In The Name Of Soup Song

I know soup song is a big name now and in one way I can say that it has become a trend. We have all heard about it as gana song till the latest Kolaveri came into picture. Its new name is soup song. I dont have to say how Kolaveri has its legendary way of changing the name but it stops just there. All is well until the point where it enters into the concept of degrading the female population. Well that part is never changed, unfortunately. I vaguely remember the days when this whole concept started. But I am very sure that there are hundreds and hundreds of songs that does the same job. This morning while driving to work, I happened to listen to one of such song and it annoyed me to the core that I had to do something about it. The song was from the movie 7am Arivu and it was "Yemma Yemma" song. Well, if you have watched the movie, you must be knowing the reason for the song in that movie. Not a big thing, a guy proposes and the girl denies it. Or may be a big thing ! But that doesn't mean that it has to be taken to a spot where such song is needed in the first place and morever this song takes on not just that girl in that character but on the entire female group. Really !!! I don't even have to say how much of a hit that song is. Its so unfortunate that such a nice melody is used on such tasteless lyrics.

So when a guy listens to this song, in no way he is going to be affected. Sometimes it so happens that the guy would really enjoy such song. Well why not? These are obviously hit songs. But when you see it from a girl's view, apart from the melody nothing else makes sense. It is very cheap and hurtful to put it exactly. Practically most of the ladies will ignore it thinking that its not me. And I believe that's where the whole thing goes off the track. Since there is no or very less opposition that was raised from the group that was attacked and the other group either enjoys or doesn't care, and to top it up and ofcourse it pours money to the people who produces it in the name of entertainment, these have become a staple in most of the movies. When we can have a commitee to determine if the movie can be viewed by kids or not, why not have a commitee to determine if a woman can listen to a song or not? Because clearly these songs make me cringe in my seat, even though I ignore it exactly the same way as every other woman does. I am sure we deserve more ! 

After the humungous hit of Kolaveri, there will be many more on their way to degrade the lady gang further and further. Whenever a team comes up with such song, they say its just for that character and not for the entire gang. Nothing in the song says so. I see it as an excuse to get rid of a mistake that have been commited. Not a fair game my friend !

I believe there should be a change in the trend as the generation grows. But with these gana songs changing the trend to soup songs just in the name but not in the subject kept me thinking about it for a while. Is it worth to take it further to our next generation? Obiously, NO. Isn't it the duty of the women to raise the voice and show the opposition against it?  I believe so. So here I contribute my share on this ocean.

ITS NOT A NO TO SOUP SONGS. ITS JUST A NO TO THE CONCEPT IN THE NAME OF SOUP SONGS.

~ Be the change you want to see in this world - Mahatma Gandhi

Tea For Two..

"If I could invite anybody for 'tea for two' today it would undoubtedly be ..................................My Dad".

He is such a pleasure to spend time with. Whenever I have a friend at my house, its not just gonna be my friend, she/ he will also be my dad's friend. That's how I can exactly say about my dad. He is the most friendliest person I've ever seen. Usually we(me, my friend & my dad) sit together and talk about what we can do, where we can go, what we can buy and all sorts of nonsense just to pass time during our school/ college days. He gives us ideas, tells jokes, friendly mocks and so on and so forth are such unforgettable moments. There are so many many weekends that me and my mom use to sleep like crazy late and my dad wakes up early and prepares coffee for us. I still couldn't forget the days when I open my sleepy eyes to see my dad holding the hot steaming coffee cups in his hand for me and my mom. Having a conversation with that coffee during the weekend morning are such a pleasure to think. Yeah I can just think and remember those days. My dad is no more. So if at all, I really wanted to invite someone for a cup of tea, it will definitely be my dad. And I am not just with that. I have preferences :) I need the same setup like me being the little one sitting next to the parents and listening to what they talk and adding my feedback. What else can be an absolute joy than that ?

Well, Why do I all of a sudden talk about tea and who am I gonna have it with? Alright people, there is this one amazing lady, Preeti Shenoy, who writes, crafts and has so many other talents which she didn't reveal it yet has started a kind-of-thread calling it as Creative Prompt. This is my humble response for that. I usually do not do threads or respond to any of that, mainly because I don't follow it justly but this one was hard to ignore. So Preeti, if at all you are reading this, good luck with your new book and I hope this one goes up as the best selling one as well. I hope for the best !!

