Safari with Shanku..

Ever since I remember, I have always liked watching wild animals and birds. It has given me some sort of excitement to watch a lion, move in majesty or an eagle fly in triumph, after snatching his prey from the lake surface.



Watching the animals in circus and zoo has been more fun than in Tv, though I will not say I wont watch them on Tv, if I get a chance. To speak the truth, we don’t get to go to the circus and zoo every often and it is only in the Tv channels like Nat Geo and Animal planet that we get to see more of these amazing creatures , in their moment of full charge.



Those young ones, running around flapping their wings, gapping their tiny mouths, behind their mommy and getting their mini tummy filled, is amazing than watching those daily soaps which make us shed tears and leave us in some weird and uncanny mood.


So, speaking of these animals, how many beautiful and amazing varieties, have God created? Where from did He get the bloody idea, man? Look at the love birds?, how colourful they are, in pink n blue and green…. Take the Leopard, his skin is of yellow colour where you can see those tiny spots in black… the Giraffe, his body is full of those should I say pentagons or irregular squares or??? And let us not leave back those black and white creatures, the penguins, zebra, those pandas and many more…


Recently I visited the SA zoo with my hubby and kiddo, and enjoyed a very hot day with those magnificent beasts. I got to see many new varieties of animals there. Many of those were strange and unidentifiable to me.


To start with, the Reptiles collections were breathe taking. Those varieties of lizards and snakes, were awful.(to me because I Hate snakes) though hubby enjoyed it thoroughly. He was like, “Ammu, look at this, look at that”!! Then, we finished(Thank God!!) and came out to see the other sectors. Next we went to see the different varieties of Deers, there were loads of them and each different and cute, in its own way. And then those Lions, Tigers, Leopards and on.... Though I could not note the names of all these animals, I did take snaps with them...
I got to see many new varieties of fishes and birds and animals here, those which I have never seen before. Will I get to see them again, I dunno?!

If I sit and write about each section then it will take forever and ever, for there were so many varieties of deers, ducks, birds, lizards, pigs, fishes, monkeys and many many. I even got to see, Black Rino, which I have never seen before. So, Come with me, I will take you to the zoo and show you those friends so you can see by yourself and lets all enjoy…

P.S: By the way, I just don’t want you to skip this small part, where I wanna give away a few tips before you start for the Zoo trip. Wear a nice easy relaxing cotton dress and a comfortable pair of shoes, because, you will have to do a lot of walking…
Please don’t forget to take your hat or an umbrella, for it is gonna be real hot over there. And it would be nice if you just fill in some bottles of water and juice from home.
So, what else? Ready for the safari?? Welcome to the zoo..


P.P.S: Click here to get the Map and more info about the Zoo..

Life after Death...

Do you accept the theory of Life after Death? Does such a thing really exist? Every action in this world has a scientific reason or explanation behind it. So, can anyone tell the reason as to why some people sometimes, experience something abnormal or strange around them? Like, they feel the dead to be near them, feel them around, a strange feeling though, one could say…
If we go around experimenting on this topic, we come to know that there are some evidences that lead one to believe that there exists such strange or abnormal presence or existence, that is, there is this existence of Aathma (consciousness), which survives even after the physical decease. But, again, on the other hand, there are these other section of believers who say it is just the imagination of our own. They again, argue about the existence of the Super natural power and its contrary. How many ever examples you give them, they will find it flimsy to even consider such notions, worthwhile…

If you ask me personally, Well…. I too would say have undergone some paranormal experiences myself. Like the Ouija board, it is a board where we have letters and numbers written, and it is used to communicate with the dead. The board is placed on flat base and a candle is placed on the board and lit. A glass is placed tilted up side down, over the burning candle and and after a few mins when the candle is extinguished inside(obviously it will put off due to absence of oxygen), the participants keep their fingers on the top of the glass and call the dead, and the glass moves automatically over the letters to give answers to the questions being asked. It is believed that the spirit of the late, whomever was summoned moves the glass and gives the answers. I remember playing the game in my University(Do you think we went to the library, in the break hours, while doing my M phil?) and even at my house with my friends. And I also remember (you will be horrified to know) that the glass moved real fast, with my finger on, rather than without my finger! Is nt that scary?!! Well, I was(even now) scared too…
Some people may say, it is a prank game, or some may say, the person moves the glass unconsciously or consciously, just to scare away, or to prove themselves, but Believe me, my experience is true. I never moved the glass and I , felt the glass moving fast under my finger all by itself…

So, If we did nt move the glass, who did? Did the spirit move the glass, Well… I dunnooo!!!

