Dolce Vita

Zindagi :)

2006-02-13T14:51:00.000+05:30

Life is so beautiful but it can get ugly at times. Heres something I made recently. Hope you like it :)

Heres the link ----------> Chaundhoop

A fresh start

2006-01-25T17:53:00.000+05:30

"We should be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action."
- Frank Tibolt, author

I just rcvd a poem from a friend, though had read it earlier but I understand it so much better now. Its truely amazing. Would love to put it here for us :)

IF
by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired of waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold On!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
season we shall reap, if we faint not""

Lonely

2005-06-09T19:39:00.000+05:30

Alone in a desolate world
I walked through lonely roads and saw
A pretty lass crying
Whispering her lovers name, calling him back
He is no where to be found…
I ensconced near her
“I attended his wedding today” she murmured and sighed
I gave her a hug
and walked again…

Saw an old man couched
I sat near him …he rumbled
“Searching the star my son today is,
he left me alone, alone in this lonely world”
“I buried him today”
I couldn’t stop my tears
Made a short prayer and left
Walked through those lonely roads, those lonely roads once again…

I met a young lad
shouting and cursing.
I stopped and looked at him
What’s wrong?
“She ditched me, left me for someone else”
You will find someone better
“I want no one else”
Keep the faith I said and walked

I walk through those lonely roads again and wonder
Where has smile disappeared?
Where have promises vanished?
Why has truth disappeared?
Where has love evanished?
With so many people around,
Why are we sad and solitary…

All the poems, stories etc here are written by me. Whenever it is taken from any other source it is clearly mentioned. Enjoy your stay

Love

2005-06-01T19:28:00.000+05:30

Sameer was so happy, all free and ready to explore the new world, new things that life had to offer him. His 5-year course in Architectural engineering was finally over and he had got a decent job offer. Decent would be a very trivial term for the fantabulous offer that he had got. He and his friends decided to go to Goa for a 10 days trip and enjoy the beach. They were all so excited about the entire thing. After reaching Mumbai they decide to go to Goa by road. They hired a car and set out. All way they were singing and yelling and cracking jokes at one another. Completely unaware of what the future had in store for them.

On reaching Goa, Manisha, a very close friend of Sameer had to leave because she got a call from her home and there was some urgent personal problem that she had to attend to. Rajveer also left with her. Sameer and two of his friends were already totally bored. Their plans were shattered. But still high on enthusiasm they decided to enjoy the trip as much as they could.

One night while returning from the beach they met with an accident. Sameer had absolutely no idea what happened to him and what exactly went wrong. The next day when Sameer opened his eyes he was at the hospital. Drunk like anything he had hit a speeding car. The two friends of his had died on the spot and he had somehow survived. The man had brought him to the hospital in time, was the doctor himself. The treatment was on. He was feeling so guilty and had never bothered to talk to anyone, never bothered to say a word. This went on for days. A young girl would get juice and some food for him everyday. He never cared to look at her but yes the only thing that had locked his eyes on her were the beautiful eyes she had. Deep, innocent, mesmerizing and lovely. Sameer was taken to the doctor’s place after some days. He would simply not tell anyone who he is, where he is from. And because of the accident, he was so badly hurt, the doctor insisted that absolutely no mental pressure be put on him.

The girl looked after him, after all his small needs and demands. Shaina who had completed her graduation at Mumbai and had come to Goa to spend the vacation with her father. A very simple girl, beautiful but she hardly spoke. Like a keen observer she would simply watch her father and Sameer talk and would never care to say a word herself. There was something in her that had impressed Sameer a lot but he would hesitate and ignore these thoughts. Sameer loved painting and once when he found a paper and pencil he started doing some sketches… and he was doing it subconsciously. He was shocked himself when he saw that what he had sketched were those beautiful eyes of Shaina. Instead of tearing the paper and throwing it away (which he was initially tempted to) he folded it and kept it in his trouser pockets.

One evening he was very depressed and sad. He had shut his eyes and was thinking about the accident. He didn’t know that tears had started making their way out of his eyes. He suddenly opened his eyes and saw Shaina was standing in front of him with a glass of juice in her hand. She kept it near him and looked at him for sometime. Sameer desperately wanted her to leave. He wasn’t feeling quite normal at that time. He wanted to be left alone, completely alone. He was too depressed to tolerate company. But Shaina wouldn’t move. She told him after a long silence, “It wasn’t your mistake, an accident is an accident. Not your fault at all. It was but destined to happen and we cant fight with destiny” Those words sounded so sweet. Sameer smiled and said thanks. Shaina was about to leave when Sameer asked her, “Its strange, you have been so good to me, done so much for me, but I don’t even know your name”, and she replied, “I don’t know yours”. “I am Sameer”. “Shaina”…and suddenly Sameer said, “Angel” Shaina turned back and stared at him. He told her, “You are an angel, If you don’t mind that’s what I would like to call you” Sameer and Shaina became very good friends. When she got to know that Sameer loved painting n sketching, she got some sheets for him, some crayons, pencils etc. Sameer would paint something and show it to her and they would discuss his paintings for a long time. Sameer would be low then she would tell him lovely inspiring things.

One evening Sameer decided to go out. He called his dad and told him he is still at Goa and would be coming back in a few days. The depression once more got over him and he went to the beach and sat there gazing at the sea. Shaina joined him, she was quite aware that he would be there. The quietest beach area. And for the first time Sameer told her about himself, small and minute details about himself. Shaina mostly kept quiet. After a long silence he asked her why she was usually so quiet, any specific reason? Shaina didn’t reply and just kept quiet.

In the last 10 days they had come close. Shaina could see that she had started feeling for him and she hated this. She started avoiding him as much as she probably could. Now she stopped accompanying Sameer to the beaches in the evening. She would send his meals etc through someone else. These things didn’t help, didn’t help at all. Sameer gave her the space she needed completely. Things were getting more and more difficult for her. Once when she too was terribly bored she decided to join Sameer in his evening walks. He stopped to make a call. Shaina waited outside. She just casually asked him whom he had called. He replied, “Nisha, my fiancée” and she was completely shocked. She felt so pathetic at that moment when she knew she shouldn’t feel so, at least not she. Sameer added, ”We were supposed to get married soon, we will actually after I join my Job, not a long time left for the same. She is the girl I have been madly in love with for the last 4 years. She was in my college.“ Sameer didn’t quite mark the silence, as it is Shaina used to keep quiet. He turned and looked at her and said, “Angel thanks for everything.” Shaina blurted out, “Dare not say thanks Sameer. You better not. So you are leaving? “ He said, “Ya, how did you know? I was about to say that. I am leaving in a day or two, most probably tomorrow evening. “ And for the first time he saw Shaina smiled but something made Sameer feel that it was such a faked one. But she had already started walking ahead and Sameer joined her. They walked back completely quiet. None of them spoke a word. The next day Sameer packed his bags (his luggage was checked out from the hotel, where he was staying with his friends, long back). He hugged Shaina, gave her his address and contact information and left. Shaina stood there waving goodbye to him, wishing him luck and smiling.

Sameer reached Bangalore and was so relieved. He was happy to see his family, his friends…..Nisha. He got to know that Nisha had to leave for a few months because of the work she had at Delhi. They would get married after 8 months. He was so completely engrossed in his life that he didn’t get the time to think about Goa, think about Shaina. He had forgotten to unpack even. The bag was tugged in some corner and he never cared to open it. One day he needed some document, which he thought might be there in that bag and thus took everything out. He saw the sketch he had made, with “Angel’s eyes” written on it. He thought about Shaina and all that she had done for him, thought about her eyes, those long curls, those sweet words. It was 4 months already and he had not cared to call her even. And all these days, every morning Shaina would get up wishing and praying that Sameer would call her up.

He called her up. The familiar voice on the other side made him feel so good. They talked for a long time. He told her how hectic his life had become, about his job, about his wedding. He asked about her, her father. He suddenly asked, “Angel why didn’t you join any college?” Or did you join any at Goa which I feel you didn’t, wont you read anymore????” Shaina didn’t reply, she just giggled it away. And the topic was changed. They started talking more regularly. Every alternate day he would call her up and they would talk for a long time. Then he had to go to Kolkata for some meeting and couldn’t get the time to call her up for almost 15 days. He was missing her all through but didn’t want to call her up just for a minute and hung up and didn’t have the time to talk for a long time. He decided to call her once he would reach Bangalore. After returning to Bangalore, when he called her up there was no reply. No body picked up the phone. He got worried. He kept trying the number for 3 days at a stretch. Whenever he would get the time he would try her number. No reply. He started missing her like anything and was so terribly worried. The next day he got a letter in a beautiful baby pink colored envelope and written “from your angel” clearly on it. He was so excited but worried at the same time. He opened it in a hurry. In beautiful little letters was written:

“Love is like sunshine,
strong and true,
Love is all that
I feel so deeply for you”

The thought that you will remember me, as a friend, as someone you knew would make me feel grateful to God and feel life wasn’t that bad.

Bye
Love
Angel

Sameer was completely shocked. He tried her number again, but no reply. He immediately left for Goa. Angel’s home was locked. He asked the neighbors about her. An old lady came out and said, “Don’t you know? The poor little girl passed away 10 days back. May God bless her soul. A brave little girl she was. She fought with the disease, with death so bravely. But as she always said, we cant fight with our destiny. And her poor father left this place. I heard he went to Delhi to stay with his sister. “ Sameer was shocked and he immediately left that place. He went to the same beach they used to go to. Sat there and cried and cried for hours still holding the sketch of her eyes. And he felt as if she was there with him, sitting near him, encouraging him, and trying her best to make him feel better. He could feel her in the silence………….all his life.

2005-05-21T14:52:00.000+05:30

Last nite the restaurant where we had been to have dinner, the lady singer in the music band was singing this song. I have been humming the song all day. I must have heard the song so many times now.

Sab ki baaraatein aayi doli tu bhi laana
Dulhan banaake humko rajaji le jaana
Sab ki baaraatein aayi

Chaaha tha maine, socha tha maine
Kya kya the armaan dil nadaan ke
Aankhon mein aansu aaye
Ho, aankhon mein aansu aaye par koi na aaya
Ab to kisi ko bhi apna ke hai bulaana
Sab ki baaraatein aayi

In aankhon mein thi ek raat saji
Haathon mein kabhi choodi si baji
Par aankh khuli to aaya nazar na raat saji na choodi baji
Mera toota tha dil, uski jhankar thi
Saara voh rang tha mere khoone dil ka
Yeh to hai rona dil ka
Haan, yeh to hai rona dil ka kaahe ka taraana
Ab to kisi ko bhi apna ke hai bulaana
Sab ki baaraatein aayi doli tu bhi laana
Dulhan banaake humko rajaji le jaana
Sab ki baaraatein aayi

Chalo jo bhi hua, voh khoob hua
Ab har koi mehboob hua
Hai sab ke liye yeh raat meri ab to hai yehi aukaat meri
Haske bheege palak chamkaana hai
Sooni baahein ada se laheraana hai
Gham khaake aansu peeke

gham khaake aansu peeke mehfil mein gaana
Ab to kisi ko bhi apna ke hai bulaana

Sab ki baaraatein aayi doli tu bhi laana
Dulhan banaake humko rajaji le jaana
Sab ki baaraatein aayi
You can hear the song here ----------> Song

I wonder

2005-05-20T19:35:00.000+05:30

I wonder :

1.Why is it that we understand the value of life when we fear of loosing it? The real value of life can be seen in the eyes of a dying man. The only thing we take for granted everyday when we wake up is that we have got one more to live, to dream, to laugh, to cry….

