Remembering Maya Angelou

She is gone, but
Her words live on:

Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.

I do not trust people who don't love themselves and yet tell me, 'I love you.' There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass.

The love of the family, the love of the person can heal. It heals the scars left by a larger society. A massive, powerful society.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.

Nothing will work unless you do.

It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way (s)he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

Thank you The Gaurdian for the quotes and info.



Breathe

Paradise on Earth - Yosemite National Park

There are so many fabulous far away places to see...

This one brought me to my knees.

The journey was a rough one. I set out from Ohio on the 7:30 flight via Chicago O Hare, to SFO International Airport. It landed at 12:30 am midnight. My little sis, drove up in her car, having a hard time finding the right terminal and gate etc., it was cute to listen to her navigate and finally find me. I don't remember if we hugged, but I do remember her asking me immediately afterward, "will you please drive back?" I was tired, and sick, and sick, and tired, not to forget hungry!
We found a late night sushi place in Oakland, cause such places exist in cities that are not Cleveland.
We went to Kansai Sushi in oakland (off of 44th and Telegraph Ave.), and ordered a bunch of rolls, including a delicious Ryan roll (cause it was named after my boyfriend, although he had nothing to do with its creation). It hit the spot. After a satisfying short meal, we headed to her little house in the Berkeley hills.

We got home, slept, and woke up bright and early. We went for a walk/ run through a little rose garden, a park, a very steep up hill run, and when we got home we made breakfast. We left for Yoga at the Yoga to the People studio, lunch at Udipi Palace in Berkeley and finally quick stop for groceries at Trader Joes. We were finally done by 3 pm and we set off to Yosemite - Curry Village. The GPS told us it was 3 hours and 40 some minutes away. There was traffic, the weather was wonderful and we did need to stop for gas.

As we got closer to Yosemite we got onto Rt 120, there was a very scary portion of the road after passing "Moccasin Point", (near a place called Groveland), where the road was very windy with hairpin curves and turns, and it was 20 miles/ hour speed limit, and there was no barrier to the steep drop. It was daylight still and we could see this steep drop. I was flipping out, and my sis kept reminding me her GPS was saying 30 miles for the last 30 minutes as we slowly took the curves carefully. Shortly after that nightmare of a windy road, we entered Yosemite National park, but then it became dark. The road was pretty smooth, other than signs for watch out for large herds of cattle- Ok! It was still 47 miles so it took about an hour, and we passed all the great rocks - El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks etc. However we had no idea, because it was pitch black.

Curry Village was cute set in the heart of the Yosemite Valley Village. It has a skate rink, and there are shuttle buses running in the day, all the way up to 10 pm. There are a ton of activities one can pursue there from ice skating, skiing, to bicycling, rock climbing, horse riding and just hiking. I think in the summer there are food and wine events and there are also other fancy lodges there. Anyway we checked in, found our tent, settled in and headed to meet some friends from Ohio for dinner at the fancier part of the Valley Village. After which we were so tired and cold, and cold and tired, we passed out (before which I walked to and from a bathroom three times since I couldn't figure out how to get in. Ah see you would think it would be easy, but the bathrooms have a code!). There is a quiet time after 10 pm however we had noisy neighbors so I had a hard time sleeping, besides having to wake up to go to the bathroom, and having to wake up to shivering, since the bottom of the mattress was not insulated, and also because the warm air rises, so I was warm from above with three woolen blankets, but freezing. It was only a little below 30*F that night (mid-February).

My sis woke up and said- "Hey let's get going", or something to that effect. We got out tooth brushes, some towels, and got ready to go to the bathroom. We stepped out of the tent, and it was a jaw dropping, falling to your knees kind of sight. The tents were scattered in a grove of red woods, which were relatively young. Looming up and around the valley around us, above these young trees were cliffs, chunks of massive rock, greeting us by reflecting the rising sun. I couldn't stop looking, and I had stopped breathing. There's something about that sight. It's gigantic rocks split in half, so odd, yet natural. So normal yet so fantastical... I don't know what it was about that place but it is insane as in, it's unimaginably magical in an inexplicable way.

Finally my sister reminded me we needed to get closer to those things (the rocks), but we had to wash, eat breakfast, check out and then head to the trail. So we did. We had breakfast at the Curry Village Coffee shop very quickly and headed on to "Mirror Lake Trail Head". This is an easy hike, and it leads to this crystal clear lake which gets its water from the depleting glacier, and is thus a mirror to the amazing cliffs around it which include Half Dome. The hike was easy, but since it was in the shade of the cliffs, and in the valley, it was still frigid, and the cold was biting. We kept moving to stay warm. There were other hikers from all over the world; it was amazing to see so many people there in February, I can't imagine what Summer is like. We got to see the amazing sights near mirror lane, we saw the glacier and snow capped peaks beyond the lake. We hiked the loop, got lost, and had to turn around. So what was supposed to be a 2 mile hike max, became a 5 mile hike. Anyway we ended up right by Curry Village.

We went to some of the scenic stopping areas and took pictures. We were so awestruck we were just taking it all in. I knew this is why we needed a short trip so that we could absorb the shock of the beauty, and let the overwhelming immensity of Nature sink in, so that next time we could hike and see more, without being stunned. I don't know if others experience this, but I sure as heck do and did. This time we did see El Cap, Cathedral rock, and other amazing rocks. The drive back was still scary but the weather was perfect. We said good bye, and vowed to return again soon. I kind of want to live there.

