married and well settled in usa.
X, is my elder sister she is Microbiologist and she work with one Well Known Pharmacy companyl and Her Husband A is computer Eng and doing GOOD BUSINESS, both from New Jersy but Now in CHICAGO USA.
W is Younger than X but Elder than me, and I am youngest, she is UNIVERSITY RANKER in BE[Electronics & Communication]MCA[ Master in Computer Application] and working with Duke Energy - and Her Huband B is accountant.
MY 2 cousine also live in USA.
UZ is computer Eng nd working with IBM and His Wife CZ is MICROBILOGIST and working with one MNC Pharma company and both live in-USA, My another cousine VZ is Civil Eng but she is totally devoitee for SWAMI ABC
and her husband is Computer Eng and live -USA.
Dr Z mbbs, ms, mch is UROLOGIST[My eldest cousine] and His wife is Mrs. Z mbbs, md, dgo GYNECOLOGIST AND and our JOSHI FAMILY is well knownin Gujarat
My parrents, my both sistesr and My both cousine all live in USA and enjoy FAMILY LOVE and if girl is from USA, she also can enjoy her family but not necessory. I remain INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I am the person with MODERN out look for life, and with MIX of INDIA-EURO-AMERICAN CULTUREand that is soemthing more than any INDIAN or AMERCIAN GUY, BUT sure I am NON SMOKER AND & NON DRINKER, BUTNOT ORTHODOX.
AS I am DOCTOR - MEDICO person and if girl is MEDICO -doctor will be prefere but not necessory.
AS I remain INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, My stetus in USA is not CITIZEN, and I am HOLDING, 10 years MULTI PURPOSE VISA, and MY immigration file is in process. and IF i need propmpt PERMANENT IMMIGRATION VISA it is BUSINESS VISA also, AS I have large CAPITAL to invest in USA, and I like some PRAPOSAL for INVESTMENTS IN USA
FURTHER, I got as LEGAL-GIFT from my NANA [ My mom father - and My mom is ONLY child ]
and AS per INDIAN INCOM TAX ACT what I get DIVIDENTD INCOME there in INDIA is totally INCOME TAX FREE and for that WE have kept one CHARTER ACCOUNT COMPNAY to look after. AND I also certified person TO DEAL/TRADE ON LINE /in CASH MARKET-FUTURE & OPETION AND also MONEY MOVER and I can LEGALLY TRANSFER MY CAPITAL IN ANY COUNTRY AND IN ANY CURRENCY , and that I AM DOING in practise. SO ANY TIME I CAN make descisson to INVEST IN USA and I CAN GET BUSINESS VISA if need. SO THERE IS NO PROBLEM for VISA, and MY DAD is not onlly MEDICO LEFGAL but HE IS expert in IMMIGRATION
I am XYZ, got medical education in one of the BEST Medical Education Institute and apart from English-Hindi-Gujarati-Punjabi-Marwadi-Marathi, I know FRENCH-GERMANY-ITALIAN-SPANISH and I have friends every where and they are inviting me visit THEIRcountry coand that is the Intrest in my life and every year I have plan to visit -Travel.
I have plan to do resarch work on BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM, for BLODD CANCER, and this rearch work is very unique and not a single Individual or any Institute doing, and this does not attahch with any CHEMOTHERAPY / BORN MARROW/ and quiite different, and that can drive a big RESEARCH WORK and can give BIG NAME. and XYZ,
FAMILY :- My Father Dr YZ is MEDICO LEGAL SPECIALIST and MY Mom XZ is GYNECOLOGIST AND OBSTRECIAN both live permanently live in CHICAGO USA. i am only son and I have 2 sisters and both elder to me and married and well settled in usa.
X, is my elder sister she is Microbiologist and she work with one Well Known Pharmacy companyl and Her Husband A is computer Eng and doing GOOD BUSINESS, both from New Jersy but Now in CHICAGO USA.
W is Younger than X but Elder than me, and I am youngest, she is UNIVERSITY RANKER in BE[Electronics & Communication]MCA[ Master in Computer Application] and working with Duke Energy - and Her Huband B is accountant.
MY 2 cousine also live in USA.
UZ is computer Eng nd working with IBM and His Wife CZ is MICROBILOGIST and working with one MNC Pharma company and both live in-USA, My another cousine VZ is Civil Eng but she is totally devoitee for SWAMI ABC
and her husband is Computer Eng and live -USA.
Dr Z mbbs, ms, mch is UROLOGIST[My eldest cousine] and His wife is Mrs. Z mbbs, md, dgo GYNECOLOGIST AND and our JOSHI FAMILY is well knownin Gujarat
My parrents, my both sistesr and My both cousine all live in USA and enjoy FAMILY LOVE and if girl is from USA, she also can enjoy her family but not necessory. I remain INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I am the person with MODERN out look for life, and with MIX of INDIA-EURO-AMERICAN CULTUREand that is soemthing more than any INDIAN or AMERCIAN GUY, BUT sure I am NON SMOKER AND & NON DRINKER, BUTNOT ORTHODOX.
AS I am DOCTOR - MEDICO person and if girl is MEDICO -doctor will be prefere but not necessory.
AS I remain INTERNATIONAL STUDENT, My stetus in USA is not CITIZEN, and I am HOLDING, 10 years MULTI PURPOSE VISA, and MY immigration file is in process. and IF i need propmpt PERMANENT IMMIGRATION VISA it is BUSINESS VISA also, AS I have large CAPITAL to invest in USA, and I like some PRAPOSAL for INVESTMENTS IN USA
FURTHER, I got as LEGAL-GIFT from my NANA [ My mom father - and My mom is ONLY child ]
and AS per INDIAN INCOM TAX ACT what I get DIVIDENTD INCOME there in INDIA is totally INCOME TAX FREE and for that WE have kept one CHARTER ACCOUNT COMPNAY to look after. AND I also certified person TO DEAL/TRADE ON LINE /in CASH MARKET-FUTURE & OPETION AND also MONEY MOVER and I can LEGALLY TRANSFER MY CAPITAL IN ANY COUNTRY AND IN ANY CURRENCY , and that I AM DOING in practise. SO ANY TIME I CAN make descisson to INVEST IN USA and I CAN GET BUSINESS VISA if need. SO THERE IS NO PROBLEM for VISA, and MY DAD is not onlly MEDICO LEFGAL but HE IS expert in IMMIGRATION
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
My experiments with Shaadi.com: Part 2
Here is more..