2.Why is it that even if we know that our mom loves us the most, her love for is truly unconditional and passionate… She tops the list of people we neglect the most. We take her love for us, would rather say we take her for granted. Those long nights she has spent sleepless for our health, our exams, we never even thank her for it. Why do we take her love for us for granted?

3.Why is it that the real value of love can be seen in the hearts of people who have lost someone they loved passionately? Why is love just some trivial game for people who get it without working hard?

4.Why is it that we remember someone the most after he dies? How often our hearts choke when we think of those sad memories when someone very close to our heart died…But when the same person is alive, we seldom think of them and meeting them or talking to them is even rarer…

5.Why is it that the closest friends we have ever had are the ones we have rarely cared for? They are the ones who would be there to wipe our tears, to share our smiles, our partners in the naughtiest things we do….and yet we so often take their friendship for granted….

6.Why is it that the most beautiful things on this earth come free and we spend our entire life running after things that cost us a fortune? Love, friendship, care, concern, the morning rays of the sun, the beautiful colors of the flowers, the song of birds, the beauty of butterflies, the pleasure of a walk bare feet on wet sand, the beautiful night sky, the air we breathe, smile on the face of the one we love the most, the touch of a baby, mom’s hugs they all come free and we seldom notice them….

7.Why is it that we are scared of ghosts, scared of thieves and never scared of the thought that maybe we have hurt someone terribly, that maybe one of the closest one will not be there with us tomorrow, that maybe we broke someone’s trust

8.Why is it that we run after people who wouldn’t care to appreciate us or care for us and never appreciate people who appreciate us? We even watch movies on similar themes like Jo jeeta wahi sikander and like them, yet when it comes to our own lives we would rather go all out to woo the other girl than reciprocate feelings of the ones who love us

9.Why we long to grow up when we are kids, and once we are grown up we miss those childhood days and spend our entire life with those sweet memories which we had never ever been grateful of as kids?

10.Why is it that a sailor longs to get into the sea when in shore and longs to get back to the shore when in sea?

11.Why is it that we take so many things in life for granted? Emotions of people who love us for granted? In fact people who love us for granted

12. Why is it that we never understand how much we care for people till they leave us.... and why is it that once they actualy leave us and we realise things, they hardly come back ?

This probably proves how foolish we all really are or does it prove how mean the force that is controlling every movement on this earth actually is? Is it destiny or our own negligence? As a child I had heard so many stories where the ending was always happy, where people got what they deserved, where there was love and victory of truth. Where the princess always had her prince ride a white horse and come to her, where the King always defeated the evil powers. Were they just to fool us? Or just to keep our childhood sans reality, reality that is so bitter? I still wonder

Birthday

2005-05-19T23:30:00.000+05:30

My birthday, this year has been one of the most memorable days of my life. I never ever had imagined that it will actualy be such a wonderful day this year. I will post whatever happened, the first thing tomorrow.

Edited to add :

Last nite sharp at 12, my lil brother Viki ran to me, hugged me and wished me “happy birthday”, and then my mom…and immediately then I got an sms from a friend and the words used were real cute.Just then one of my best friends, sweet cute SOUP (that’s wat I call her ;) ) called me up.We both simply pull each others leg, she asked me “well is it time?” :D and I said, “Well I think so” :D and she wished me happy birthday and we both were giggling :P immediately then my cell rang, and there was actually a sweet lil surprise, a very very sweet friend of mine from Delhi ( we had not been in touch for sometime now) had called and she so cutely whispered “happy bday”.It was one real surprise. I had never thought she remembered my bday. Then a sweet friend of mine called me up and wished me. It was the first time we were talking, though we have been friends for months now. A friend I got through blogging, And the friend actually made a lovely e-card and sent it to me with a lovely poem. And then many old friends called me up, my cousins called me up. I got sms from some friends and at 1 am, I got a sweet call from a very sweet friend, who actually sang the bday song to me :P and I got a gift from the friend today :) which is so cute. Thanx :)

Today morning when I got up dad was here. He had actually taken a leave of 2 days and come here. It was the loveliest surprise and I found on my bed birthday card and gifts like every year. My mom would make sure when I get up I get to see the gifts first. Mom gifts me one soft toy every year. Its like a must and then any other gift. I had only girl soft toys in my room, this year for the first time mom gifted me Pinnochio. And every year dad would definitely gift me a book and my favorite chocolates and then anything else. Apart from these gifts I was also given a gold chain, a cute pendant and a 1000 bucks :P I got some lovely sms wishes and some friends called up and wished me today.

We ( me and some very close friends of mine) had decided to go to Cafe coffee day on my birthday. This plan is almost 12-13 days old. Initialy it was the last place I ever wanted to go to on my birthday. But then I thought why not. My cousin who is doing her MBBS at Vizag also joined us. She knows my friends very well, so for her such get togethers are fun. My friend Niks had to come to my place and we were to leave together. And as she is miss late latif, when she had to reach at 10, she reached at 11 :D. We picked up my cousin too and reached CCD at around 11:15. We met two very very sweet friends and that too for the first time. Both of them were so sweet and interesting. We had some iced eskimos and Instant nirvanas there. We talked for sometime and then these 2 friends had to leave. We wished we could have spent some more time together but they werent late latifs like ...... and had been there from 10 itself. After they left we all decided to eat more. We ate pizzas, burgers, and then even butter masala dosa. We asked this guy at CCD to pack two more pizzas and were eating dosa in the south indian restaurant which happens to be in the same building, just next to CCD. That guy came there to tell us that the pizzas were packed and he couldn’t stop staring at what we were eating and am sure he couldn’t believe we actually could eat so much( he didn’t know how much of sharing was going on actually). We don’t look like we can actually eat so much :D and he smiled and left. Uski halat dekh ke my friends and I just couldn’t stop laughing. We then had a coke and returned home. We parked the car near my home and kept talking. Entered home at around 2:30 and then mom was there with lunch for us. We couldnt tell her no :D :D :D :D and actualy had lunch :P :P

After talking for some more time, they left and I had to clean my room. This time around my room was literaly cluttered with news papers. I came online for sometime and saw those lovely wishes on the forum. I felt so good after reading them. I was still getting sms and calls from friends.

And then in the evening we had a small party at home. All my relatives and cousins had turned up. All my cousins are here. Most of them reached here on 18th and some have already left now( i.e at this time ). We enjoyed so much and need I add ATE so much. 10-15 bottles of real fruit juice and other snacks were jsut appetisers :D :D and then cake and then dinner. We were just yelling shouting singing and well making and were enjoying so much that some cousins who called up to say that they are going to reach lil late actualy would leave the important work and reach in 5 mins. The party actualy continued till 2:30 am. And coz my pc is on 24X7 I at times just logged in and posted something. At 2:30 I was so tired, didnt take me a minute to fall asleep and in days I had a very calm, pleasant sleep. God knows when I would have got up, thanks to a friend who called me up and I woke up :D :D and the cutest gift was from a cute lil cousin who gifted me a huge ( read that real HUGE) TEDDY :p :p Cute na? :D :D

Some cards that I got yesterday :

And some of the lovely e-cards I got :

Cant get the other ones coz they are flash files

Dil to kehta hai....

2005-05-18T15:52:00.000+05:30

Dil to kehta hai Woh apne hai
Apne hi hai
Dil to kehta hai woh apne hai
apne hi hai
Jinki jaanib se Halka sa ishara bhi nahi
Koi awaaz to ayi hai kahin se lekin
Usne ab tak to bhule se pukara bhi nahi
Dil to kehta hai woh apne hai
Apne hi hai

Kya khata ki jiski humko to khabar hi na hui
Jaane kyun humse khafa hai yeh zamane wale
Kya khata ki jiski humko to khabar hi na hui
Jaane kyun humse khafa hai yeh zamane wale
Humko apnale
Humko apnale yeh unko to gawara bhi nahi
Dil to kehta hai woh apne hai
Apne hi hai

Tum hamein chaho na chaho yeh tumhara dil hai
Hum tumhein paake rahenge yeh hamara dil hai
Tum hamein chaho na chaho yeh tumhara dil hai
Hum tumhe paake rahenge yeh hamara dil hai
Meri umeed...
meri umeed koi tuta sitara bhi nahi
Dil to kehta hai woh apne hai
apne hi hai
jinki jaanib se halka sa ishara bhi nahi
koi awaz to ayi hai kahin se lekin
usne ab tak to bhule se pukara bhi nahi
Dil to kehta woh apne hai
apne hi hai.....

I have heard this song so many times now. I like this song a lot
You can hear the song here -------> song

And Forgive Me!

2005-05-17T01:37:00.000+05:30

Found it on the Da forum and I found it so cute

Here is the weblink
click here --------> And forgive me

je suis très belle :D

2005-05-10T14:55:00.000+05:30

A sketch I made. Comments most welcome :)

Love Story

2005-05-06T17:20:00.000+05:30

A forward I received in my mail box :D

Love Story ..Must Read

Read this if u believe in love,but if u don't believe in love then too
read

this ........ might change ur perspective !!!! Must Read ... Dedicated
to

all those who made Spiderman and Titanic a (success!) A true, touching
love

story that happened in the NWFP(border) areas.

The headman of a big tribe had a beautiful daughter, who fell in love
with

a boy who was an ordinary poor person. When the people of the tribe came
to

know about their love, they did not like it at all, and so began to
protest

about it.

Now it happened that the two lovers left their homes for a happy future.

The people of the tribe started searching for the(two) lovers but they

could not find them.

At last, they accepted their love and asked them in a newspaper to come

back. The people said that if u both come back we will marry u, we
accept

that u lo! ved each other truly.

So in this way their love won and the age old attitide of the tribe took
a

beating. The couple went to the city for shopping for the wedding. He
was

wearing a white traditional dress, and was crossing the road when a car

came and hit him and he ! died on the spot.The girl lost her senses.

After a long time she recovered and accepted that her love has died. One

night she was sleeping in her home with her family.Her(mother) had dream
in

which she saw a fairy.

That fairy asked her mother to wash the blood spots of the guy from her

daughter's clothes as soon as possible. But her mother ignored the
dream.

Next night the father saw the same dream, he also ignored it.

Then when the girl had the same dream the next night, she woke up and
told

her mother about the dream. Her mother asked her to wash the clothes on

which there were blood spots. She washed the spots but! some remained.

Next night she again had the same dream she again washed the spots but
some

still remained. Next night she again had the same dream and this time
that

fairy gave her last warning to wash the blood spots, elsesomething
terrible

will happen.

