LIFE - Is this all?

Organizing Memories - Part 1!!!

2011-02-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

Now that I am going to me a mom of 2 proud kids (2nd one is on the way :-), I am only realizing how important each year it is for these kids. I would leave no stone unturned to ensure my kids get all they want of their childhood when they are all grown up :-) That is one of the reason I started writing a baby blog for my darling daughter!!!
Keeping up with my traditions of preserving their memories, I have decided to build and maintain photo copies of the digital ones...There are more advantages than anything else that I can think of for doing this.
Most significant of them all, I would love to hand it off to them when they grow up and it is simply more amusing to anyone in general to look at the hard copies rather than just the soft ones, up on the computer.

I have jump-started the process by printing the albums to begin with...Once, I have a collection of photos printed, I will buy nice themed albums and album storage boxes and then find a cozy place in the house to preserve them safely :-) Well that being said, this is just the very first part of my process and hence the title!!!

However, I would like to share one of my easiest and most convenient methods of getting to this step 1:

(Step -wise)
1. Upload pics form your camera to picasa
2. Tag them and group them into albums, chronologically!
3. Immediately transfer the photos for back-up either onto a hard disk or a CD ( We usually prefer a hard disk)
4. From Picasa, you can chose the menu - Print Photos
5. You can print just plain 4X6 copies or can even chose a photo book (both of which I have tried and works just great. Hint: For photo books, try logging in from Picasa Application rather than the web-album )
6. From within that link, you have an option to chose online stores that offers the most reasonable priced photo printing services ( I always chose Walgreens and go for the pick-up from store option)
7. Thats it - You're almost there!!!!

I will blog more with my experiences and recommendations after I am done with making albums out of these prints :-)

Happy Memories :-) I love them and hoping you all do!!!!!

Every Player is a Winner in the Game of Life!!!!!

2010-08-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

I have been contemplating a lot on how to bring up my precious little girl, ingraining in her the best of life's experiences from my own. Universally accepted, every game has one and only one winner. I say, in the game of this life, every one who plays it, eventually ends up conquering it :-) However, I see a true winner as someone who has not only won the race of life but has thoroughly enjoyed its beauty.

Every human that is known to this world and has seen the sun is certain to have understood the meaning of life at one or the other phase. And to that extent, as long as I have dared to step into the very sanctity of life - each one defines it in his/her own way. Life is what you define to yourself. Mastering the definition itself is the very first duck in the row.

Sooner the first duck in the row, better and prettier will be the rest of the path for the other ducks to follow :-) Don't miss out on all the charm the life is offering in your constant quest for life. In fact,
you are likely to solve the puzzle by just enduring each and every moment and living through it.

We are programmed to output great results when the external environmental parameters supplied are just as great, however we throw exceptions when we receive negative invalid input waves. Just as how software experts are on a journey to build a ubiquitous system that can sustain harsh constant hammering, so are we on our constant quest.

Enjoy every moment of life as is, there are always bitter and better moments...Its only the bitter that will make us better. Remembering these golden words from a wonderful book I read, "Light is a definition for No Darkness, Knowledge is a definition for No Ignorance"...Alike, Good is a definition for No Bad :-)

Love, kiss, embrace and live every moment of your life - only because its beautiful and nothing else can surpass it. Its your life and only you know how to live and enjoy and since its all you - there is no reason why you can't do it :-)

So people, play this wonderful game of life and win it like no one else can!!!!!

Eating Smart is better than Eating Skimpy!!!

2010-06-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

Portion Control is a little overused term. Don't get too carried away by it. Make sure to please your appetite and not abuse it.
Eat healthy Breakfast, lunch and Dinner. If lucky, choose to eat healthy snacks and never forget to drink 8 glasses of water - its easy to oversee this tiny thing but you will never realize how powerful it is!
Fasting once a week with absolutely no artificial sugar, caffeine and processed foods help cleanse your body.
An apple and a green tea with honey a day helps your skin glow, making you look younger and rejuvenated!
Exercise for 10minutes or a walk at least 4 to 5 days a week keeps you fit and healthy.

Dream Job??

2010-06-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

"To be successful is not about doing great things, but doing little things in a great way" - Unknown

Love this quote and it makes abolute sense. Try and find happiness in what you are up to currently instead of an endless search for that ultimate dream job that you always wanted to land up with.

An interview that was missed in a long time!