A Wonderful Story

All my life, I've heard so many stories from my dad and my grand parents. My dad is the one who told me most of the stories. I always pester him when going to bed to tell me some stories. Its just plain pleasure listening to those stories and go to sleep. Those were the days I still couldn't read it from the books. It was just picture stories from chandamama. And when that's all done, my dad use to find kids books, buy it, read it for me and then the way he narrates it when going to bed is just unexplainable comfort. You see, it happened when I was very very little, may be, 5 or 6 and I still remember every bit of it. Alright now, what made me talk about this is yet another comfort. After almost 20 or so years, Yeah... Stop guessing about my age now :) , So.. after so many years, I have a yet another story teller in my life. And this time, not for me but for my girl.

One fine night, I was totally tired from my usual work of the day and went to bed along with my ever so active kid. My husband was obviously next to me thinking, what next? And then, as usual I tried possible things to make my baby go to sleep, but in vain. My hubby took over and I hid myself in my comfy blankie. So after a moment or so, my hubby started to tell a story to our kid which was the best story I've heard after a very very, and I mean a very long time. It was such pleasure. So here is the story for you. I am sure no one else had heard this one. So enjoy !

There was a little puppy sitting on the playground all alone. And then came another puppy for a walk. This puppy saw the sitting puppy and went to it. It asked why the puppy is just sitting. The sitting puppy replied saying that its very bored. So the walking puppy asked if the sitting puppy can come for a coffee? The sitting puppy felt very happy and went for coffee. They had their coffee and when they had to pay the bill, the walking puppy asked the sitting puppy to pay. But sitting puppy said, I don't have money. You invited for coffee so you have to pay. They both fought and went back to home. Next day, both the puppies were sitting, without talking or playing. And then, there comes a third puppy. It saw these two puppies, and asked why? Both the puppies told what happened. So the third puppy said ok and went to the coffee shop all alone. When coming back from the shop, the third puppy got coffee for all the three of them and said lets share it. It also asked the puppies not to fight and to forget the past. Then all the three puppies stayed happy and played together ever after :)

By then, my kid was asleep. I was under my blankie listening to the story and felt contented. It made my day. Thank You !!

I wanted to end the year with a beautiful story, which happened to come from the best guy I've known for years. And I am so happy that we made through one more happy year. Lots have happened in this last year. It taught me so many things, as a mother, as a wife, as a working women and as a friend. Some things that I regret but indeed learnt from it. Some things that I treasure. Hope there would be more and more treasured moments in the coming years. Thank You everyone ! I wish for a very very happy new year to you and your family.

Happy New Year 2012 !!

Mayakkam Enna - Movie Pointers

As such, pointers again. One thing I noticed is, these pointers will entertain much more if you had already watched the movie and have come here to read it. Absolute pleasure that way !! But if you decide otherwise, I have only one thing to say. SO MANY MANY MANY SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!

• Yet another Selvaraghavan's movie.
• Same formula. Heroine don't give a shit for the hero, and eventually fell in love with him.
• Another rule broken. Hero loves a friend's girl friend and ends up marrying her. Usually it will be a sister or a girl whom that friend loves.. like kind of a one-sided love story.
• Actually in the movie, the heroine clarifies that she is not a GF but just a date. She goes out with this friend as a partner, stay way more than midnight wth him, dances with him and I mean in a romantic way and so on and so forth. Except a particularly intimate situation (which indeed happened with the hero, Dhanush), everything else seems to be done with this friend. Puhleeeassee!! As far as I see it, she pretty much shows up as a GF.
• Somehow, I so loved that gang of friends. It was so nice to watch them together. But I felt like that father character had killed the charm of it. Why do we always need a drunkard single father to support a group of friends? So stereotypical !
• Friend's father - Felt like I am watching an ad.
• The subtle looks between Dhanush and Richa were enjoyable. I had to giggle everytime they did that.  Was nicely done.
• Lizard scene was very very funny. Dhanush pulls it at the right moment.
• The marraige scene was quick and gave some relaxation. All the while I was thinking what next? what next? not because I was so piqued or anything.. but just that how far can this be screwed up??
• Dhanush's fart was ridiculous and to top it up he asks if she doesn't do it. Richa's response brought a big pleasure. Girls & especially Guys, Be aware !! Please use the respective private rooms.
• Dhanush's dog act was really nice. I felt so sad and pitied him :) Chhooo chweet.
• Dhanush's career - Photography as a career is a new thing I am watching on silver screen. And the scenes between that professional guy and Dhanush was done really well. I thought it was very very practical.
• That suicide scene - I so expected it. I swear ! When dhanush was reading the paper, I was like, this guy is one big crack, he might fall off from the balcony and the next moment he did it. I gave a big pat for my exceptional prediction..
• After all the happiness, there comes a betrayal followed by a suicide. The story becomes upside down. The cheerful couple is gone. A drunkard, psycho, sick guy becomes the husband and a truthful commited girl becomes a wife.
• Dhanush's performance was powerful. A casual cool buddy look is a not so new look on him but I am awe stuck by his performance as an angry drunkard. He portrayed rightly as a person who got betrayed. One moment I pitied him and the other moment I so hated him to the core (I mean the character, of course).
• Dhanush's reactions were so nice in many places. "I don't understand you" look to Richa when she was dating that friend, "Oh Yeah !It's my marraige" look to the friend who is now sitting as an audience, "the shocked" look after knowing that he has been betrayed, and the last(as of now) but not the least, "I am absolutely an angry man for what the heck is happening to me" look at his friend's wedding scene. All I can say is, what a good show !!
• Richa has got good potential in her. I initially thought she is yet another girl with good assets to walk through the 3 hours of a movie until the scene were she explodes over Dhanush for what has happened. Gotcha !! Shock all over my face.
• Richa's response to one of Dhanush's friend to be his Mistress was wierd. But that helped to show how strong of a character that she is. 
• Dhanush's success seem to be OK'ish.
• Richa's Ex-BF is now Dhanush's sister's husband. He has been a truthful friend all the while but the sister has changed and is now jealous of Dhanush. Now people, some truely exists just like this same character. Believe me !! Now before your nosy mind comes to a conclusion,  FYI, I don't have any siblings, wink wink, :)
• Showing the passport photo on the Photography Industry's so-called Oscar Award ceremony was a good one. I gave a joyful big sigh with a smile !!  
• Cinematography was totally good. It has to be. After all the movie is based on it. Good job there.
• Songs were all nice to watch and to listen. I loved the "naan sonnadhum mazhai vandhucha" and "Pirai thedum iravilaei". Wow just amazing songs. I am so hooked to these right now. "Ennenna seidhom inga" was apt for the group of friends. "Oda oda oda" & "Kadhal adhu kaadhal" were funny.
• Ending the movie with a "Hello..." after a big oodal was obviously, Selva's touch ! 