This time the girl tried her best to wash the spots, the clothes tore,
but

some spots still r! emained. In the evening on same day when she was
alone,

someone knocked the door, when she opened the door she saw the fairy at
the

door.

She got very scared and fainted. The fairy woke her up..., and gave her
an

object. That awe-struck girl asked "what is this..?,to which the(fairy)

replied......."kaise bhi daag ho, jaise bhi daag ho............. surf

excel... hai na..." I know what u are feeling now... But don't look for

me... I'msearching for the person who mailed this to me..."

2005-04-26T14:33:00.000+05:30

2005-04-18T20:27:00.000+05:30

I came across an interesting love story while browsing for "Dolce Vita"... Here it goes :

Click here ---- Dolce Vita

comic strip

2005-04-15T11:17:00.000+05:30

Friends

2005-04-13T14:14:00.000+05:30

Some quotes on friendship :

"A true friend walks in when the whole world walks out."

"Though miles may lie between us, we're never far apart, for friendship doesn't count the miles, it's measured by the heart."

"Stars are like friends; there's always some around, you just need to find your favorite one."

"Money and power only last the hour, but friendship and love withstand the sky above."

"A special friend is a blessing that you should treasure with all your heart."

"You have done it Without a touch, without a word, Without a sign.You have done it By being yourself.Perhaps that is what Being a friend means After all."

"The best friend you can have is one you can sit on the porch with and not say a word, then get up and feel like that was the best conversation you've ever had."

"I found a friend who made me smile. We fell in love, it's quite worthwhile! For he is mine forvermore; a friend, a lover, mi amor!"

"In the cookies of life, your friends are the chocolate chips."

"It's a long road when you face the world alone, when no one reaches out a hand for you to hold. You can find love if you search within your soul, and the emptiness you felt will disappear."

"I asked God for a flower, and He gave me a garden. I asked Him for a tree amd He gave me a forest. I asked Him for a river and He gave me an ocean. I asked God for a friend and He gave me...YOU."

Few more added :

"The relationship in friendship is like the one between hand and eye; when the hand gets hurt eye cries and when the eye cries hand wipes the tears."

One fine day love and friendship met.Love asked "why do you exist if i already exist?"friendship replied "To put a smile where you leave tears"

(Thanks anand for sharing these two lovely quotes in my comment box... they are simply lovely...)

True love?

2005-04-08T18:58:00.000+05:30

I haven’t blogged for a long time now. One new story to share…

Palampur
20 years back:

Rajeev, a young 24 years old guy, full of life, dreams, hopes, the urge.. the hidden interest to make it big in life visits Palampur, a small Hill Station set on the rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with the Dauladhar ranges, in Himachal Pradesh. His interest in photography pulled him to that place. He was too tired, working, slogging and wanted a break from everything. He had booked for himself a room in one of the best hotels there.

He would simply walk through the lovely tea gardens.. click pictures of local people there.. enjoy a cup of tea in a local tea workers house.. and again just keep walking… His interest in Palampur grew with every passing day. He wanted to know more and more about the place.. its history etc. He heard of a family .. the oldest in Palampur and decided to visit them. The next day he got up early and went to meet them .

He was greeted by a young little girl, very charming, very cute who took him inside. A old man came after almost 15 mins. Everyone addressed him as “babuji” in the family. Rajeev bowed and he too called him babuji. While he was talking to him, a girl came out and sat there with them . She seemed to know much more about Palampur, more than even babuji, though she must have been hardy 20-21 years old. Rajeev was impressed. She told him it was her interest in Palampur coz of which she knows so much about the place. She was a simple looking, tradition girl, who was updated about the modern living style as well, but her values deep rooted. Her name was Malvika. They became good friends. Malvika showed him a number of beautiful places in Palampur in the next couple of days. Places like “Al-hilal”, “Andretta”, “temple of Baijnath”, “Bir and Billing”, “Neughal Khad”,”tea factory”, “Temple of Bundelmata”. Rajeev took many pics of Malvika. Malvika’s simple, innocent attitude, her innocent beauty, her intelligence impressed him a lot. For Malvika it’s a unique experience. She had never been this close to any guy, she felt so attached to him .She actually fell in love with him. She would take Rajeev’s flirtatious compliments too seriously. One day as she waits for Rajeev, he doesn’t come … She waits for hours.. for days but Rajeev never comes back. Finally one day she decides to go to Rajeev’s place in Delhi. There she gets to know that Rajeev is out of country for some course. She is shattered, shocked and very angry. She is angry on herself for waiting for him. She is angry on herself for feeling for him. From a simple innocent girl, a girl who so easily expressed her emotions she turns into a stone when it comes to emotions. Any emotional display would be a faked one. She opened a small bookshop in Palampur and spent her time reading books.

15 years back:

She had been to Delhi to get some new books for her shop. As she was idly going through some stalls she came across Rajeev. She had never expected it. She had thought Delhi is too big to come across him and moreover believed that he was abroad. Rajeev smiled when he saw her and came and talked to her so casually. Malvika simply could not believe it. She tried to be quiet. As quiet as she possibly could. She was supposed to marry a guy her parents had chosen for her in a month. Rajeev didn’t mention even once about his sudden disappearance. Neither did she.

She just bid him bye and left. Once as she was sitting in her stall she saw a car stop outside her stall. It was Rajeev and with him a lovely lady. His wife. They were so happy. So engrossed in each other. Rajeev didn’t know it was Malvika’s shop. He just told her hi and introduced her to his wife. Malvika smiled. She just tried to behave as normal as she could. As soon as they left she cried…cried and cried for hours. And then she decided something. She told her family she wont marry. She simply can’t trust anyone, anyone in her life. Her family objected but she was so determined they could do nothing. She also left India. Went abroad for higher studies. She led a beautifully lonely life. She and her books. She loved painting but now she couldn’t. She felt as if there were no colors left in her life.

A year back:

Malvika was here in India, in Palampur. A man delivered her a letter. It was from Rajeev. He wanted to meet her. She simply didn’t feel like meeting him. All those days, those memories flashed across her eyes. The memories, which had never evaded her thoughts even once. She didn’t feel like meeting him. The next day at 10 when he had asked her to meet him she was still confused, slightly restless. She couldn’t stop herself and went to meet him. He looked fatigued. He felt she still looked so sweet, so charming. They both sat there talking nothing, she wasn’t even looking at him. She regretted the decision of meeting him. She just told him, “Rajeev I have to leave. I have some work. Will talk to you some other day. Take care” He said, “Sure. Just wanted to know how you are. How is your family? Your husband?” “All are fine” is all she said and left. He just smiled back and she left. She didn’t care to look back at him but he was looking at her only till she was out of sight.

2 months back:

She was leaving for her college abroad. She was a professor. She had to go to Delhi first. She was tempted to visit him just once before leaving. When she passed by his house, she just stopped and went in. It was a sudden visit. His housekeeper told her that he is in the garden and led her to the garden. He was sitting in the chair and having his tea. It was early morning. She just told him hi and exchanged a few words. Then she told him that she was leaving the same day. She wanted to meet his wife. He said his wife isn’t there at home so she can’t meet. They talked for sometime. Then she got up to leave. She went a few steps and then came back and said, “Rajeev you wont come to leave me till your gate?” He said, “Hmm don’t worry she will leave you. Goodbye”. She left. But she could feel something somewhere was wrong. She didn’t even have the time to know what it was. She had her flight in another 30 minutes. She had got her luggage checked and cleared when she suddenly felt like going back.

And she went back. She entered his house without knocking. She was shocked to see Rajeev’s wife’s huge photograph in the main room with garland on it. She was dead. She was shocked to see that Rajeev was going from the table to the other room in his wheel chair. She was shocked. She called out his name. He was shocked. He was so angry. He never ever wanted her to know this. One tragic incident had changed their lives. He was happy that Malvika is happy. He never bothered her with his sad stories.

Malvika went near him and said, “ Rajeev please let me be with you. Don’t send me away when I want to share your pains… Share your tears. Please”

He sighed and said, “No Malvika. You should leave. You have your own life. These are my own pains. I have to live with them. And please don’t meet me again. Don’t bother me by coming here. I am happy with my life. I am absolutely fine. There is no tear to be shared. Leave please. Leave now. I have alot of work to do”

Malvika was crying though she hated the tears rolling down from her eyes. The Ice melting, faked emotions being replaced by true, honest, deep emotions.

She said, “Rajeev I don’t have a family to go back to. I never married. I couldn’t. To be honest it wasn’t that I was waiting for you. I knew you would never come back, you were never mine. It’s just that I was so deeply hurt that I felt I couldn’t trust anyone else. Please let me be with you.”

Rajeev was staring at her. [He was hurt. Deeply hurt now. He was happy that at least Malvika was happy. When he had met Malvika years back in Delhi, he knew he loved her. He never told her. He was going to get married in a few more days and heard that even she was getting married. And he felt that she didn’t love him. So he never told her about his feelings. He had left Palampur because he was feeling chained to Malvika. Something, which was a strange thing for him. He wanted to be free and this deep feeling of being chained, bonded, and committed… he hated it. Now when they had met and he got to know that Malvika’s life was sailing smooth he was so happy.]

He kept staring at her, his eyes full of regret now. And Malvika sat in front of him, her hands on his legs, which had now lost sensation completely. She didn’t say a word… just kept looking into his eyes… till Rajeev actually calmed down. His eyes became tenderer… his facial expression more relaxed… more soothed.

He sighed and then looked at her, smiled and said, “Malvika why did all this happen? Why did I run away from you? Our lives could have been so completely different.” She just smiled and said, “That’s life. Our lives are going to be different from today onwards, right from this moment.” They stayed together ever after. Laughed, cried, enjoyed, shared pain together but in Scotland where Malvika was a professor in a University. They started their life afresh.

Need I write? “And they lived happily ever after. ”

Power Of Love

2005-04-01T01:50:00.000+05:30

This is a true story:

"There is a lovely couple living near my house. They have a lovely, cute little son. He is 7 years old. Bhaiya very smart, good looking , very compassionate, working in a big reputed company in a very high post. Bhabhi very pretty, gorgeous, sweet. She is also working in a big reputed company in a high post. Both of them come from rich, respected, noble families.

There's is a lovely, happy family.

8 years back they went for a love marriage. Bhabhi's family had objected and she went against her family and married him. Her family had objected because bhaiya is aheart patient. The worst part is just before his marriage he had some major health problems. Doctors everywhere said he would live for max a year or two. Not more than that. Simply not possible considering the condition of his heart. And nothing could be done anymore. Bhabhi insisted that they marry soon. Though bhaiya didnt want to .....she convinced him. And now here they are having spent 8 beautiful years together and I pray they spend many many more years together.

Once there was some problem with my car and i simply could not start it. And bhaiya was passing by in his car. He parked his car and tried to see what the problem was. And then he actualy started pushing it. I felt so bad particularly because of his health problems. But it wouldnt stop him. Small gestures at times speak volumes about a person's character.

Their's is a love story one would seriously feel like respecting. Pure, sacred love and maybe this is has made even God proud of them .May God bless them!