I highly recommend adding Yosemite to your places to visit, and see.

The Thing About Resolutions...

It's 2014! Happy New Year, readers!

Resolutions? Well I have a few, but the thing about resolutions is after the first quarter it disappears! So why do we make them?

The idea of a resolution is to change our habits, to grow, better, and to make this positive change a habit and integrate it into our being. The thing is if we don't see it as a part of us from the beginning, it's never going to work. One has to be mindful, and conscious of this new aspect throughout the year, until it's an old aspect. Right?

Let's take for example losing weight. People work out for the first 3 months, until they lose 10 lbs! They are like Yay! The thing is then they leave it. The thing about weight loss is continuing with an active lifestyle. Plus eating healthy, etc., as I have mentioned in my other blogs. Kind of like weight loss, lets look at giving up a certain behavior pattern, for something better, ie. being more positive, quitting alcohol. These are tough changes, and more psychological than what a "resolution" represents these days. Instead of trying to become more positive, start by saying I am positive person, and follow through with a positive action. While breaking a bad habit, such as quitting drinking, or coffee, is weaning yourself off it, substituting, and disassociating with that thing (in this case alcohol).

So a resolution is in fact a lifestyle change often, right? Unless it's something like, this year I will connect with my high-school friends, or will go on a vacation this year. Sometimes those too include lifestyle changes, making time for new people in your life, or saving up for that vacation.

Here I am able to finally explain my resolutions:
1) to be more present, especially in the presence of loved ones. This means being more conscious of my actions and behavior over all. I do feel meditation can help me. Staying true to myself too.
2) I will, try to be less attached to my cell phone this year. I will try to curb my Nomophobia.
3) Follow through with my book plans, which means less TV, and less Xbox, more focusing on projects.
4) Lose weight. Going to the gym everyday to get either 15-20 minute work out in, or for a whopping two hours. Whatever the duration of the work out, goal is at least 10-14 miles a week.
5) Eating healthy, it starts at home! I'm going to learn to be happy and satisfied, binge-ing on carrots... actually as my personal trainer says, if you want some cake, have it, 1 small piece, just remember to do the work for it.
6) Save more money, spend less!

Those are my small - big goals! What are your "resolutions"?


Breathe!

Utterly Honest: My Fat Body

Have you ever had that feeling, when your putting on your favorite pair of slacks and suddenly your ass is in the way, and you're like "What! Where did this globulous-blobness come from?" And suddenly life is different and the wake up call to make a change has rung loudly in your ear.

Struggling with weight... ever since my hormones and ovaries went wacko, my life style changed, and my body changed. Since I fell off the "workout" wagon it was hard to get back on. Finally I've gotten back to the gym, and oh my, it's been tough!

Everyone is always like it doesn't matter what size you are, you must love yourself. Heck ya, I do love myself, my curves, my multiple spare tires, the love handles bla bla bla... but really, I have standards for myself. I rather not buy a new wardrobe with larger clothes sides. I know that my body type, my bone structure and I know there is only so much my bones can carry. There are things I want to do, I must lose the adipose tissue, the fat.

What happened? As I said I had health problems, and after a while I just had a hard time going back to the gym, my hormones were off, I was depressed, and it just kept layering on, the fat that is. Until I felt bad going to social events with friends, but still had to, but I was still to ashamed and embarrassed that it had come to this, pushing me into more depression. Thus the vicious cycle, so someone had to help me break it and that was me. People told me while I went through extreme self loathing, and mental/ emotional pain and agony of being unable to love my "curves" that I should accept myself and love myself, and we all come in all shapes and sizes. I get that! I won't be Kritsten Dunst skinny, or like Jessica Alba... those are not my body types. I can accept my body type and hold myself to standards... So I will work towards it in a healthy way.

So yes I love my body, I know I can be better, and no not cause I want to look like a skinny catwalk model, (although it might be nice), I just want to be healthy for me. I want to be attracted to me, I want to do child's pose again and not have my tummy come in the way. I want to look "athletic" to me again. I want to be athletic again. I have goals! Yes I am pretty hard on my self, let alone, family and loved ones telling me I am chubby, need to lose weight etc. I am so hard on myself, to the point it was scary to see myself naked. Now after 4 or 5 weeks of hard work outs, hours at the gym, I feel and see the difference, oh and some muscular injuries too... but results are really in the inches and not the number on the scale.

It's been pretty painful emotionally, mentally, and physically. Next time you see an obese person, think twice about making a rude comment. We don't know their story. Age, medical condition, genes, food availability, access to exercise, information and so many more issues can be the reason for obesity. Yes, sometimes there's pure gluttony, and laziness, but there is also depression, binging on comfort foods, so on and so forth. Sometimes sadness is something that can consume us to the point that we lose ourselves... to eating and sitting. So chubby people need help, kindness and encouragement.

Emotionally, I've had to motivate myself, overcome how I look in shorts and a t-shirt, overcome exercising in public and knowing that my jelly is bouncing around... dealing with my body unable to do what I could once do. It hurts and demotivates, but it takes a lot to just keep going, as Dory in Finding Nemo would say "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming swimming".