நிழல் தேடிடும் ஆண்மையும்.. நிஜம் தேடிடும் பெண்மையும்

ஒரு போர்வையில் வாழும் இன்பம்.. தெய்வம் தந்த சொந்தமா

என் ஆயுள் ரேகை நீயடி.. என் ஆணி வேரடி

சுமை தாங்கும் எந்தன் கண்மணி.. எனை சுடும் பணி..

Disgusting Make up

Alright ladies. I am not totally against make up. In fact, I like makeup and having a polished look and all that, but some of these disgusting ads thats been telecasted in TV just makes me go nuts. Really.. especially that new Banjaras Fairness ad is totally irritating. I just want to give a big punch on the face of that guy, that amma and that stupid girl. The girl after using the said cream gets all pretty and goes in front of the so called bridegroom and gives a nice pose. Stop me if I am wrong. Which is the sale product here? The banjaras cream or that girl?  Where are we going with such ads. Although my mindset do not accept the fact that this one particular ad is gonna change the way youth are gonna think, it is just plain atrociousness to know that so many people would have approved for such an ad to be telecasted to public. And to add more to this, its been telecasted so many times in a day. I initially thought I shouldn't be complaining for such a silly ad but its beyond too much to forget about it and move on.

7am Arivu - Movie Pointers

This is the first time I am writing a review on a movie. I was a little skeptical about it first but then I thought what is my blog for?  So to venture out my opinions, here I start. And one more thing, I didn't wanted to do the usual paragraph writing, the way I do for the books I read. So its just bullet points that came to my mind. And a verdict after that. Not a professional one but just for fun !

SPOILERS AHEAD !! Stay away if you haven't watched the movie yet and are planning to watch it.