When you love someone, you should love them so much that no matter what goes wrong, you stick to each other. I guess only then it can be called "Love". "

Thought:

"They do not love that do not show their love. The course of true love never did run smooth. Love is a familiar. Love is a devil. There is no evil angel but Love."~ William Shakespeare

Silence

2005-03-31T21:30:00.000+05:30

Sherlock Holmes once solved a murder mystery based not on what happened but on what didnt happen. Holmes remarked to his assistant, Dr Watson, about "the curious incident of the dog in the nighttime". Watson, surprised, responds, "But the dog did nothing in the nighttime". To which Holmes replied,"That was the curious incident."Holmes concluded the crime had to be committed by someone with whom the dog was familiar because the watchdog didnt bark.

The dog didnt bark in the night is often used as a metaphor for an event that is significant by reason of its absence. That story is also an excellent illustration of the importance of silence in communication.

Silence-defined here as an absence of speech or noise-has been generally ignored as a form of communication beacuse it represents inaction or nonbehavour.But its not necessarily inaction. Nor is silence, as many believe, a failure to communicate. It can, in fact, be a powerful form of communication.It can mean someone is thinking or contemplating a response to a question. It can mean a person is anxious and fearful of speaking. It can signal agreement, dissent, frustration, or anger.

Failing to pay closeattention to the silent portion of a conversation can result in missinga vital part of the message. Astute communicators watch for gaps, pause, and hesitations.They hear and interprete silence. They treat pauses for instance, as analogous to a flashing yellow light at an intersection - they pay attention to what comes next. Is the person thinking, deciding how to frame an answer? Is the person suffering from communication apprehension? Sometimes the real message in a communication is burried in the silence.

Todays thought :

"I love it when I am sad..it hepls me value happiness

I love it when I am lonely..it helps me value company"

Love Incomplete

2005-03-27T00:15:00.001+05:30

Raj and Neha were best friends. Their friendship developed in fifth standard in school when Neha moved to Shimla with her parents. Raj and his family were one very popular family there. He was a intelligent, smart and handsome boy. Neha was very intelligent, smart, beautiful and a very practical girl. They had a lovely friendship. Neha understood Raj more than anyone else and Raj could sacrifice anything for Neha. They fought, they argued but at the same time liked each other a lot. With time, their friendship grew stronger and stronger. In the last year of their school, their relationship took a new turn. They felt it was not just friendship. It was more than that. It was love. Then they both went to different colleges but spent most of the time with each other. There was no doubt or confusion regarding the depth of their love for each other. Raj was mentally convinced that Neha should be his life partner, that he madly loved her. Neha too had similar feelings.Their love was very special to Raj.

A new girl was admitted to his college. This girl was junior to him. A young, vibrant and lovely girl Shaina. She was a girl who lived in her own dreams. A girl who believed in spreading love. She believed in enjoying each and every moment of life. She was very innocent. She had faith in God.

It was the first day of her college. She was very nervous. Raj and his friends were ragging freshers. Raj for some reasons didn't feel like ragging her. She was allowed to go. That day changed Shaina's life. There was something in him that she liked a lot. She was unaware of Raj's feelings for Neha. They too became friends. Raj liked Shaina as a friend. But, it was not the same with her. She started loving him.

She told about her feelings for Raj to her dad, her mom had died when she was just 1 year old, in an accident. Her dad asked her to take it easy, to take time before deciding anything. Once Raj and she had been to a friend's party. In a very weak moment, she confessed her love to him. Initially he didn't react. He took it very lightly but then he told her about Neha. He was too engrossed in loving Neha, he could not feel the intensity of love or the feelings of Shaina. He ignored her. But, then he started accusing Shaina. He cursed her. All this shattered her. She had realized long before that Raj was someone else's love. So, she had set him free. She had not bothered him. What exactly made Raj angry and upset..even she could not understand. Shaina felt her life, her joys were over. She couldn't come out of it. Her dad and friends gave her the support, the encouragement to live, to enjoy life.

She studied hard. Then after completing her studies she went to Mumbai for a job. By that time, Raj and Neha had completed their studies and had started working (Delhi ). Raj felt that it was the perfect time for them to get married. To give the most beautiful ending to their love. Neha went home and discussed the matter with her parents. Her parents told her about Rajeev. He was a business tycoon. He had met Neha in some party and was impressed. He knew her family distantly and thus had sent his proposal to marry her. She was a very practical girl. She also felt that her family didn't quite appreciate Raj. Apart from all these reasons when she gave a very serious thought about Raj she realized that he was a wonderful friend, a best friend. They had misinterpreted their friendship as love and then had never given a second thought to it. She told all this to Raj and married Rajeev.

Raj was shocked and devastated. For some months, he just could not concentrate on anything. Often he would meet Neha and Rajeev accidentaly.

One day he decided that he should settle down too.When he thought of whom he loved or cared for the only girl he could think of was Shaina

He realized that it was his liking and love for her, which had confused him at that time. That is why he had treated her so badly. Because he didn't like even the thought of loving someone other than Neha.He decided to talk to Shaina about his feelings. He rushed to her place. Now only her dad lived there. She was in Mumbai.

When her dad heard about it, he was excited. Because he knew it very well that his daughter had loved only this man and no one else. That she still loved him. That is why she had refused to marry any of the guys she had come across or her dad had selected for her. He immediately called up Shaina.

Raj asked him not to tell her the reason, as it would be a surprise. He asked him just to call her back saying that some urgent need had cropped up. Her dad did exactly that. Sheimmedietely left for Shimla after receiving that call from her dad.

Her dad and Raj were eagerly waiting for her. Then they got the news that the train in which she was coming had met with an accident. They rushed to the spot. They found Shaina but she was dead. She was dead before coming to know that the love of her life was also in love with her. She died before Raj could tell her sorry for hurting her so much. She died before Raj could apologize for having played with her feelings. She died before Raj could tell her that he wanted to spend his entire life with her, that he had loved only her all these years.

Today Raj is in his late forties, working in a huge firm, his own firm. He is single. He couldn't think of marrying anyone other than Shaina. He has no bitter feelings for Neha anymore. Now they are good friends. He is very fond of Shaina, the 7-year-old daughter of Neha and Rajeev.

Sunscreen Speech Song

2005-03-26T23:32:00.000+05:30

Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of '99: Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.

I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You’re not as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing everyday that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts; don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead; sometimes you’re behind; the race is long, and in the end it’s only with yourself.

Remember the compliments you receive; forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters; throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what to do with your life; the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives; some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees; you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry -- maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children -- maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 40 -- maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either -- your choices are half chance; so are everybody else’s.

Enjoy your body; use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it. It’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance -- even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines; they will only make you feel ugly.
*****************************************************************
Get to know your parents; you’ll never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography, in lifestyle, because the older you get the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard;

live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: price will rise; politicians will philander; you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble, and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund; maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful who advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia: dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it’s worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Listen to it ------> HERE

Love you

2005-03-26T22:30:00.000+05:30

Faith

2005-03-26T20:49:00.000+05:30

A forward I received in my mail box

Kal Ho Na Ho

2005-03-26T14:26:00.000+05:30

"Aaj...aaj ek haseen aur bantlun
aaj ek dua aur maanglun
aaj ek ansoon aur pilun
aaj ek zindagi aur jilun
aaj ek sapna aur dekhlun
Aaj....
Kya patha kal ho na ho !"

I wonder if there is anyone who hasnt seen the movie. Still here is a synopsis of the movie :

"
New York. April 2003. The late winter continues...

For Naina Catherine Kapur (Preity Zinta), life is cold grey and dull - as it has been ever since a family tragedy shook her world.

Between the constant bickering in her half Punjabi half Catholic household, her grandmother's temper's, looking after her little sister and brother and helping her mother (Jaya Bachchan) deal with the family's financial troubles - Naina has no time for things like parties, fun or herself...

She's twenty-three going on fifty. She is serious. She is boring.

Enter Aman Mathur (Shah Rukh Khan). Like a whiff of fresh air, he moves into their tiny Indian neighborhood to take it over. Helping others resolve their problems, face life's little challenges - Aman has all the answers.

Much to Naina's irritation, he insists on interfering in her life too...

Aman pushes Naina into doing things she would never dream of doing. He nags her till she learns to smile. He conspires with friend Rohit (Saif Ali Khan), an eligible Manhattan bachelor to help find her happiness.

Kal Ho Naa Ho is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina's journey together - how they discover themselves, find the courage to love and come together to celebrate life. "

I liked the movie a lot. There were a few scenes, a few words said in the movie that realy made me think. For instance, there is a scene in which Aman asks Naina to smile. He tries to teach her to smile. And he tells her something like....Whatever we have, there are many in this world who dont even have that much, they pray God to have them..But we never value what we have.

If you have a life to live, you have a lot. You always have the chance to get what you didnt get. You always have the chance to try once more. Value life !

The movie was full of people sacrificing a lot. Sacrificing love, peace, their own image just to see people around them happy. Dont know how viable it is in real life..but still the movie has a lot to offer. I have seen very few movies in the last 3-4 years. This is one which i realy liked a lot.

"Chaahe Jo Tumhe Poore Dil Se
Milta Hai Woh Mushkil Se
Aisa Jo Koi Kahin Hai
Bas Vahi Sabse Hasin Hai
Us Haath Ko Tum Thaam Lo
Woh Meherbaan Kal Ho Na Ho"

I was amazed when I heard these lines in the title song. Something a very close friend of mine always believed in. She is in Calcutta now. "Love someone who loves you and your life will be heaven"

Happy Holi

2005-03-26T03:02:00.000+05:30

HAPPY HOLI!!!
May this holi fill life with colours..colours of joy and happiness. Laugh, enjoy, spread love...

HAD A BLAST TODAY:

This year Holi was so much fun. My day began with a lovely “Happy holi” sms from a friend at around 6 in the morning :D

I could manage sleeping till 7 and then till 7:30 was just replying back all those happy holi wishes.
I wanted to do something different this year. Why should it be that every year my friends come to my place to play Holi with me.Today I picked up my friend and we both went to meet other friends. It was a lovely sight to see, safe from inside your car (dare not go outside :D), people playing holi on the streets. My friend had such loud music playing. Could hardly hear anything :D
We were humming the songs for hours:
“phir wahi raat hai
phir wahi……..”
“roz roz”
and back street boys

I loved the “surprised smile” in the face of my friends. One thing for sure is they never ever expected it especially coz my exams are on. : D…. but then holi comes just once in a year. We both were laughing so much today that I actualy had to park the car coz wasnt able to drive it laughing. She is too good at cracking jokes.
And at around 1:00 got a call that we needed to go to my mamaji’s place and had to return home. Such a lovely party was arranged. I just loved it. My cousins had reached Bhubaneswar last nite and we all had such great fun today. Colors being splashed, and then suddenly you would have ice cold water being splashed from somewhere, those crazy little things falling on you…everybody dancing, singing, shouting. Then we started "antakshari", all ladies one group and all gents the other which ended up being youngsters one group and all uncles the other. It was so much fun. We would be secretly helping uncles, prompting them with songs and all. And as we all know when uncles sing 90 percent of it is “la la la la …”…lol

The party seemed never ending. None of us wanted to return …… It ended with lunch (at 4) and some of us singing songs. I also happened to meet some new people, some old friends. We sang songs..songs like…”maine payal hai chhankayi”,”ajeeb daastan”, ”bahon mein chale aao” :D

Those lines still ringing..
"Chale Hi Jaana Hai, Nazar Churake Yu

Phir Thaami Thi Saajan Tumne Meri Kalayi Kyu

Kisi Ko Apna Banake Chod De, Aisa Koi Nahin Karta

Sh, sh, sh, sh, sh, sh "

(everybody saying sh sh sh sh together)

Because of my exams I cant even spend much time with my cousins and most of them will be leaving tomorrow. They were here just for two days. :(

I am going to remember this day for a long long time. Feeling so rejuvenated so happy :)

Realy had a blast today :)

WHY LOVE?

