Life with Dad - Jetlagged and Hyper

Dad - I had to take antibiotics for my cold, the same cold u have now, because I was travelling... right now I feel like sleeping, but I'm drivin'
Me- did you just say drivin' without the 'g'?
Dad- yeah that's American English! Southern english.
Me- When did you learn that?! :-/




Me- So how was your meeting, with the client in China?
Dad- it was very good very good. They made me drink so much.
Me- how much?
Dad- I don't know, it was too fast, tak tak tak - baam! That's how they do cheers... tap the glass three times on the table, and then baam!! you drink all of it.
Me- Wow! How's your liver?
Dad- Fine, it failed once... but much better now. Thank you.

(basically sounds like they made him do shots!)





Me- When did you become so hilarious?
Dad- Always! Don't you see I always make everyone smile, wherever I go?
Me- Where do you get your energy sheesh!?
Dad- In China they call me "Superman" now, because they see how i work so hard, and only sleep on the plane.
Me- wow!

Gyros with Dad... he's my lunch partner!

Review: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata

Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



A very different version of the Mahabharata, but well explained, with insightful research and facts.
This book is neutral when it comes to stories of both the sides. This helps one understand various concepts including karma, very well. Also due to the neutrality it gives us a clear perspective of life and the world. However I am told to read other versions of the Mahabharata, since this book has not convinced me of the evilness seen on the other-side.

I listened to the audiobook version of this very book, on a road trip. The book is narrated by the author and theater company, and although their accents prove to be very Indian, it adds to the authenticity. This book is slightly different from other versions of the Mahabharat, it is still true to the story, it uses simple English, and is narrated in a sort of Aesop Fables kind of way. Which is more enjoyable, however I look forward to reading a Mahabharata, written by a woman some day.

This book had some amazing quotes, so I am going to re-read it. And write notes etc. I also found it worth gifting to friends, family and my sister.



View all my reviews

Chanting to Raise Your Vibrations

Ram Dass explains that chanting in Sanskrit is important; the language was created during a time of evolving consciousness, so the sounds produced through Sanskrit opens chakras and channels within your body in the energetically level. Hence, I feel that since one decides to use mantra in daily practice they should go all the way with learning pronunciation and chanting in a way that serves the purpose of opening Chakras and balancing the body, mind, and purify the Athman.

A conversation with my little sister

Picture Courtesy Conscious Culture

Today is a Gift, That's Why it is Called Present

Sometimes the now is very difficult. Especially when things bring you down, stressed, and eventually in the murky, grimy, dark depths of depression. It is difficult to free oneself from the oily greasy gook that bind our feathers of self worth together, joy and bravery, just like a bird caught in an oil spill. We are scared to emerge from that hole when finally free, because we are scared of being judged, or pushed back down there. Often it happens, over and over again, until one stops even trying to come out, and lives with the pessimism that there will be no way out.

People have told me about the book called "The Secret". I read it, I tried it, it works! However its very tricky, and hard to have that type of faith. Often people have faith through religion. The idea of God, helps many people in a lot of situations, and many out of these dark depressions. But how do you help someone, who is a good person, who has lost faith, who knows God can't love them because they can't even find a single reason to love themselves? The community aspect behind various religions helps people by bringing them together on the basis of faith, unity and helping each other. Humans have an inherent need to "belong", and it's ok, it's very hard to build the logic to fight it and to solo through life. Religion/ faith gives one strength to solo through life in someways as well, in example Sanyasis, Hrishis, ascetics etc. All religions preach a positivity, preach of a forgiving loving parental type God, which can help many through times of darkness, and crisis. Sometimes it helps for a while, but reality sets in again. Its almost like a different type of AA program.

AA I find is very effective when a person entrusts themselves into it. I have seen AA save lives, and change people for the better, more than any therapy, and medication could do. How? Same principle - community, faith, faith in self, sharing, accountability, caring. It has helped people out from the darkest, deathly of places, and kept them out, and in turn helped other people out too.

Right now I stand at cross roads in life. The traffic is fast paced, and I am standing in the center median of a 6 way intersection. Which way do I go? Each road vanishes into the darkness, the horns are blaring, the lights are changing, the vehicles flashing by me, almost tipping me over. I have nothing to hold onto, there is no map to help me, all I have is my breath, my being and my mind.

There's a lot going on without the world having to be in  the constant state of change, turmoil and trepidation. There is beauty that helps us day to day, like the beautiful bird in the tree, but when things spiral out of control, one only notices the bird poop, the annoying noisy neighbors, the decrepit nature of the world and the nastiness of human against human. Where did the love go? Where did "God" go?

Instead of worrying about them,  those people, her, and him, and the disgusting things people can do to one another, the mean things people do to me... I focus on NOW. My sis told me how a book called 'Be Here Now" by Ram Dass, has changed her life. She stops focusing on negatives, but on positives, especially other people. See once we even let out minds go to the dirty side, everything else gets polluted. So it's good to notice it, keep your side clean and carry on!

It's ok to cry and let the tears go, let them cleanse your being from the depression. Crying helps the body soul and mind let go of the depression you are sunken in. Let it out, and let it go. Then be in the now and breathe in and out. Notice how you feel.

Read: Ram Dass "Be Here Now"
Listen to: Huun-Huur-Tu (also on spotify)

 “It is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed.”
― Ram Dass

“The heart surrenders everything to the moment. The mind judges and holds back.”
― Ram Dass




Breathe

Pic. Courtesy Conscious Culture

A Marathon and a Bachelorette Party!

Lucky to attend my first ever bachelorette party and Marathon in the same day. I was nervous at first, but it was so much fun, because we were a great bunch and kept it classy!

The Marathon was the River Bank Run in Grand Rapids, and the Bride to Be and her two sisters ran the 10K (6 Miles). They averaged a 7 minute mile and it was a breeze for these super fit girls, that they sang the "Eye of the tiger" the whole time, changing the words of course.

Then since we couldn't find a way out of the city, we watched the 26K which the girls were pumped to do next year. We watched for a long while, until we were pressed for time to get to the Bridal Shower, which was followed by a few hours of rest and then the Bachelorette party. Making it a busy, fun and love filled weekend. What awesome energy!

River Bank Run May 18th 2013, Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Bachelorette Party

 

A Shower for a Lovely Bride

Freshman year of college, I was kind of new to USA, especially since I had not lived here since I was 4 years old. I met a girl who lived across the hall from me, and by the second or third week of school we were already having adventures together. One usually expects room mates to grow close but she and I grew close thanks to an incident that led us to evacuate campus, and i was welcomed into her family and home. We eventually did become room mates, ate lots of pop corn, and went for mid night runs because we were pulling all-nighters, and charged up on caffeine. As the semester and our freshman year adventures came to a close, we transferred out, but always kept in touch, meeting every couple of years. I will never forget how she and her family touched my life, helped me out, took me winter coat shopping, helped me cope with Michigan-ness, and a bunch of other things!

I was so happy to be present for her Bridal Shower!

For the record ... it did rain.

The day was filled with showers from up above, love from friends and family, gifts, wishes of good luck, many hugs and blessings!


<3

Indian Dinner With Friends and Birthdays

My friend Marina is returning to Russia, so I wanted to see her one last time, so I organized another Indian Dinner outing to the restaurant "Cafe Tandoor". About 21 people showed up. There were a few birthdays that week, so we decided to celebrate it that day. They didn't know so it was a surprise!

My friend Marina smack in the center!

We wish Marina much luck for her future, and we will miss her, however she better be ready for some visitors!

Everyone had a great time, ate heartily, and the birthday people were much surprised! The cake was yummy!

Breathe!

Mommy Texts

Mom: Did you speak to Nandini?
Me: Yeah
Mom: its... YES... not YEAH... not good english!!!!
Me: Good Grief!
Me: I was speaking German duh
Mom: ur German spelling wrong... dah is Russian

my mommy in her hillbilly clothing looking at our house!

Chai and Biscuits

The cream that holds the two biscuits together was what we craved for as a children. We even loved just eating the frosting off a cake. Grown ups would be happy with their chaa and Britannia-Marie Gold biscuits, the cake part of the cake without frosting, and read a fat book on philosophy in the corner of a room, or under the tree.

We needed the sugar, the running around, and occasionally swallowing up an Enid Blyton or other fictional book whole, along with cookies. We didn't understand how as we grow tastes change and we refine our tastes in food and books alike. Where is that marie-gold biscuit now, I wish to dip it in my tea.

That day will never come, when I say no to Oreos or Bourbon biscuit (Britannia). I still like biscuits with cream fillings, but I have learned the pleasures of Britannia-Marie with my chaa or earl grey. I do enjoy sipping my wine slowly now, rather than gulping it down like a boisterous college kid. It took a while to get here, but sometimes I still do and did enjoy the childish craves for sweets, and the college binge drinking. Mellowing out as an adult, does give space for the subtle pleasure of life, sometimes even childish, like laying on the grass reading a book on a warm sunny day and observing a lady bug for hours.

