Okay now..After so much procrastination,,Here goes my first blog after nearly a year and a half! :p
Well, I decided not to write about anything specific but about everything that significantly caught my attention in the recent days! (at least all that I can remember! :p) Let me start with February and with my work place first..
Ahhh..I spend almost all my time during weekdays at work (except coming home for dining and sleeping :p)apart from my new interesting friends in bus, my ten-member cool team and daily lunch breaks with some caring friends, there were two little things in my work place that made me think “Oh! :D “.. this month..
One such thing was when I caught the late morning shuttle in the first week of this month. A butterfly was stuck in the window pane of the bus and I was hesitant to get up from my seat, go to the opposite side and then free it from the pane as there were people sitting there and I was also afraid that I would hurt it or kill it in the name of saving it! I thought I shouldn’t disturb anybody or create a scene,,Oh yeah I think really too much before doing something. I was only watching this butterfly from a distance with hesitant thoughts. A girl came out of my thoughts, did exactly what I wanted to do. She carefully took it out of the pane, freed it and I felt so relieved to see the butterfly get free without getting hurt. I saw the smile in almost everyone who saw the scene, only to realize that so many of them felt the same way and were hesitant just like me to just get up and do it! It was a simple act she did that day but still it made a very positive impact and I make it a point to smile at the girl every time I see her somewhere.
And today! There was a flash mob in the ground floor cafeteria! :D yea.. the academy students around 1 in the afternoon started dancing out of nowhere and we all abandoned our lunch plates just to cheer the group. It was a good feel to see something like this in a place where we get to do only one of the few things- gossip, discuss projects and managers or brag/complain about work life(depending on the day’s status :p). I just felt like jumping in and dancing but then again too many thoughts that I couldn’t do it. That has kindled my dancing moods now that I’ll torture my cousins to dance with me in a night-out :p
Apart from work, it is the dinner time at home when we all get to watch TV together as a family. The last week’s round of Airtel super singer program left me in absolute tears that the child named Rakshitha cried for losing her dad in the recent past! I only wish they just let the kids sing and not showcase their emotions for the channels popularity/rating whatever!
And it is one very important thing that makes me so happy these days! The conversations that I have with my brother. I still wish to see him as a kid but the way he talks to me these days! Oh! :D He advises me how to react to my mom! He is so witty and each conversation that I have with him makes me feel that he has grown into my good friend! He is just 15 years old. Kids these days are so cool n clever eh :)
Stage fear! I always prefer to stay off-stage, be it whatever! And imagine I was asked to address nearly 80-90 students in my college! They asked me to talk about industry trends, how students should equip themselves for facing the IT industry etc! :p I had hardly half-an-hour notice that I had to address them all! I prepared notes :p but nothing helped. I wasn’t tensed till I saw them all in the room. As soon as I entered, it started getting dark :p I decided to sound confident about whatever I blabber at least, but that didn’t help either I guess :p But I didn’t stop talking!(Confidence machi..:p). I planned to talk for 20 minutes and spoke for not more than 7 minutes :o But it was a good experience. Probably next time when I see a crowd, it will be less darker ;)
And not to forget, it was a month of marriages and engagements! I met my friend’s granny in her marriage, early this month. she looked smart and I was taking her down for lunch that day. I tried to support her by lending my hand but she stared at me angrily :o she said I am young at heart, gave me a huge pat on my shoulder and she literally ran downstairs!! :D she was 85 and I was awestruck by the stamina and the will power that were exhibited right in front of my eyes! :o she laughed at me and educated me that she practices yoga everyday and that she will teach me the same to stay healthy! I have promised to visit her soon and I really want to see her again even if not for learning yoga, just to draw some real inspiration from her and to see that pride in her eyes :)
Lessons learnt-
1. If you want to do something, just do it (it is sometimes okay to disturb others ;))
2. Dance and freak out often :p (if you cant do it whenever you feel like, make a note of it and do it soon :p)
3. Watch only TV programs that make you laugh :D
4. Everything has a first time, so don’t feel bad if you screw up your first time. Next time it will get better ;)
5. Learn Yoga ;P :D
Ahh..that’s all about this February..I have some useful plans for the weekend and let me see if I can get to write another specific, useful blog and not make it sound like a personal diary like this;) :p
Friday, February 24, 2012
Monday, December 13, 2010
Japan Trip :)
I visited Tokyo and a prefecture in Japan for a cultural exchange programme of students and youths. I was joined by 6 others from various parts of Tamilnadu and120 others from all-over India. We were separated into 6 small groups. 8.5 hours journey from Delhi to Tokyo and the time just flew. We landed at the Narita International airport on 16th June 2009. Time difference is 3.5 hours and I had to tune my time forward!:) Tokyo, the capital city of Japan holds 10% of Japan’s population and you will never feel it is crowded. I was too excited that I kept clicking pictures of lorries, trucks and even ordinary buildings for the first few hours! :)
Hospitality is the first thing that pats you in Japan. People are polite beyond words, self-dependent, responsible and are pure workaholics. Japan has its own rules. Private transportation includes cycles and cars. Virtually no bikes!! Well-connected public transports include trains, buses and taxis. I found no one obese and people are very health conscious. Roads are pollution-free and everything is too much clean ;) It was supposed to be summer and the temperature recorded just 24 degrees Celsius! Buddhism and Christianity exist but Japan has its own ways of praying like thanking the farmers and parents before and after every meal! And not to forget, the city is busy all day but there is no noise! :o
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures such as Hyogo, Hiroshima, Ibaraki, Hokkaido, Niigata, Miyazaki etc., I visited Hyogo and Kobe, port city. The ride in the Shinkansen (bullet train) was superb, swift, punctual and comfortable. We managed to click snaps of Mount Fuji (worshipped by Japanese people as God). It is the tallest mountain covered with snow streaks and it is beautiful! While Tokyo was buildings, Kobe was the country side. The bay with no waves and mountains at the background stun you instantly! Getting on top of the port tower and looking at the entire city from that height makes you feel like God!