Height: 6 ft. Partner height preference: 4 Ft - 5 Ft 9 In (Did you really write 4 ft???)
The age of the partner applicable so as to give birth to child. (WHAT? You don't put such things ANYWHERE!!)
I am XYZ, got medical education in one of the BEST Medical Education Institute and apart from English-Hindi-Gujarati-Punjabi-Marwadi-Marathi, I know FRENCH-GERMANY-ITALIAN-SPANISH and I have friends every where and they are inviting me visit THEIRcountry coand that is the Intrest in my life and every year I have plan to visit -Travel. (Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!!!)
I have plan to do resarch work on BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM, for BLODD CANCER, and this rearch work is very unique and not a single Individual or any Institute doing, and this does not attahch with any CHEMOTHERAPY / BORN MARROW/ and quiite different, and that can drive a big RESEARCH WORK and can give BIG NAME. (Ow, there was more?? Sorry, my BAD!!)
Age: 46 Partner Preference: 18 to 99 (EXTREME!!)
my hobbies are reading, driving, working out in jim and exploring new places (Huh?)
VERY BROAD MINDED WANTING TO LIVE LIFE FULL SIZE, ALONE, LOVE TO CIRCULATE AROUND (Socialize?)
Hobbies: talking to friends, dance, talking to my friends, site seeing, going out for tourism, internet (Alright!!! I get it!!)
STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON TRUST AND HONESTY AND COMMITMENT ( not compromise ). (Not you, I will say!!)
mein chahta hun ki saari duniya mein pyar hi pyar ho or sab log aman chain se rahe. (Wah wah!!)
Height: 6 ft. Partner height preference: 4 Ft - 5 Ft 9 In (Did you really write 4 ft???)
The age of the partner applicable so as to give birth to child. (WHAT? You don't put such things ANYWHERE!!)
I am XYZ, got medical education in one of the BEST Medical Education Institute and apart from English-Hindi-Gujarati-Punjabi-Marwadi-Marathi, I know FRENCH-GERMANY-ITALIAN-SPANISH and I have friends every where and they are inviting me visit THEIRcountry coand that is the Intrest in my life and every year I have plan to visit -Travel. (Pheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!!!)
I have plan to do resarch work on BLOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM, for BLODD CANCER, and this rearch work is very unique and not a single Individual or any Institute doing, and this does not attahch with any CHEMOTHERAPY / BORN MARROW/ and quiite different, and that can drive a big RESEARCH WORK and can give BIG NAME. (Ow, there was more?? Sorry, my BAD!!)
Age: 46 Partner Preference: 18 to 99 (EXTREME!!)
my hobbies are reading, driving, working out in jim and exploring new places (Huh?)
VERY BROAD MINDED WANTING TO LIVE LIFE FULL SIZE, ALONE, LOVE TO CIRCULATE AROUND (Socialize?)
Hobbies: talking to friends, dance, talking to my friends, site seeing, going out for tourism, internet (Alright!!! I get it!!)
STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON TRUST AND HONESTY AND COMMITMENT ( not compromise ). (Not you, I will say!!)
mein chahta hun ki saari duniya mein pyar hi pyar ho or sab log aman chain se rahe. (Wah wah!!)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
My experiments with Shaadi.com: Part 1
When you need to write to impress.. You can go overboard.. Meaning no offense to anyone here..!!
"Inquisitive, versatile, adaptable, lively, intelligent, spontaneous, communicative, patient, and talkative, witty and busy, and might impress people with my eloquence." (Are you DONE talking?)
"Librans are among the most civilized and are often good looking." ('Often' is the keyword here)
"my nephew and myself are interested in your profile." (WHAT?)
"Someone who is willing to be a friend and maybe a life partner at some point." (Oh, you are on the wrong website)
"This is not a competition or a reality show that I need to prove why you should choose me amongst millions of profiles in this website. You will choose me if 'he' wants us to be together." (Isn't it 'He'?)
"Body Type: Slim" (I can SEE you are anything but slim!! And lets not even start with complexion!!)
"Sorry for your incognizance." (Huh?)
"Im looking for a nice educated woman to enjoy life with. In between the ages of 30 and 40 or somewhere within that range. " (Oops, you need to wait a few years)
"Inquisitive, versatile, adaptable, lively, intelligent, spontaneous, communicative, patient, and talkative, witty and busy, and might impress people with my eloquence." (Are you DONE talking?)
"Librans are among the most civilized and are often good looking." ('Often' is the keyword here)
"my nephew and myself are interested in your profile." (WHAT?)
"Someone who is willing to be a friend and maybe a life partner at some point." (Oh, you are on the wrong website)
"This is not a competition or a reality show that I need to prove why you should choose me amongst millions of profiles in this website. You will choose me if 'he' wants us to be together." (Isn't it 'He'?)
"Body Type: Slim" (I can SEE you are anything but slim!! And lets not even start with complexion!!)
"Sorry for your incognizance." (Huh?)
"Im looking for a nice educated woman to enjoy life with. In between the ages of 30 and 40 or somewhere within that range. " (Oops, you need to wait a few years)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
NYC Day 3
it has taken me some time to write this and the next blog in the series of NY-Trip!! but the 3rd day was easily the best day of the trip.. a rather damp day 2, where we (primarily rash n i) shopped, and shopped some more and treated ourselves to some divine masala dosas, was followed by day 3 which was nice and sunny..
we took full advantage of the bright sunny, relatively-hot day and marched out in flimsy sweaters (new one from previous day's shoppin expedition for both rash and i) with our trusted guide of NY, vinay... first on the cards was of course, breakfast!! after gorgin on a footlong each (eating healthy even durin a holiday), we went towards central park.. oh wait, i had to enter to time warner center only coz its a MALL.. :) after goin to the veggie market (and looking at some gourmet bread and cheese), we went out and towards the apple centre... on the way, stopped at random places to take pictures.. of horses, guys riding, people shoppin for books, shoppin for pashmina shawl, junk on the roadside, the Indian flag at the Taj hotel... after wat seemed forever in the queue, we entered the apple store... pristine white like most things apple, the store was quite something.. looked like an overcrowded hospital with the overdose of white!! we were out in quite a short time, and entered central park.. spent an hr wandering in the park, takin more random pics... my obsession for taking a perfect-horse-carriage-pic was on, and so was partho's find central park in its elements obsession... more n more wandering later, we went out..
