Live in the present, not future

I wonder why sometimes my mind wanders to the future. Its like trying to foresee what will happen, and amidst that we fail to live in the moment and appreciate the present. I always tell myself when I get carried away .. its one life .. its all the same at the end .. 'he said' .. 'she said' .. doesn't matter at all ..

But what about the past .. i love to recollect memories, so I keep them fresh in my mind. I often rewind .. for instance .. few minutes back, i rewinded back to one year ago, when I quit my job to be a stay at home mom .. I was relishing how it was to wake up at 10 with my daughter, see cartoons, make her take a bubble bath, make fresh food .. pat her to sleep and carry her to bed .. Now that I am back to work, I do miss all this .. I miss taking her out at noon to the book store, to the mall, to a play date .. Dont know if others rewind in their lives too ... Do they ? Do they not ? Is it just me ? I really don't know.

I am me :)

The iPhone

Finally ! I bought it ! I have also joined the league of smart phone users.What a bliss to have convienience-on-the-go. Totally satified with the purchase. Thanks to hubby who come up with the idea to buy one .. FINALLY :) :)

Still getting familiarised with so many apps to choose from .. free ones of course .. I hope to do justice to the iphone by fully using its capabilities  .. but im definitely not there yet ..

iTunes is certainly a blessing - I mean I can carry all my favorite 817 songs with me on the go right in my phone .. Thank you god for iPhone and other smart phones ..


Not long ago, we all survived without phones LOL
! Now beat that !

Thoughts ..

Last couple of weeks have been busy settling down at work. So far so good, work is challenging and interesting, which is how I like it to be.

Downtown Houston is connected by a network of underground tunnels, its a sight to see for any visitor, filled with eateries and hangouts. It's fun to work in those high rises downtown, MINUS the bumper to bumper traffic.

I have a chronic cold that has been persistent for a two months now. It is starting to irritate me, but my guess is that Archu brings it from her daycare to me. Maybe its time to see the doc.
Thought for today:
If there is nothing good to say, say nothing at all.

Getting back to work again ! This time with a BANG

Yes ! I am back working for another renowned Energy firm, as Management Consultant. I enjoyed my one year as a stay-at-home-mom. Simply enjoyed every day dearly with my precious daughter, something I will never regret ever ! I was able to enjoy the small little things each day, I cooked and cleaned and discovered things all over again, this time through my daughter's eyes. I know, for sure now, that home making in itself is a full time job, except that it is unpaid. Hats of to all other moms out for being there for their children and family !!!

As for me now, I am enjoying work again. Archu is enjoying her time with other kids her age at daycare, bringing home different projects each day .. its so exciting to discover things all over again like a kid :)

What's on my mind now

How hard can job hunt be ? Two simple words, but a long process behind it.

As on July 2010, the unemployment rate in USA stands at 9.5%, including 14.6 Million unemployed persons. ( source - US Census Bureau) Where are the jobs ?

Are unpaid internships even worth the time and effort ? Especially in Houston - spending all that money on filling your gas tank, and daycare, in pursuing an unpaid internship while in school ? I don't know !

Hi-Tech thieves selling children's social security numbers long before the little one's even have a bank account ! How horrific ..

Beyond us !

First it was my good friend's mother, then it was an elderly woman I knew since I was young, then it was a middle aged woman I knew, then it was another elderly woman who I have known very closely .. all victims .. to CANCER.

Tears rolled down my cheeks hearing the latest news, that that woman's cancer is at stage 4. Some things are beyond us. There can be no justification for such things happening to really good people. The effect such news can have on us is drastic. If only there was a cure.

All I can do is pray for them, and their family.

Scars of time

Situations we wish never happened in the first place, certain periods of time that seemed to pass very slow, like eternity but that will also pass. But there is always a reminder lingering in the mind, i think it is subconcious, and is there to stay in you for as long as you live.

Thoughts for the day

IF AN EGG IS BROKEN BY AN OUTSIDE FORCE..A LIFE ENDS.
IF AN EGG BREAKS FROM WITHIN...... .LIFE BEGINS.
GREAT THINGS ALWAYS BEGIN FROM WITHIN .
This is attitude

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IT'S BETTER TO LOSE YOUR EGO TO THE ONE YOU LOVE.
THAN TO LOSE THE ONE YOU LOVE ....... BECAUSE OF EGO
This is attitude

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WHY WE HAVE SO MANY TEMPLES, IF GOD IS EVERYWHERE ?
 A WISE MAN SAID : AIR IS EVERYWHERE, BUT WE STILL NEED A FAN TO FEEL IT.
This is attitude