Mentally, I've had to just make myself go, shut of my mind, tell it to shut up. I had to shut up my internal critique, my self loathing, my self doubt... and just go through the exercise like I am a robot. However, in the end all the blood is in my muscles, so there is less thinking, and the endorphins just keep pumping out, making me feel better. So hush mind hush, this is a meditative practice.

Socially, I've had to turn down everything, just so I have 4-6 days of work out a week, 2-2.5 hours each day. Yeah at 30 more time is required to burrrrnnn the fat, and get tht metabolism going, unless you're one of those hyper metabolism people, who are magically thin no matter what they eat. Oh my! Anyway the good thing is, it's fall / winter so there aren't too much stuff going on, and it's perfect time to train for summer outdoor activities. Also winter is the time we tend to eat and sit around more, due to lack of stuff to do outside due to cold, snow and whatever inclement weather Ohio throws our way, so gym is great.

Physically, soreness, aches and pains, and initial injuries before the muscles get stronger. Stretch before exercising, warm up its easier on the muscles- basic important rules. Sometimes forgotten, but stretching is so important and yoga helps me so much too. So I go from being tight from working out, to stretchy in yoga... it's a tough body change to deal with. I love both though, eventually though one could almost only need yoga. Balance is always important though even in the yogic world. Listening to my body, not pushing myself too much, or not under-doing it was a challenge, and of course not even being able to do it, and finding modifications was another obstacle to overcome.

Diet: Eating healthy is another big lifestyle change one has to make initially to lose fat. Later we may reintroduce the unhealthy stuff in small amounts, however with thanksgiving it was kind of tough, yes Cheese was consumed. Recently a vegetarian, gave up all meat except fish, how do I get my protein? Oh fish, lentils, beans, chick peas!!!! Yeah so much more. I gave up dairy due to lactose issues, but good cheese in small amounts is ok, gluten gives me instant heart burn, and other problems the next day, so that is to a minimum too. Lots of grains, nuts, and veggies for me, let's not forget fruit. I eat an apple everyday. Caffeine is ZERO! Yes because it slows down metabolism although hypes you up, its the sugar, and whatever. I drink herbal teas like tulsi, and rose. Alcohol is the tough one, but since its mostly gluten I am left with ciders, and I am bored of apples, so wine it is. But it is only on weekends, as a result I am a lightweight! Processed foods and sugars are of course out of the question, especially soft drinks, etc. OUT! So although I have been eating healthy for about a year, exercise is key to inch-loss.

Why do we call it weight loss when muscle actually weighs more than fat, and fat is actually all inches! We should call it Inch Loss! This entire thing has been such a mind job, and I have to keep going. I have goals that I want to reach, ie. running a race with my bestie next year, running a lot, biking alot, climbing alot, yoga-assana-ing alot, and who knows what else! Most of it is looking at my bi-weekly semi-naked selfie which Ryan helps me with, and saying I love you, and hey we can get through this!

Ok now that I'm done being utterly honest... I can get the rest my body needs.

Breathe!

Durga Puja: Remembering Our Humble Beginnings

It's funny when I think of it, I am a jungle girl. I have always been attracted to nature, trees, the forest, wilderness and Animals! However I was born in the greatest city on earth, brought up in a fairly large Indian city, and then did high school in one of the most populated cities in the World - Kolkata, India! Maybe that's why I always wanted to live on a farm? Or maybe because my ancestors were farmers... It's strange why the open spaces, quiet and solitude have always called me, however I settled into city life just fine too, although it truly was NOT my element.

Over the years I have wondered about BELONGING, WHAT AM I, WHO AM I, and other such thoughts on existentialism. I remember wondering when I was very little 4 or 5... that I could have been anyone, but why was I me? Why wasn't I she, or she or he? That thought process blew my mind, and then I think I got scolded for day dreaming. I did that a lot, I would get lost in my thoughts on thoughts, while missing out on the long division method. Sometimes I regret not paying attention. As children we live, and then some time in the teenage years we're taught to "define our individuality" so then the material world comes into play. Before which, all I wanted was to be left alone with my thoughts and imagination. I liked taking my sis and I into this world where we each had flying horse friends, and we were shapeshifters... yeah! :-P Then by 10th grade we are worried about belonging... I just have to point out, growing up in Southern India, I wasn't very keen on my Bengali heritage, cause that itself made me stand apart. Try explaining Durga Puja to other 2nd graders who are other Indian cultures. Being the only Bong in class at that time, sucked. Soon Becky joined me though!

After being forced to go to Durga Puja, tolerate rituals which I didn't understand, spending 5 days in a different city with overly doting relatives, you become ready to adopt any culture other than the one you are born into. It took many years for me to finally be comfortable, accepting, and fond of my Bengali heritage and all the stereotypes that come with it. I am a Bengali American! I am Me! And I belong to me and the world. Yeah but that Bengali bit!

There we go back to the history of my ancestors, it maybe totally inconsequential to the larger picture of life the universe and everything, however it might have some significance? Who knows! Anyway, my family is from a village in West Bengal, and it is such a "village" in every sense... no electricity, middle of no where, no roads, they still have wells and a hand pump for water, and yes people are poor farmers. It's so beautiful there though, from my memories of this place. Running through the rice fields barefoot, felt utterly natural, even when my foot sank into a warm pile of cow dung... mmm! So natural! (I'm not being sarcastic). It felt like home, although that was my first time there. From big city to tiny village, it didn't sink in till recently. The complete opposites of where I am from, finding the complete mish-mash of "things" that I am and coming to terms with it and finally accepting it all. It's peaceful, or at least humorous!