next on the agenda was food.. maoz was the name of the place.. vinay's pick! to get partho used to veggie food, and to prove to him tat veggie food can taste jus as great.. maoz was a huge hit among us 4.. falafel is sluuuuuuuuuuuurp anywhere, and the accompaniments made it tat much better! special mention of the cauliflower and broccoli that is served.. (ps: only partho n i finished it while vinay and rash took half their sandwich home... proves tat we are the more hard workin people of the lot..)
then we were back in the subway headin towards ESB... after passin thru the famous street, we stood in the queue for about 30 min to enter the building.. $20 and one hr laterr, we entered the 86th floor of the famous building... we had to second-guess the buildings with our limited knowledge (we DID have a map of the views.. how it went missing an where it was is still not known!!) but then again, awesome weather meant tat we got some great pics of everyone smilin an having fun.. after an embarassing recording of partho's fav song "aaj mein upar", we left the place.. did i fail 2 mention?? there was no wind...
thus ended a perfect day!! :D
Thursday, December 31, 2009
09 Thank you Part 2
Dr Wheatley: for being the best advisor I could ask for.. thanks for all ur support thru out this yr…
Aggi: there is not another undergrad in drexel who is as helpful and sweet… he is pure gold… and I am so happy that I met u this yr… have a wonderful yr kid…
Shreyas: his email was the inspiration for the blog last yr… and he has been my one constant RV-kannada-slang connection all thru the year… doubly glad u are in the US now…
Priyamvada: find me another person with that much energy and I will give u $100… awesome fun to talk to always, and a great friends… thanks sweetie… looking forward to meeting you…
Partho: finally met you after 15 months… and spent the best days of my stay in the US this yr in your company and rash’s… NY trip would have been a lot duller if u hadn’t found us accommodation and jus been there thru the trip…
338 bay ridge: staying in NY, a HUGE thanks to the 4 guys whose company we had during our NY trip… whether it was kannada slang or poking fun at each other at the buffet, you guys were extraordinary sweet, helpful and fun… thanks 2 varun and kiran for knowing the places to visit, and more importantly guiding us in getting there, karthik for some incredible pics (and giving me an update abt every1 I know in RVCE-EC) and vinay for just putting up with us while we freaked abt little signs that said “sale”…
Shubha n shashi: for helping bro with his weddin shopping… wow, hats off… u guys did an amazing job at it… n he looked every bit the groom…
Rashmi’s family: it took me exactly 1 sec to belong to your family… thanks for being the most kind and affectionate family I have met outside my own…
Carl: I wanted to skip thanking you coz u have such a bright spot in my otherwise dull year… but guess skipping u wud make the whole thank-u list a no-show… cuz of u, lab has been more than jus work… thanks for everything, including the hot chocolate…
Vas: I have no idea where 2 start thankin u either… but hey, is it ok to jus say ‘hmmm'?
India trip: this has to be the one thing I have been most thankful for this yr… bro’s wedding, meeting every single person in the family… wow, now that was special…
PS: there are still some people missing in this list… but this blog cant go on forever…
Aggi: there is not another undergrad in drexel who is as helpful and sweet… he is pure gold… and I am so happy that I met u this yr… have a wonderful yr kid…
Shreyas: his email was the inspiration for the blog last yr… and he has been my one constant RV-kannada-slang connection all thru the year… doubly glad u are in the US now…
Priyamvada: find me another person with that much energy and I will give u $100… awesome fun to talk to always, and a great friends… thanks sweetie… looking forward to meeting you…
Partho: finally met you after 15 months… and spent the best days of my stay in the US this yr in your company and rash’s… NY trip would have been a lot duller if u hadn’t found us accommodation and jus been there thru the trip…
338 bay ridge: staying in NY, a HUGE thanks to the 4 guys whose company we had during our NY trip… whether it was kannada slang or poking fun at each other at the buffet, you guys were extraordinary sweet, helpful and fun… thanks 2 varun and kiran for knowing the places to visit, and more importantly guiding us in getting there, karthik for some incredible pics (and giving me an update abt every1 I know in RVCE-EC) and vinay for just putting up with us while we freaked abt little signs that said “sale”…
Shubha n shashi: for helping bro with his weddin shopping… wow, hats off… u guys did an amazing job at it… n he looked every bit the groom…
Rashmi’s family: it took me exactly 1 sec to belong to your family… thanks for being the most kind and affectionate family I have met outside my own…
Carl: I wanted to skip thanking you coz u have such a bright spot in my otherwise dull year… but guess skipping u wud make the whole thank-u list a no-show… cuz of u, lab has been more than jus work… thanks for everything, including the hot chocolate…
Vas: I have no idea where 2 start thankin u either… but hey, is it ok to jus say ‘hmmm'?
India trip: this has to be the one thing I have been most thankful for this yr… bro’s wedding, meeting every single person in the family… wow, now that was special…
PS: there are still some people missing in this list… but this blog cant go on forever…
09.. Thanks.. Part 1
Looking back at another year gone by…
It is that time of the year when I thank everyone and everything that has been a part of my life in the year… this year was like no other, but then again, every yr is different and maybe that is what makes us look forward to a new one every January 1.. before 2009 wraps, need 2 look back and recap all the main people/events in my otherwise quite ordinary life…
In no random order here starts…
Roomies: Nandy and Sug are the best roomies anyone can ask for… and this yr established this beyond any doubts… 15 months and still we are close and poke fun at every1 and everything in our lives… there are the people who drift in and out of your life.. and there are these 2 (includes some others 2)… who ll nag u abt your excessive weight-loss, hoist u up when some1 has been mean, laugh with u wen u explain how u goofed up in front of the only guy u like, cry with u when something gets 2 hard to handle for lesser mortals, who teach u to cook, sing, dance, who talk with u till 4 in the mrng coz u can’t fall asleep… to everything thru the yr, thanks dudes….!!