2008-02-27T13:28:00.001-08:00

I watched the interview with Michelle obama. I sure must admit what an exquisite personality; she carried herself all along with equanimity... Very inspiring, eloquent and yet discreet!

Some folks are quite critical about her slipping upon the comments she made about the good and the worst paths she would consider. Well people, wake up and see things beyond the horizon! It was such an undistinguishable moment that elapsed between 30 secs. Although, I perceive that statement of hers clearly as an explanation to how she handles the highs and lows. How I wish the world had better discerning critics!

When asked about if she had been ticked anytime, she adorably embraced the facts. She said “Of course. That's my husband. I love him” – I think she represented herself as a great pillar of support to Barack Obama’s success. She exhibited perfect poise while answering any questions related to race, confrontational or political issues that might challenge the couple!

Her characterization of Barack Obama felt so genuine. When she said “He is a good man”, I thought her eyes talked more than just those simple words. It merely felt so authentic when she described him as a very caring husband and a dad while she talked about how they went out before Christmas to shop for a tree, trick-or treated with the girls and took her out on their anniversary. Michelle described her husband as a phenomenal support to her and her daughters. Though unspoken, I would think a man who is so dependable for his family might certainly be a tremendous source of inspiration to the nation’s youth, as charity or anything for that matter begins at home.

Michelle Obama gracefully acknowledges that her husband as a president might commit mistakes. She states “But, see, the beauty of Barack making mistakes is that he's not going to be so stubborn that he can't admit that he's making mistakes and he can't look at another way of approaching things.” Pondering more on this, one can essentially evaluate her as a First lady – an astute woman with incredible skills and momentum to thrive and succeed with an enormous amount of hope. Well, I believe she can make a great president herself sometime down the lane :)

At the end, I thought it was an awe inspiring interview yet simple…Michelle Obama is a very passionate and a successful woman – carrying a lion’s load of responsibilities, both as a mother and a prospective first lady. She seems to have tremendous energy to juggle between her kids and her venerable position @ the University of Chicago. She sure does blow the wind off and sets a benchmark for all the young women of not just this country, but perhaps for the entire world. Hats off Michelle Obama and GO OBAMA!

Oregon Coast

2007-10-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen or experienced the beauty and wilderness coexisting in the ocean, which can only be least described as the most enticing and inviting coastlines that I have ever seen. How divine and radiant are those blue waters with no touch of human and only a sun’s kiss that keeps them stand so majestic and makes us look so tiny and insignificant in front of mother nature. Yes, it’s truly an enchanting acquaintance with what is known to the world as “Oregon Coast”.

Our first leg of journey was set to Florence . We decided to choose the circuitous route along 101 to photograph the nature’s unsurpassed beauty. The freeway runs parallel to the rugged pacific coast and is the by far the most windy route I have ever driven on. The roaring of the waves and scintillating whisks of sand that formed the tenuous boundary between the water and sea kept us entertaining for the whole of 5 hours. As we drove by, I started cogitating about how these waters ever manage to sustain being so unexplored by human. It stood their all by itself, caring less for anything in the world, being the most welcoming place in the world for people who seek out peace and tranquility. I pushed my mind to set it free of all distorted thoughts for the whole of the drive just to enjoy the wild and indomitable nature being at its best in the game of endurance.

Having gone through such a sweet reverie, we finally reached the Sandland Adventures – a recreational park that provides the most exhilarating buggy rides on the sand dunes. Religiously, we did the formal rides and other fun stuff, which was pretty exciting and expectedly exhausting too. Next comes my favorite which is the south Jetty beach. The relentless frenzy in the ocean that transforms into ferocious waves which gradually subside and blankets the beach, further spill over to the streets and covers the lawns and backyards with froths. All this happening on a foggy day would be like a frosting to the treat providing a transcendental “Wuthering Heights” backdrop as a whole. To walk by the side of the coastline, sipping on a cup of coffee holding hands and striking a riveting conversation is probably the most romantic thing for me.

We left Florence to head towards Newport – another beach secluded and untouched by humans. I learnt that the reason for these Oregonian beaches to be so unblemished is because Oregon law prohibits any kind of private ownership of coastline property. As we descended down the road to get to the hotel, I caught glimpses of the waves playing hide and seek between the empty spaces and concrete, rendering a breath taking vista. More feasts were waiting for me inside the room. I opened the back window of the room we had checked into and to my awe, I saw the most beautiful landscape consisting of only the water and more water and much more water and more water beyond anything that could possibly be caught by my eyesight. Wow! Was the only word that came out of my mouth and there it ended, I just sat there for a couple of minutes staring at the background and a unique emptiness conquered all over my mind and heart. Isn’t that just wonderful to be in such a state of mind?