My father just sent a picture of the village's Durga Protima this year, and she is simple but lovely, and I am glad for my family, and our humble origins, still humbling now. <3

Breathe

Isn't she beautiful? Left to right- Gonesh, (bengali pronunciation ok!), Lokhi, Durga, Shoroshoti, Kathik, and Mahishashur somewhere in there, dying! 

Durga ... It's that time of the year again!

How does one explain the excitement of something such as the biggest Bengali festival of the year? How does one explain Durga Pujo to non-Bengalis? Non- Indians?

"A man in Delhi once asked me "What is so special about Durga Puja In Kolkata? It's just as big as Diwali is here in the North".
I simply smiled and replied 'You have no idea'.
Waiting for my late evening flight to Mumbai at the airport, and I thought that there probably isn't any festival in any city in the world that can match Kolkata's Puja in intensity. You can take the craze of Diwali in Delhi, Christmas in London, Summer Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Valentine's day in Paris and then add it to the month long madness of Olympic Games or the World Cup and cram all that into a span of 5 days and you still wouldn't know what you are missing if you haven't been in Kolkata during Durga Puja"

- Vir Sanghvi, Hindustan Times

Yeah, what IS Durga Pujo? More importantly why is it so important to ME!

For about 3-4 years when we lived in Madras, now known as Chennai, we went to the Besant Nagar Durga Pujo. It was conveniently on the same street as our house, just a short walk. Over a few years we got to know the Bengali's in the SMCA Bengali group. I had some very close friends, and even more family friends. We enjoyed together the 5 days of intense bonding and celebration. We were family now, relishing our Bengali heritage through dance, performances of plays, music, worship, poribeshon (service), and ofcourse the obligatory adda (gossip), which is the epitome of Bengali-ness. I miss all that, my friends, the food, the service, the worship, family, the drama...

I found an article that explains it so well, go figure it's wiki!

Durga puja mood starts off with the Mahishasuramardini– a two-hour radio programme that has been popular with the community since the 1950s. While earlier it used to be conducted live, later a recorded version began to be broadcast. Bengalis traditionally wake up at 4 in the morning on Mahalaya day to listen to the enchanting voice of the late Birendra Krishna Bhadra and the late Pankaj Kumar Mullick on All India Radio as they recite hymns from the scriptures from the Devi Mahatmyam. During the week of Durga Puja, in the entire state of West Bengal as well as in large enclaves of Bengalis everywhere, life comes to a complete standstill. In playgrounds, traffic circles, ponds—wherever space may be available—elaborate makeshift structures called pandals are set up, many with nearly a year's worth of planning behind them. The word pandal means a temporary structure, made of bamboo and cloth, which is used as a temporary temple for the purpose of the puja. While some of the pandals are simple structures, others are often elaborate works of art with themes that rely heavily on history, current affairs and sometimes pure imagination. ---->(Yes my parents and I still wake up early and listen to this all day! But we can't celebrate like we once used to not in USA... although I celebrate it in my heart).

Somewhere inside these complex edifices is a stage on which Durga reigns, standing on her lion mount, wielding ten weapons in her ten hands. This is the religious center of the festivities, and the crowds gather to offer flower worship or pushpanjali on the mornings, of the sixth to ninth days of the waxing moon fortnight known as Devi Paksha. Devi = goddess; Paksha = period; Devi Paksha meaning the period of the goddess). Ritual drummers dhakis, carrying large leather-strung dhak –– show off their skills during ritual dance worships called aarati. On the tenth day, Durga the mother returns to her husband, Shiva, ritualised through her immersion into the waters also known as Bhaashan and Niranjan. --->(Or Bishorjon).

At the end of six days, the idol is taken for immersion in a procession amid loud chants of 'Bolo Durga mai-ki jai' (glory be to Mother Durga') and 'aashchhe bochhor abar hobe' ('it will happen again next year') and drumbeats to the river or other water body. It is cast in the waters symbolic of the departure of the deity to her home with her husband in the Himalayas. After this, in a tradition called Vijaya Dashami, families visit each other and sweetmeats are offered to visitors (Dashami is literally "tenth day" and Vijay is "victory").

Durga Puja commemorates the annual visit of the Goddess with Her children to Her parents' home, leaving finally on the Dashami to be re-united with Shiva. This leaving ceremony is symbolised by the immersion of the idols on Dashami.
Durga Puja is also a festivity of Good (Ma Durga) winning over the evil (Mahishasur the demon). It is a worship of power of Good which always wins over the bad.

:-)

More at -Wikipedia Article- Durga Puja , although NOTHING can capture the awesomeness of Durga Puja! We have little Durga Puja's everywhere. I have fond memories of Durga pujo, in Kolkata (Calcutta), and Chennai and other places.

Breathe!

You Are What You Eat

I have been studying Yoga for the past 7 months, and there have been a lot of things I've learned and changed in my life. I have changed too: increased patience, calm, understanding... Sometimes I do lapse into old self, but I am working hard to get to my "Ideal Self". That "Ideal Self" keeps changing, and the challenges increase, but I am growing, getting better, and it is full filling.