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WHEN YOU TRUST SOMEONE TRUST HIM COMPLETELY WITHOUT
ANY DOUBT....... AT THE END YOU WOULD GET ONE OF THE TWO :
EITHER A LESSON FOR YOUR LIFE OR A VERY GOOD PERSON
This is attitude

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LIFE IS NOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ACT TRUE TO YOUR FACE
IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO REMAIN TRUE BEHIND YOUR BACK

This is attitude

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SOLDIER : SIR WE ARE SURROUNDED FROM ALL SIDES BY ENEMIES ,
MAJOR : EXCELLENT ! WE CAN ATTACK IN ANY DIRECTION.
This is attitude

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THE WORST IN LIFE IS "ATTACHMENT " IT HURTS WHEN YOU LOSE IT. THE BEST THING IN LIFE IS " LONELINESS "
BECAUSE IT TEACHES YOU EVERYTHING AND, WHEN YOU LOSE IT, YOU GET EVERYTHING.
This is attitude

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"You never conquer a mountain. You stand on the summit a few moments; then the wind blows your footprints away." -Arlene Blum
This is attitude
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I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Chinese proverb .
This is attitude

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The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become.

All the worlds a stage

I like this one in particular, as it illustrates how each of us plays our part in this world ! Read on ..

Adapted from William Shakespeare - As you like it

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;

And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;

And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.

And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.

And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;

His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion;
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything."

This poem so nicely describes different stages that we as humans go through. Different phases, emotions, feelings, goals, ideologies, beliefs, likes .. things that certainly change over time ..

The creative side of me

Guess what people .. I have given myself a haircut --- HOW ? by referring to youtube videos and so I have actually saved 25 bucks which otherwise I would have paid to a salon. Way to go girl !!

I am a fan of Oprah Winfrey. She is one of the women who I respect simple because of the depth of her knowledge and involvement in her talk shows. I have been seeing her shows on and off since I was in 9th grade. She introduced Racheal Ray, who now hosts her own show on cooking, and then was Dr. Phil, who hosted his show, which no longer airs, and then she also introduced Dr. Mehmet Oz, through the The Dr Oz Show.

Of late I've been enjoying American Idol, America's got talent, dancing with the stars etc. Time pass !

Dohas - 2 line hindi sayings

I read DOHAS in hindi class in my school days .. I enjoyed them because they taught me the inner meaning inside those words, and they way my teacher used to tell it was the highlight.

Few Kabir Dohas that I remember really well (taken from the web) -

1.

Kaal Kare So Aaj Kar, Aaj Kare So Ub

Pal Mein Pralaya Hoyegi, Bahuri Karoge Kub

[Tomorrow's work do today, today's work now

if the moment is lost, the work be done how]

2.

Bada Hua To Kya Hua, Jaise Ped Khajoor

Panthi Ko Chaya Nahin, Phal Laage Atidoor

[In vain is the eminence, just like a date tree

No shade for travelers, fruit is hard to reach]

Being big, important, powerful, wealthy is of no consequence. It is like a tall date tree whose fruit is out of reach, and which does not give any shade to the traveler.

3.

Dukh Mein Simran Sab Kare, Sukh Mein Kare Na Koye

Jo Sukh Mein Simran Kare, Tau Dukh Kahe Ko Hoye

[In anguish everyone prays to Him, in joy does none

To One who prays in happiness, how sorrow can come]

4.

Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye 

Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye

[Be Slow O mind, Gardner may water garden a hundred times, but the fruit only comes when the season comes, so will the fruit of life come in its own time. Everything in life happens slowly, in its own time]

It's V Day

With valentines day around the corner, I have sneaked out with Archu to the bookstore to suprise hubby with a book that I am going to present to him. Its our 5th valentines day after our marriage.

I still remember , the last valentines day, I was a new mom and I had totally forgotten to give hubby the card and gift that I bought in advance .. so I would not have to go looking for one after I had the baby !! That was funny

Anyway, While archu is sleeping upstairs, I have managed to clean the house and also prepare food for hubby - todays special is bisebelabath and curdrice.

Today I created a twitter account. What the hell is twitter ? I had to create one to find out .. and I finally did .. not very different from facebook or orkut or google's buzz i believe,,, but hey ... does it hurt to have one more account :-)

Happy weekend.

Its study time !

Today I have a quiz on statistics course. Now that Archu is in daycare I have settled in a comfy place to revise for the quiz.. My third semester at the MBA program has shaped up pretty good so far .. Made some good friends, learnt some valuable life lessons as well, GPA has been good so far .. Teamwork skills are on the rise and so are the tuition fees :-) that was supposed to be a joke ha ha ha

I saw on the local news that UH may hike tuition fees by 4%. I feel thats not fair - to keep increasing fees ! I've not been active in blogging for a couple of months now .. hope to do so more often.