Food! They eat everything and they eat it raw!!!! And yes, Japanese people have the longest lifespan Beef is too expensive and too tasty (heard so ;)). Cows are bathed in Sake (Japanese wine) and are fed apples!! Sushi, tempura and udong are the three Japanese delicacies that I personally tasted, purely vegetarian specially made by my host mother on my insistence :) (No comments about Udong! I will not say it was horrible :p). But do not worry; there are a lot of Indian restaurants ;)
Home-stay was a part of my ten day program when each one of us had to live separately with a Japanese family for three days and two nights. There were five members in my family excluding two pups Den and Dick (Golden retrievers!). Youngsters in Japan are more into learning English and American culture and that includes my 18 year host sister too :) My host family lived in a remote place near Osaka named Mikishi. We had to change 3 trains to reach there from Kobe. Mikishi was too quiet and serene. Since it was a cultural exchange programme I had to take note of the cultural similarities and differences between India and Japan. They also celebrate Diwali under the name Hanabi (Only sparkles. No crackers, no noise).
As for the dress, it is western everywhere. Kimono is their traditional dress which is worn only on special occasions and the summer kimono is called yukata. People mostly take bath in the night (not in the morning! :p), they eat very less but healthy food (fruits, fish and yogurt included in every meal), give importance to cleanliness (like using a hot napkin before every meal to wipe hands, wearing separate pair of slippers for outdoor, indoor and bathroom), too much importance to punctuality and work, less importance to relaxation and enjoyment, eat with chop-sticks and they give respect to everything in existence!
Technological advancement is put to best use! “Mottainai” is their motto which means “waste nothing” and they recycle everything. This includes space, food, water and garbage. All buildings are closely spaced and are built with wood and earthquake resistant rubber material which absorbs the effect of the quake. Environment is given godly respect.
Despite sky-scrapers scaling the skies, you see greenery everywhere in Japan. Cost of living is quite high, money is equally distributed and people are rich. And their ability to rebound is amazing! Be it the second world-war or the earthquakes, Japanese’ spirit soars high! Except for their robotic life and their superstitions (13th floor was missing in the two major hotels I stayed ;)) everything is positive in Japan!! My little heart still lives in Mikishi! :);)
Hospitality is the first thing that pats you in Japan. People are polite beyond words, self-dependent, responsible and are pure workaholics. Japan has its own rules. Private transportation includes cycles and cars. Virtually no bikes!! Well-connected public transports include trains, buses and taxis. I found no one obese and people are very health conscious. Roads are pollution-free and everything is too much clean ;) It was supposed to be summer and the temperature recorded just 24 degrees Celsius! Buddhism and Christianity exist but Japan has its own ways of praying like thanking the farmers and parents before and after every meal! And not to forget, the city is busy all day but there is no noise! :o
Japan is divided into 47 prefectures such as Hyogo, Hiroshima, Ibaraki, Hokkaido, Niigata, Miyazaki etc., I visited Hyogo and Kobe, port city. The ride in the Shinkansen (bullet train) was superb, swift, punctual and comfortable. We managed to click snaps of Mount Fuji (worshipped by Japanese people as God). It is the tallest mountain covered with snow streaks and it is beautiful! While Tokyo was buildings, Kobe was the country side. The bay with no waves and mountains at the background stun you instantly! Getting on top of the port tower and looking at the entire city from that height makes you feel like God!