Rosh n Thangu: hehehehehe…. Life wud be less entertaining without u 2 for sure… whether it was Thangu’s innovative entre ideas or Rosh’s many dance imitations of us, it was one exciting ride this yr with u 2 on board… rosh is not technically my roomie, but has definitely been as close as the other 2 mentioned above…
Drexel seniors: for constant advice and fun thru out the yr, special thanks to the Pragathi board who were before us… Drexel would be less fun without all those events celebrating festivals, watching movies, random exchange of gyaan during Nasha or coffee breaks in biomed kitchen (special thanks to Anup, Sankesh, Shankar…) I reiterate that u are the BEST seniors we cud have asked for, and wish the very best for 2010..
Desyphr: Rishi, DK, Adrian, Chandru, David…. I really don’t care who liked u or not during nasha, you are my fav desi- rock band… your jamming sessions (whatever little I came to) were always so much fun… and I’m so glad u guys smiled at my 0-knowledge of ur music, and gave so many fun memories thru this yr…
Shamanth: for always being there 2 hear me go on n on about some1 and every1… and for the email u sent with ur wedding invite… still kicking myself for missing ur weddin…
Cerner gang: going back to the place where I worked, I got the same affection from every1… like I have never left it… a special thanks 2 drunkie for joining me on our cutting-chai sessions durin every visit… special thanks 2 BB too, u are fabulous babes… to quote a cliché.. never change…
Seema & Chin: heheheheh.. deliberately put u guys together… u guys are so awesome… good luck with everything…
Medha aka duck: special thanks little one… shopping with u is always so much fun… thanks for all the endless patience u have… glad u dint cry when I left this time… u are my trigger button… love u sis… good luck with whatever u wanna do in life… know that I ll be there 2 support u..
Rash: you haven’t changed a bit in the 2 yrs u have been here… still the same endearing ol’ rash… so so soooooooooooo happy that we spent time in NY… yay!! Thanks for putting up with crazy antics for a week…
It is that time of the year when I thank everyone and everything that has been a part of my life in the year… this year was like no other, but then again, every yr is different and maybe that is what makes us look forward to a new one every January 1.. before 2009 wraps, need 2 look back and recap all the main people/events in my otherwise quite ordinary life…
In no random order here starts…
Roomies: Nandy and Sug are the best roomies anyone can ask for… and this yr established this beyond any doubts… 15 months and still we are close and poke fun at every1 and everything in our lives… there are the people who drift in and out of your life.. and there are these 2 (includes some others 2)… who ll nag u abt your excessive weight-loss, hoist u up when some1 has been mean, laugh with u wen u explain how u goofed up in front of the only guy u like, cry with u when something gets 2 hard to handle for lesser mortals, who teach u to cook, sing, dance, who talk with u till 4 in the mrng coz u can’t fall asleep… to everything thru the yr, thanks dudes….!!
Rosh n Thangu: hehehehehe…. Life wud be less entertaining without u 2 for sure… whether it was Thangu’s innovative entre ideas or Rosh’s many dance imitations of us, it was one exciting ride this yr with u 2 on board… rosh is not technically my roomie, but has definitely been as close as the other 2 mentioned above…
Drexel seniors: for constant advice and fun thru out the yr, special thanks to the Pragathi board who were before us… Drexel would be less fun without all those events celebrating festivals, watching movies, random exchange of gyaan during Nasha or coffee breaks in biomed kitchen (special thanks to Anup, Sankesh, Shankar…) I reiterate that u are the BEST seniors we cud have asked for, and wish the very best for 2010..
Desyphr: Rishi, DK, Adrian, Chandru, David…. I really don’t care who liked u or not during nasha, you are my fav desi- rock band… your jamming sessions (whatever little I came to) were always so much fun… and I’m so glad u guys smiled at my 0-knowledge of ur music, and gave so many fun memories thru this yr…
Shamanth: for always being there 2 hear me go on n on about some1 and every1… and for the email u sent with ur wedding invite… still kicking myself for missing ur weddin…
Cerner gang: going back to the place where I worked, I got the same affection from every1… like I have never left it… a special thanks 2 drunkie for joining me on our cutting-chai sessions durin every visit… special thanks 2 BB too, u are fabulous babes… to quote a cliché.. never change…
Seema & Chin: heheheheh.. deliberately put u guys together… u guys are so awesome… good luck with everything…
Medha aka duck: special thanks little one… shopping with u is always so much fun… thanks for all the endless patience u have… glad u dint cry when I left this time… u are my trigger button… love u sis… good luck with whatever u wanna do in life… know that I ll be there 2 support u..
Rash: you haven’t changed a bit in the 2 yrs u have been here… still the same endearing ol’ rash… so so soooooooooooo happy that we spent time in NY… yay!! Thanks for putting up with crazy antics for a week…
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
NYC Day 2
Rain was predicted, and voila! the weather website predicted right!! Walked out bundled up for the chill winds and cold drizzle… this was our first day on our own (and I mean it! None of the guys answered our calls cuz they were all busy) and we did not expect the totally damp day would make us cranky and irritated…
First stop was grand central terminal… we reached there just around lunch time, and were positively starved… after a couple of pics here and there, and after giving rash a crash-course in the importance of this place in the movie Madagascar, we headed to their food court… when you are spoilt for choice like here, hunger takes a backseat and eating some fancy takes top priority.. and that is exactly what we did.. 30 min after reaching the place, we decided on pizza (what else?) I ordered the Sicilian pizza (ok! Someone tricked me into believing NY pizza is thick crust… it is NOT!!) with loads of veggies and little cheese… rash had her cheesy Stromboli and Partho doubled his chicken pizza slice… One pic later, we attacked our food… and walked out after a dozen more pics…
Toys R Us was next on the cards… the ferris wheel and my face lit up… what made me happier still was the fact that it was open to ‘adults’… after spending 1.5 hrs walking in the store, and getting lord knows how many pics with the dinosaur, lego toys, cooing about their stuffed toys and everything else they have… we marched to the ferris wheel queue… there we saw that we had to wait another 1.5 hrs for the ride.. my puppy dog eyes did not work on either Partho or rash and we marched out of the toys r us store into macys…
World’s largest store having their biggest sale, and we went right in… it took us a good 45 min to find decent deals even with their upto 70% discounts (oh well, a Michael Kors bag for $150 after 50% off isn’t my idea of discounts)… as rash and I went from aisle to aisle and floor to floor searching for everything from gloves to jackets, Partho was seething.. he called every 5 min to check our shopping status… and our default answer was always ‘give us 5 min’… finally, we found jackets to match our style and budget… and our answer to his call was ‘we are at billing’… 15-20 minutes later rash and I walked out with giant macys bags.. Partho had exited onto a different street… and found telling us ‘I am in front of a hoarding that reads NYC style’ very helpful… after another 10 min walk in the rain searching for the hoarding (and him), we saw it… what Partho did not realize was the magic words for any girl is to mention the next store… in this case, JC Penneys!!