Patience ! Persistence ! Consistency ! Reputation !

Smart Stuff

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jarand proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full.. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, t here's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

Please share this with someone you care about. I JUST DID!

Bryan Adams !! One of my favs

Bryan Adams is one of the artists whose music inspires me. Here is a video from the movie Robinhood-Price of Thieves.
Happy Listening !

Shakira - Whenever Whereever

We are the world - Michael Jackson

One of my favorites .. I've decided to start embedding my favorite videos to my blog moving forward.

Today's menu includes Khaman Dokla .. Its a Gujrathi dish which I love.

Last evening we trimmed our plants in the front garden. Here is a comparison photo spaced one year apart.

THEN:

NOW

From Mom to Mom

I was visiting a bookstore (it was mommy time) while Archu and Hubby were home, I saw a woman fondling her 4 month old baby.

Oh, I must say my heart was filled with love and memories of my baby that tiny, clinging on to my shoulder. What a feeling. Everytime I see a mom with an infant girl slightly younger than Archu, it makes me want to hold Archu tight and give her a snuggly kiss and say and I love you.

Here is an interesting read from the book titled ‘Chicken soup for the soul–from women to women’.

---
Quoting-

‘‘I had 2 toddlers and the thought of waking up in the morning fully rested, instead of having my eyes pried open by tiny fingers was quite attractive. I had heard of the term ‘empty nest’ and correctly assumed that in an empty nest, I could wear clothes without spit up stains, finish sentences when speaking to my husband, carry a purse without squeak toys or pacifiers or cookie crumbs.

Oh, the beauty of dinner time without spilled milk, a house without the background sounds of crying, walls without sticky fingerprints, and being able to sleep throughout the entire night.

However, the ensuing years had automatically solved many of the distasteful parts of motherhood – No one would be spitting up on me, or cry to be fed in the middle of the night, nobody to be bathed or dressed or to have their shoes tied ten times a day. I tried not to look at the two empty bedrooms as I passed by them. Even though the beds were made, the rooms lacked character. The one-eyed bear was missing from his favorite spot on the floor. School books, papers and cans of hair spray had all disappeared.’’

End Quotes.

---

I was intrigued by this reality , for I have seen many women who have sent their daughters and sons to other places and miss them dearly. Very good narration by the author.

Things I have learnt

I have learnt some valuable life lessons over the years and want to compile them so my kids can benefit.

- Health is wealth, We realize it most only when we get sick.

- Your spouse can be your best friend.

-You are your child's hero.

-Past is history, Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift, that's why its called 'Present'.

- Don't worry about what people think of you.

- Greet with a warm smile, no matter your mood.

- It's all in your mind.

-When someone says something, listen and appreciate.

- Watch your words.

- Work when you want to, also take a break when you have to. (Applies more so to women)

- Your baby has one childhood. Relish it with him/her leaving no regrets.

- Your parents love you the most, and you love your parents as much as they love you inspite of any past arguments.

- Never make someone feel like they are less worthy than you.

- Never show off, because everyday is not sunday. Things can change.

- It helps to put yourself in their shoes. (Empathy)

- Its ok not to have that tight belly. You are a mother, and that is the proof.

-What works for him/her won't work for you, because each one is unique.

- Team work - the most important thing on earth

- Don't expect a lot.

- Its not easy to make best friends as an adult, as it was in childhood.

- Friendships grow and ripen with time.

- Some things are genetic. It came to you from your parents.

- As we age, we get more peaceful and accomodative.

- Believe in god. If you do not believe in god, believe that there is a super-natural power.

-Advice is the easiest thing to give in this world.

-Sometime in life, you will go on a journey. It will be the longest journey you have taken. It is the journey to find yourself.

- The grass is greener on the other side.

-You just have to have a dream. Thats all it takes. Finish your course at your own pace. Again, don't worry about what a Tom, Dick or Harry thinks. Your life is yours. Its all same at the end.

- Learn the rules very well .. only then you can break them

- You are not liked for who your are, but for how you make others feel

- There is no point trying to prove anything to anybody.

USCIS - Most of us know what the abbreviation stands for

** Immigration Services **

Most of us in the US would have heard of this term at some point , I can guarantee it (at least for those of you who have moved from another country). I have been waiting for the extremely over rated 'Advance Parole' document. The name itself seems like some criminal seeking some parole .. wierd .. is'nt it ..

Advance Parole (called AP) is a travel document which an EAD holder needs to re-enter the country. This is serious stuff people ! Finally I found that my AP has been mailed out and should reach me anytime. Thank you USCIS for mailing it, after the gazillion service requests and a trip to the local office and daily phone call for follow ups !!!!!!