Food! They eat everything and they eat it raw!!!! And yes, Japanese people have the longest lifespan Beef is too expensive and too tasty (heard so ;)). Cows are bathed in Sake (Japanese wine) and are fed apples!! Sushi, tempura and udong are the three Japanese delicacies that I personally tasted, purely vegetarian specially made by my host mother on my insistence :) (No comments about Udong! I will not say it was horrible :p). But do not worry; there are a lot of Indian restaurants ;)
Home-stay was a part of my ten day program when each one of us had to live separately with a Japanese family for three days and two nights. There were five members in my family excluding two pups Den and Dick (Golden retrievers!). Youngsters in Japan are more into learning English and American culture and that includes my 18 year host sister too :) My host family lived in a remote place near Osaka named Mikishi. We had to change 3 trains to reach there from Kobe. Mikishi was too quiet and serene. Since it was a cultural exchange programme I had to take note of the cultural similarities and differences between India and Japan. They also celebrate Diwali under the name Hanabi (Only sparkles. No crackers, no noise).
As for the dress, it is western everywhere. Kimono is their traditional dress which is worn only on special occasions and the summer kimono is called yukata. People mostly take bath in the night (not in the morning! :p), they eat very less but healthy food (fruits, fish and yogurt included in every meal), give importance to cleanliness (like using a hot napkin before every meal to wipe hands, wearing separate pair of slippers for outdoor, indoor and bathroom), too much importance to punctuality and work, less importance to relaxation and enjoyment, eat with chop-sticks and they give respect to everything in existence!
Technological advancement is put to best use! “Mottainai” is their motto which means “waste nothing” and they recycle everything. This includes space, food, water and garbage. All buildings are closely spaced and are built with wood and earthquake resistant rubber material which absorbs the effect of the quake. Environment is given godly respect.
Despite sky-scrapers scaling the skies, you see greenery everywhere in Japan. Cost of living is quite high, money is equally distributed and people are rich. And their ability to rebound is amazing! Be it the second world-war or the earthquakes, Japanese’ spirit soars high! Except for their robotic life and their superstitions (13th floor was missing in the two major hotels I stayed ;)) everything is positive in Japan!! My little heart still lives in Mikishi! :);)
My first Blog - Gangtok!
I spent 7 days and 6 nights on the foothills of the Himalayas ! The Nepalis, Bhutias, Lepchas & the Tibetans term Gangtok as “The abode of Gods!”. Gangtok literally means ‘Hilltop’ located approximately 5500 feet above sea level. Well-maintained roads, pavements & tourist locations and well-connected taxi services add to the already existing attractions of Gangtok. Indian Government spends lavishly for the development of the North-Eastern states and it clearly is reflected in Gangtok where children are offered free education and complimentary uniforms too! I found no beggars on the streets! (Not even one!!).
Temperature in the place during summer is completely bearable and during winter is completely unbearable! Moving in & around Gangtok can be either through walk or a taxi. You will find drug rehabilitation centres and hoardings for the prevention of AIDS in every alternative building! I found people celebrating the victory of a local party – The Sikkim Democratic Party. Hindi and Nepali are widely spoken and the Nepali cine hero is Utham Pratham (not sure of his surname :p)
Natula! ‘The Natula pass’ is “Heaven on Earth!”. It is the border between India and Tibet
There are a lot of shops that offer fur-coats and boots to enable you withstand the temperature of the Natula.
The view of Tsmogo Lake
I happened to meet the little monks in a Buddhist monastery. They are supposed to eat raw fruits & vegetables and survive without sweaters, shawls & their parents for months together! I met a granny in Ganeshtok temple wearing a typical Tibetan dress and I wanted to take a snap of her. Guess what?! She told me she can pose only if I give her 500 bucks!! I had to take a long shot without her knowledge!
Unique bright-coloured flowers are found all over Gangtok. M.G.Marg (Mahatma Gandhi Marg) is the central shopping zone of Gangtok and it is a “spit-free, litter-free" zone which for its successful maintenance deserves a big round of applause.
Altogether, snow-perched peaks, ultimate & unmatched scenery, foggy & sweet-smelling streets, dark fresh-water lakes, orchid nurseries and cute kids make you feel like you live in a fairyland!
Getting there: Nearest airport is Bagdodra. Gangtok is a 4 hour drive from there with the Teesta River
“IF YOU SLEEP, YOUR FAMILY WILL WEEP”,
“WELCOME TO SERENE SULTRY SIKKIM
“DRIVE LIKE HELL AND YOU WILL BE THERE”,
“ANYTIME IS SAFETY TIME” etc.
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