Food = life ?

Are Indians unhealthy?
Ever since my Mom came back from her trip to Chicago 3 years back, she's been facsinated by the concept of eating VEGETABLES for lunch!! In fancy terms, a salad :|
I understand that our ancesters did a lot of manual labour in the fields etc and hence the plate full of rice. They needed the carbohydrates after a long day of work. Considering, the lack of leg movement in my life, i'm not surprised how fast i can put on a few kilos by just staring into space! It is no wonder that after a long day of college, when i was dreaming of some Rice, meat and tossed vegetables, i came back home to see my plate of vegetables and TOSSED RICE! Minus the meat. How sumptious. I had to look twice to actually notice the rice on my plate. My appetite took a double take and almost fainted with sorrow.

But despite the lack of enthusiasm on my face, that was infact what i should be eating to remain healthy. The extra carbohydrate in my body, unless utilised would be converted to fat. No wonder my mom keeps asking me to exercise. Unfortunately, the world has become a global village and people have become almost too competitive. It's almost an unnecessary chore to exercise these days. But that's where we are wrong. For a healthy body and mind, we need to exercise. My mom once heard Vishvanathan Anand's interview. She asked me what i thought he said when he was asked the question of what he does to keep his mind sharp. And i meekly said, "su do ku?" :) haha. But infact, he said he takes the time to do some physical exercise! Hah. If your body is not healthy, how can your mind be? When you feel good about your body, that will most definitely make you feel like a better human being. It brings out a confidence in you that you never thought you had.So, my dear unhealthy Indians, take some time to shake those legs and shed some kilos! Eat right, think right.

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It was a holy night,that night at the roof. I looked at the most beautiful thing i had ever seen. The moon, she was painted yellow with the best brush from heaven. She shone her light for all to see. She beamed above in the starry skies, prepared for my Jesus. And was I?The stars from afar winked at me. They waited for my Lord in awe. And was I? I stood with my knees almost giving up. It felt like like the whole world had lost it's voice. And i could only hear my own deep breath. At that moment i knew what Christmas meant. We were all waiting for My Jesus that night.We were all numb for words. For none could explain the peace we had.

None could explain the love of Jesus.

Why?

Looking at the moon,was like looking straight at you..
Hard to look away.

Watching the light surround you,I Found it
Hard to look away.

Taking in the silence of the night,I knew it was
Hard to look away.

I wanted to look at the stars,the moon,the sky
So hard to look away.

But my mind,my heart,my soul saw you..
Why should i look away?

SAAWARIYA

WELL,WHAT DID YOU EXPECT????

I'm not someone who loves Bollywood or the Karan Borers of the world. I do not like the excessive emotions portrayed on screen. The numerous and cliched "Nahi Nahi". Oh Boo hoo. What happened to the stories i grew up watching? Hindi cinema used to be fun!! But somewhere along the line, people got carried away with all the glam and gore. All you see these days is hero worship and a whole lot of masala and dhamaka. There you have it. A blockbuster hit! Everyone's happy. Why aint I?

It looks like my sister and I are among the only people who actually loved the movie!! WHAT??? Are you'll kidding me? Is this one big joke??
This is my first movie review and i'm glad that i chose this movie or rather it drove me to write this.This is dedicated to all those who loved the movie!!

"Saawariya". I was anxious to know what saawariya meant. While watching the movie, Raj, played by Ranbir Kapoor showed me what love meant.
That love does not falter.
Love has no restrictions.
Love does not accuse.
Love allows you to respect everyone.
Love doesnt let you to degrade people.
Love is open.
Love is refreshing.
Love is hopeful.
Love. Love and let go.
There's nothing to lose.
Only a lot to gain.
Saawariya meant "beloved".
Our Saawariya was portrayed as a pure, hopeful and charming young man. He was the ray of hope for the people he was destined to meet.Whoever it was, he had his love to give. He taught Sakina, played by Sonam Kapoor to be brave and not to be intimidated by the world. To imagine herself in a boxing ring, fighting against all evil. He brought back the smile that she'd left behind waiting for Iman, her love to return,played by Salman Khan.
In the end of the day, although he had loved and lost, he still had brought back hope to the people around him. He was not some romeo. He was someone rare. Someone Sakina should have treasured.
A beautiful potrayal of love. Our Saawariya was truely Love Incarnate. Very impressive cinematography and dialogues. A must-watch for all those who appreciate art, poetry and love.
It may be a flop for the industry but it will always remain in my heart as the best love story ever!!
For all those who didnt like the movie, as Raj would say, "Ok Bye!!!" :)
At the end of the day, its whether you learnt anything from it.
I CERTAINLY did.
Read the story here

The bliss of solitude

Oh! The bliss of solitude is what I feel tonight.
Far above in the hazy skies, I see the circle of light.

It's you and me my moon, just you and me my love.
Take me some place yonder, someplace far above.

Where the wind blows through my hair and angels surround me,
Where raindrops belong and the dreamy stars give me company.

I dream of whispering to the clouds, for rain this silent hour.
To fill my heart with happiness with every blessed shower.

Choose your life

Looking back i'm glad i made that choice.
My world could have turned upside down.
I'm glad i found my voice,
And stood on firm ground.
Oh, tempted was I, to take that leap;
It would have blown my senses away.
But those are only memories to keep,
I know it was not me,that day.
I never realised how important it was to choose,
Until i came face to face with that day.
A choice can make you win or lose;
It's YOUR opinion, YOUR choice, YOUR say.

So make a choice - a Glorious one.
Dont be afraid of what others may say.
After all, when the day is done,
It's a brighter future coming your way!

E * D * U * C * A * T * I * O * N

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey teacher leave them kids alone
All in all it's just another brick in the wall
All in all you're just another brick in the wall

-Another Brick in the wall (Pink Floyd)

-OK this post is incomplete.. Right now i'm in a frenzy to do non-college things and this is one among many so.. yea. i'll come back to this!
-cya

Another drop in the sea

I watch the sun sink into the sea.I feel the waves inching towards me and i'm drawn towards it. So eternally drawn. So emotionally drawn. So spiritually drawn. I realise how small i am in this world. How great God is and I wonder how long i have to wait for my redeemer.

And then i got the answer when i read the Bible one day.
Psalm 27: 13-14
13. I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

I dive into the sea. It's a whole new world to me. Every creature bearing testimony of God's greatness. Every living creature doing justice to their life. Beauty unseen by me before.
My tears seem to be unnoticed in this new world.
Just another drop in this mighty sea.
It seems ok to let go as i watch the fishes
Cheer me as i float into oblivion.
I feel like a million horses running back home
It's like fighting the wind.
With every hidden strength.
I close my eyes.
And power growls over me.
I choose to forget my fears.
I choose to forget my foes.
I choose to forget my pressures.
I forget.

I learn to be stronger than i used to be.
To wait for My Lord.
I long for that heavenly day.
That day that my parents raised me up for.
That day that i will be redeemed.
That day when i'll be happiest.
That day when i see my Lord ride through the clouds
That day when angels shout HOly Holy Holy.
That day when i'll see the best sunrise.
That day when the moon shines brightest, awaiting my Lord.
That day when good triumphs over evil.

Humbled

One of my friends, Deepika told me about their hostel terrace. I'd love it if you could read what she'd written about it here

So when i finally got the opportunity to stay a night in the hostel, i knew i had to go up there. As soon as i reached the terrace my heart was on a race. I was overwhelmed and i found myself speechless. Soon after,me and my friends just layed down and faced the sky. All i could see was the clouds looking back at me. Nothing else. It was a starless night. Every emotion, every tear found it's way out. I dont think i'll every forget that starless night. That starless night that claimed it's existance. That starless night that won my heart. We spent some time there and my body refused to move. At that moment, the cold wind could not stop me and my friends could not stop me from staying a bit longer. I didnt want that moment to end. At that moment i was humbled.

I'm lying down on the terrace
And the sky is all i see.

A fallen sky on a fallen night
I learnt what life meant to me.

Lost in this bliss of solitude
I fight the cold inside.

My emotions are tangled
Lord make them untied.

I feel like a star, hidden tonight
Looking at myself lying down below.

"My girl, what's on your mind?
I cant see your glow."

Dear star, I'm humbled today
Dear moon, i've learnt to pray.

Truely and deeply for those whom i love
Knelt down in prayer to my Lord above.

-annette

What i like best!

Ah well sharanyan's been at it for a while. :D
"i tag annette"

What i would like to do best, (right now) is ban that phrase!! ha ha .. kidding!

no, seriously.. What i like best:

* Sitting on my terrace and watching the clouds fall against the moon.
* Feeling the rush of adrenaline shoot through my body just before i write.
* Feeling the wind hit my face and the whooshing sound that fills my ear
* The taste of chocolate in my mouth
* Staring into nothingness
* Loving and being loved
* Music - chocolate - poetry. The perfect potion to get me high.
* Train journeys
* Singing loudly with my eyes closed with no audience around
* Having a pointless discussion with one of my friends. Where we all end up laughing!
* Speaking with my mouth stuffed and being completely uncomprehensive and yet, being understood by someone! Only 3 people can do that. (My sis, Nethra and Sharadha)
May God Bless the three of you! :) They understand me so well!
* Playing "guess-what-that-reminds-you-of" games with my sister. And enjoying the fact that great minds think alike. ha ha.
* Calling Mirudhula "Gundu Manga" and teasing her and someone..ahen ahem. ha ha :) Amazing gal. Love her.
* Earning the title GM1 (Gundu manga 1) soon after i put on a few kgs! ha ha ha

* Playing my guitar and playing a song in my own way! ( More so because i dont know the right way!! :P )
* Wearing high heel shoes and running up the stairs! :P
* Playing basketball in the rain
* Riding on the swing in the rain (Ah memories of our iv)
* Ah, well doing anything in the rain! :)
* Going for a walk with Dad, mom, bro, sis or nethra.
* Sketching whats on my mind.
* Being inspired by a speech/person.
* Analysing the Bible.
* A timely joke to lighten a situation.
* Roast chicken and fish pie.
* And Brightening someone's day

Yay! i'm done.

Memories.. Lost and found

The human brain has always fascinated me. How could all my thoughts, dreams, memories fit inside my head? We're talking about compaction here! I mean, not only is it all there,but it's also organised, linked and can be triggered anytime we want. After years of being hidden in one corner of my brain, i can pull out a memory.
I was always amused by how i can still remember the smell of the oil that my mother used to rub on me when i was young. That rectangular tin of Olive Oil. I dont rememeber holding it or seeing it but the image and smell of it is etched in my brain.

My grandmother used to tell me stories about how she used to hold me tight at night when we slept. I spent a few months with my grandparents when i was less than a year old. If i were blind-folded and sent to my grandmother's room, i'd still know that i'm there.

Love. Now, that has fascinated me the most. What is it? Where does it come from? It's only when you're apart that you realise what closeness means. When i was with my mom's parents, my sister was with my Dad's parents,my brother was in boarding school while my parents were busy shifting. I guess that was my first lesson on learning to be away from family.
Quite like our current situation. All of us siblings are in different places.Despite the distance, we all know how much we mean to each other. No scientific proof can justify the working of the human mind and heart.

Similarly, it's only when you lose you're memory that you realise how much memories mean to you. My grandmother lost parts of her memory after a small stroke that she had. You'll be surprised how much you value your memories. I do. And i think a part of me was lost along with her memories. Because we had shared so many of those. All i have is my memories. My faint, blurry memories of growing up around her, of being with them during our vacations. Racing with my cousin towards my grandfather for who gets to sit on his lap!

I don't want to forget. I want to recount them over and over in my head. It saddens my heart to think that she doesnt remember. It's like a few chapters of my life have been skipped. And i miss those days. Those memories. Good memories. I will never forget.

Even though she lost her memory, i found them. Thank you ammachi for those sweet memories. I love you!

Fire..

Not exactly refined but i like it.

My angel

Stolen

Watching the fields pass me by,
I'm thrilled by the wind on my face.
None of my senses can tell me why,
Your heart and mine are on a race.

Everytime you smile, you tease me inside..
Every stolen gaze feels like our first.
I feel like a fading flower
Being swept by your charm.

Like a lone wolf howling in the dark,
My insides scream out your name.
I'm longing for my moon, my love
And i'm not alone anymore.

Where crayon meets paper

 

Like a poet hidden
In the light of thought,
Singing hymns unbidden,
Till the world is wrought
To sympathy with hopes and fears it heeded not:

- "To a Skylark " by P.B. Shelley

Silence

"As Water reflects a face,
So a man's heart relects the man"

-From the book of Proverbs (Bible)

Over the past two years, i learnt a lesson.
Sometimes its better to keep quiet and back off. I can say i was ignorant. I can say that i was blinded by the protection of my family and school friends. I thought the world was all sugar and spice and everything nice. Sad. Yes, i now had to face the rest of the world and i found that it was not a pretty picture. I'm writing this because i was pleasantly surprised by the fact that i was challenged by people to think like them. What i thought about life was not what they thought. I fought hard and i still think i'm on the right side. It's difficult to see people drift away. Words cannot express the hurt inside. Doubts keep flying in my mind, refusing to listen to my heart. How can a person just drift away? I don't get it. Not a word needs to be said. We both know it. Invisible signals pass between our hearts. I have found my real friends. You have found yours. Not a word needs to be said.

Dear snow, does it hurt when you melt away?
Dear grass, does it hurt when you whither away?

Why am i hurt by you drifting away? Why am i shocked by change? Why do people change?
My mind is exploding with things to say but not a word needs to be said. Silence speaks a million words.

Random love ramblings

You make me feel like a million candles
Waiting to be blown away.

You make me feel like a bunch of roses
Waiting to be given away

You make me feel like a million raindrops
Waiting to fall on your way

You make me feel like a wave in the ocean
As it longs to hit the bay

You make me feel like a night full of stars
Awaiting the sunset today

Defeated by Dad.

My Dad and I take a lazy stroll in our backyard in kerala and the serene quietness encompasses me. Being brought up in a city, i was not used to the beauty of nature. And this is a nature lover's paradise. What more could yo ask for when it was right outside your door.

I write down my morning's adventure as the rain patters on the tin roof of the shed. The sound of rain is like second heaven. Somehow it clears my mind of all harsh thoughts and i'm lost in this new found pleasantness.




Back to our backyard story.My dad walks ahead of me, with each step on the leaf layered Earth making his presence known. He asks me what i think is the pink fruit hanging from a tree there.I can't quite see it so i go forward and i see a cashewnut fruit with the nut hanging dearly below it. We reach the foot of the tree and scavenge for the fallen fruit below. I collect 2 firm looking ones and hand them to Dad. Both of us smile with satisfaction.

And then he tests my knowledge of plants. OH NO!! he eh. Quite an embarassment! He asks me what is this tree?




I'm looking at him with that 'Do-you-really-think-i-know-look' and he's looking at me with that triumphant smirk.

It's a teak tree he says! And then i notice all the teak trees around and point them out.Wow.
And then he asks me, What is this? (It was a plant.. not yet a tree! in my defence :P)
I mumble a feeble-'tamarind'?
Ha ha you should have seen the look on his face!
It's drumstick and i have it at home! Sheesh Annette! But give me some credit, i guessed it after the first clue..'you can eat the leaves'

Then he asked me a simple one-Jackfruit
(Dad, do you think i'm blind and stupid? :P There are jackfruit hanging all over it!!)



But NO!! That's NOT THE QUESTION!
He asks me, Whats it called in malayalam?
'Er... em... cha.. i know it'
and he's not expecing 'chacka', he wants the name of the tree not the fruit.
He tells me its 'plaave'
And i'm like 'Oh..yea' (And he's told me this like a million times before!!)
Then he asked what a mango tree is called and after a few seconds (of intense thought) i said 'maav'
Yes, he's got a proud smile on his face.
SCORE! yippee! :)

Next, we see pinapple,pepper,turmeric,fern,tapioca,yam etc etc. My Dad's the best..i mean he'll just smell the leaf and say what tree or plant it is! heh.
MAN.
I wasnt bad either.. he asked me to smell the mango and turmuric leaves and i guessed right! ha ha. Although i could make out from the leaf itself! :P

Then he asked me what tree bears fruit on it's trunk?
WHAT KIND OF A QUESTION IS THAT??
And then i gave myself another score when i said

1)Cocoa
2)Papaya
He said 3) Jackfruit
Now why didnt i think of that? Didnt realise that!

He even smelt the tapiocca leaf and confirmed it. My claim was that it was PAPAYA..ha ha..thats funny! (It was a small plant! who can make out?? apparently he can!)



And then he asked me one last.
And i'm like thats just some money plant.
Poor Dad could have disowned me! ha ha.
It was Vanilla!
And I was like .. “Oh, yes…”
Ah, so that was a very nice walk. It’s always nice to walk with him.He knows a plant when he sees one and even the biological name sometimes. And about my knowledge of plants, NO COMMENT.
Heh :P

P.S. During my walk through our backyard in kerala, I almost went through a HUGE spider web!
Eeew.. yep, a nice juicy spider looked back at me. Woah.
I wish i'd taken pics this yr! so these photos are all compliments of google image search! heh :)

The Dark side of Spiderman

Our friendly neighbourhood Spiderman. The superhero with the spider senses fighting crime. Every kids' hero.
Or not?
Spiderman 3 is loaded with a whole new dark side to our superhero who is up against Sandman and Venom.
Are we ready for his dark persona?
May 4th.

Will it blow us away like the previous 2 movies? Lets wait and watch.

Arranged marraiage Vs Love marriage

Here i am contemplating about what i must be doing today. Studying or
not studying. After a movie, an hour of of spulrging, a snack of
nuts and listening to freedom by george michael on the idiot box, i
think we all know where this day is headed.
Now where does this much debated over topic come in?Yesterday, we hosted a dinner at home for some of my Mom and Dad's
friends from work. After a 4 day busy schedule at the conference held
in coimbatore, it was time to kick those medical shoes off and have a
darn good time! So,between the cleaning up of my room and the front
room i was getting the load on the big Abhi-Ash bolly-good wedding and
the full lowdown on the ramblings of the die hard fanatic
whats-her-name Jhanvi Kapoor or is it Naina?.
What a day it was! A big bolly wedding with all the whos who attending
it, a Big B look alike, a fanatic, and other look alikes hogging their
few minutes of the limelight.
Yes, so back to the big dinner. I met Janet, who's a Doctor of medical
education from England,Ralph and Debbie from America also in the same
field, Dr Rashmi, Dr Rita,Dr Bill and Dr Avinash. Some of them were more Indian than most Indians i've seen!
It was very nice talking to them. Americans have a very good sense of
humour i must say. And dry humour at that. All those opinions of a
nasty American society were soon kicked out of my mind like a football
racing towards the goal. They were very entertaining, very polite, very
passionate about their work, very humble people. They had respect for
not only people from their own community but also other commnities. The
driver who had accompanied them around told us that they had gotten
very close to all of them and they were all sad that they were leaving.
Now, thats what you call breaking the language barrier.
My mom and dad had an arranged marriage and they were all ears when it
was the time for story telling. Stories of how they got married and
how my siblings and i came into existence :) and how we settled here.
Then came the wedding photos and a whole lot of ooohs and aaahs.
Some of them had gone shopping and it was time for show and tell!
Vibrant Sarees with a lot of detailed prints and beautiful rustic
colours and jewellery. They were so amused by everything. And what i
loved the most was that they gave you so much personal attention.
So mum was telling them about the traditions in North India about how
they would choose a good girl for their son. They apparently would send
a fish to the girl's home and she would have to clean it properly and
send it back! Another way was that she would have to make those pappadams (forgot
what they call it in NOrth India.. the roasted ones) without burning
them!
So they asked sis and i if we were prepared for that! ha ha.. She told
them those customs were pretty ancient these days and we all sighed a
big sigh of relief and had a good laugh! :)
So are you up for an arranged marriage?
1. Secure
2. Merging of two families
3. Having faith in your parents decision
4. Adjusting with the man/ woman in your life

Or Love marriage?
1. Risky.
2. May lead to breaking up a family.
3. May lead to disrespecting your parents.
4. Responsiblity for your actions
5. Being under scrutiny

Mix of both?
Convenient. Everybodys happy.

In both cases,the extreme case, i think, is the worst. Otherwise i
respect both marriages.
Extreme case:
1)Desperately in love. Can't live without him/her. You've decided to
elope without the consent of your parents. Now thats crap.Total
disrespect.You've lived your entire life with your parents.They've
brought you up. And now you're acting smart and acting like you're an
adult. Absolute nonsense. Big stab in the back for the parents if you
ask me.

2) Arranged to marry some big shot,nasty snob with loads of money but
nothing else worth talking about. Pretty sad.

3) Getting married like before you can blink, and getting money/dowry
involved and the fact that you havent seen each other.

All you unmarried people out there, Please stand firm about not
accepting dowry or giving dowry. Lets banish this together. We should
because we can. It'll do you good.
Being dropped at the altar can be heart breaking. I know someone who
went through that. I don't think anyone should go through that.I'll
leave it to God.
Peace.