This weekend had been crazily busy

Past few weeks have been so hectic, I am going to try to describe it. I' ve been trying to catch up with many things - here's our friday,saturday and sunday briefly summarised.

Friday morning - I wake up, feed her , play with her , start cooking, feed her, try to finish cooking, put her to sleep, eat , talk to friends, try to browse online, clean up on yday's mess, organize toys, organize the closet, visit the library, spend some time online and after hubby comes home, we call up another couple to dine out at pavani - also undergoing the same 'catch up syndrome' as us .. why ? they too have a baby - and remember Houston's extensive geography - every little outing is a long journey and with the heat !

what happens next will suprise you - the darn power went off at the restaurant ! yes I repeat, there was no power at the restaurant ! why ? blame the passing severe thunder storms .. and we had to eat in the dark, with a tiny candle by us, ofcourse no AC and 2 kids amongst us .. sweaty as it gets , My friend and I had dinner first, while the husbands watched the kids outside to get some air, then it was our turn. Finally power came back at 10 pm, and we were back home by 11 pm ( remember Houston drives are like mini journeys)

phew .. Archu did not go to bed until 12, so we were up playing the 'please sleep sweetie' game ! This wrapped up my friday ......................................

Saturday - something silly happened to me .. sometimes its nice to laugh at some thing silly you have done .. my first yoga class was scheduled at 6.45 on SUNDAY. I routinely awoke 6-7 times between 12 and 5 to either feed or pat her to sleep .. and after one such awaking, I assumed it was time for my yoga class and crazily shot for the garage .. where are my keys ! oh man I don't want to be late on my first day ... So I drive up to the location, and wait for like 10 minutes - all decked up in yoga clothes bla bla ..

I looked at my cell phone and made the important realization - darn its not sunday !!! and I was half asleep in the car ! Ok I reach home already sweaty (Houston heat) at 7 am :-( Duh

When I get back home hubby and I have a hearty laugh ! OK lets make us cofee ... what there is no milk - WE NEED TO DO GROCERY SHOPPING ! OH man .. I looked at my things to do list and felt a spin - call lawn mainenance, buy mulch, closet clothes, Laundry, wash dishes, read to the baby. Luckily we had creamer in the pantry for emergencies like this .. which happens rearely.

While we think of all this, Archu's nap time has come .. we are lured into doing our chores .. but hey - when the baby sleeps - you sleep - and its the weekend ! gimme a break ! We have a pooja function to attend this evening ! Plus I need to start India Packing today - I bring down 4 huge suitcases from the top floor - now I need to also accomodate india shopping for everyone .. which means I need time and energy.

While hubby and baby head to the 'Garden center' to buy the long due Mulch, I cook up sambar and avial with rice, and also make pappu mammu ready for baby, she will be tired and hungry when she gets back. As planned, they return, I feed her solid, we have lunch - and its time to fold laundry clothes - as I fold clothes, I notice baby is putting something in her mouth - noooooooo archu dont .. I scream .. as I run to her.

Still the grocery has to be done - remember. We order pizza for evening, and while hubby drives to pick up, I quicky dress up in sari for the evening function, and dress her up in pavdai. and ofcourse, makeup does consume time .. He is back, we eat pizza, and rush to the evening function.

Time to socialize. Function goes well.. Archu is hungry - time to feed her - and we eat dinner - pose for photos and get back at 11 pm .. to find that archu has started coughing. My heart skipped a beat ! With impending travel on the cards, and archu coughing vigorously, I put her to sleep and call the Hospital after hours nurse for advice. While all this happens, we fall asleep, only to be woken again with some sounds from the crib .. yes I need to wake up again .. or no - or maybe its hubby's turn !

Sunday morning is here ! Remember I mentioned about my yoga class - yes ! This time I did not make a mistake .. drove fully prepared .. learnt some asanas with the other ladies ! Came back home - and guess what .. today is also vinayaka chaturti, avani avatam, my friend's seemantham. So Off I head to shower, dress up in sari, make dosas for hubby for breakfast while he takes care of archu, and I am off to the seemantham ( traditional baby shower pooja).

When I get back, baby has been fed and hubby is off to the temple for avani avatam (sacred thread changing ceremony) and I take over the house hold chores. I was extremely sleepy when he returned. We all go into sleep mode again. Now i have some voicemails from friends whom I had invited home to celebrate vinayaka chaturti. We also have grocery shopping still to do. What did we do - called our friends and explained - ofcourse they were darlings , they understood and decided to drop by at a later date ! Love you guys !

In between all these, we have to call parents in India, since its the weekend, to catch up. I still have calls to return .. And as far as my weekend goes, its over, and I am all set for Monday morning !