The second day was mostly occupied with visits to sea lion caves, hecetalighthouse and Oregon Acquarium. We didn't get too lucky at the caves to catch few sea lions roaring, however that dint fail our visit though – we admired the folks who were wildlife enthusiasts to have discovered a concealed cave as such that nestled so many of the sea lions and converted that into a very safe and secured observing cave. Descending down 208 feet below earth surface, you really feel oneness with the nature’s creation, how they are created by god just like us and they are no different, they have equal right just as we possess to live in this universe –how I wish all the hunters help their souls by visiting such places. Right from within the cave, one can see the heceta lighthouse – its so widely photographed that I have seen 3 pictures of the light house hung in my office that has about 50 ppl, so this should speak for its acceptance! One shouldn’t miss a single chance to explore the Oregon aquarium. Comparing to the other humdrum aquariums that I have been to, this is by far the most unique one that welcomes you with a wide variety of exotic species of sea creatures and amicable sharks bidding a smiley good bye. Must See!

At this point our camera was full with loads of colorful pictures and so was our hearts fulfilled with loads of memories blended within various vicissitudes of nature. Meandering through different phases of life, if one ever wants to enjoy the nature’s true gift for mankind, come visit Oregon to just fall in love for the best, for the rest of your life!

Knowing v/s Learning

2007-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

To know is to be aware of the prepositions of the truth
To learn is to be able to amend and apply the prepositions...

To know what school teaches is to educate one with ideas
To learn ideas is to be able to rejuvenate them...

To know a language is to be able to read, write and understand the ecumenical purport
To learn a language is to be able to think with that language...

To know how to write a piece of software code is to learn the syntax and semantics
To learn writing a code is to become the hacker of your own code...

To know driving a car is to be informed about the rules and routes
To learn driving is to become a slave driver...

To know the right is to be good enough to know the wrong
To learn the right is to be able to define the wrong...

To know yourself, introspect your inner essence
To learn who you are, perceive to unite with the divinity within you...

To know life is to comprehend
To learn life is to live...

Right of Freedom

2005-10-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have been mulling over this topic for a while. How many of us understand what freedom means to us and how well equipped are we to handle the consummate freedom.

Is freedom a state of mind that has no ripple of thought crossing it? It’s the inner freedom and the real freedom. Unconstrained by the physical bounds, the real freedom means to go above the thoughts and mental mind. Lemme tell you what I think, instead of being a part of a team as a team player, go beyond and become the master of the team, you have the control of the team. Similarly, control your thoughts, be the master of your thought, don’t be a part and sail along with the thoughts. When you are able to see the world of thought, rising high above it, you have the power to turn on and off your thoughts, that’s when you will enjoy the real freedom. You should be able to toggle between the on and off button of your thoughts, just the way you would turn on and off the engine of your car, being in this state, one might enjoy the real freedom.

Next, what are we talking about the right of freedom, right of freedom of speech, etc… According to me, freedom is something that is not to be snatched from or asked for. We are born with freedom; we don’t have to fight for it. Freedom is granted to us by ourselves; we need to realize our values, aspirations, responsibilities, motivations and goals in order to define what freedom means to us and act accordingly. When everyone realizes this, I guess there is no question of one being forced to abide by law…

Now I see that the word ‘freedom’ which is so complex and profound by itself, is understood by few people, and fewer among them realize its significance. Where is the question of using the freedom without gauging its worth? Well, that is exactly what I am witnessing here. I see people thrown out into the battle field without having taught the lesson of self-defense. The reason why I bring in this comparison is because I see world itself as a battle field. Each individual is let into this realm without appropriate training – don’t you think we need to be handling the kids in the school in a much better way than we are currently? Is there any institution in this world that teaches these very fundamental concepts, train the kid’s minds to think in this direction, train them to make them strong enough to face the harsh gnawing cruelties in this world? We teach kids how the nuclear bombs are created, the complex processes involved, don’t you think along with that we need to teach them and train their mind in a way as to think what the bombs could mean to them and how well it could be used for either the development or destruction of human-kind?

Sadly, freedom was less understood by our great national leaders of India when they fought for it way back in 1947. I wish we had more of freedom fighters like Bhagat singh who were more of thinkers than pleaders to have perceived the meaning of ‘Freedom of Nation’ even before daring to ask for one – perhaps, our country would not have been in the state it is currently in.

Everyone asks for freedom but very few are ready for it. Being ready for it by itself involves the individual and nobody else; the kid has to be taught how to eat though he inherently possess the hunger, similarly, we need to teach kids to formulate and define freedom for themselves though each one is gifted with the right of freedom.

A Rejuvenating Force - Music Personified!!!

2005-10-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

In the midst of a deafening silence, I hear this song – “There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando…!!!” – One of my all time favorite pieces of music, kindles my long last forgotten memories of my sweet little cousin, who would swing his head back and forth to this rhythmic song, surrendering to his harsh, screeching hue…Being persistent with this, I further go revisit all my disguised moments of ecstasy, anguish, accomplishment, exasperation, sustenance, recuperation predominated by music…

Think of this, times when an exhilarating music brought tears to ur eyes rolling down ur cheeks, an excruciating gnawing music sending shivers down ur spines, a devotional song wringing out the spell of renunciation and reunion with the inner soul, a rhythmic tune to which ur mind and heart starts dancing inadvertently, a romantic tune that left u mesmerized…finally, an ode of joy and sorrow that upheld u during the moments of despair…

Music has been playing such a pivotal role in my life that I dare not stop myself from delving deep into this unfathomable, abstract feeling…Well, Is music synonymous to a feeling, do we stigmatize a feeling as being an abstract entity? Lot of questions, answers to which are impenetrably mundane, titillate your inner self to figure out answers…

Why does music elicit feelings, it begets physiological changes, proven by scientific experiments. I am not attempting to be a neuroscientist; this is just what I think…
Brain is composed of different regions, somewhat analogous to life, I keep reiterating the philosophy of life – Life is compartmentalized, each phase of life gets activated once and you get to enjoy that aspect of life only during then…I tend to get digressed very easily nowadays:D, well coming back to the brain and its intricacies, each neuron remains in a state of limbo, unless an external stimuli instigates it… This again reminds me of “War of the Worlds” (besides, the fact that I love to hate that movie) wherein an external signal ignites the buried dormant vehicles. When the brain receives signals of certain frequency, the region of brain that is capable of perceiving that wavelength processes it and subsequently the neuron is activated. The patterns of neuron activation monopolizes the feelings, each of this pattern represents one unique feeling. Does this establish the relationship between the music and subtle nuances of mood? Well, the entire processing is not this simple, there is more to it. How does the brain treat the music, how precisely does one describe the processing of music tones in the brain – still an intriguing biological mystery?

How do I relate to music – it’s an indispensable element of my life, everything seems to be so inconsistent and ephemeral to me – ‘This too shall pass…’ a 4 worded-phrase circumscribes the integrity of a multidimensional endurance. Pandemonium engulfing the reality of existence transcends any feeling but for a feeling of oneness with music – a feeling of an eternal consanguinity – something that I fear not of losing!!!

To Dad With Love

2005-09-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

Most of my blogs and moreover, my blog title itself does n't reflect the true "Rashmi" - is what my friend keeps complaining... She thinks I am a bubbly and energetic person and none of what I write bespeaks my heart;) - Well, if at all anyone thinks of me in the same way then I guess its probably bcos of the many wonderful things that have happened to me over the years and one of the best things I have had in this life is MY PARENTS - They set the threshold and nothing can possibly surpass them ever in my life...

DAD! this is for you on your Birthday - Might sound a little too hackneyed, but still...

did you ever realize you have been so good at whatever you have been?

As a son, I have witnessed every bit of affection and respect you had for ammumma, I saw, believed and learnt the importance of being a child to a mother – Ammumma was never unhappy with you for whatsoever reason, you handled her with utmost care and love like her caretaker sometimes…

Everyone in the office used to admire your professional coduct; you were self disciplined despite many inconsistencies at your work place – you were a wonderful employee with tons of patience to be kind enough to help out with your junior colleagues and courteous enough with your senior colleagues even during situations that called for a heated argument.

Well, what can I say about mom – she is probably the happiest among all to have you, a man so well balanced and handles any bickering with perfect poise. Appreciating the many different points of view, you find philosophical concepts just right, and you don’t vacillate and have confidence in any conclusions at which you arrive. Being fastidious about cleanliness, you have proven so helpful to mom in many ways too;)I wish to have a husband just with the qualities like yours :D!

About the kind of person you are among ur friends and relatives, anyone with problems make sure they let you know first and rely on your help, this is just enough to demonstrate what you mean to them!!

I wonder how you can perfect anything that you do, I wish I can do things so meticulously as you do…You set my threshold for perfection.

Is there anyone at all in this world who thinks ill about you, I guess not!! You have been nice to anyone and everyone you have met and left no apprehensions about you in their minds….

Finally, what you have been to me – Something I like to adore and adorn in my heart than say it in words and make it sound clichéd and trite…relentless love and support besides being my role model…You are the best for me and I can't dare to ask for more - i pray to god to give me enough strength to keep you happy and return back atleast a an ounce of what I receive from you.

God makes everyone good, but you have identified both the god and the good in you and have tried to live upto it, prob the best one can do in one’s lifetime – I love you and Happy returns of the day Again! May lord always be with you!!!

True Love!!!

2005-09-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon this quote today while browsing through the news channel:

True love comes quietly, without banners or
flash-ing lights. If you hear bells, get your
ears checked.
Erich Segal

This left me pondering for a while. One must be truly benevolent to give love, it’s a divine and egoless feeling that happens to everyone but rarely do people accept and appreciate it. Every soul is capable of giving true love to another, but one hardly realizes as he/she is engulfed in the darkness of vainglory. Ok, lemme pause before I get too philosophical about this!!!

How Deadly you turned out to be 'Katrina' ...

2005-09-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Yet another manifestation of nature’s sleight of hand to prove how impotent a human is – every time she hit us, she reminds us how invincible she is and how atrocious it can get!

It’s a forgone conclusion that we have to bear the brunt of such natural wraths. However, what still vexes me is our fiasco in managing the repercussions of such a mishap.
Four days after such a tragedy, one can still see scenes of floating corpses, scavengers fighting for food and there are people still crying out for help. It’s heartbreaking to read and see such news. What is so great about the technology that can not efficiently perform the search and rescue tasks? We talk of technology replacing human by robots religiously performing house chores and unmanned vehicles trying to look for some life in mars, when there is not enough intelligence and sympathy to protect the life which is right in front of you – woefully dying. How many people have realized the power of technology, should we not use our discretion to prioritize and discern what is important so that we concentrate our resources for those tasks? I miss a heart beat when I think of what death could mean to me, one in thousand times we perceive the vitality of life – perhaps, when we see our people or ourselves being victimized in such situations things might be more blatantly evident and some hope for revolution then!!!

And all of this has been more brutal to the poor in particular. It’s an anathema to be born as a poor, most hackneyed phrase – Is there no way we can eradicate poverty, Can’t we use any *technology* for this purpose. I see innumerable social problems rooted in our society, killing millions of people in one or the other ways – physically and/or mentally. Are there no *devices* / *algorithms* to solve these problems. I am getting so freaked out with this technology-driven life that I have to admit I am feeling like living in a forsaken haven.

I am sorry for going berserk but all these things have really left me crestfallen.

Look whoz blogging!!!

2005-08-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

well, does it really make sense in me blogging, my mind does nt talk rather its stutters, so am i going to confuse my readers with my equivocal thoughts or rather kick off their introspestion....well, i would rather see my blogging as moulding myself from a confused state to a composed state...
hope i hvnt scared u guys away, I promise I will be better than this :D!
hope to read more of ur comments to accomplish the very objective of blogging...

How I Wish I lived one day of my life like this…

2005-08-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

How I wish my life was as simple and unassuming as this…
Wake up in the morning to the tender touch of the sun's rays persuading an optimistic today
Touch the cold flowing water chronicling life's magnanimity of impermanence
The kiss of the first hour's cold breeze to wash away the bitter memories of the yester months and bestow a new light of hope for now
Embrace life as a rose being fully aware of thorns which is there to remind me of challenges – a flower that it is to bring a smile on my face
Enjoy the innocent pleasure of being with kids and ignoring the imbroglio of my life
Watch the sun set down and the moon rise high up, behind the clouds singing a song elucidating the ebb and flow of life
Gazing at the stars winking at me, sweetly murmuring the joy of being at the top
I wish my life was as simple as this –
Like an innocent infant who is unaware of mind and its enveloped maze of entwined thoughts
And I wish I could appreciate the pristine beauty of the world as is with an immaculate soul and heart!!