After that we embarked on a journey to Lexington avenue to feast on some masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan… without the address in hand, we went to the subway and got into the train with a vague idea of where we had to get off… surprise! Surprise! We reached the place in one shot… then started the search for the restaurant… I wasn’t too keen on the place coz NJ branch was so disappointing… but my doubts about the restaurant was the least of our problems… we did not know where to go!! Plain and simple… so called nandy who was home, and asked her to read directions from google maps… we got them.. and still missed our way… called her back 2-3 times before common sense prevailed and we simply asked the people around for directions… after heading in the wrong direction for the longest time in tat cold rain, we saw the place.. and walked in!!! ate like we have not seen food in a week…. And paid the bill, and asked the guy at the hotel for subway directions… again, surprise surprise… reached home in one shot… and went straight to bed… each one happy in their own way… Partho coz of his dosa n masala milk n hot wheels car…. Rash coz of her denim jacket… and me, toys r us souvenir and 2 more sweaters!!
First stop was grand central terminal… we reached there just around lunch time, and were positively starved… after a couple of pics here and there, and after giving rash a crash-course in the importance of this place in the movie Madagascar, we headed to their food court… when you are spoilt for choice like here, hunger takes a backseat and eating some fancy takes top priority.. and that is exactly what we did.. 30 min after reaching the place, we decided on pizza (what else?) I ordered the Sicilian pizza (ok! Someone tricked me into believing NY pizza is thick crust… it is NOT!!) with loads of veggies and little cheese… rash had her cheesy Stromboli and Partho doubled his chicken pizza slice… One pic later, we attacked our food… and walked out after a dozen more pics…
Toys R Us was next on the cards… the ferris wheel and my face lit up… what made me happier still was the fact that it was open to ‘adults’… after spending 1.5 hrs walking in the store, and getting lord knows how many pics with the dinosaur, lego toys, cooing about their stuffed toys and everything else they have… we marched to the ferris wheel queue… there we saw that we had to wait another 1.5 hrs for the ride.. my puppy dog eyes did not work on either Partho or rash and we marched out of the toys r us store into macys…
World’s largest store having their biggest sale, and we went right in… it took us a good 45 min to find decent deals even with their upto 70% discounts (oh well, a Michael Kors bag for $150 after 50% off isn’t my idea of discounts)… as rash and I went from aisle to aisle and floor to floor searching for everything from gloves to jackets, Partho was seething.. he called every 5 min to check our shopping status… and our default answer was always ‘give us 5 min’… finally, we found jackets to match our style and budget… and our answer to his call was ‘we are at billing’… 15-20 minutes later rash and I walked out with giant macys bags.. Partho had exited onto a different street… and found telling us ‘I am in front of a hoarding that reads NYC style’ very helpful… after another 10 min walk in the rain searching for the hoarding (and him), we saw it… what Partho did not realize was the magic words for any girl is to mention the next store… in this case, JC Penneys!!
After that we embarked on a journey to Lexington avenue to feast on some masala dosa at Saravana Bhavan… without the address in hand, we went to the subway and got into the train with a vague idea of where we had to get off… surprise! Surprise! We reached the place in one shot… then started the search for the restaurant… I wasn’t too keen on the place coz NJ branch was so disappointing… but my doubts about the restaurant was the least of our problems… we did not know where to go!! Plain and simple… so called nandy who was home, and asked her to read directions from google maps… we got them.. and still missed our way… called her back 2-3 times before common sense prevailed and we simply asked the people around for directions… after heading in the wrong direction for the longest time in tat cold rain, we saw the place.. and walked in!!! ate like we have not seen food in a week…. And paid the bill, and asked the guy at the hotel for subway directions… again, surprise surprise… reached home in one shot… and went straight to bed… each one happy in their own way… Partho coz of his dosa n masala milk n hot wheels car…. Rash coz of her denim jacket… and me, toys r us souvenir and 2 more sweaters!!
NYC Day 1
Going to India mid-term is not technically a holiday… That was family reunion and a dozen other things, but NOT a holiday! So, a 4-day trip to NYC was supposed to be the first real vacation I would take after September 08!!! And, added to the excitement of a) going to NYC for the first time and, b) going anywhere in the US for the first time, was the fact that Partho and Rash would join me… Oh yay!! So starts 4 days of madness…!!