• Surya is Macho !! Well, I can't stop myself from saying it. And look that's the first point :)
• Surya's eyes had some spot light since I was glued to his body the whole time.
• Shruti looks sizzling in Red.
• Songs are speed breakers.
• Shruti's scenes have this background score that sounds so much like 12B simran's background score. Harris's magic !!
• I remember none of the songs after the movie. Everything sounds ok when listening but can be easily forgotten. Not much except for the hero and heroine dancing around.
• Surya-Shruti love story was a little wierd. Hope Aamir or Shah Rukh changes the script when it goes to hindi. And hello.. are you still thinking if it will go to hindi? Look at the recent statistics.
• I couldn't see Surya & Shruti as a couple. Chemistry is totally missing, atleast to my eyes.
• Surya wears less dress than the heroine. Too bad that Shruti didn't have a bikini debut in Tamil.
• Shruti's dubbed her own voice. Tremendous effort. Some felt it was kind of Tanglish. But I liked it. Azhuttham thiruthama irundhadhu. I remember Kamal Haasan's advice to many actors. Dub your own voice. It makes a huge difference.
• Oh boy !! Is he a villain or some kind of a black magic guy. I'll better run before he looks at me.
• The intro fight sequence was just mesmerizing :) I can look at Surya's eyes for as long as I can if he'd let me :)
• The fight sequence on the chennai streets was a nail biting one. I was like what the heck !! That guy who was cleaning the underground drainage system was an unpredictable one! I could easily guess that a lady is gonna come up. 
• And haei.. that guy from Mangatha is here too. He is cute :)  The last word he uttered in the film was "Dong Lee" in a funny way. And then he went missing.
• So sad with that girl who died. I don't know why the director wants blood in a gory way in all of his movies. I didn't like one bit of it. As far as the girl, she did a decent job.
• Surya's pazhi vangum dialogues were good. I understood every reference made in it eventhough there is no exact names used. It must have consumed a good time to come up with that one. 
• Exporting Indian professionals made me cringe. But wait a minute, they get to talk about all these? Just because they earn crores and crores staying in India, they can point out every one who steps out of the country? I am not buying it.  NRI's make a huge contribution to India in FDI (Foreign Direct Investment). Thats a good lump sum than what these crorepati's would contribute. Don't get me started now.
• Burning the library, burning the old stuffs like olaichuvadi in the name of tradition were a shocker. We need more such awareness.
• I am happy that I know about turmeric and I use it a lot. 
• Finally, all ends well with a thoughtful message. Audience have to forget about the banned research that was actually done. Technically, Shruti & Surya must be in trouble instead they are doing a spot light interview. And the director(AR Murugadoss) watches them from the backstage with a very stern look.
• Surya's acting is at its best. He is a charmer. All praises for the effort which he is known for.
• Shruti's acting was applaudable. Golden film for her considering it as the first one. I hope she stays for the longest time possible.
• Another hit from AR Murugadoss. I wonder how this petite guy can come up with such commendable ideas. Never estimate a book by its covers. So true! This movie will bring another bump in his career scale. Just an awesome thought.

Verdict: 7am Arivu - Proud? I Sure Am.

Woman Behind The Man

Yesterday there was a big news about Rajnikanth visiting Thirupathi temple with his whole family. It was telelcasted in many channels and most of the media was talking about it. I did saw the videos and pictures and I also noticed that Latha Rajnikanth, wife of Rajnikanth had shaved her head as a prayer for her husband's good health. Well I must say I was totally amuzed by her. I am not a huge believer on following certain things in the name of religion. I just follow it because the elders ask for it. All I believe is there is god and he is everywhere and that he knows the best of what we can get. So I will not get into if she had done anything right or wrong but just that I wanted to talk about her sincerity and the commitment towards her husband.

All these days I saw her as yet another famous personality who has money, a social status with 2 young and beautiful daughters and ofcourse an absolutely charismatic and famous man in the Silver Screen, that is Superstar AKA Rajnikanth. I've heard about her from some of my friends who did their schooling in the school which she owns and manages. She was depicted as a very warm and friendly person. She seems to be so and I didn't thought of anything else special about her which makes her as an important person to be considered until I saw the pictures of her yesterday in the news. I am totally in awe with her. I mean, after all she is Rajnikanth's wife with such high status and I am sure she will go to many places and has to attend many social events and stuffs like that. Any woman with her status will think so much about going for a shaved head and eventually won't go for it thinking about the status, events to attend, beauty (rolling eyes), so on and so on.. But this lady is a very strong woman. I don't care about any of the reason for which she had gone for it. But I highly respect her for the commitment which she had taken and had eventually done it. She is one of the beautiful woman I've seen with a shaved head. Rajnikanth is sure one happy man with a lovely wife.

Everyone seems to be talking about Rajnikanth and how he looks healthy now and everything. Just like anyone else I am happy for him too. But behind the man there is a woman and her commitment. That sure is Latha Rajnikanth and she has to be mentioned here. Sure enough all the family members are a part in the recovery process but couldn't stop myself from talking specifically about Latha. There may be countless fans for Rajnikanth but I am sure a fan of Latha Rajnikanth from now on. I hope everything turns out well for the family.

Picture Courtesy: Google

I am 50 posts old

Yeah !! I've successfully completed my 50th post yesterday. Eventhough it wasn't impressively fast, I am happy about the way my blog has shaped during these days. To get into my 50th post it took me more than 3 years. Those 3 years are precious years of my life. I've grown from a newly married girl to a young mother. This being the 51st post I thought of writing about a person who changed my life. Yes. I am going to talk about my kid and I am so happy about that. I go with what every mother says, motherhood is such a good feeling and every woman has to go through it. I am so blessed to have such a cute girl as a daughter and I thank god for that. I pray and wish for the best of everything that she will get. I can go on and on about how happy I am about my baby. I just wish that I stay the same all the time till I live.