One of the things which has resurfaced through out my life is: to stop consuming my friends,(a reference from the original Doctor Dolittle musical with Rex Harrison), what most people would call vegetarianism. I was successful for a few years, during my childhood, after watching the butchering of a chicken. It didn't last though. I just don't want to be a part of that cycle of cruelty, and now a days it is the very heart of obesity and other diseases.

As intrigued and curious as I was as a child, I was very aware and in about 6th grade I was headstrong about studying Factory Farming. We are talking about 1995; and the information was very limited to child without internet and the resources available these days. However as I grew and information was available as the industry was slowly exposed, my suspicions were confirmed. How we treat our or other animals defines us as a culture as a species. We are monsters.

Today I stumbled upon this video. It's only 6 minutes long. I don't want to brainwash anyone, eat whatever you want, but be AWARE. I was sitting on the fence for a long time now, and with my whole plan to be more active, healthy and eat healthy, my decision has been made. I will be vegetarian until and unless the event comes to pass, that there is no more vegetarian food and I must scavenge and hunt (ie. a survivalist scenario) for food, I shall. For instance if I go back country backpacking with Ryan, and we get so lost, and don't have food, I will eat and do what needs be done for survival. For now, I quit.

I have always been a lover of animals, being such an empath, as it is how could it be avoided. I was so fond of the original Doctor Dolittle with Rex Harrison, where he spoke to animals and rationalized, do we eat our friends? The book was written in the times when people were becoming aware of Animal Cruelty, same as Black Beauty. I wanted to grow up and work on the Rainbow Warrior, joining Green Peace, PETA etc. And then they went and did some extremist things, and I had to evaluate how I felt about the entire thing. I love animals, but I did not condone their actions. I had to weave my own path. My compassion extended to humans too, so I had to see an all encompassing view of animals and humans. I felt geography and planning was a good option, sadly it's hard to find a job in urban planning where I am. Plus building, planning often is not approached with the perspective of animals and their habitats, but more so politics, economic gain etc. No wonder the PETA people go batty!

That's my decision. I am sorry if the video is shocking, but it is eye opening, and goes full circle. Also in light of the obesity and health care issues in USA, and ALL over the world, we must be even more vigilant, active, aware, and mindful. Next time you order your food think about where it came from. Factory farming... makes me want to go to the farmer's market, but oh the prices. Sometimes it's so hard living in Ohio, the options of places to eat are not enough, especially for vegetarians... but THESE are all excuses for not living healthy, eating healthy, and being mindful and aware. We need to unlearn, unwork and undo these unhealthy lifestyles we've created. Let's make the change!

Like Animals - Doctor Dolittle -1967 - click for more information about the movie
I do not understand the human race.
It has so little love for creatures with a different face.
Treating animals like people is no madness or disgrace.
I do not understand the human race.

I wonder why do we treat animals like animals?
Animals treat us so very well.
The devoted ways they serve us and protect us when we’re nervous –
Oh, they really don’t deserve us, all we give them is hell!

Tell me how else man repays them, do we ever think to praise them?
No we don’t, and this dismays them, you can tell.
They're riddled with ingratitude, we give no love or latitude,
In every way our attitude is, well, like animals.

Why do we treat animals like animals?
How can people be so inhumane?
Cows and chickens work to feed us, dog and horses show they need us
And though cats don’t always heed us, their affection is plain.

What do we do?
We neglect them; we do nothing to protect them;
We reject them, don’t expect them to complain.
We ignore them or we beat them; when we’re hungry, then we eat them.
It’s appalling how we treat them, it’s insane!
Like animals!

We humiliate and murder and confine them.
We create their wretched status, then we use it to malign them.
I mean, why should we say, “preening like a dog”?
Why should we say, “working like a horse”?
Why should we say, “eating like a hog,”
When what we mean is “eating like a man”?!
Don’t we? Of course!

A man of ill repute is called a “weasel” or a “rat,”
A woman you dislike becomes a “vixen” or a “cat.”
A family that is blessed with healthy reproductive habits
Occasions the remark, “Well you know them, they breed like rabbits”!

“He’s as stubborn as a mule!”
“He’s as stupid as an ox”
“He’s as slimy as a snake!”
“He’s as crafty as a fox!”
Remarks like that really get my goat!

Why don’t we say, “noble as a frog”?
Or, why can’t we say, “wealthy as a hen”?
True, we say, “devoted as a dog.”
What we should say is: “chic as a giraffe,” “pretty as a pig, eh?”
That’ll be the big day, won’t it?
But when? But when?!

When will we stop treating them like animals?
Is the human race entirely mad?
Women see a baby goatskin, or a lambskin, or a stoatskin!
And to them it’s just a coatskin –
Oh, it’s terribly sad!

When you dress in suede or leather, or some fancy fur or feather,
Do you stop and wonder whether, for a fad, you have killed some beast or other?
And you’re wearing someone’s brother,
Or perhaps it’s someone’s mother in which you’re clad!

Like animals, like animals, like … animals.
Well, it’s true, we do not live in a zoo.
But man is an animal too.
So why can’t you, like me,
Like animals … animals.



The Vegetarian - Doctor Dolittle -1967   - click for more information about the book

The day that I became a veterinarian
I had a sudden overwhelming wish,
To be a pure and simple vegetarian
And give up eating all that meat and fish.