2005-03-25T10:43:00.000+05:30

Lady : Why do you like me..? Why do you love me?

Man : I can't tell the reason.. but I really like you..

Lady : You can't even tell me the reason... how can you say you like me? How can you say you love me?

Man : I really don't know the reason, but I can prove that I love you.

Lady : Proof? No! I want you to tell me the reason. My friend's boyfriend can tell her why he loves her but not you!

Man : Ok..ok!!!
Erm... because you are beautiful,
because your voice is sweet,
because you are caring,
because you are loving,
because you are thoughtful,
because of your smile,
because of your every movement.

The lady felt very satisfied with the man's answer. Unfortunately, a few days later, the Lady met with an accident and became comma. The Guy then placed a letter by her side, and here is the content:

Darling,

Because of your sweet voice that I love you...
Now can you talk? No! Therefore I cannot love you.
Because of your care and concern that I like you...
Now that you cannot show them, therefore I cannot love you.
Because of your smile, because of your every movements that I love you.
Now can you smile? Now can you move? No, therefore I cannot love you...

If love needs a reason, like now, there is no reason for me to love you anymore.
Does love need a reason? NO!

Therefore, I still love you... And love doesn't need a reason"

Sometimes the best and the most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, cannot be touched, but can be felt in the heart "

Insurance Report

2005-03-24T19:36:00.000+05:30

"Insurance Report
Possibly the funniest story in a long while,this is a bricklayer's accident report, which was printed in the newsletter of the American Insurance Journal.
This is a true story.
Had this guy died, he'd have received a Darwin Award for sure.
Dear Sir:

"I am writing in response to your request for additional information in Block 3 of the accident report form.I put "poor planning" as the cause of my accident.You asked for a fuller explanation and I trust the following details will be sufficient.

I was alone on the roof of a new six-story building. When I completed my work,I found that I had some bricks left over which,when weighed later,were found to be slightly more than 500 lbs.Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel by using a pulley,which was attached to the side of the building on the sixth floor.

Securing the rope at ground level,I went up to the roof,swung the barrel out and loaded the bricks into it.Then I went down and untied the rope,holding it tightly to ensure a slow descent of the bricks.
You will note in Block 11 of the accident report form, that I weigh 135 lbs.

Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly,I lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope.Needless to say,I proceeded at a rapid rate up the side of the building.

In the vicinity of the third floor,I met the barrel, which was now proceeding downward at an equally impressive speed.This explains the fractured skull, minor abrasions and the broken collarbone, as listed in section 3 of the accident report form.

Slowed down slightly,I continued my rapid ascent,not stopping until the fingers on my right hand were two knuckles deep into the pulley.Fortunately by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able to hold tightly to the rope, in spite of beginning to experience a great deal of pain.

At approximately the same time,however,the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of the barrel.

Now devoid of the weight of the bricks,that barrel weighed approximately 50lbs.

I refer you again to my weight. As you can imagine,I began a rapid descent,downthe side of the building.In the vicinity of the third floor,I met the barrel coming up.This accounts for the two fractured ankles,broken tooth and several lacerations of my legs and lower body.

Here my luck began to change slightly.The encounter with the barrel seemed to slow me enough to lessen my injuries when I fell into the pile of bricks and fortunately,only three vertebrae were cracked.

I am sorry to report,however,as I lay there on the pile of bricks,in pain, unable to move, I again lost my composure and presence of mind and let go of the rope and I lay there watching the empty barrel beginning its journey back down onto me. This explains the two broken legs.

I hope this answers your questions. "

I found it on net. Ever since I read it I am laughing and laughing :))

Satellite photo of your house. Click HERE

Happy

2005-03-24T15:40:00.000+05:30

I am so happy today. Is it because my exam went very very very well or maybe because I am generally at peace or maybe because my next exam on 28th, 3 days to relax ? I dont know but I just know am happy.

I went to Shiridi Sai baba's temple today. Its in the out skirts of Bhubaneswar. Cool breeze, pleasant atmosphere, quiet, peaceful ambience. The roads always remind me the descriptions given in Jane Eyre.

Immedietely after my exam was over I went to that temple. Its particularly good to visit it on thursdays. But I went because I wanted to for a long time now and because I have a three days break before my next exam..Today was just ideal.

There I was sitting for almost an hour..the wind was unusualy cool today and the atmosphere so pleasant, so comforting. Infact I didnt feel like coming back. And one complete hour I was there just looking at Baba. It gave me such peace such satisfaction...Its so difficult to express it in words. I was just looking at his eyes...asking for nothing ...wanting nothing...complaining nothing..something I normaly do. :)

The best part was that when i was coming back the pujari there got a flower ( rose) from Baba's feet and gave it to me.....and I just went to bow before Baba's feet and he started chanting . Some positive signs I would say.

well am just blabbering :)

Song playing :

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned

I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned

I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side

I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

2005-03-23T13:39:00.000+05:30

I was just going through some texts on Buddhism and came across this paragraph. It kind of answers so many queries. Just felt like putting it here :

"They connected suffering to the very impermanence of things. They observed how people lamented over the loss of a loved one, or experienced sorrow when something or someone that had once given them happiness became separated from them. They noted that even human pleasures were not immune from suffering because they didn't last forever, and the loss of pleasure inevitably left people feeling deprived. Seeing as how clinging to things (that were necessarily impermanent) was one of the primary causes of dukkha, they cautioned against excessive attachment. At the same time, they recognized a recurring and more general type of existential unease and anxiety (aniccha) that arises from the very transience of life, and our inability to control or comprehend all worldly phenomenon, which they characterized as viparinama-dukkha. "

As a formula (char-mulya) for addressing these different types of suffering, the Buddhists advocated a four-fold scheme of
a) recognizing the problem i.e. suffering (dukkha);
b) identifying the cause of the suffering - such as craving stemming from ignorance (samudaya) ;
c) establishing the goal of ending the problem (nirodha) - i.e. the cessation of suffering (nirvana);
d) conducting life in a manner that was consistent with the cessation of suffering - following the right path or engaging in the right practice (marga).

Followers were thus goaded into developing both a sense of personal ethics and a social conscience:

"He who has understanding and great wisdom does not think of harming himself or another, nor of harming both alike. He rather thinks of his own welfare, of that of others, of that of both, and of the welfare of the whole world. In that way one shows understanding and great wisdom." Anguttara Nikaya - (Gradual Sayings)

God will pat your heart gently....

2005-03-20T10:45:00.000+05:30

This is what Cyrus Merchant has written in his column dated 11/3/05 BT…
Spiraculous----a truly spiritual miracle…
he writes…
"What good is being good when things are good? Be good when things and your time is bad. Be full of love, give Love and take GOD to those who make you feel like God. If you were a truly praying person wait…God will tell you . He in a million percent will. Don’t spoil His great things for you and His chosen one for you by spoiling it with your interference, temptations or indecency.

A mistake can cost you a miracle! Such things He has planned for you and you get to enjoy your Love in the company of prayers, angels, saints and all good things of God.

How will you know ( this is the most touching and interesting part ..forgive my intrusion!!)

One simple day God will pat your heart gently, just once and you will know that this is the person you are meant to love for LIFE. God has already done it! You have just to receive it! After God and family Love’s the most extraordinary gift in the world and it is yours for humbly receiving once you have asked God for it.

If its “ONLY” true love, pure love God’s choice of Love you want, then today God will give it to you!… "

* A friend, who had kept this article....shared it with me. :)

LOVE
Love is so very special
Yet can make you feel so lost
It can arrive just like the springtime
And melt away like morning frost

You must find ways to nurture
Always grow your love with care
Never ever take for granted
The love that you both share

Mistakes are bound to happen
You may hurt each other's heart
Yet dont give up too easily
It may tear your love apart

Love resembles a bright flame
That lights a dark starry night
Never ever let this flame burn down
Rekindle with all your might

Take a moment every day
Look deep into each other's eyes
Never hesitate to show affection
Small gestures will keep a love alive

Talk openly about your feelings
Take time to show that you care
Treasure each and every moment
Because to find true love is rare
By Connie Thomas Lugo

Love

2005-03-17T14:52:00.002+05:30

"It was one pleasant sunday morningand he was learning how to ride a bicycle. It didnt take him long to learn riding it. He was riding it very well. But suddenly he couldnt balance it and fell down. It pained, he was wounded, but was happy atleast no one was watching. Not for long. He suddenly heard someone laugh. He turned around and saw a very pretty girl standing just behind him and laughing ... she looked so pretty when she laughed. This guy couldnt stop smiling and in few seconds joined her in laughing at himself :)

Next day she was there at his place with her mom. They were their new neighbours. He was so happy.She was 3 years younger to him and had joined his school. Every basket ball or football match, his eyes would search for her. Every run he made,every goal he made was for her, to show her. He introduced her to his group of friends. She was so close to his friends, his younger sister..so comfortable with his mother. He liked it a lot.

He completed his studies...and went to a different city for his job. Though he had a busy schedule he missed her, missed talking to her, missed every moment he had spent with her.

He decided that the next time he would go home he would tell her that he liked her a lot, missed her a lot. A year passed away. He could never tell her. When they met, they would talk, smile and laugh but he could never tell her what he felt for her.This diwali he had to tell her. It had been 2 hours and they were talking. Infact he was listening to her, her soft sweet voice and he remembered that she had planned to do a course in fashion designing and asked her about the same.

She said it wasnt possible anymore. He was surprised and asked her why? Before she could reply his sister, who had joined them, said,"She is getting married this december." The girl added,"Nothing decided yet. We will meet tomorrow and I will tell my parents that I didnt like him. I dont want to marry now. " He was shocked, didnt know what to say. All he said was, "hmm". Next day she was there and they were talking again. His sister was there with them. He was waiting for her to leave. After she left he asked,"So what about your course now..you doing it"She just smiled and said,"Yeah even he wants me to do it,but after marriage...."And all he could manage saying was,"thats nice"(but you had told me something different yesterday).They smiled.

The next day he left, some urgent work suddenly cropped up :)

Two months later she called him, marriage was postponed to february. He had received the invitation card. He told her that he will try to be there on her wedding, unless some urgent work turns up. He never attended it.

Only he knows how he spent that evening, knowing that his love,the one he loved ever since he understood what love is, was getting married to someone else..."

Snow beauty

2005-03-17T03:50:00.000+05:30

You are a Snow Beauty! Intelligent and fun-loving,
You possess the ability to be both
Mature and appreciate things in life
And to also preserve the joys of the child in you - loving life!

I got this result in an online quiz :)

To take the test, click HERE

Diamonds in the sky

2005-03-15T14:42:00.000+05:30

Alone as I stared into the dark night,
so lonely, so dark, so quiet...
I heard a tear drop,
I heard something break..
Was it a glass? I thought,
I couldnt guess.
I heard someone sob, I heard someone call for help...
Couldnt stop myself anymore,I asked,
"Who are you? What makes you cry? Tell me,maybe I can be of some help"
I got no answer..no one replied...
Desperate and sad I pleaded,
"Oh pray tell me...can I be of some help?"
A tear rolled down my eyes, and helpless there alone I waited...

A soft, sad voice replied....
"Its me your heart that cries..
let the tears escape your heart through your longing eyes...
and smiles and happiness sparkle your life....
Just like little diamonds in the night sky...."

I smiled...

Part

2005-03-09T20:42:00.000+05:30

The day has come when we need to part.
You don`t find me charming anymore,
And I feel you lack a human heart.
We don`t fight anymore,
Perhaps silence has played a bigger part.
Where are those qualities in you which I used to adore.
Was it your true love or just a piddling art.
Such phoney things don`t matter anymore,
For its decided we have to part.
But why are you so petulant
and I am so terribly sad.
When the day has come when we need to part.

Nothing personal ;)

Pictures

2005-03-09T20:41:00.000+05:30

Posted few pics of my friends, Ooty, my teachers...Click the girl picking strawberry in this page to move to that page ;)

Jane Eyre

2005-03-09T20:40:00.000+05:30

Jane Eyre is one of those books, I must have read again and again. I dont know what is there in this book that I like it so much. I love narrating stories so would like to say a few things about this book here.

It begins with the life of a young orphaned girl Jane Eyre, who lives with her aunty and cousins. They ill treat her. Her life is so pthetic there. She is then sent to a horrible girls charity boarding school. Life is equaly pathetic here initialy. Little food to eat, emotionless atmosphere, but she manages very well. The situation changes soon and she spends 8 years there.She grows up and becomes a teacher in the same place. She then needs some change and decides to take up the job of the governess of a young,little girl but is drawn to the master of the house...a rich handsome man. She is engaged to teach Adele, Mr. Edward Rochesters illegitamate child. She finds herself falling for Edward, but thinks he is in love with a beautiful Lady named Blanche. He, meanwhile, is falling in love with Jane.Edward finally proposes, and persuades Jane to accept. She does, and the day of her wedding, a horrible secret comes out...

She gets to know that this man was already married. She is a very sensitive, emotional girl. She runs away from the place...from him. With no money and nothing but the clothes on her back she sets off to a new town. She cant even manage getting food for herself. She feels she is almost dead when she meets new people there. A father's family. They accept her warmly. She leads a comfortable life there. She discovers she had some secret fortune too. She shares this with the father's family. The father is a very handsome man. He proposes Jane Eyre. He wants to marry her and leave for India...where he intends to do some charity work, some social work. But Jane never ever forgets her love. She infact could not stop herself and went to meet Edward. She soon discovers even more surprising things.

There was a fire in Edwards house. His wife dies in the same though Edward tried his best to save her. His wife was mad and had burnt the house. Edward lost his hand and eyes in the same accident. Jane went to meet him and though Edward wanted Jane to leave....She stayed with him.. She expressed her love for him.. She convinced him to marry her.. and they got married.

It also has a good moral, because even though some parts of her life were very sad, once she grew older she faced most of them with a very good attitude. Which in the end worked out to her benefit. It's also important to see how Jane forgave Mr. Rochester.

The book was written in 1800s..but its one real good read. Its different when you read it..though some might have seen the movie already.But it did become a well known classic for a reason.

Life

2005-03-09T20:30:00.000+05:30

Life isnt always the way we want it to be....But then life is beautiful....There are dark nights some short some real long...But then there is a day...the day is beautiful and bright.....At night we meet people..No matter what we do..We are never rewarded...In the day..people meet us...they do things for us and even then We are rewarded....God is good at playing pranks..But even then God I love you..You have always been there for me...For us...We never understand how much you love us.....Thanks for planning things for us...But only if you could let us know before hand what you have planned ;) Well anyways remember I have always done good things..Please plan something good for me :D.......

Dil hai Chhota sa.....

2005-03-09T19:00:00.000+05:30

"Dil hai chhota sa chhoti si aasha
Masti bhare man ki bholi si aasha
Chaand taaron ko chhoone ki aasha
Aasmaano mein udne ki aasha"

My childhood favourite song. Everytime asked to sing a song in front of the class...I would start singing this one...Oh I just loved this song....I was all so enthusiastic about life...about my wishes my dreams....Even as a kid I wanted to make it big in life...Till date I have done whatever I have always wanted to... Took drastic changes in the courses I persued....If anything happens tomorrow I will be happy I have led my life the way I wanted to....was given the oppurtunity to take decisions for myself....Lets see how life unfolds itself now.....

" Swarg si dharti khil rahi jaise
Mera manna bhi to khil raha vaise
Koyal ki tarah gaane ka armaan
Bijli ki tarah machloon ye armaan......."

And well in College I always hummd the song..."Ek tu hi bharosa..ik tu hi sahara....Is tere jahan mein nahin koi hamara....

He ishwar ya allah yeh pukar sunle....he ishwar ya allah he datha...." I even sang it once in a competition in my college. I went ahead coz almost everyone was busy talking...I knew one would hardly listen to what I sing....:(( All my hopes shattered. When I sang there was this silence...pin drop silence...all who were there in the competition know what I am talking about.....Maybe all were in the verge of cryng or maybe running away...Well but they listened and listened to it till the end and even clapped after I sang :))

Nice guys and girls in my college I would say...Ignore this post ..I am blaberring ;)

One more case study

2005-03-09T03:30:00.000+05:30

One more case study I just felt like posting here :) Again ofcourse even this one is a real life story.

Name: Withheld (like always, was with-held from us too)

There was a young lady who simply could not stand. She went through all possible medical check ups and treatments but nothing worked. No therapy worked. Finaly a doctor asked her family to take her to some Psychologist. And thus was found out the real reason for her not being able to stand or walk though medicaly she was absolutely fit.

Past:
This young lady was with her elder sister for a long time because her sister was bed-ridden. She wanted to be with her. Everybody knew this lady's sister was dying. She had cancer. This younger sister took very good care of her. Once she went for a long walk with her sister's husband. During this long walk she suddenly started liking her brother-in-law. She felt she had started loving him. And for a second thought that when her sister would die, he will become free and then she can marry him. Life will be so good. But then cursed herself for even imagining this.

After that when they returned to her sister's place, in few more minutes her sister died. Subconsciously she started feeling guilty. She held herself responsible. She felt all that happened was because of her, because of that imagination of hers. After that she stopped walking. She just couldnot stand. It was because she had those thoughts when she was walking with her sister's husband. She hated that walk. She started hating walking all together.

When the cause is known the disease is half cured. After few sessions with the psychologists she started feeling that her thoughts were normal. Anybody may get those feelings for anyone. It is but normal to start liking someone. And that her sister's death had nothing to do with it etc. Now she can walk. (I think one of the parallel stories in Ishq Vishq pyar vyar had a similiar story line, though this one is one real life story).

And do I need to write that she didnt marry her brother-in-law :). But she is very happy and most importantly leading a normal life :)

2005-03-08T18:37:00.000+05:30

Happy women's day to the each and every member of the most beautiful community on this green earth. I believe each and everyday is women's day but when given this special day to say it loud then why not. ;)

"... oh lady be proud of who you are,
the beauty in your soul , the compassion in your heart,
the glitter in your eyes, the tranquility in your voice,
the radiant charming face you have,
is so uniquely yours...
You are so strong yet so delicate.

Everyday I see you I see a different, a better a more beautiful you

Go and face the world today and let them know its you,
let them know this world is made for you and only you..."

and she checked her makeup one last time, waved the mirror one last good bye
and left... ;)

Lets talk about love

2005-03-08T18:27:00.000+05:30

Everywhere I go all the places that I'vebeen
Every smile is a new horizon on a land I've never seen
There are people around the world
different faces different names
But there's one true emotion that
reminds me we're the same...Let's talk about love
From the laughter of a child to the tears of a grown man
There's a thread that runs right through us all and helps us understand
As subtle as a breeze - that fans a flicker to a flame
From the very first sweet melody to the very last refrain...
Let's talk about love
Let's talk about us
Let's talk about life
Let's talk about trust
Let's talk about love
It's the king of all who live and the queen of good hearts
It's the ace you may keep up yoursleeve - till the name is all but lost
As deep as any sea - with the rage of any storm
But as gentle as a falling leaf on any autumn morn...
Let's talk about love - it's all we're needin'
Let's talk about us - it's the air we're breathin'
Let's talk about life - I wanna know you
Let's talk about trust - and I wanna show you
Let's talk about love....

I loved this song when I was in school. Even today I like this song a lot :)

Uncha na udo

2005-03-07T15:08:00.000+05:30

Just now something intresting striked me....

"Zindagi mein kabhi itna uncha na udo....
ke par kat jane par chalne ke liye dharti na mile...
He yeh ek hasin subah tumhari..
to bhulgaye un raaton ko..
khuda na kare kal phir se raat ho jaye...
aur aap phir se hamein dhundo...
par hum na milen"

Continued from the previous post

2005-03-05T18:44:00.000+05:30

The man's past was playing a major role in his present.
His past:
When he was doing his engineering in Bangalore, their hostel or the place where he stayed was at a km or so distance from his college. Everyday when going to college he used to pass through 2-3 huge palatial buildings. In one of those buildings stayed a beautiful girl. He used to see her in the garden everyday. Even she used to mark him. They started liking each other and even started meeting in some restaurant nearby. Both of them liked and appreciated each other equally. But this guy feared that the girls family would never like it, because he was from a poor family, and again wondered if even this girl can accept the kind of lifestyle he would offer her.

One day he said all this to her and for some reasons even told her that they should stop seeing each other. This girl told him that if he liked her then he would tell her this in 7 days else she would kill herself and went away. The guy felt she cant be serious, why would she do so. Seven days passed away, he didnt contact her, one of the reasons being that he was very busy all those 7 days because of exams.

Then whenever he passed by her house he would stand in front of the house for few minutes and wish he could just get to see her once. He tried to contact her, but could not. Then he went to that restaurant where the girl usualy went with her friends. They told him that she had not been to that place for the last 10 days or so. He couldnt stop himself and went to her place and got to know that she was dead.