DAY 1
8:30 am: We are at the 30th St station and get awesome seats on our bus… This after we cooked till 1 the previous night, and took nearly 40 pics during a 10-minute walk to the station… The bus started on time (the importance of buses being punctual will be evident later), and we were off… Needless to say, each of us had a list of things to do and see, and mine had 2 very important places: Grimaldi’s pizza and Toys R Us (oh yes, this might come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with my Crayola obsession)… Wonder what Rash and Partho had in mind… Did not ask them (does that make me a mean-person? I aint so sure)…
10:30 am: We reach NYC, and we are already in awe over the skyline of the city…!! We reached Brooklyn 2.5 hrs (estimated time according to Google maps was 45 min) after we reached NYC, after I forced Partho and Rash to get off the right train and hop onto the wrong one, and then changed back to the right one. Confusion over the subway did not stop us from exploring Times Square with our luggage…
Reached Brooklyn… Got introduced to everyone and as usual, I got ‘hyper’ about meeting Kannada speaking people… Just the right amount of slang, with a hint of Bangalore and traces of RV… Bangalore Kannada may not be the best, but that doesn’t stop me from loving the sound of it… forget the city, I could have spent all time, just listening to the guys speak!! But that was not an option (of course) and we set out to ‘walk the Brooklyn bridge’…!! This was on Sug’s must-do list for me, and I looked (and acted) visibly excited… also the thought that Grimaldi’s is right THERE did not help… The bridge is quite something; simple and elegant, unlike the sheer concrete that consist its background of high-rises… The walk was truckloads of fun as expected, Partho, Rash and I hopped rather than walked (and I am still wondering what was going on in Vinay’s mind when we went nuts there)… Pics were lousy becuz some setting was not ok, and no one knew how to set it back to normal… After that, we went to see the Wall Street Bull.. Some pics with that thing and we were off to join the rest of the gang at Rockefeller center… I am not sure how any other Christmas will ever close to this year’s… The tree there was FREAKING AWESOME… Not seen anything quite as beautiful as that… Pics: messy again, this was disappointing… But have memories to last a lifetime (and beyond, if I believe in the concept of rebirth and bla)… Times Square happened too, gosh, such a colossal waste of energy!!! Not sure I liked the place on day-1, esp since Toys R Us was closed…
Dinner was supposed to be this unbelievable falafel-on-rice from a cart close to Times Sq… Just when our turn came after 2 hrs in the cold, they ran out of vegetarian options (grrrrrrrrrrrr)… We went to another cart on the way to the subway and bought their not-so-yum-but-OMG-spicy falafel on rice… After a rather quiet dinner, we hit the sack… Did I fail to mention the squeaky clean house? HOLY COW… The house was spotless!!!
DAY 1
8:30 am: We are at the 30th St station and get awesome seats on our bus… This after we cooked till 1 the previous night, and took nearly 40 pics during a 10-minute walk to the station… The bus started on time (the importance of buses being punctual will be evident later), and we were off… Needless to say, each of us had a list of things to do and see, and mine had 2 very important places: Grimaldi’s pizza and Toys R Us (oh yes, this might come as no surprise to anyone who is familiar with my Crayola obsession)… Wonder what Rash and Partho had in mind… Did not ask them (does that make me a mean-person? I aint so sure)…
10:30 am: We reach NYC, and we are already in awe over the skyline of the city…!! We reached Brooklyn 2.5 hrs (estimated time according to Google maps was 45 min) after we reached NYC, after I forced Partho and Rash to get off the right train and hop onto the wrong one, and then changed back to the right one. Confusion over the subway did not stop us from exploring Times Square with our luggage…
Reached Brooklyn… Got introduced to everyone and as usual, I got ‘hyper’ about meeting Kannada speaking people… Just the right amount of slang, with a hint of Bangalore and traces of RV… Bangalore Kannada may not be the best, but that doesn’t stop me from loving the sound of it… forget the city, I could have spent all time, just listening to the guys speak!! But that was not an option (of course) and we set out to ‘walk the Brooklyn bridge’…!! This was on Sug’s must-do list for me, and I looked (and acted) visibly excited… also the thought that Grimaldi’s is right THERE did not help… The bridge is quite something; simple and elegant, unlike the sheer concrete that consist its background of high-rises… The walk was truckloads of fun as expected, Partho, Rash and I hopped rather than walked (and I am still wondering what was going on in Vinay’s mind when we went nuts there)… Pics were lousy becuz some setting was not ok, and no one knew how to set it back to normal… After that, we went to see the Wall Street Bull.. Some pics with that thing and we were off to join the rest of the gang at Rockefeller center… I am not sure how any other Christmas will ever close to this year’s… The tree there was FREAKING AWESOME… Not seen anything quite as beautiful as that… Pics: messy again, this was disappointing… But have memories to last a lifetime (and beyond, if I believe in the concept of rebirth and bla)… Times Square happened too, gosh, such a colossal waste of energy!!! Not sure I liked the place on day-1, esp since Toys R Us was closed…
Dinner was supposed to be this unbelievable falafel-on-rice from a cart close to Times Sq… Just when our turn came after 2 hrs in the cold, they ran out of vegetarian options (grrrrrrrrrrrr)… We went to another cart on the way to the subway and bought their not-so-yum-but-OMG-spicy falafel on rice… After a rather quiet dinner, we hit the sack… Did I fail to mention the squeaky clean house? HOLY COW… The house was spotless!!!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
End of Week 1: Food diary!!
This was supposed to be a photo-blog!! But that can wait till I am no longer jet lagged..
Wednesday 18-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Upma
Lunch: Rasam & rice (with ghee), semolina payasam, vangi bath
Dinner: Indian style noodles, vada & sambar, Mangalore bajji, gobi Manchurian, Masala dosa
Thursday 19-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Roti and Dad’s famous masala curry
Lunch: Roti and fancy subzi
Dinner: Roti and fancy subzi,
Friday 20-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Roti & sambar, Huli avalakki
Lunch: American chopsuey and fried rice (Rice Bowl), Sutta-place chai, Masala puri
Dinner:
Saturday 21-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Idly vada
Lunch: North Indian thali
Dinner: Curd rice and curry
Sunday 22-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Vangi bath
Lunch: Pre-Kalyanabhojanam
Dinner: Muuli Paratha
Dedicated to Nandy, Sug and Rosh!!
Wednesday 18-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Upma
Lunch: Rasam & rice (with ghee), semolina payasam, vangi bath
Dinner: Indian style noodles, vada & sambar, Mangalore bajji, gobi Manchurian, Masala dosa
Thursday 19-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Roti and Dad’s famous masala curry
Lunch: Roti and fancy subzi
Dinner: Roti and fancy subzi,
Friday 20-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Roti & sambar, Huli avalakki
Lunch: American chopsuey and fried rice (Rice Bowl), Sutta-place chai, Masala puri
Dinner:
Saturday 21-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Idly vada
Lunch: North Indian thali
Dinner: Curd rice and curry
Sunday 22-Nov-2009
Breakfast: Vangi bath
Lunch: Pre-Kalyanabhojanam
Dinner: Muuli Paratha
Dedicated to Nandy, Sug and Rosh!!