Again,I can give you another example. The baby monitor in my house! I hear some unknown and unheard voices while cooking in the kitchen(I used to get a chill run down my spine..), where I have placed the speaker. To just check on it, I purposely come to the bedroom, but in here, it will be pin drop silence, with my sonna sleeping in his crib peacefully, sucking on his thumb! Then where from those voices come??

May be the Mic of the Baby monitor, set in the bedroom ,is grasping some unknown wavelength (or frequency, whatever you call it?!) from the air? Is that it? Does that mic have that ability?

So, back to square one. Again, who is gonna answer this? Is there life after Death? Is it true that the spirit of the dead, continue to go through their daily bustle, unaware that they no more exist physically???

P.S: friends, Just because I wrote this blog, please dont think am a bold or great daring person. I will pee right in my pants if I happen to come across something promptly strange (like it happened with the Baby monitor, well, I did nt exactly pee, but that is the only thing I did nt do..) in my life. I will not even go to the restroom alone if I happen to see a Horror movie trailer.... hehe!! Ciiyyaaaa.....:)

Oh! those (G)olden days...

Oh! I sit back and think about my childhood days now.. They are as fresh as a dewdrop, in my memories! Though I completed my final Hsc years in a different school, major part of my school life I spent in Central school, famously known as Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pondicherry, KVP and Am proud to call myself a KV student!

I remember my first day in school, Oh! I even remember the day I did my Entrance exams for my I std.. I was shown a book which carried pictures of birds and animals and I was asked to show peacock, lion and crocodile... which I did ... and they asked me to leave.

I ran out of the room yelling “Hey na pass, na pass..” (meaning I ve cleared) to my mom n dad who were waiting outside eagerly. I still remember the wide happy smile that spread on my mom’s lips, that day, when she hugged me…

Later one day in the same week, mails brought in the news saying I, along with my brother, got enrollment and need to show up in the school later the next week. Then came the small fear inside, which my Dearest mom balmed away saying, ‘You will get nice friends there, there will be a big playground where you kids can play happily and you will also have a see-saw, slide and swing…….’, by the time my mom finished her story, I was fully turned ON and geared to go to school!!
On the First day in my school, We tiny-tots were gathered, by our seniors, to form a line and were taken to the Prayer Assembly, where I did nt understand one word since everything was said in Hindi!! After the Assembly was over we were made to say tata to our parents, which was, in the first place, miserable and taken to our class in the same one line formation, and when I reached the class, my bag was not on the first bench where I left it, adding up to my already gloomy mood. Then I was made to sit in the second row, and later my teacher again put me in the first row, since I was very puny, that’s a different story!!

I remember my Maths teacher, who used to come in his Enfield bullet, whom I used to always imagine as the Devil himself (hope he doesn’t see this blog!!) for he always used to roll his Big big eyes and threaten us with his bloodcurdling yells!

That day is still fresh in my mental picture, when I had forgotten to bring my Maths book and I started to cry at the very sight of him. He hauled me up asking an explanation and when I told him the reason he put me down and softened to me a bit saying, since I did nt bring my book, I had to monitor the class that day and see to it there was pin drop silence!! He was different that day, to my eyes!!

Oh! There is a lot morrrrre... Those CCA periods, those PET periods, those white and white uniforms on Saturdays when we have only half day session, and those drill hours following the Assembly… Did I leave something? Oh, those wonderful Teachers.. My MA and Mphil degrees that I ve earned today, and the very English that I ve written this blog, everything is from their groundwork, the credit of their foundation!! And those Amazing friends I got in my school years, Hmm.. Hey, still in contact with atleast some of them, thanks to orkut n facebook……

Now, In another year and a half, I will be putting my sonna to school. Hmmm… Thinking about those days is like heaven.. Thinking about it, It is only like yesterday that I went to school, and now my son is going to join school!!
May be one day I will sit and discuss these stories with him.
May be someday, I will sit n recite this as a story to my grand children..
Some day I may stop breathing, but my memories will stay in the Air(or on the Net, I 'd rather say), afresh.. afresh..

Watch 'Waitress'...

Waitress, One of the best movies I have watched in the late recent times. Directed by Adrienne Shelly, this movie won five awards, including the Jury Prize at the Sarasota Film Festival for narrative feature, and the Audience and Feature Film awards at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

This story is been revolving in my minds for days and nights now, that I decided to sit and write it off, my head.

It is a story of a waitress, Jenna, who is blessed with a gift of baking mouth-watering pies, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage with an obnoxious, dominating male and is inconveniently pregnant with his child.
Keri Russell as Jenna, looking at her very face reminds me of the stone - Pearl. That cherubic face, those mournful eyes, those cute lips... This is the first movie of hers I have seen, and already am becoming a great fan of hers. Her inventing pies according to the mood, is on one side hilarious, while on the other, thought-provoking.

Nathan Fillion as the Gyn. Dr. Pomatter, is a handsome guy, who has a position for himself in this movie. She holds an affair with him for sometime, though that is the only thing, unacceptable according to me. It is not that all unhappy married women find thier happiness or comfort in another man's arms. Again it is only my personal opinion, perception differs...

Jeremy sisto, as the abusive husband Earl, is hateful at the very sight. His insecure or rather immature character is so well protraited in every scene, by his very words like, asking her to ask him 'how his day was?' or demanding her to 'promise him that she will not love the baby more than she loves him' and so on. He does not get her a car, for heaven's sake, for he does not want her to go anywhere else! But he has forgotten that, if she wants to go out anywhere, without his knowledge, all she has to do is take a bus!

Adrienne Shelly(writer and Director of this movie) and Cheryl Hines, as Dawn and becky her co-waitresses are her close friends, with whom she holds no secrets. Dawn the lovelorn little mouse in this movie, I never expected her to be the Director! But later knowing about her sad and sudden demise left me gloomy, dejected and unhappy. Seems This is her last creation, after which she was found in her office murdered coldheartedly..

All the characters have lived thier roles in this movie and they seem to endure within our minds, hours after scrutiny. Award winning performance by Keri. My favourite part in the movie is where she holds the newborn and Earl says,

Earl: Hey. You remember what I said - don't you go lovin' that baby too much.
Jenna: I don't love you, Earl. I haven't loved you for years. I want a divorce.
Earl: [laughs] Well, that's not a funny joke. You got this new baby here, you shouldn't be making jokes like that...
Jenna: I want you the hell out of my life. You are never to touch me, ever again; I am done with you. If you ever come within six yards of me, I will flatten your sorry ass and I'll enjoy doin' it.

That is one part, I seriously enjoyed,

Dr. Pomatter: Un-congratulations, you're definitely having a baby.
Jenna: Un-thank you.
These lines are thought-provoking,

Jenna: [voiceover] Dear damn baby, If you ever want to know the story of how we bought your damn crib, I will tell you. Your crib was bought with the money that was supposed to buy me a new life. Every time I lay you down in that damn crib, I'm gonna think, 'Damn baby. Damn Crib. Me stuck like a pin in this damn life.'

Jenna: Dear Baby: If I was writing you a letter, it would probably sounds something like an apology. I know everyone deserves a mama who'd want a nice baby such as yourself... who was also a good wife, a fine member of a society. And I can't rightly say that I'm any of that. And I'm not sure the world is scuh a fine place to bringing you. Many of the people I've met are not worth meeting. Many of the things that happened are not worth living through. And you shouldn't take it personal, Baby... if I don't seem like all the other mama-to-be, jumping all over themselves with joy. I frankly don't know what I got to give you, Baby. What if I leave Earl, and don't win that contest next week, and don't have money? What the hell am I gonna give you then? All my life, Baby, the only thing I wanna do is run away. What kind of mama is that? I wish I could think other things, Baby, like excitement that you with me now... or faith that I'll be a good mama... even if my life ain't such a good place, and the world as I see it ain't so pretty like they'd have you believe in this book. Anyway, writing this letter to you, sounds more like a letter writing to me, don't it? Love, Mama
P.S: I ve already watched it thrice and now am thinking of watching it again.. :))

My Angel from Heaven above...

There are not many people who have seen angels, in this world. But I am previleged and honoured, because God has given me one right beside, and that is my sister. One of my, most loved and respected person on this Earth..

Sudha - The word itself means 'Wine', and Yes! While just telling her name is like experiencing 'A Champange', moving along with her is like enjoying it with Mild Ceddar ... :)

I dont wanna prolong it, But let me just tell you one thing and conclude. There is a saying, "Tell me who your friend is and I will tell who you are".. If we move along with Good natured, we will also gradually become one. Do you want your soul to become NOBLE? Befriend Sudha...

Idli podi

It is famously known as 'Idli milagai podi', a favourite of my Sonu (sweet hubby). Whatever dish u bring in, he says 'Ammu, podi di..'!! Let it be, idli or rava upma or even curd rice for that matter!! Its his favourite n simply needs to be at home alltime.

So its one among my many duties to check that damn 'podi dubba' n re fill it n keep it filled always. Now let me just tell u the secret recipe of that podi..hehe, no secret its world famous, but only thing is this podi may be slightly different from others, since we add til to it. Its the typical brahmin version, I would say!!Oh, while at it, let me just tell u, how much ever I try my level best, I cannot bring the Kai manam* of my Mil into it..

ok, back to business!! U will need:

Urad dhal - 1cup

Red chillies - 6 to 8 (can be increased if u need it real hot)

Toor dhal - 1/2 cup

Red gram - A handful

Asafoetida - li'l

Til seeds - 3/4 cup

Tamarind - a li'l (Paste can also be used)

Jaggery - 1/2 a thumb size or a small piece

salt - To taste

Prep:

Heat a kadai/pan and add the urad dhal to it and saute it dry adding just 2drops of oil to it. Allow it to fry n change to a slight Golden colour and a nice aroma fills the kitchen. Change it to a seperate plate.

Saute the Toor dhal n red gram in the same manner. (dont wait for the aroma or u might burn the grams.)

Now put the red chillies and saute for 2-3mins. keep in a separate dish.

Now finally the same with the til seeds as well.

Let them all cool down. Now put all the above said in the mixie jar and add the asafoetida, jaggery and salt and grind well until u get it to a dry powder consistency. Lo! ur podi is ready!!

U can have this with idli, dosa, or even mix it to rice with a li'l of gingelly oil and its yummy...

Being with my hubby, its now needless to say that its become my fav as well... :))

* Kai manam - can be said as the special oldtime touch or taste by elders..

Aaryan - My Sonna..

This blog is specially dedicated to my sonna, who has made my world colourful n beautiful, by his very presence. I never even expected that my world wud be turned up side down, by a mere 10kg Taj mahal, hehe..

His words, his playing, his mischief, God! no words to describe. He is gonna turn 1yr this july 09. Cant believe that a yr has passed after his arrival..

Time has just flown by. I still remember the minute I held him for the first time. Goshhh.. weighing not more than a bundle of flowers, with his tiny hands n toes.... N u wud nt believe, just two days of existence and the rascal, has already started making stylish hand movements like Remo!!!

I remember each n every minute of his life, for its entangled with each min of my life as well, this past yr. Every first action of his, first sound that he made, first turn he took, first day he stood, first step he took, each minute is recorded inside me and is as fresh as a flower in my mind, n will remain likewise forever in my hearts of heart...

He is become such a naughty fella that I am unable to just run around with him, One min he will be in the kitchen beside me, putting something into his mouth that he just took from the carpet, next minute he will be standing near the TV, pulling on the wires or thumping on the screen with his li'l fingers, next he will be near the pram(I ve kept one in the Dining hall to buckle him up n arrest him in when am busy, n the other in the car for outtings), researching on how to climb on it, next he will be near the sofa in the hall water washing the remote or the mobile which ever is handy!!

One day he will grow big, the day will come when he will even scold me for fussing over him for not eating or not resting, but I will always celebrate and cherish him for the rest of my life for he is the very person who made me, previleged me by calling me Mom and I Thank him for that .. Thanks to the Almighty for blessing me so much in my life...