Being a mother gave me so many things. It just added that motherly instinct in me. Having a baby changed many things in my life, precisely my perception on everything. First and the foremost is the thought that my mother, my husband's mother and every other mother in this whole world had to go through things which I've been through just makes me respect every woman I see. Coming to the rest of the people who came to life through those mothers, and the thought that those mother's love on their children is just same as the way I have it on my baby makes me love them too and forgive them if they do make any mistakes. So in a way, I am saying that I love everyone. Isn't that crazy !

Anyways, after reading that don't you ever think that I can be taken for a ride. No No No !! I have set my limitations and I have my lines drawn. So there is no way that anyone can take me for granted. Being a mother gave that confidence to me. You see, eventhough we think a baby can be so nice, cute and pleasant and all other good things that we can think of, we have to accept that they come with diapers, lotions, creams, formula, pumping, washing clothes and loads and loads of other things. And this is just for the baby. Huh ! I am done with that since mine is a toddler now. Talking about toddler adds another list. Finger foods, table foods, this food, that food, juices.. oh ! all that for just those 2 bites. Running around, playschool, "i-will-walk-on-my-own" attitude, climbing stairs, getting down.. All I can say is mothers do get in shape during this time. I don't even have to say about the toddler tantrums. Every mother had seen it and will see it. So there comes a whole lot of situation where a mother can be taken for a ride by the child. And all these can be managed only if a mother is strong and knows what has to be done at which moment. My girl had sure taught me that !

I've been living a life of a dual personality. Being a likable one and a stern one. And kids do get that !  That just amazes me on how fast they get to know things. And how well they shape themself to a situation. Kids are just like a sponge. They just take everything to their mind and learn fast. And most importantly they teach the adults in some way or other. So every day teaches me something new which may or may not be meaningful but it sure does makes a difference. The learning process is definitely on for me and I am happy that my girl makes me wiser every day. Hence this post is for my sweet little cutie pie of mine. Thank you for doing so much to me ! And you be so always !!

Driven me crazy

One thing that has been constanlty bothering me for some time is the fact that I have to learn to drive a car to get a life of my own. You see.. I'll tell you a situation I might go through.. I know I think a lot.. but still if this happens ?!?! So here it goes... If my husband is going out of state leaving me and my girl at home, of course that is a rare possibility since all the time we'll be tucked in.. anyways, if he goes out of state or somewhere where it is really not possible to reach home in the next half hour, and then if the milk in my refrigerator has gone bad and if I had to give that extra sippy cup with milk to divert my attention-seeking toddler or if I really want to have that soothing cup of tea for myself, I have to go to that 1.5 miles far from our place convenient store and get it. With no driving license its not possible at all. Now you get my point right :) Hence started my journey of getting a license. Oh Boy! What a roller coaster ride that was !!

People, don't think I am a complete illiterate in driving a car. I do have a driving license from India. I got that by driving an old Maruti 800 for almost 15- 30 minutes for 15 days. On the 16th day, well not exactly , I got the license. So I do have some experience. With that and a break of 3 years from getting an Indian license and with the aim of getting an US license I started to bother my trustful husband. First thing, before even getting into the driver seat I had to clear a written test. I thought that should be a breeze for me. Exams are not a bother since I've seen exams for almost 20 years of my life. Eventhough this is not a self advertisement I have to say that I can write sheets and sheets of answers till the last minute even after knowing that I am done almost 15 minutes ago is one of my humble talent :) So with that thought I started reading the manual and came to know that its gonna be multiple choice questions. Alright !! So I gotto understand it. I consoled myself and started again. With my understanding process and with the help of so many cheat sheets online I cleared the written test and thought that getting into the driver's seat wouldn't be that tough. How silly I was !!

The first 2 or 3 times I drove the car in my hubby's office parking area wasn't a pleasant experience for any of us and without further torture I opted to learn it from a driving institute. So one fine day we travelled to downtown exclusively for attending the class. The class was kind-of easy for me. I was in between the no-idea-to-drive and i-know-to-drive types. I hope the instructor has not seen much of such types and was impressed with my "in-between" skills. On top of it he added saying that I have a good chance in clearing the driving test. That was enough for me to opt out from taking yet another class. I said the same to my husband and started to practise on my own with my husband on the passenger seat having his one hand sticking out to hold the steering wheel. If you picturise it along with my not-so-happy face for the fact that he is doing so might entertain you for some time. Anyways, before the test day we got all the information from so many kind friends of ours and had known the routes by which the instructor will make me drive and about all the questions he might ask and every other info that they can remember. Exactly the day before the test I just wanted to prepare myself very well. So we went for a test drive :) My hubby showed me the route the first time and then when we returned back I drove it. Oh boy !! that was one hell of an experience. I never ever thought I could be this much discouraged for changing a lane without signalling for it. Once I've done that, my husband pointed it to me and said if some other car had come that way we might have got hit. That was it !! I just got so scared.. so very scared that I can't talk anything else but just cry cry and cry.