So now I live on healthy food instead
Like apples cores,
And Parsnip juice
And chunks of plain brown bread.

When I see my fellow men
Consuming sirloin steak,
And I find myself enjoying tea and dundee cake,
There is really only one conclusion I can make
I'm a devoted vegetarian.

When my host at dinner offers
Succulent roast beef,
Proudly I refuse it. People stare in disbelief,
Lost in admiration as I nibble on a leaf,
A very noted vegetarian.

I don't even eat horseradish, in case I upset the horses.

I stay away from deviled ham on principle,
I wouldn't eat roast duckling if I could,
Will power has made me invincible!...
My word, those sausages do look good.

Turnip pie and peanuts-
That's the sort of filth I eat,
Any sort of rubbish
That is wholesome and discrete
Why don't I admit that my hypocrisy's complete?!
If I should live to be a centenarian,
Become our most adored humanitarian?
I'll never make a decent vegetarian-
I'm a cheat
I love meat,
I'm a cheat
Yes I am!
I love red bloodied juicy chunks of meat
Legs of lamb!
Sides of beef 'n' chops 'n' steak 'n' veal
And pork of course - my favorite meal!

And then I hear poor Gubgub squeal!
Oh me, Oh my,
A reluctant, but sincere vegetarian,
Am I.





Breathe

Be Aware

Live And Let Live.

Siblings

Animals are beautiful people too

Action shot! We love to play too! and take jump shots! (thanks to the people who share these lovely pictures online)

We can be friends!

No words for this one... the cuteness has stunned me!

Even cuter... how can I ever think of...

Ahimsa yawl Ahimsa!

Mommy turkey and baby turkey!

turkeys are cute too!

Baby cows cast spell with their big innocent eyes! How can we...?!

The egg came first I tell you!

We are friends, why can't you be my friend too?

Yep they definitely want to be friends and not food!

LOVE and Happiness

cuteness... siblings...

good grief adorable

Children and parents

my childhood friend...

Will the Real Guru Ji Please Stand Up

"What's the best kind of Yoga to learn?"
"Which Yoga studio/ashram/guru/type of yoga is the best?"
"Do you have to be a Hindu to do Yoga?"
"I am not flexible, how can I do yoga?"
"What is real yoga?"

These are questions people ask me a lot as an Indian and as a Yogi. Often times I am not equipped to answer them.

I just watched Kumare, and I totally felt Vikram Gandhi's strife - growing up in the USA, with Indian values. Wanting to break free from these ancient seemingly nonsensical stuff yet people of this western world- America- are moving towards it. The absurdity! So seriously I was enthralled by Buffy, Friends, and X-Files. I really wanted to be an FBI agent. And here there are people dreaming of becoming a Yogi, of enlightenment, happiness, peace and calmness.

As an Indian I was taught to value education, education, achievement, career, achievement, normalcy, and success. What does that mean? Well it means - get super educated, get a career that you can make the big bucks from, settle down, make a family, and then live in the luxury that pre-independence Indians could not dream of. This didn't make sense to me, because I wanted more than just that flow. I like a different sun salutation everyday. Why should I do the same one, when my body tells me to stretch this way! I became a rebel, death metal, the goth culture, etc. so alluring, especially cause it freaked "normal" people out. I matured and looked deeper, and like Vikram I studied religion, as well as psychology, cultural geography etc.

I began listening to the guru inside me, because I never could connect with an external guru, I did have people I connected with, empathized with, and listened to their advice or their words of wisdom. Worship never sat well with me. I think of all things I believe in the Universe, nature, and the powerful energy that runs through us all the most. Call it God? Ok! I don't have a name for it, and it has no rules for me, except I must be a good person, cause hurting others just don't feel good.

Yoga has always been a part of my life, cause 1- I'm Indian, and my mom's grandad taught her, and its a cultural thing for most of us. 2- My mom was really into it all her life 3- My mom made my sis and I go to the Sivananda Yoga Ashram in Chennai back when we were itty bitty, against our will may I add... we had no idea what this "Yoga" was going to be. We liked it. We liked yoga cause we could become animals and hop around - a crow, a dog, a cat, a cow, a lion, a tree, a upside down person, a peacock... and then we made up our own animals.

Fast forward 23 years, I am finally working on my Yoga teacher certification, which I should have gotten years ago from the center, but as mentioned before, I wanted to be Buffy and not Yogi! I get to USA and everyone is Yogi, and I am Buffy! Ha! My journey through life, its pains, joys, taught me much, and the time was ready for this deeper learning of Yoga. It was still the ability to turn into other animals, however NOW it was something much deeper.

Through this learning of Yoga, I connect better with people, better myself and skills (slowly but surely, such a tough process and I often stumble), and understand the world, universe and life with a clarity previously unfound. Then again my boyfriend Ryan, is a Kumare, traveling his on path. It's amazing how people understand the same deep truth which is right in front of us through different journeys. Some of us need a mirror, some of search in other cultures, religions, practices, traveling, and others just see it as it is.