Now I finally get it! Why the grown ups love having chai and marie biscuit on the balcony on the morning, reading the newspaper, or just chatting over chaa. Its a simple pleasure and lovely way to start the morning. I would do that, and do the crossword puzzle at the back now, if I was there. Some kids would come and wonder 'why are the grown us eating marie-biscuit, when they could buy the cream filled wafer biscuit? Lets go storm the cookie cupboard!' I'll go on sipping my chaa, dipping my biscuit, hoping it doesn't fall in, and carry on with the crossword. Now I get it.

From running around playing "police-and-robber", to college parties, to meditation and yoga... life has its medley, some stay on in one stage others move and grow. It's nice to revisit stages every now and then, but growing into the butterfly is most exciting!

Breathe

The Terrifying Birds

If anyone knows me well, they know I love animals and have a special place in my heart for birds. I love birds so much that I even did my thesis on "Population Change of Ground Nesting, Migrating Bird in Northeast Ohio", I was told it was a stupid thesis topic. Bird enthusiasts will disagree, birds are an amazing natural indicator of what is happening in our world.

I have loved birds (and animals) since I was very young. I began bird watching, which i was teased about later in life, when I was in 5 or 6th grade, going out on excursions to very exotic bird sanctuaries in tropical southern India. I was so lucky, all the birds I saw. I am yet to get my hands on really good binoculars though I still bird watch. I hope to get a telephoto lens to capture these loves of mine in flight, nesting, up on their high perches, and gracefully gliding over the lake... *sigh*

Birds are amazing we learned how to fly from them, and have so much more to study and learn. They are a big part of our eco system even though they may migrate, or just eat bugs. Birds rock! Near me we have a regularly nesting pair of Bald Eagles, many a Great Blue Heron rookeries. One bird that has eluded me time and time again is the Cerulean warbler, which is also on the endangered species list. It travels from South American Peruvian Alps, to Ohio every year! What a trooper!

Hard to spot this pretty fella

One bird I am in love with is the Indigo bunting, I saw it first when running, in Florida, the painted bunting is a sight to see. If you go to the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge near Boynton Beach, there are apparently tonnes by the visitor center early in the morning.

Everyone thinks birders are weird, but we share a passion for passively observing animals. Yes the movie "A Big Year" is very very accurate in portraying birders, however with added humor and drama. We just love looking for birds, the thrill is in seeing what you have studied about, seeing this creature who sees no countries, but the skies, trees, and two very different places are its home. This creature is a true traveler, traveling light, solo or with family, through many a peril, it gets home to the same branch with no street address or mail box... What a wonder.

Now you know I love birds, however I am sad to say I accidentally killed one, a turkey vulture. I was going 80 mph on the highway through West Virginia, and this bird decided to just land in the middle of my lane, and I could not change lanes because a car was in close proximity in that lane behind me. It got hit.

With a wingspan of 160–183 cm (63–72 in), a length of 62–81 cm (24–32 in), and weight of 0.8 to 2.3 kg (1.8 to 5.1 lb), this is no small bird... but a predatory raptor.

It's not a pretty bird but it didn't deserve to die. I have been reading the Mahabharata and learned that things happen for a reason, maybe it had killed a baby bunny. Who knows. I still mourn this bird. You might think - "Oh silly girl." It was a life, a friend, a creature that I love and now it's mush. The bird did jump in the middle of the road though, and I was as helpless as the bird. There were two other people in the car, so I had to do what was safe for the humans, cause that is what normal people do.

When I drive alone, I do break for birds, squirrels, and other creatures that decided to cross the road. Recently a lot of birds have been "suicide flying" or "suicide landing" ie. landing in the middle of the road, or flyign really low in front of on coming traffic, or walking across the road! Yes birds have been doing this more often, especially its spring now so they are all in heat, so maybe they are a little nuttier than usual. It's made my driving terrifying. I do not wan tto kill another one!

I really appreciate when people break for animals... because it is their world too, we built the roads through their habitats, their homes. So even though it takes maybe 5 minutes or less for the squirrel to cross or the duck and her brood to cross, then its 5 minutes. We live so rushed these days, so wrapped up in our lives, and what we do, we forget there are other people and animals going about their lives as well. Slowing down every now and then, and more often too, does not hurt. Someone once told me, nothing is worth rushing and putting other people's lives at risk due to your rush! Especially your own.

So yes the birds will land in front of me, and wherever they want and I will breathe, break and wait. Patience, ahimsa, and kindness, just small things we need to remember, remember when you are wondering why the car in front of you slowed down or braked.





Breathe!!!!

Shudder Cover Reveal!

Samantha Durante released the cover of the second book in her Stitch Trilogy!

This is one young-adults novel which I can't wait for but it comes out at the end of summer. Why? As I mentioned before in an earlier post, the protagonist Alessa is someone I can identify with: strong, takes the lead, takes initiative, does not give up. I can understand her college habits: studies in bed, she falls asleep, sometimes her mind is somewhere else when she is studying (with a certain someone!), and she feels obliged to take part in social activities in the sorority. The mundane college life get to her, because she knows there is something bigger! Lucky for her, things change drastically from the normal college life to a more interesting scenario. A scenario I always hoped I would wake up to, to make the mundane life not so mundane. To make studying for an exam something minuscule compared to what was happening in the world. Be careful what you wish for, because suddenly when your hold world is turned upside down, all you want is your dorm bed back, although at one point you hated it.

Boys, parties, college, is just the beginning, the world is a bigger, harsher, messed up place than you ever imagined .... in this book, and oh in real life too!

This is just the cover, can't wait to read book 2 "Shudder"!

In March I did a short review/ summary of "Stitch", if you haven't read it yet it be found on Amazon (print $9.99, Kindle $2.99)!

Also there is a is a raffle going on:

(Prize is 1 Print ARC of Shudder, open internationally) Enter the Giveaway HERE!!!


So if you are looking for summer reading (depending on your age it is either light or heavy)... try Stitch and then lookforward to Shudder in the fall!

Shudder Synopsis:
It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

Breathe!

Penises And Partying

My best friend's wedding is coming up! (I always wanted to say it, since it's the name of a lovely Julia Robert's Movie, and she doesn't even get the guy in the end, does she? I don't remember!) Anyway I wanted to get the accessories which the bachelorette would wear for the party, cause there is a "Bachelorette Party" after the Bridal Shower.

I would always go clubbing and see a bunch of girls wearing fancy weird things that made it seem like they were a part  of a party group. Eventually I would notice it was a "bachelorette party", and often I thought their tiaras etc were tacky. I did not really understand the concept of bachelor/bachelorette parties, maybe it's just me.

I needed to find out where I would buy this stuff, so I asked a friend and she said "party city" or "spencers gift". I went to Spencer's Gifts since it was closer than where party city was. Oh boy! I found the bachelorette isle, and all the accessories, and oh boy, everything was penis themed. EVERYTHING!!!!
I was embarrassed to a deep shade of burgundy (I'm brown so my blushing gets dark and deep). I looked around for "normal" looking stuff, but instead found a rack of dildos, vibrators, double-dildos, and other things. Even darker shade of burgundy this time. What is this place?


I remember this store being a fun gifts and crazy lights kind of store... what happened! Whoa! I obviously hadn't noticed before, or hadn't been to the mall in ages! In any case there was NO WAY my bestie was gonna wear penises. I would not let her be THAT girl. Or is it a culture thing? I stood there over-analyzing the situation. I used my better judgement and got the only two "clean" things I could find there, ie. NO PENIS! So my bestie is safe from this whatever it is, penis flaunting. Ugh! What!

Anyway, I did realize there are girls out there wearing penis crowns, drinking out of penis mugs, and what not... Why? I mean honestly... I need someone to explain to me what this phenomena is about. Is this some sort of strange female empowerment? I can understand going to a male strip club and watch men dance around a pole in skimpy attire, to contest bachelor parties which involve going to strip clubs. However drawing of penis and penis shaped accessories so don't get the right point across. This is just my humble opinion.


I just wish someone gave me a heads up before I walked into that store. Everyday we learn something new! This was my experience, and just rather shocking!

WHY!

As a feminist, this makes me just ask WHY!

Other than that on a more somber note- Praying for those girls who lost their lives in the limousine fire, recently on their way to the bachelorette party. It's so unfortunate. :-(












Breathe

Life with My Dad

it's a mourning dove sitting on my parent's deck... yes we know the christmas lights are still up, but it looks pretty in the summer too!

A Good Year - A Good Meal

I look out the window and see these birds cuddling... (there were two, one flew away). I pointed out this "nature's joy" to my dad.