So finally on the day of my scheduled test we went to the counter and informed that we have come for the driving test and my husband was constantly pushing the positive thoughts to get in my mind when all I had in my mind was this negative feeling of what a blunder I've done yesterday. And then came the instructor who is gonna do my test. He asked me to go to the car and wait for him. We went and  I was all ready. All I thought at that moment was never ever do anything silly for which I had to suffer for the rest of my life. Somehow all my fear had gone and was confident enough that I am not gonna make any mistakes. I just prayed. The test went really well and I've cleared the test. Me and my husband were very happy. And I promised myself that I will pay absolute attention not just for me and my family but also for any other lovely stranger who will come on my way :) Drive safe ! 

Byeeeeee !

What We Got & What We Lost

NRI community is getting huge day by day. And people do get a lot and lose a lot with this status. It just made me to write on this topic because obviously I am a NRI and  I did get a lot and also lose a lot out of it. So why not share about it is what I thought.

Now before talking about it I just wanted to put forward how people behave with us. I categorize them into many types. One being, people who consider NRIs as the Alaipaydhey US maapillai types and sees us like Aravind Sami coming to see Roja at the kookgraamam. Two being, those who consider NRIs as people who have money growing trees at their backyard. Three being, those who can find all the possible faults in life to put on the NRI and make them feel bad for taking the decision to be a NRI. And then those who treat NRIs as they treat everybody else. I don't want to get into what their actual intentions are. Because I myself am confused sometimes to actually tie it up with what they think and how they behave. So thats a whole different story. Lets just get back to what we get and what we lose.

Let me first start it with a positive node. Yeah Yeah !! Its true that we get a lot by being a NRI. Most importantly the financial upliftment of not just the NRI's family but also the closely tied relatives of the NRI. In someway or the other one can see an impact. Apart from that the family will get used to the comfort living that is present in many western countries but not in India. Equal participation by all the members in the family which is 75% absent in India according to my opinion. Men & women both work and they do it both at office and at home. Now considering the stay at home moms, even though they stay at home, guys do help them which is absolutely unacceptable in the eyes of the perusugal in India. Well, not in all household, but surely in most of the desi houses. Vacation time, birthday parties, family get togethers, temple visits, window shopping including trying out different clothes without buying it, coffee shops, long drive during fall season, next door old lady, kids with nuni naaku english, so on and so forth are just amazingly fun. There is a saying that there should be a little distance between any two families eventhough they seem to be head over heals close among each other. That sure works out in our case. Family visits in tourist visa is the most enjoyed days of the year. Aha, what all we get but there is a price for everything.

First thing first, Money. Yes, we do earn more. But people do understand this clearly. We do spend a lot too. The curry leaves are given for free in India when you buy groceries. But we buy it for Rs.45 - Rs.90 here. And the proportion would not even be half of what you get. So I guess, you get what I mean. And then I can go on with my grocery bills if someone has any doubt about it. Don't even start with the other monthly bills. So its not that we earn, bank it and live a very peaceful life. If so everyone who came out of India will go back to India with that kind of money and take retirement and live a happy life. I've known people who struggle to cover their monthly expenses. Next is the financial help needed by friends and relatives. I am not pointing everyone but there is this attitude that we always have a stash of money left in our bank and when people ask we should just openly throw it away to them. That is not true. Just like any middle/higher middle class family in India, we depend on our monthly earnings and lending it as a help needs some reasonable thinking. Am I asking too much here ?!?!

Coming to the next point eventhough we enjoy a lot here, we do lose so many cute and nice happenings in India. Marriages most importantly, whether it is of a friend or of a cousin. Its just so heart breaking to just see them in the photos and not physically present there with all the kith and the kins. Festivals like Diwali, pongal are just another day here. Eventhough we follow it the same way as we do it in India, I have to accept to the fact that its not just the same feeling that we get there. Shopping is a breeze here. Go to a shop, look for things, buy it and go on to the next shop. Most of the shops will be air conditioned and the customer service is just so good. But somehow my heart goes for that Ranganathan Street to which I can go by that ever crowded train and somehow manage myself to jump out of it in the station and walk into the stairs and look at the even more crowded street from the bridge and merge myself into that most happening place in Chennai. Kids do lose a lot. Those short stories from thatha and paati. If mom and dad both works, they start to go to a school/daycare even before completing a year in their life. Non stop talkings of thatha paati, uncles & aunts , cousins & neighbours that goes to their ears are totally missing here. If the kid has  siblings, thats a huge backup.

People, its not that we are on the top always. We do have our own bumps here and there and we do go through it just like any other person. We have our highs and we have our lows. Just like everyone else. And I don't think its fair to treat us like Chitti robos, and I mean both the good and the bad, since both of them got that special treatments from everyone. Individuals like next door boy and the next street girl do get out of their country. So during their frequent visits or a not so frequent visits, do treat them the same way :)

Okay !! Byyeeeeeee !!

Appreciations are nice !!

How do you feel when you are appreciated? There won't be one soul in this world who would say that they are not happy for being appreciated. It is such a good thing. It instantly brings a smile in the face and gives relief with so much of ease. But how many of you really do it? There is no extra effort a person put in the appreciation except the fact that he/she is appreciating. And just that alone will put you in the good side and not just that, you gotta tell me frankly, won't you feel contented when you sincerely appreciate someone. Things like that are always good and don't just put too many thoughts on such things !! Feel appreciated and give appreciation when you see something that deserves it !! Now put a smile on someone you know !!

Have a nice Labour day weekend !!

Book Reads - My Opinion

I've updated a long time back about a book, Where Eagles Dare (WED). I finished it and also I've read many other books post that. Definitely, I would like to comment about "WED". Its an interesting novel and after seeing my post, one of my friend had told me that a movie was made out of it. I did'nt really knew it. And I am currently in search of that movie's cd. I like the serious way in which the book was written. It was a real thriller. The characterization of the artists in the novel is so strong. Hope I dont get disappointed with the movie. Indeed, I've also heard that its been done by Clint Eastwood. So I believe it will be worth to watch it.
The other books I've gotten hold of includes, "Tell Me Your Dreams" by Sidney Sheldon, "Can You Keep A Secret" by Sophie Kinsella, "The Undomestic Goddess" by Sophie Kinsella. I am also currently reading "The Winner" by David Baldacci.
Sidney Sheldon. I am always a great addict to his novels. He has a knack of narrating stories. Tell me your dreams is one among his best. I can read it any number of times. Its such an entertainer. The lead character has such a charisma to it. And evey time I read it, I give my own climax to the story. Its so new eveytime for me.
Books of Sophie's are like going for a vacation. Yeah !! It has everything in it. Like our masala movies. Love, Romance, Tragedy, Suspense, Dramas, and can list forever. Things that are missing is the songs & fights. If you add it, its a perfect Indian masala movie. I love reading it. However, I am not sure of watching it ;), I mean the typcial indian masala movies (its high time we need to change on this).  Not that I don't like movies that's been taken from Sophie's novels. I am waiting to watch Undomestic Goddess. Heard that its going to be released by 2011.
Now, its "The Winner". I've been reading it for a long time. I don't really find much time to finish the book. I read this book before going to bed. I have so many on my plate these days, so I am really not that much into reading when I go to sleep. Hope I finish it soon and  I will keep you updated on this.

A search for betterment

Contradicting to my previous post's topic.. Is'nt it??  Yes. But if you read the content you would be knowing on what I meant. Just happened to read the below article and it sounds so compelling and the most saneful behaviour towards betterment. This is what I meant. Betterment should be a passion, not an act of proving it over others.
Danvers High Salutatorian Speech
Hope you enjoy the read !!

Source: http://www.boston.com/

Is Normalcy A Sin?

Urge to excel in anything and everything. Sounds so compelling and inspiring, though not that happens in reality. Any positive parenting would be done with this idea in mind. May be the word urge can be changed to practise. Most of the time, it would be just the word that has changed but not the behaviour. The act that pushes the best ever possible intention to excel. Sometimes, this push would be too much that the point of excelling in something adds no value to a person's life.

Why is it so necessary to excel in something?, is the question. Why is it so necessary to excel than others? is yet another one. The former can be defined as to acheive, to live, to fulfill the basic necessities of life. The latter one can be answered so tactfully as to inspire, to teach, to showcase and many other acts that passes the information to the next generation. This is only one side of the coin and the other side would be to prove to be superior than others. When the superiority comes out of the content of the person, it is worth it to be so. If not, why is there a need to prove your actions to be superior. Any behaviour is made with an addiction to show case the betterment of the one over the other. Being an average is considered a sin.