It's not about education, accomplishment or achievement... it's about putting all that aside and seeing the truth. It's harder to do than it seems to be. Something so simple yet so difficult for so many to achieve? It' kind of like Einstein's works, it makes so much sense, and so simple yet he put it all together.
Definitely watch Kumare if you haven't. It's on Netflix. Stop searching externally, and seek within... (he's not saying worship yourself and inflate your ego). Yoga helps introspect, as well as so many other benefits. Find your own path, read, definitely study the old Hindu scriptures, there is much wisdom and truth there.

Guru's are great for being guided, growing and taught, which not able to understand a process. Gurus are not made through certifications, PhDs etc. although some people think they are...  but anyway are / should be spiritual friends who help you wake up. We must share our paths to grow. I am so lucky to have an amazing set of gurujis!

I'm not great guru... I'm just me, Pree. I might not be right but these are things which I have learned and know. So here are my answers to the questions asked

What Yoga school is good/ real/ correct? It depends on what you are looking for! Google is a great tool to research yoga. However in the end Yoga is Yoga is Yoga. Just like which Christianity is the right/true/real Christianity?  Baptists? Protestants? Catholics? Lutherans? It just depends on if you want an asana focused practice, chanting focused practice, or service focused practice. Within the Asana focused practice there is so many different types of practice concerning asana... etc.


There are many awesome Yoga studios in Ohio! Go to different classes at different places and find out which yoga class suits you! I like slow restorative yoga to a good vinyasa flow.

One does not need to be flexible to do yoga. Everyone can do yoga. Only lazy people can not do yoga. You also don't have to be Hindu to do yoga. Also being Hindu doesn't mean worshiping multiple Gods... those who think so are dhakkans. Read!

What is yoga... real yoga? Well you have to learn to find out!




Breathe


and

Live.

An article about chanting in sanskrit

Ohio to Delhi and Madras Coffee to Mocha Latte

Recently my father traveled all over (again) for work, luckily I was left out of the hectic schedule. Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, Thailand, Malaysia, Thailand, China (and various cities within china), back to Thailand... eventually India. I had to be here at the mothership and send shipments out to reach to those destinations which coincided with their trip for various trials. I digress, but the minute he lands, he finds the lounge for frequent travelers, finds his tea, and starts working. Yeah that's his life. HE sends the entire family this email- My grandad (whom he calls Baba- father), my mom, my uncle Danny, my sister, and who knows who else!

This is his little story... its an ungodly hour at Delhi international airport, he is waiting for his connecting flight to Chennai, and ofcourse it's morning here in USA.

Baba: I just called you, but NO ANSWER !! That means you are in Sangeeta’s home or ghure berachhen ! Roddure soreer kharap hobe.  (Means you are in Sangeeta's house or out wandering somewhere! You will get ill wandering around in the hot sun.)

I am in Delhi airport,

         First had a cup of coffee ! There are 4 coffee shops, but none had MADRAS COFFEE. I asked they said even though they are using coffee beans from Madras, but they must use “Foren names” like Latte, capachino and charge high for attracting clients !
       So, I said “Desi khotom, and Foren ka jamana” –  no place for Gandhiji ! (which means the Indian stuff is over/ended/gone, now it's time for foreign culture/"things" to invade and make money.)

This next part is other stories he has to tell about from the flight...

Some stories from the United flight –

     Good news: flight landed at 8 pm. I was out after customs clearance by 8-20 PM. That is 20 minutes from the Flight to out side after Immigration and customs. That is an “WOW” achievement of efficiency, my walking as well as the airport authorities.

      My row companion, kept his Bag under the center seat (that was empty), did not even make attempt to put above in the storage area. Then I saw he has only one arm !! I said “Sorry” to him for not knowing it before. As it was right arm that is lost, and he was sitting to my right.

I learned – he is “IT specialist for auditing Financial irregularities”. An intelligent young man from Simla, but works from Delhi for a large US based IT company with 300 global offices.

     In front  Row, I had 3 elderly ladies – all wheel chaired. One lady had her Row-companion – a High school grad US girl student, quite tall. Going to Mussourie for college study. Getting very popular amongst US people. This girl impressed every one from start. She was (so naturally & spontaneously) helping two elderly ladies seating in her row, even though these ladies had other Indian people seating in same row. The air-hostess called her the “Angel”.

     There was an old Sardarji couple just behind me – Before departure I spoke to Indira and Pillu in Bangla. Suddenly, this sardarji started talking to me in Bangla. He stayed in Kolkata for 30 years. Now he has green card, and stays with his son in Kansas city for about 5 months in a year.

    Now, I finished my second coffee cup along with two Samosa ( elephant size). This is also Madras Beans but with a “Foren” name.

So there is room for you to start “Swadeshi of gandhiji” movement or you can continue easily with your “Bilati culture”.

I will take morning flight to Chennai, then I come to Kolkata in the evening of 26^th.

Pronam to you and ma

Ashish

(note: I did a lot of work, and now trying to kill my time).

Another email regarding the coffee shop:

Babi,

I am still at Delhi airport. It is 1-40 am, I am having fun in killing my time with you in a productive way.

Now, you know – I can do things for you from any where  and at any time !!! Example,  in India from a coffee shop, around at mid night !! Correct ?

It is full of life here , with fresh dosa, rice, chart, Tea, coffee being made and served …

Body is getting tired, as sitting since yesterday.

Well used to it.

Love.. Babi

My sister replies:

Aha! I bet that's the same coffee shop Chris and I ate at in New Delhi when we first arrived!! 