Friday, August 21, 2009
summer of 09.. d'oh!!
well.. this must be what they mean wen they say summer.. is it hot or WHAT? did not know it was possible to sweat-it-out while reading a book...!!
books?? Ahan!! That was what was missing from my life. Sigh! what lofty ambitions I had for the summer! A list of atleast a dozen books on my must-read-now list at the start of summer. Now, with less than a month before I bury myself in coursework, research, Indian student asso. events and many other random things that will take over my life, I realize I only had a list and did nothing about it.
Silk was something that I read. Now THAT was a fine read. The size put me off, I mean, what harm would a book that is barely 100 pages do? Especially when it has some large text. But boy, was I wrong!!! It was EXPLOSIVE. Not giving away anything about the plot, just thinking of the story brings a smile on my face. The things people do for the ones who they love.
Wait a minute. Summer wasnt so dry after all. There was of course, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Between the Assassinations. Could have watched Rakhi ka/ki (Hindi grammar gets to me sometimes!!) Svayamvar instead. I am not sure how either book got such glowing reviews, they were such a dud. Expected so much more from Khaled atleast, The Kite Runner was a delight. Seems like he is having a long-term writer's block!
Writer's block. Although I am no writer on any caliber, I must confess to suffering from one right now! Must be due to the lack of a need to write anything at all. No SOP, no essays, not even a review! Cant wait for classes to start in Sept end. But before that happens, Satanic Verses awaits.
I know why the book is controversial, but the literary genius of Rusdie stands out. It had me from the first page. Nothing else matters in the day except how many pages I read. Reading about the controversy itself, I will hold my opinion, because I havent finished the book.
I know what I am reading next. Midnight's children. Or something a little more controversial, how about Jinnah-India, Participation, Independence.
books?? Ahan!! That was what was missing from my life. Sigh! what lofty ambitions I had for the summer! A list of atleast a dozen books on my must-read-now list at the start of summer. Now, with less than a month before I bury myself in coursework, research, Indian student asso. events and many other random things that will take over my life, I realize I only had a list and did nothing about it.
Silk was something that I read. Now THAT was a fine read. The size put me off, I mean, what harm would a book that is barely 100 pages do? Especially when it has some large text. But boy, was I wrong!!! It was EXPLOSIVE. Not giving away anything about the plot, just thinking of the story brings a smile on my face. The things people do for the ones who they love.
Wait a minute. Summer wasnt so dry after all. There was of course, A Thousand Splendid Suns and Between the Assassinations. Could have watched Rakhi ka/ki (Hindi grammar gets to me sometimes!!) Svayamvar instead. I am not sure how either book got such glowing reviews, they were such a dud. Expected so much more from Khaled atleast, The Kite Runner was a delight. Seems like he is having a long-term writer's block!
Writer's block. Although I am no writer on any caliber, I must confess to suffering from one right now! Must be due to the lack of a need to write anything at all. No SOP, no essays, not even a review! Cant wait for classes to start in Sept end. But before that happens, Satanic Verses awaits.
I know why the book is controversial, but the literary genius of Rusdie stands out. It had me from the first page. Nothing else matters in the day except how many pages I read. Reading about the controversy itself, I will hold my opinion, because I havent finished the book.
I know what I am reading next. Midnight's children. Or something a little more controversial, how about Jinnah-India, Participation, Independence.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Happy birthday 2 u..... Partho!!!
Happy birthday, best friend…..
I am waiting with bated breath for you to set foot in USA, and I am also regretting the fact that I will not be there to see you on the first day, and see that 100-Watt smile that always blinded me…!!
It has been ages since I wrote anything for my blog… And this blog post, I suppose will be something you will remember for a long time… I cannot learn to play a musical instrument to make your birthday special… You have never heard me sing right?? That was probably an easier option than writing this blog… And telling the whole world what a special person you are!!
I am not going to give the chronology of how we met and other such irrelevant topics, that should NEVER be published anywhere!! Instead, it will be a short post to say thanks for the wonderful person you are…
A short Bengali with strong communist ideology was the last person I had in mind when I dreamt of a best friend with whom I could share all secrets. A dude as my best friend, I thought was my worst nightmare coming true. But hehehehe, I am glad I was wrong. You are (to quote the hackneyed phrases) ‘a diamond in the rough’ and ‘worth your weight in gold’.
Whether it was discussing how cute I find a fellow from college or wondering why bioleaching is slowly losing its ground, you have been there. You have been there when people have been pulling me the wrong way, you have been there when I am down, and you have been there to celebrate my happiness. You have taught me to find joy in the simple things of life, like a by-2 coffee in the college canteen, volunteering at an old-age home, helping little kids learn English or math. You have taught me to think beyond the realms of the textbooks and find a cause which I can identify with and truly work towards.
To say I miss not having you around, is perhaps my way of telling the world I am ok without you here. But on the contrary, I miss you when I don’t have anybody to turn to (have lots of 'best' friends here, but sometimes only YOU will do), when I need just one sentence to lift my spirits!
I know how hard you have worked to get into the grad program at Clemson, and I know not another person who deserves it more than you. I am delighted you have stuck to your dream and followed it, with no compromises.
Here is wishing you all the happiness in the world on your birthday!! Hope it is as special as you are..!!
-Bubble
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Books!!!
while i worked at cerner, my biggest indulgence (much to the shock of parents, colleagues and friends) was an insatiable thirst for books.. not from the footpath mind you!! had to be a quick stop at gangarams or blossoms to check the latest list of best sellers and splurge the month's salary on crisp new books..
my partner in crime was mostly bb.. and we sometimes ate our lunch early so that we had enough time to leisurely see through books.. and man! watta way to spend money.. now, did i read everythin i bought.. no...!! but did i try? yes!! 08 was THE year when i took to reading like my life depended on it.. no tv show was as important as gettin my daily dose of reading.. the most rewarding thing to do..
i dunno if there is any such thing as 'the art of owning a book'.. but owning a book you love is essential.. not now, but after 30 yrs, and im retired, these books would always bring back all the memories associated with it.. and well, it wud be a kinda legacy..
i have been to kp's dad's lib.. and he has some of the most amazing books i have seen.. kp has gotten into the habit of reading coz of the books that she is surrounded by.. :) omg.. i wud do anythin to have a book collection that is probably 1/4th of what uncle has!!!
ow, my obsession to own my fav books started coz of a gift tat bro got from a patient.. gregory david roberts' shantaram.. a whole 900+ pages that took me three months to finish.. (cuz some days i read jus one paragraph and start thinking of what the author meant or how profound the sentence in the book was!!!)
in this age of ebooks, hardbound an paperbacks still rule.. for quite a number of reasons...
a) the smell of the book... old or new, all books have a characteristic smell to it.. and it lingers on for a few hours..
b) u can use bookmarks!! (silly reason but im equally obsessed with bookmarks)..
c) some books just WERE NOT meant to read online.. like nelson and cox or bruce alberts!!!
d) books are more portable than comps.. no battery hassles, no concern about viruses while gettin the book.. and most importantly, i can present a book to some1 special and write a personal message on it..!!
my books are right now scattered among family and friends.. :( i have no clue how to add more books to my collection while im here.. but will try my best to..
here is a list of my fav books:
non-fiction:
1) India: From midnight to millennium - Shashi Tharoor.. a fantastic book covering aspects of the indentity of our country.. explained in an absorbing manner, the author's patriotism screams out of the pages..
2) every second counts - lance armstrong: prefered this over the 1st book.. my cousin summed up the book in a single sentence 'after reading a few pages, i can push myself to run a few more miles'.. guess tat is how inspirational a book can get!!
3) romancing with life -dev anand: funny, sweet and just a hint of megalomania.. but the book is a breezy read.. and its quintessential dev anand!! his story in his own words.. nothin more that a fan could ask for..
4) marley and me: dont own this book.. but is definitely on top of my buying list..
5) a short history of nearly everything: watta gr8 book.. :) i wanna read it again and again..
6) a long way gone: eeery.. but enough to shake u up to wake up to the world of violence and how children are affected by war..
fiction:
1) shantaram: enough said about it.. worth every bit of time spent on readin it..
2) riot: tharoor's genius take on communal violence.. written so well, that it cud define un-put-down-able!!!
3) the hungry tide - amitav ghosh: hats off to him! sheer genius.. i dunno what he has described better.. the locales where the story is set.. or the unsaid love that exists between the main protagonists.. (i prefer this over the glass palace cuz that book lost it towards the end)
4) the reluctant fundamentalist: wow!!!
5) the kite runner: its a best-seller for a reason!!! absolutely love this one..
owning and reading books is so addictive.. hope that people will discover the joys of reading... even with playstation, youtube etc etc etc.. and grad school... :D
my partner in crime was mostly bb.. and we sometimes ate our lunch early so that we had enough time to leisurely see through books.. and man! watta way to spend money.. now, did i read everythin i bought.. no...!! but did i try? yes!! 08 was THE year when i took to reading like my life depended on it.. no tv show was as important as gettin my daily dose of reading.. the most rewarding thing to do..
i dunno if there is any such thing as 'the art of owning a book'.. but owning a book you love is essential.. not now, but after 30 yrs, and im retired, these books would always bring back all the memories associated with it.. and well, it wud be a kinda legacy..
i have been to kp's dad's lib.. and he has some of the most amazing books i have seen.. kp has gotten into the habit of reading coz of the books that she is surrounded by.. :) omg.. i wud do anythin to have a book collection that is probably 1/4th of what uncle has!!!
ow, my obsession to own my fav books started coz of a gift tat bro got from a patient.. gregory david roberts' shantaram.. a whole 900+ pages that took me three months to finish.. (cuz some days i read jus one paragraph and start thinking of what the author meant or how profound the sentence in the book was!!!)
in this age of ebooks, hardbound an paperbacks still rule.. for quite a number of reasons...
a) the smell of the book... old or new, all books have a characteristic smell to it.. and it lingers on for a few hours..
b) u can use bookmarks!! (silly reason but im equally obsessed with bookmarks)..
c) some books just WERE NOT meant to read online.. like nelson and cox or bruce alberts!!!
d) books are more portable than comps.. no battery hassles, no concern about viruses while gettin the book.. and most importantly, i can present a book to some1 special and write a personal message on it..!!
my books are right now scattered among family and friends.. :( i have no clue how to add more books to my collection while im here.. but will try my best to..
here is a list of my fav books:
non-fiction:
1) India: From midnight to millennium - Shashi Tharoor.. a fantastic book covering aspects of the indentity of our country.. explained in an absorbing manner, the author's patriotism screams out of the pages..
2) every second counts - lance armstrong: prefered this over the 1st book.. my cousin summed up the book in a single sentence 'after reading a few pages, i can push myself to run a few more miles'.. guess tat is how inspirational a book can get!!
3) romancing with life -dev anand: funny, sweet and just a hint of megalomania.. but the book is a breezy read.. and its quintessential dev anand!! his story in his own words.. nothin more that a fan could ask for..
4) marley and me: dont own this book.. but is definitely on top of my buying list..
5) a short history of nearly everything: watta gr8 book.. :) i wanna read it again and again..
6) a long way gone: eeery.. but enough to shake u up to wake up to the world of violence and how children are affected by war..
fiction:
1) shantaram: enough said about it.. worth every bit of time spent on readin it..
2) riot: tharoor's genius take on communal violence.. written so well, that it cud define un-put-down-able!!!
3) the hungry tide - amitav ghosh: hats off to him! sheer genius.. i dunno what he has described better.. the locales where the story is set.. or the unsaid love that exists between the main protagonists.. (i prefer this over the glass palace cuz that book lost it towards the end)
4) the reluctant fundamentalist: wow!!!
5) the kite runner: its a best-seller for a reason!!! absolutely love this one..
owning and reading books is so addictive.. hope that people will discover the joys of reading... even with playstation, youtube etc etc etc.. and grad school... :D
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Inspiration for the series....
Here is the text of the email that started the Thanks blog posts!!! Your thank you email made me wanna thank everyone who have made a difference in the last year.. :) THANKS again!!!
Subject: A special New year Wishes from me :)
Email message:
Arch..
In one sentence..
Thanks for everything :)
Subject: A special New year Wishes from me :)
Email message:
Arch..
In one sentence..
Thanks for everything :)
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