They told her she had killed herself. They told him the date(exactly when 7 days were over) and that it was even out in the newspaper. Her body was recovered by people near some river(I dont remember the name of the river or where it was). The girl used to wear yellow sarees when they met. This guy was feeling guilty all his life, felt he was responsible for her death. Thats why he used to see yellow waves(the colour of the saree the girl used to wear).

With few sessions with the psychologists his condition improved. He became more consistent in his work, and the frequency of seeing yellow waves drastically reduced. With more and more sessions and his own interest to come out of the problem, he almost completely changed himself, his approach, his attitude. Now he is a consistent, hardworking, tallented man and he and his wife are leading a normal life somewhere in Bangalore.

2005-03-03T03:33:00.000+05:30

Its 3:30 am now, and I am tired of writing, felt like taking a break and what better break than blogging :)
Just remembered an interesting case-study our sir shared with us in class. Well its something that realy happened to someone. In other words a true life story :)

Name :with-held(well it was with-held from us too)
Location :Bangalore(india)

There was this man, an engineer in his early 30s. He was very hardworking, tallented and intelligent. Wherever he worked he was praised, he could complete 20 days work in 10 days and well after that stop going to his office. Stop means completely stop. He would never go to that office again, give no explanation, and get thrown out of that office. This went on. His wife was very perturbed,there was no apparent reason for her husband`s doing this. He was otherwise a completely normal person.

She decided to get psychological help for her husband. She consulted some Psychologists in a very popular hospital in Bangalore. They asked her to give some data about her husband. They asked her a few questions and she replied. Her husband used to say that he frequently saw yellow waves in front of his eyes,nobody else could see it. This used to make him very restless. He would even become sick. And the wife said that she could hear her husband saying something when sleeping, but she couldnt hear it clearly because he used to say it so slowly. And when after getting up she would ask him, he too would have completely forgotten what he said. The psychologists gave her this device, with which sounds, words very very slowly said could be recorded. She used it to record what her husband said. And the next day gave it to the psychologists. They then worked on it and by using few more devices(am trying not to get technical here) could hear what he said clearly.

And well the poor wife never knew that all the secret, the root cause of the problem was being told to her every night,but she could never hear it. Well now I need to get back to writing that is completing my project work.

What he used to say and what happened to him ultimately in my next post.

Which kind of candy are you?

2005-02-27T19:23:00.000+05:30

You're Skittles!!! You have a very interesting
personality, you're so unique. You're the kind
of person who always thinks outside of the box.
You're also a very accepting individual, and
believe in inner beauty.

Which kind of candy are you?
brought to you by quizilla

2005-02-24T20:04:00.000+05:30

Play with colours
click here
move your mouse and see the magic

The difference he made

2005-02-23T23:15:00.000+05:30

Amidst the morning mist of the swift returning tide

I set out on my daily run, my walkman on my side.

Lost within my private world apart from cares and woes

I ran along the moistened shore, the sand between my toes.

In the distance, I saw a boy, as busy as can be.

He was running, stooping, picking up, and tossing in the sea.

Just what he threw, I couldn't tell, I looked as I drew near.

It seemed to be a rock or shell - as I approached him I could hear:

"Back you go, where you belong. Your safe now hurry home.

Your family's waiting for you little starfish, hurry on!"

It seemed the evening tide had washed the starfish on the shore,

And the swift receding water left a thousand there or more.

And this self-appointed savior, was trying one-by-one

To toss them back into the sea, against the racing sun.

I saw his plight was hopeless, that most of them would die.

I called out from my private world, "Hey Kid, why even try?"

"Must be at least a thousand here, strewn along the beach,

And even if you had the time, most you'll never reach.

You really think it makes a difference, to waste your time this way?"

And then I paused and waited, just to hear what he would say.

He stooped and took another, and looked me in the eye.

"It makes a difference to this one sir, this starfish will not die!"

With that, he tossed the little life, back where there was hope.

He stooped to take another. I could tell this was no joke.

The words that he spoke to me cut like a surgeon's knife.

Where I saw only numbers, he saw only life.

He didn't see the multitude of starfish on the sand.

He only saw the little life he held there in his hand.

He didn't stop to argue, to prove that he was right.

He just kept tossing starfish in the sea with all his might.

So I too stooped, and I picked up, and I tossed into the sea,

And I thought, just what a difference, that this boy has made in me.

By Randy Poole

And A Meadow Lark Sang

2005-02-23T23:01:00.000+05:30

"The child whispered, 'God, speak to me'

And a meadow lark sang.

The child did not hear.

So the child yelled, 'God, speak to me!'

And the thunder rolled across the sky

But the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said,'God let me see you'

and a star shone brightly

But the child did not notice.

And the child shouted,

'God show me a miracle!'

And a life was born but the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair,

'Touch me God, and let me know you are here!

'Whereupon God reached down

And touched the child.

But the child brushed the butterfly away

And walked away unknowingly."

Ravindra Kumar Karnani

The Cracked Pot

2005-02-23T22:52:00.000+05:30

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master's house it had leaked much of it's water and was only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

found it in a website :)

What goes around comes around

2005-02-23T00:09:00.000+05:30

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer.One day, while trying to make a living for his family,he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog.He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself.Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved."I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer.At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked."Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of." And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time?Penicillin !

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said:What goes around comes around

Moral Dilemma

2005-02-22T18:07:00.000+05:30

You are driving along in your car on a wild,stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1.An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2.An old friend who once saved your life.

3.The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?

Think before you continue reading...

..........................

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; Or, you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to myold friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would staybehind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations. Never forget to 'Think Outside of the Box,' the mind is a powerful thing !

2005-02-22T17:55:00.000+05:30

the wonder of it all

Run

2005-02-22T16:54:00.000+05:30

Every morning in Africa
A Gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster
than the fastest lion or it will be killed.

Every morning a lion wakes up, it knows that it must outrun
the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death.

It doesnt matter
whether you are a lion or a Gazelle:
When the sun comes up,
you`d better be running!

Bhubaneswar

2005-02-15T22:59:00.000+05:30

I always thought( or to say knew) we have around 1000 temples in Bhubaneswar.Its sad to know that just 500 are left. We originaly had 7000 temples in Bhubaneswar.With more and more urbanisation temples are disappearing.

2005-02-15T20:33:00.000+05:30

Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.

2005-02-15T20:22:00.000+05:30

Handwriting is as unique as a fingerprint, and characteristics within the way that the words and letters are formed can often say more about the person than the writing itself.
online handwriting analysis

Power of BLUE

2005-02-11T08:01:00.000+05:30

Blue color is considered very good for reducing anger because this color is cooling and relaxing in nature. There are many ways to have the benefits of this color.
* Drink blue colored water. For this fill water in a blue colored bottle and keep this bottle in sun for a day. The water thus will be charged with the blue color. Drinking this water provides a cooling effect to the system.
* Inhale blue colored air. Again the procedure is to put a blue color bottle in sun. The air inside will be charged with blue color, which can be inhaled.
* Apply blue oil on forehead. For preparing this oil put oil in a blue colored bottle and place it in sun.
* Have the room walls painted with light blue color. Even curtains can be of light blue color. Have a blue colored bulb in the lamp and switch it on after making the room totally dark, whenever sitting idle, or want to relax and cool down. Have many blue colored pictures and scenery on the walls.
* Imagine and visualize blue colored scenes/objects in your mind whenever sitting idle e.g. blue sky, blue flower, blue lake.
* Wear clothes mainly of blue color, like Blue color shirts, blue color pants keeping in mind the sense of aesthetics because it is not always possible to wear everything blue.
I read it a few minutes back and couldn’t quite believe it. I have been wearing blue because I like the color a lot. If this actually works or not am not quite sure but who knows :)

Birthday Flowers

2005-02-11T07:59:00.000+05:30

Most people have heard of Birthstones, well the following list is of Birthflowers.
JANUARY:Flower: Carnation, Snowdrop
FEBRUARY:Flower: Primrose, Violet
MARCH:Flower: Jonquil, Violet
APRIL:Flower: Daisy, Sweet Pea
MAY:Flower: Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley
JUNE:Flower: Honeysuckle, Rose
JULY:Flower: Larkspur, Water Lily
AUGUST:Flower: Gladiolus, Poppy

SEPTEMBER:Flower: Aster, Morning Glory
OCTOBER:Flower: Calendula, Cosmos
NOVEMBER:Flower: Chrysanthemum
DECEMBER:Flower: Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia

Color therapy-Color and the Brain

2005-02-11T07:57:00.000+05:30

Specific colors have different effects
Black: self-confidence, power, strength
Blue: calming, lowers blood pressure, decreases respiration
Green: soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness
Violet: suppresses appetite, provides a peaceful environment, good for migraines
Pink: used in diet therapy as an appetite suppressant, relaxes muscles, relieves tension, soothing
Yellow: energizes, relieves depression, improves memory, stimulates appetite
Orange: energizes, stimulates appetite and digestive system
Red: stimulates brain wave activity, increases heart rate, respirations and blood pressure.....

Multiple Personality Disorder aka Dissociative Identity Disorder

2005-02-09T14:52:00.000+05:30

Urmila Matondkar was diagnosed with MPD in Bhoot though the truth was something else. :)
Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD now has a new name as of 2000. It is now called DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder. One of the reasons was that the original term was being thrown into disrepute by many people giving phony demonstrations of alter switching during television talk shows.
As the former name implies, MPD/DID is a mental condition in which 2 or more personalities appear to inhabit a single body. "Dissociation is an act of disconnecting, locking the memory or pain in a 'suitcase' and storing the 'suitcase' in the back of the brain. Dissociation Identity Disorder is the phenomena of completely disconnecting oneself from a memory (or memories) and the emotions around the memory(ies), creating a separate identity to hold memories and emotions." (Arthur Zeilstra and Janet Howden).
Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder is characterized by the following symptoms according to the handbook that Psychiatrists and Psychologists use called the DSM-IV-TR:
The presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states (each with is own relatively enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self).
At least two of these identities or personality states recurrently take control of the person’s behavior.
An Inability to recall important personal information that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness.
The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., blackouts or chaotic behavior during Alcohol Intoxication) or a general medial condition (e.g., complex partial seizures). This would not include imaginary playmates or other fantasy play.
In layman’s terms this means that in order to have Multiple Personality Disorder or DID, to use the newer title, a person will have to exhibit several separate personalities and often lose time because the person’s main personality or ego state would not be fully conscious while one of the other personalities is dominant.
A person suffering from MPD or Dissociative Identity Disorder may have only two separate personalities or 10. They might be partially aware of the other personalities or not. Often the other personalities or what is called alters have separate names and/or separate genders.
The origin or cause of MDP or Dissociative Identity Disorder is most commonly due to massive physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse when a person is very young. The abuse is so overwhelming for the individual that in order to mentally and emotionally block out the pain a person will dissociate to such an extent that they will develop a separate ego state to experience it while what we think of as the real person blocks out memory. A minority of mental health professionals accepted MPD/DID as a real phenomenon during the 1980s and early 1990s. Few continue this belief today. Most professional therapists believe that it is an iatrogenic (physician induced) disorder that either does not appear naturally, or is almost non-existent. However, belief in MPD/DID is still commonly found among conservative Christian counselors. Dissociation itself is a common experience. Most people have observed mild dissociative episodes in which they lose touch with their surroundings. Examples include daydreaming, highway hypnosis, or losing oneself in a movie or book. MPD is viewed by some as an extreme level of dissociation, "which may result in serious impairment or inability to function”.
The goal of treatment is to get the person suffering from MPD or Dissociative Identity Disorder to re-experience all their split off parts and to accept them as part of the person. Then it is important to relive the trauma and integrate it into their lives devoid of the original pain.