Me: look there are two mourning doves!
Dad: ooh I see. We called them Ghughu Pakhi, when we were kids, in rural Bengal. Ghughu because they make the ghurghur sound.
Me: Oh.
Dad: Yeah when we would see one, my uncle would take out the gun and shoot them.
Me: What!? Why?
Dad: it was good meet, very little but enough for the family.

Astounding!

______________________________________________________________________________

Texting With Parents Massage / Message

Dad texts me, after I taught my mom and dad some yoga from what I had learnt at my teachers' training. Especially a potent relaxing technique using massage, in Savasana (dead body pose).

Dad: I really enjoyed your message - it relieved pain, relieved body stress and helped relax. Maybe 15 more minutes would  have been just perfect. Love you - your Baba.

Me: Massage*


The next day, my dad and i leave work for lunch break:

Dad: so you like your old father to drive you around, ah oh well you did give me a M-A-S-S-A-G-E


Me: If you want, I can drive!

Dad: Well but you always M-E-S-S-A-G-E during lunch break! We can't have driving and massaging at the same time!

Me: What?


______________________________________________________________________________

Allergy Season

Me: Are you sick? I Think you are sick, it's not allergies. I don't want to catch a cold from you, go home!

Dad: No I'm just acting!

Me: For what purpose especially you won't go home and play hookie

Dad: What is that?

______________________________________________________________________________

April Sweetness

Hike in the park, waterfalls, spring trees, home, love, food, flowers...

An oily Hairy Tale

Recently I've noticed a bunch of ads for hair products saying "Recent research has shown that oil is good for your hair. Our bla bla bla shampoo is the only one which infuses oils, to leave your hair healthy shiny and beautiful..." with some very Photoshopped celebrity prancing around flaunting her ridiculously good looking hair, which probably has more than just shampoo and oil in it.

So I saw what advertisement and was thinking to my self  "WHAT! Indian women have been using Amla, almond, and coconut oils (just to name a few) for hair care for AGES!! and non-Indians fall under either one or more of the following categories: 1- their hair looks so greasy 2- they smell funny (yes coconut oil, amla etc. smell strong) 3-  ask "how do indian women have such beautiful hair?" 4- oil in their hair? what! no way I use mouse, gel, hairspray! 4- henna what?!?!

Egg, fruits, yogurt, henna, are also other things we use in our hair to keep it healthy, conditioned, strong, and beautiful. We stay away from chemicals as much as we can cause on the long run it creates hair fall. Amla, Almonds, Coconut oil, head massages, and consuming fish and fish oils, increases hair growth, and so I am told. So that beautiful black long hair is thanks to oils, and also genes to some extent. Indian women have all these amazing beauty secrets, some may sound nasty (ie. egg), but it works. Like why would anyone want to eat raw fish (sushi)? Its a cultural thing!

Parachute Coconut oil or Dabur's hair oils are my favorite. Also now there's "Morrocan Argan Oil"! Yep that's another oil to be bursting in the market recently. It's not an Indian thing, but its still oil in the hair. Now all of ya'll be putting oil in your hair! I use it too, it's helped to reduce frizz etc, but the coconut oil brings the most nourishment. Its kind of like what fertilizer are you going to put on your lawn? Shampoos dry out the hair, removing all oils, so I don't really believe those ads, and then split ends, and other damage happens.

It seems everyone is embracing the oils, maybe in a few years it will be some other trend. Who knows, all these companies and their marketing gimmicks. Next thing you know they'll say henna is a great conditioner, and they are the first to put henna in their conditioners ... um dabur and other Indian brands have been doing so for years, including the whole "oil in shampoos" idea. Also Indian hair is of highest demand, and women use it as weaves, dye it and use those as weaves too. Hmm.

Funny story, a year or so ago, I was at the post office and the postman asked me if my hair was real! I was taken aback, was he implying I was wearing a wig? or weaves? He said he was wondering cause his girl friend or something spends too much money on hair. For a long time I wanted straight, flat, hair, because I have thick, wavy hair, full of body, and I didn't know how to wear it. I liked keeping my hair short, however my hair was wavy and bouncy, so it would look like as I was later called, "Helmet Head". I finally began growing it out for real in 2010 and it's been a learning experience. The first 2 years I wanted to cut it off everyday, now I know what works for it, and what doesn't. I learned about braids, turbie twist, oils, brushes, and other things women use and do to their hair, slowly but surely!

Wishing you all beautiful bouncy hair!




Breathe

I remember this next ad from my childhood: