Monday, August 23, 2010

Magnetic

So Mom sent me this forward. Generally I just glance at her forwards, but this one was small so I actually read it. Its very 'forwardy' and not much appreciated by me but I think it does have a good meaning. Its strange how the wrong things fall in your lap at the right time. :) Moms know it all! Hell, how do they?

Here you go.


One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.
"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. "I would not quit." He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant... But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. " Don't compare yourself to others .." He said. " The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

Your time will come, " God said to me. " You will rise high! " How high should I rise?" I asked.

How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can? " I questioned.

" Yes. " He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. "

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness

Bad days give you experiences;

Both are essential to life.

A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity. It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions. And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and, in doing so, we create our own unique journey." Keep going...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

QSQT

How can one not know about this movie. I love all the songs of this movie. I think I am going to spam my blog today with the 90's songs. This is actually 1988. So a little older, but I love it. It has a very free, rustic feel to it. Smells freedom. Two young lovers living it on their own and living happy. I get goosebumps everytime I listen to this song.

Sleepless in Seattle

One of the most beautiful mornings of my life was recently in Seattle. I dont know what it was about it that just made it so perfect. Was it the lift of pressure as my presentation at Amazon's HQ was over, or that I had such an awesome evening with my mid-western country loving manager who has two horses, or the beautiful view of the Space Needle through my window, or was it the perfect weather, or the outstanding song - O mere sapno ke saudagar, or was it the realization that I am just awesome, truly awesome? I cannot itemize it. I dont know what exactly was it. But it was just one of the most beautiful mornings of my life after a very very long time. It just made me realize so much and made me think that I need to love my life a lot more than what I already do. I am truly blessed. But I do know one thing that it was because of me for once and not someone else who made my life so beautiful. And I feel great!!!

Here is that view from my bed!

The unmatched 90's

No one can ever have anything more over-the-top than the 90's. Even the 60's and 70's were better than the 90's. The puffed sleeves, the pointed blouses, the thin glossy lips, the sparse bangs, colored smoke on the movie sets, heroes with long hair (and a horse!!), and so much more drama... its unbeatable!

Off late I have been listening to some of the bollywood 90's music and its outstanding! uncomparable! Just takes me back to those times that were mine. These are my memories and when I grow up, I am going to be talking to my kids about exactly these songs. HAHAHA. You have to listen to these, to understand what I am saying. And people from my generation who grew up in India will undoubtedly relate to these else their upbringing is a shame!

Typical #1


Typical #2
(All Ashiqui songs qualify for this list. I am having a very hard time choosing which ones should go on my blog)




Especial mention to the lyrics - "Zeher zindagi ka pee lenge hum"

And then there are some that even though they are typical, they are just timeless marvels and I cannot mock them.

#1


#2


Current Status - Nostalgic and loving the 90's

Strength

Its sad that I am not as well aware of the world around me as I used to be. Its sadder that I am not even aware anymore of my own country!

Heard of the recent cloudburst in Leh only today. And I am deeply upset. I had been there when I was a little girl and no other memories are comparably as beautiful as those ones. To see the city lose its beautiful landscaping and people coz of a natural phenomenon hurts me. But thankfully it didnt get ruined at the hands of a few gunmen.

The river with a huge stone (that had my name etched on it) is not there anymore. I wanted to go back and visit it. The trees with yellow flowers, the rustic smell, and the barren landscape will all be missing. I am just so glad that atleast I have those memories to live by and I do hope that Leh can recover.

**********

Rahul Gandhi should be a little more responsible about his and his family's well being. I totally understand where he is coming from when he choses to go to the interiors of India with minimal security. But one must not forget Rajiv Gandhi's demise could have been avoided if it was for better security. And India cannot afford to lose another Gandhi. It is a great attitude to serve the countrymen and not intimidate them with the crazy security that follows these politicians. The informal setting helps the young politician to build a better rapport and oneness with the masses. But in doing so he is being overtly ambitious and emotional. By trying to ape his father's style he is making me nervous. I really like him and I hope that I dont hear of any unnerving anytime.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Year

Its been exactly one year since the time I stepped into US for my graduation. Time flies. I cant think of any other span of twelve months where I had grown so much. I have grown on a personal and a professional front immensely. I didnt know of so many of my capabilities until now. Its just great to discover and then re-discover yourself over and over again. Just astounding! And at the same time, it sucks to see yourself fall flat on the ground with same problems over and over again!

Its been a year and one week that I have been away from home. I never feel homesick. The last time I did was probably first semester during engineering! That was my first time away from home and that was way long back. Currently I wouldnt call myself homesick, but there is this hollow feeling inside of me and I want to be home, be in my country, among my people. There is nothing like home and I talk of India when I say home. I miss the butt grazing, cotton kurtis, barista, bollywood music, and all that. Cant wait for Dec to come to dance in Munira's wedding!!

I have many more years to go and I intend to stay here for years to come. Past is always missed and should be thought of with fondness but one must move towards future with values learnt from the past. I love my country and my people but right now this is the best thing for me to evolve. Like I said, I havent grown and learnt as much as I have in the last one year ever before. And there is lot more to come.

Current Status - hopeful.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Another Day in Paradise

Has anyone ever seen what paradise looks like? Well, it was beautiful! But prolly because it doesnt exist in reality, it doesnt last. Its like a dream within a dream. Yes, just like Dicaprio's inception. Surreal.

If there exists paradise, then there definitely exists its opposite. Is it called hell? And indeed it does exist, coz its haunting me.

Today has been a roller coaster ride coz such varied and extreme emotions were visible in a span of 20 hours. Very intense!

I do understand the concept of "the balance". To experience the good, you have to experience the bad. But I dont want to. Id rather not have the good, to not have the bad.

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Does everyone have a limit to being indifferent? How long can one be indifferent towards something? 1 day, 1 week, a month, a year, 10 years..or it depends? But is there a finite limit? Is it limited by time or is it limited by quantity? How much can one take? If its time, then do things and people start mattering to you after a certain period of time? You could choose to either like them or dislike them. But you cannot be indifferent towards them! You do feel, don't you?
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Is it just me or does it happen to everyone? How long can one continue to give an ear to someone. They sure need it and they are your people, but are you invincible? Dont you have enough problems of your own? Will they stop being your friend if you refuse to be a part of their mundane talks? Well! Its entertaining, dont get me wrong. But you are a human too. Or arent you?

Current Status - Irritated