Language

2005-02-08T16:31:00.000+05:30

Hello Good Morning Good Afternoon
good evening good night how are you
goodbye thank you welcome
please what is your name my name is

For all Wordsworth Lovers

2005-02-08T16:30:00.000+05:30

The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth

Listening Skills

2005-02-08T15:50:00.000+05:30

Listening well, speaking clearly and asking the right questions—these skills are vital to your success as a communicator. The good news is that by using a few simple strategies, you can boost your own communication confidence.
Communication: a two-way flow

You send a message when you speak, write, smile, cry, fidget or sit silently. You receive a message when you hear, see or sense what the sender is sending. This may sound pretty straightforward. But the two-way flow of communication can get complicated very quickly, as the examples below illustrate.
*Your friend asks you for a loan. You hint that you don't want to lend the money, but your friend "hears" you say yes
*Someone keeps asking you out for a date. You repeatedly decline, hoping the person will eventually "get the message."
*A daughter angrily says, "Go ahead! See if I care!" to her father. She hopes he does see how much she cares. The way to avoid these ineffective communication patterns is to practice being authentic. This means explaining how you really feel and asking for what you really need.
Being "authentic"When you communicate effectively, you're direct and honest—not aggressive, not "nice"—just authentic. Believing that you have a right to feel what you feel and to ask for what you need will help you to speak authentically. The following ideas can also help you communicate effectively:

*Speak clearly and simply. Try to say what you mean. If you think you may have trouble saying something you need to say, write it out (or record it) and practice it.
*Make sure your voice matches what you want to say. Does it sound like you're joking when you want to be serious? Are you mumbling because you think it's selfish to ask for what you need?
*Be aware of your posture. It's hard to speak clearly and authentically when you're slouched over or slumped in a chair.
*Stay in touch with your body.

This is a good way to stay in touch with your feelings. Is your stomach in knots? Is your heart racing? What do these signals from your body tell you about how you're feeling? Remember to breathe and allow yourself to relax as much as you can.
*Keep your goals in mind. They'll help you stay in touch with what you need.
*Speak for yourself by using the word "I".

Using the word "you" often means you're focusing on the other person rather than yourself. The word "I" puts you in touch with your feelings. Instead of "You have no right to say that to me!" say "I get really hurt and angry when you say that to me!"
Respecting yourself and others

When you communicate authentically, you respect yourself and the other person. You make sure that the other person hears your feelings and needs, but you also listen to that person's feelings and needs too. You show respect when you:
* Choose the appropriate time and place to express your feelings and communicate your needs. For example, asking an instructor in front of the class about a mark you feel is unfair puts him or her on the spot.
* Express yourself as clearly as you can and really listen to other people when they speak
* Take responsibility for your own feelings. You don't have to put the other person down in order to express yourself.
* Ask other people how they feel about what you've shared with them. And respond to their feelings.
Listening well

Our brains work a lot faster than our mouths! People talk at the speed of about 125 words per minute, but our brains turn out ideas at a much faster rate. So our thoughts race ahead while we listen, filling in the space between the speaker's thoughts with thoughts of our own. This explains why many people have trouble listening. It's estimated that people hear only 25 per cent of what's said to them! Here are some ideas to help you become a better listener:
* Face the speaker and make as much eye contact as feels comfortable to you.
* Try not to think of listening as waiting for your turn to speak.
* Be attentive yet relaxed.

* Keep an open mind

* Listen to understand
* Try not to interrupt and impose your solutions
* Try to hear the feeling beneath what the speaker is saying. Listen to the words and try to picture what the speaker is saying.

* Wait for the speaker to pause to ask clarifying questions.

* Ask questions only to ensure understanding of something that has been said (avoiding questions that disrupt the speaker's train of thought).

* Try to feel what the speaker is feeling.

* Give the speaker regular feedback, verbal or non verbal(gestures).

* Pay attention to what isn't said -- to feelings, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and other nonverbal cues.

* Mentally screen out distractions, like background activity and noise. In addition, try not to focus on the speaker's accent or speech mannerisms to the point where they become distractions. Finally, don't be distracted by your own thoughts, feelings, or biases.

* When listening for long stretches, focus on (and remember) key words and issues.

* When dealing with difficult people, spend more time listening than speaking.

* When in doubt about whether to listen or speak, keep listening.

When you communicate authentically, you bring your whole self—your thoughts, feelings and experiences—with you. You show others that you respect yourself and them too. When you're honest and direct, people pay attention.Your voice is heard. Listening is a precious gift -- the gift of time. It helps build relationships, solve problems, ensure understanding, resolve conflicts, and improve accuracy.

2005-02-08T15:36:00.000+05:30

The insanity test

Anger

2005-02-08T15:29:00.000+05:30

There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that everytime he lost his temper,to hammer a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence! It gradualy dwindled down as he discovered it was easier to hold temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally, the day came when the boy did not lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, " You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It will not matter how many times you say "I`m sorry", the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Do not kill them with your angry outbursts. You will lament later. Imagine how many friends you have already lost because of little things. Anger is like nuclear energy. It can be lethal to you if you misuse it. All explosive things can be made to be useful by proper management. Anger is a great form of super energy. The ideal is to harness energy out of anger, which can work to eleminate the cause of your anger. Angry person is the loser always. Do not play with anger. Try from now on, to blame yourself for all your anger- Never to others, as you are the ONLY one who suffers not the third party to whom you blame"

I came across this story in a website :)

2005-02-08T15:27:00.000+05:30

the dullest blog in the world

Communication and communication process

2005-02-07T20:44:00.000+05:30

Communication includes both the transference and understanding of meaning. An idea, no matter how great, is useless until it is transmitted and understood by others. Research indicates that poor communication is the most frequently cited source of interpersonal conflict. Individuals spend nearly 70 percent of their waking hours communicating- writing, reading, speaking or listening. Perfect communication would exist when a thought or an idea was transmitted so that the mental picture perceived by the receiver was exactly the same as that envisioned by the sender. Although elementary in theory, perfect communication is never achieved in practice, for numerous reasons.
Communication Process :

A communication process, essentially the model consists of 7 parts or elements. They are (1)The communication source (2)encoding (3)the message (4) the channel (5) decoding (6) the receiver and (7) feedback
The communication process begins with the sender and ends with the receiver.
The sender is an individual, group, or organization who initiates the communication. This source is initially responsible for the success of the message. The sender's experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skill, perceptions, and culture influence the message. "The written words, spoken words, and nonverbal language selected are paramount in ensuring the receiver interprets the message as intended by the sender" (Burnett & Dollar, 1989). All communication begins with the sender. The source initiates a message by encoding a thought. The message is the actual physical product from the source encoding. When we speak the speech is the message. When we write the writing is the message. When we gesture the movements of our arms and the expressions on our faces are the message. The first step the sender is faced with involves the encoding process. In order to convey meaning, the sender must begin encoding, which means translating information into a message in the form of symbols that represent thoughts, ideas or concepts. This process translates the ideas or concepts into the coded message that will be communicated. The symbols can take on numerous forms such as, languages, words, or gestures. These symbols are used to encode ideas into messages that others can understand.
When encoding a message, the sender has to begin by deciding what he/she wants to transmit. This decision by the sender is based on what he/she believes about the receivers knowledge and assumptions, along with what additional information he/she wants the receiver to have. It is important for the sender to use symbols that are familiar to the intended receiver. A good way for the sender to improve encoding their message, is to mentally visualize the communication from the receiver's point of view.
The channel is the medium through which the message travels. It is selected by the source, who must determine whether to use a formal or informal channel. Formal channels are established by the Organizations and transmit messages that are related to the professional activities of the members. They traditionally follow the authority chain within the Organisation. Other forms of messages such as personal or social follow the informal channels. Most channels are either oral or written, but currently visual channels are becoming more common as technology expands. Common channels include the telephone and a variety of written forms such as memos, letters, and reports. The effectiveness of the various channels fluctuates depending on the characteristics of the communication. For example, when immediate feedback is necessary, oral communication channels are more effective because any uncertainties can be cleared up on the spot. In a situation where the message must be delivered to more than a small group of people, written channels are often more effective. Although in many cases, both oral and written channels should be used because one supplements the other. If a sender relays a message through an inappropriate channel, its message may not reach the right receivers. That is why senders need to keep in mind that selecting the appropriate channel will greatly assist in the effectiveness of the receiver's understanding. The sender's decision to utilize either an oral or a written channel for communicating a message is influenced by several factors. Urgency of the message, need of feedback, if a permanent record of the message is needed or not, the nature of the message (private, controversial), the relationship with the sender, communication skills of the receiver (oral or written) determine the channel to be used by the sender. After the appropriate channel or channels are selected, the message enters the decoding stage of the communication process. Decoding is conducted by the receiver. Once the message is received and examined, the stimulus is sent to the brain for interpreting, in order to assign some type of meaning to it. The receiver begins to interpret the symbols sent by the sender, translating the message to their own set of experiences in order to make the symbols meaningful. Successful communication takes place when the receiver correctly interprets the sender's message. The receiver is the individual or individuals to whom the message is directed. The extent to which this person comprehends the message will depend on a number of factors, which include the following: how much the individual or individuals know about the topic, their receptivity to the message, and the relationship and trust that exists between sender and receiver. All interpretations by the receiver are influenced by their experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skills, perceptions, and culture. It is similar to the sender's relationship with encoding.
Feedback is the final link in the chain of the communication process. After receiving a message, the receiver responds in some way and signals that response to the sender. The signal may take the form of a spoken comment, gesture, a written message, a smile, or some other action. "Even a lack of response, is in a sense, a form of response" (Bovee & Thill, 1992). Without feedback, the sender cannot confirm that the receiver has interpreted the message correctly.
Feedback allows the sender to evaluate the effectiveness of the message. It ultimately provides an opportunity for the sender to take corrective action to clarify a misunderstood message. "Feedback plays an important role by indicating significant communication barriers: differences in background, different interpretations of words, and differing emotional reactions" (Bovee & Thill, 1992).

The communication process is the perfect guide toward achieving effective communication. When followed properly, the process can usually assure that the sender's message will be understood by the receiver. No communication is valid unless the intended meaning is properly understood by the receiver.

BLESS ME

2005-02-07T16:31:00.001+05:30

God, bless me
Show me no misery,no pains,
no darkness.
Give me no excess,
that i cry for my losses.
Spare me no experience,
that i suffer for my ignorance.
Lend me no pride,
that i build around me fences.
Teach me just one thing,that is,
to have patience.
For,God,I know,
it is the key to peace,sanctity
and deliverance.