A conversation that satisfies a person by exhibiting the advantages of his own over the other makes no use to the other person or to anyone else who listens to it. Instead, the addiction is taken over by the third person who listens to it and becomes contagious in nature. A person who mocks others, gets mocked by somebody else. So even after knowing that it will come back to us the same way as we did it, many of us fail to understand the negativity that was created in the action and will start to compete upon others. The urge to compete happens to stop showcasing the normalcy of one's efficiency. How long and to what extend can a person compete. There is a saturation point to anyone in this world and one day or the other, the mocking is gonna come back. So what is the point of competing when there is no way of escaping from the best's best.

This is not against excelling upon something, but excelling upon someone else and the "have to" attitude of such act.

AVATAR

Avatar. My recent favourite, I must say. This film brings a new way of Film making. I really loved the whole film, literally, scene by scene. I dont want to give a synopsis about the film here since most of them would know it already. If not, go ahead and watch the film. It definitely is a new experience.

I remember watching an old tamil movie in 3D format and after which I did saw a couple of 3D pics in English. But, I must say, this is a whole new experience for me and the full two and half hours was a complete entertainment with lot of social issues addressed at so many places which I could guess it only after I came out of the Cinema Hall. Yes. Believe me! You think about the film even after you come out of the hall. Well, I did !!

James Cameron is such an intellectual film maker. He had a short script of the movie "Avatar" in the year 1996, immediately after the release of The Titanic. Though he was working on other projects too, he decently contributed to the script of this film and when asked about the delay in 2006, the reply was, they were waiting for the technology to get developed to complete the film. !@!@!@! Who would expect such a reply. Then the technology came and the film was done. After that, one more short delay for updating the Cinema Halls to screen the show. Whats the use of making a film without having a right way to exhibit it. Yes, they waited for the theaters to install latest 3D Projectors. And finally, here it is. ON the screen seen by awestruck audience. It just amazes me when I see so much of passion for Film Making. After all, it is considered only as an entertainment in many parts of India. I personally had grown up in such an environment where film is always made with 5 songs, 4 fights and a love story. Well, even this Gentle Man(JC) I am talking about has made such films but think about the fresh look of the film. The new way of putting the old things. I absolutely see it coming from passion or atleast from true effort. I also have to support the sincere Indian guys who put a lot of effort in film making. I did saw a good number of meaningful Cinema last year (2009). So I guess, the trend is changing in India and we ought to see lot more meaningful films in future instead of picturing the super natural abilities of road side romeos.

Oh! I almost slipped it. This film had loads of creativity to it. Not just in technology. Anything and everything I see is new in the film. The new world, new creatures, new places, new people and what not !! The storyline depicts about how anything and everything can be trashed without Peace. As I said before, I saw so many social issues addressed in the film. Most of them are addressed in a way that a common man knows it, experiences it and cannot ignore it like workplace politics, racism, war, gender discrimination, and so many. Wonderful way of blending the real factors into an imaginary creation. The film ends with a song. I SEE YOU. It always feels good when I come out of the theatre after watching a happy ending with a happy song. Here is the song for you to enjoy.

New Year 2010

Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous New Year 2010. I wish everyone gets the best in their life with lots and lots of love, peace, luck and happiness. May the new year add wonderful moments in your life. Rock on ...

First Post of this year !!!!

Well, officially my first post of this year :) and i know its almost the end of the year.. too long not to show up on a personal blog. I have my own explanations for that and I dont want to rant on it.. Just wanted to share on how this whole year was for me..
This year started with a big relocation for us. Yes! we relocated from Wisconsin to Massachusetts. And we had one hell of a time. Finally we did settled with a decent apt and everything else got into place. Then started our family planning and we did succeeded in the middle of the year. Oh Yeah!! I am expecting. Thats the one news which makes this year a lot more special.
We did visited many places during this year. We went to Upstate NewYork, Washington D.C., New Hampshire, Boston. We've had a good time with new experiences. Both me and my husband had gone through a different phase of our life during this year and we did have a great time with each other. We learnt a lot of new things in this year, about our friends, our approach towards family, more importantly about our relationship. Well, as years pass by, we learn a lot of things and I personally experience it. Same for my husband.
Well, I have lot more to say and to share. Let me do it short as of now so that I can stay around here without being absconded. :) See you all in the next post..

Classic Cadbury's AD

Good Show by Bret Lee

Google Image, Large Hadron Collider

Ever thought about the changing images of Google. Its not only artistic, it holds a meaning of the latest happenings in the world. So I thought of posting the details on those issues along with the image.

This is the latest one and it shows about the "Large Hadron Collider" though I have less ideas on this subject. Now what I can do is, I can suggest you some links on which you can get information about this subject. So here are the links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider
http://public.web.cern.ch/public/en/LHC/LHC-en.html

Also, have a look at the post of one of my friend on this issue.
http://gthorvey.blogspot.com/2008/09/big-bang-experiment.html