His next email after multiple replies from Danny, my sis and I:

Now comes the foren English I learned in America, my new Home, and I am an Amrican citizen !!

Ø  I see nothin !
Ø  I don’t see “nothin”
Ø  I cannot do “Nothin’!”
Ø  Are you doin somethin ?

The class is closed now for the day. You will learn more from me as we do more classes.

Love  to you all.

India Celebrates 67 yrs of Independence... What about the women?

What does this day, 15th of August mean to you?
What does it mean to you as a woman?
What does in mean to you today in 2013 as an Indian woman, living in India or traveling there? Celebrating this day there?
What are we celebrating India? Our greatness? Our Freedom?

I remember when we celebrated 50 years of Indian Independence in 1997 on August 15th. It was such a milestone for Indians and India. I was rather young, we had the day off. I was in India at the time, and I felt the patriotic spirit beating through me. I always feel it, the Indian-ness, despite many an ex-Indian- Boyfriends' mother telling me I was not Indian enough. The sense of belonging, the Bengali-ness, my Madrasi side, the call from the Bharat Mata flowing through my blood... I'm as Indian as Indian can be. Just because I don't live there permanently don't mean I'm not Indian, just like just because I'm brown don't mean I'm not American. Anyway as I learnt from Patanjali's great scriptures, as well as other Hindu or Indian texts, all this sense of belonging and patriotism is for naught. We are all one, and this life is merely passing. Remember Karma, live this life well, and in the next life we will be fare better.

It occurred to me although its 14th August here, it is the eve of 15th August there. Oh the life of a multicultural person... we always remember all the time zones, and have to wish our friends early or late! So I thought I must put something patriotic up as my cover photo. Which led me think I'd want to put up something depicting Indian women and the Indian flag, because as much as I love India, the flag, the deeper spiritual culture etc. I remembered the atrocities carried out and constantly threatening women - abuse, rape, and the total lack of respect in the heavily misogynistic country!

My google searches gave very few results... reminding me that Ukrainian women were disrespected in India. A young girl was recently raped in a train bathroom; she was but 8! The gang rape of a college student in Delhi last year. The anger towards Indian women in positions of power. The anger towards Indian women who unknowingly appear to disrespect India - Sania Mirza her feet near Indian flag, or was it just the angle of the photo? She must be shunned! Then A random girl who photobombs the Indian Olympic team. Great disrespect. Some actress who wore a tie skirt, of the Indian flag. She must be beaten and stoned. A bunch of foerign women protesting that they were not prostitutes, because white skinend women were being attacked and raped, on the account that they were prosititutes...and then I read this account. Do Indian men really know no boundaries? Well I guess it's ok since the British raped us a century ago. NO! it's not ok!
Come on people! Wake up!
All the good pictures were of men holding the tri-color... oh brother! Gimme a break! Makes me feel like traveling home and doing a photoshoot of women with the tri-color. God bless India.

I'm as proud to be an American as I am to be an Indian at this point. We have brilliant people like Palin, Perry, etc. who are so knowledgeable about stuff, and then on the other hand India... oh India. India has improved a lot, developed, mimicked the west so well. While doing so they have forgotten their amazing strong culture, and spirituality. Instead picking up on the silly things of the culture - just ritualistic religious practice... which is so baseless if you don't study the deeper stuff. How many Indians really do yoga? At this point I think more Americans do yoga... despite Bikram going all "hands on" with his sutdents (if you get my meaning), another misogynistic example. Oh humanity redeem yourself! I'm not gonna say women are treated any better in the US... but as a part of development one would HOPE that a country's standards for how they treat women would improve.

So what shall we celebrate this Independence day India? Freedom from the British? Puhlease... We had a great leader, who some despise, lead us to freedom. Yeah he played the "Game of Thrones" (metaphorically speaking ie. politics), with the Brits, but he did know of the Yogic Sutras, and followed them to extremes. He knew what Brahmacharya means. How many men today can take up true celibacy? Yeah... thought so. We learn nothing from the good men, instead choose to always focus on their flaws.

Culture-vulture, religion-zealigion, progress-digress, we need to figure out ways to break the chain... the chain of violence against women. And let's start with you India, cause I just saw a map, or maps which said that India is the WORST place to be born in the entire world. I felt so let down. In fact, other maps depicted (based on research), that India is a country with the least tolerance to homosexuals, foreigners, and women! *sigh* Progress, independence... to what glory? Oh for the men, right... that's all that matter.

Women of India what are you celebrating today!?


Wake up!


Breathe!


Exhale and let go!

</rant>

PS: wouldn't be surprised if there's a lot of negative backlash to this blog cause ... oh pride! ego! That is strong there... very strong. Sorry Patanjali for letting you down, but obviously the "educated" haven't learned.
Vande Mataram India, Vande Mataram!

Also in the movie Chennai Express they said it was 66th year of independence, yet others claim it is the 67th. Which is it? So we count 1947 or not?



Ending it with -

"India has never had a real sense of nationalism. Even though from childhood I had been taught that idolatry of the Nation is almost better than reverence for God and humanity, I believe I have outgrown that teaching, and it is my conviction that my countrymen will truly gain their India by fighting against the education which teaches them that a country is greater than the ideals of humanity." --Tagore (From Rabindranath Tagore's Lectures on Nationalism, 1917

and

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi