I am back again....
Was kind of busy during the weekend for obvious reasons and didnt get a chance to post...
I am glad that raj finally made his second first post (coz the first actually was just the intro) on the blog. The reason behind me saying that 'I am glad' is coz he made a post that too in the weekend those two days he would completely utilize just to watch movies, watch movies and watch movies... And that what turns me off coz for the whole week, I stay all alone at the home and I expect him to spend some time with me. In contradiction, as he works during the whole week, he expects me to let him completely relax with the movies. So there the fight always starts :D
And of course I am the one who finally compromises.
I finally helped myself to come out of that bad mood....
So I thought I should include few tips that might be helpful for people like me to switch from bad mood to good mood....
Right now I am very coooollll (coz my brain is in the refrigerator..hehhehehe).....
Of course...I get into bad mood with very high frequency....
In fact everyone has a bad mood now and then; they are simply a part of life. Sooner or later, the bad mood passes away and life is back to normal. However if you don't want to wait, there are several things you can do to hasten the switch to a good mood.
You could laugh, listen to funny tapes by your favorite comedians. Its hard to feel gloomy while you are laughing. Laughter frees the mind and lightens the soul. Laugh away your bad mood.
Music is also a great mood-changer. Play upbeat music, the kind that makes you feel better. Most of us respond positively to 60-cycle music - music with 60 beats per minute. This kind of music automatically produces a calm, relaxed state. Most 60-cycle music is classical. Compositions by Bach are especially good for chasing away the blues.
Exercise is another way to dissipate a bad mood. Rigorous exercise increases the oxygen level in your brain.
Getting outside helps promote a good mood as well. Cabin fever is no joke. Staying cooped up inside for too long can depress anyone. Your body and your mind need sunlight and fresh air to function at their best.
Do something fun. Too may of us don't seem to have much fun anymore. Plan it, schedule it - and do whatever it takes to make it happen regularly. Remember that old cliche: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." And when Jack is a dull boy, he is also in a bad mood. Make sure you have enough play time in your life.
Increase your stimulation. Do something creative. Do something silly. Get a massage or a manicure. Go shopping. Clean up your house or your office. Take a drive.
Eventually, a bad mood will disappear all by itself.
The right activities can hasten its departure...
huhhhhh....I now need to take a cup of mocha frappuccino (my favorite coffee)....
Wishing you all a very happy mood...
Signing offf........
Hima
A place where V still talk and U still listen :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Post Office
Hi all....
Oops... sorry for not showing up yesterday...
But I have a valid reason yaar... It took me a while to bring myself out of the friday night's effect.
By the way... I have some childhood thoughts to share wid u all... I slept a lot for the last couple of days and now I am not falling asleep anymore. And so I thought I would use the time and sleeplessness to let you know some of the stuff in life I have usually avoided talking about....And when I logged into my blog, I saw that Hima already made her first post. Of course all of you know that I am no less than her....(male domination in fact)
Now, allow me to delve into your mind for a couple of minutes.
And here we go.....
Perhaps for reasons best known to them, my elders decided to invest a certain amount of money intended to be mine, in -- The Post Office.
Yes, its the government one that I am talking about.
Its the only one which has one of the oldest buildings in my city as its workplace. If which you would pass by, will fill your ears with an unpleasant 'banging' sound; of stamping on the mails.
Indeed, the place where you get brilliantly coagulated brown glue with an equally brown, glue-coated brush which I must say is very adamant on not changing its state of absolute hardness, in a sea-blue colored bottle.
My immense skill in making money flow, like water, could have been the reason that it is in there now. Frozen. A fixed deposit of sorts. Clever of them.
As a result of the 'worthy' investment, I was told to collect the interest every month. With great reluctance, I took myself there almost every month. And then came May.
Just successfully done with my final examinations, had a party with friends last night and am desperately in need of sleep. But then it’s the time to collect the interest amount from the post office.
So I woke up early (around 10 am, before you imagine smaller numbers) one fine Saturday morning. Probably one of the toughest things to do in my present life. Cursing the damn post office and the post officer, I readied myself. In the age of e-mail and blogs, here I was, going to the post office. I wondered if I would be the only one who did so.
Shaking off my irritation, I drove to the ancient structure which is sometimes painted to make it look new. Futile attempts of an over-ambitious post office employee perhaps. I parked my vehicle outside the gate and turned around. There was a goat sitting there. Chewing the wall poster paper. Not pretty.
I rushed in. What I saw in there did nothing to make me feel better. There were four very old men inside. Three of them held envelopes determinedly not to misplace them and the fourth man was trying with all might to fill a form. The corpulent post officer sitting in his now fragile chair, counted money. At once, I knew I had to wait.
I waited and watched. It looked as though the form would never be filled. One of the other oldies who was sitting on a dicey bench slipped into a quiet slumber. The other one had engaged himself into a quarrel with the impossible post officer about the cost of certain red stamps. I noticed with a strange look in his eyes, the fourth one was eyeing me. The steady gaze was broken as a crumpled paper hit the ground. The old man had been provided with a new, blank form to re-fill and the old one was thrown off. It is going to be a long day. I took the dicey bench as I knew I had to sit now.
As I sat there, as it usually happens, I digested the fact that I will have to wait forever. Patience overtook and as I waited, something struck me. Something that I was surprised and ashamed did not occur to me before. It was a conscious realization.............
People Do Need The Post Office.
These poor, old men were so desperate to send their letters and save their money, that they were enduring the perpetual taunts of the post officer from almost an hour. Unattended to and reprimanded, they tried to be patient. Patience-One of the virtues which old age brings in. A virtue not very helpful for the aged though.
The men who had a little money probably wanted to deposit it in an account for later use. Probably the only support they have. The men with the letters probably needed financial support. Maybe letters to loan offices. Or letters of requests for money addressed to long gone children. Or perhaps mere hints of their desire for a visit from their loved ones. Attempts to find their ways out of dark and helpless oblivions.
My view had now metamorphosized them into fighters struggling at every step. In the post office, the fighters were fighting one of the smallest battles of their life. The biggest one inevitably was old age.
As I came out of my reverie determined to help the fighters in some way, three of them had already dissappeared. The fourth fighter had just left without the stamps. Perhaps he could not convince the officer. I never knew if the others got their accounts opened or if they could get the right stamps and send their letters. If the letters did reach their destinations and did have requests, I also would never know if they were ever answered.
I finished my job in a minute and walked back outside the gate. Again so immersed in thought that I did not notice the goat! I could not help a smile cut across my somber face when I thought - If I am very rich someday, I should do something for the old.
Thanks for staying with me and listening to me so far....
As always I welcome comments...
C ya allll
Stay safe till we meet again.....
URs Rajjj....
Oops... sorry for not showing up yesterday...
But I have a valid reason yaar... It took me a while to bring myself out of the friday night's effect.
By the way... I have some childhood thoughts to share wid u all... I slept a lot for the last couple of days and now I am not falling asleep anymore. And so I thought I would use the time and sleeplessness to let you know some of the stuff in life I have usually avoided talking about....And when I logged into my blog, I saw that Hima already made her first post. Of course all of you know that I am no less than her....(male domination in fact)
Now, allow me to delve into your mind for a couple of minutes.
And here we go.....
Perhaps for reasons best known to them, my elders decided to invest a certain amount of money intended to be mine, in -- The Post Office.
Yes, its the government one that I am talking about.
Its the only one which has one of the oldest buildings in my city as its workplace. If which you would pass by, will fill your ears with an unpleasant 'banging' sound; of stamping on the mails.
Indeed, the place where you get brilliantly coagulated brown glue with an equally brown, glue-coated brush which I must say is very adamant on not changing its state of absolute hardness, in a sea-blue colored bottle.
My immense skill in making money flow, like water, could have been the reason that it is in there now. Frozen. A fixed deposit of sorts. Clever of them.
As a result of the 'worthy' investment, I was told to collect the interest every month. With great reluctance, I took myself there almost every month. And then came May.
Just successfully done with my final examinations, had a party with friends last night and am desperately in need of sleep. But then it’s the time to collect the interest amount from the post office.
So I woke up early (around 10 am, before you imagine smaller numbers) one fine Saturday morning. Probably one of the toughest things to do in my present life. Cursing the damn post office and the post officer, I readied myself. In the age of e-mail and blogs, here I was, going to the post office. I wondered if I would be the only one who did so.
Shaking off my irritation, I drove to the ancient structure which is sometimes painted to make it look new. Futile attempts of an over-ambitious post office employee perhaps. I parked my vehicle outside the gate and turned around. There was a goat sitting there. Chewing the wall poster paper. Not pretty.
I rushed in. What I saw in there did nothing to make me feel better. There were four very old men inside. Three of them held envelopes determinedly not to misplace them and the fourth man was trying with all might to fill a form. The corpulent post officer sitting in his now fragile chair, counted money. At once, I knew I had to wait.
I waited and watched. It looked as though the form would never be filled. One of the other oldies who was sitting on a dicey bench slipped into a quiet slumber. The other one had engaged himself into a quarrel with the impossible post officer about the cost of certain red stamps. I noticed with a strange look in his eyes, the fourth one was eyeing me. The steady gaze was broken as a crumpled paper hit the ground. The old man had been provided with a new, blank form to re-fill and the old one was thrown off. It is going to be a long day. I took the dicey bench as I knew I had to sit now.
As I sat there, as it usually happens, I digested the fact that I will have to wait forever. Patience overtook and as I waited, something struck me. Something that I was surprised and ashamed did not occur to me before. It was a conscious realization.............
People Do Need The Post Office.
These poor, old men were so desperate to send their letters and save their money, that they were enduring the perpetual taunts of the post officer from almost an hour. Unattended to and reprimanded, they tried to be patient. Patience-One of the virtues which old age brings in. A virtue not very helpful for the aged though.
The men who had a little money probably wanted to deposit it in an account for later use. Probably the only support they have. The men with the letters probably needed financial support. Maybe letters to loan offices. Or letters of requests for money addressed to long gone children. Or perhaps mere hints of their desire for a visit from their loved ones. Attempts to find their ways out of dark and helpless oblivions.
My view had now metamorphosized them into fighters struggling at every step. In the post office, the fighters were fighting one of the smallest battles of their life. The biggest one inevitably was old age.
As I came out of my reverie determined to help the fighters in some way, three of them had already dissappeared. The fourth fighter had just left without the stamps. Perhaps he could not convince the officer. I never knew if the others got their accounts opened or if they could get the right stamps and send their letters. If the letters did reach their destinations and did have requests, I also would never know if they were ever answered.
I finished my job in a minute and walked back outside the gate. Again so immersed in thought that I did not notice the goat! I could not help a smile cut across my somber face when I thought - If I am very rich someday, I should do something for the old.
Thanks for staying with me and listening to me so far....
As always I welcome comments...
C ya allll
Stay safe till we meet again.....
URs Rajjj....
Friday, July 31, 2009
Determination
I know its 4:05 in the morning. But for some reason, my eyes are in need of sleep but my mind is not.....
So just thought of spending a couple of minutes in posting the first title on the blog and gaining the credit of being the first one to post.... hehehehe.....
I just wanted to share one of the experiences when I visited India for my wedding...
And here it goes.....
Very rarely I visit temples... In spite of the niraharadikshas, bandhs and all the disturbances raised due to this telangana issue, I still somehow managed to go to my all time favorite temple.....
My recent Visit was to Chilukur Balaji Temple. Of course the visit was a pre-planned one as usual, I had gone there to make 108 rounds around the temple as one of my wishes was fulfilled.....The general rule of the temple is that you have to make 11 rounds when you ask for a wish to be fulfilled. Once this wish is fulfilled you have to make 108 rounds.
The purpose of this visit is to make 108 rounds for my fulfilled wish and then 22 rounds for my new wishes.... I had thought of two wishes to ask for. That means I got to make twenty-two rounds. If any of these wishes come true I have to make 108 rounds for each wish. That means if all the wishes come true I got to make 216(2*108) rounds. Actually I had many more wishes to ask for but considering the risk and significance of my wishes, I restricted myself to 2!
We started at my home at 4:45 in the morning. My cousin drove me on his bike. After 45 minutes of journey from my home on those roads with hell lotsa dust and pollution, we reached Chilukur.
And now I recollected the thoughts I had during my very first visit to the temple. As I got down, I could see what makes this temple different from others. There were hoardings and advertisement banners of many coaching institutes, which teach JAVA, SAP, .Net, etc. Also Advertisements of consultants for overseas studies, advertisements of men’s hostel, women’s hostel etc. There were a no. of young men and women wandering around. I said "Wandering around" because I have found many so-called couples there. Should I call them yuppies!! Of course I can as some of them might have come with their wish fulfilled.
For a moment I wondered whether I’ve come to a wrong place like a college festival or a job fair. I confirmed once I got to the inside of the temple. I was taken aback at first. So many people were rushing, walking fast around the temple with some of them running around. We found gaps and went for ‘Dharshan’. This is the only temple probably where you don’t need to give any ‘Dhakshina’. I asked for my 2 wishes. Now came the difficult task of walking around the temple. (108 + 22) seemed easy! I started walking at the speed of the crowd. 5 minutes passed and I made only 2 rounds.(during the 'bussssssiest' times,if u plan on making rounds, all that you have to do is stand in the crowd. You dont even have to walk. They will push you off around the temple along with them in the process of making rounds). That means it is going to take a couple of hours to complete the whole thing. I thought of giving up. Then I heard the Pujari announcing that we can make half the rounds today and the rest latter. Very cooperative pujari! I thought for a while and continued at least to make half of them. I started walking fast and as I walked I made some strange observations.
Unlike other temples, which are meant for oldies, this temple had many young people, which make 90% of the visitors. The average age of the crowd would be somewhere between 23 and 25. People were walking very fast as if they would miss some train if they don’t. I could hear some people saying “81 over”, “only 35”, “10 more left” etc. of course they were referring to the no.of rounds they have made. I heard names of many places most of them in the U.S. like “ Mississippi! Such a cold place yaa”, “Illinois! Good!” “ Is that a state university in Chicago?” etc. Those were the places where many are willing to go for higher studies. And then “when?” This is a big question as they were asking for their date of appointment in the American consulate for visa (the reason for which many come here) or their departure. “21st July”,“23rd July”, “3rd august” etc. came the answers. And also there was one stranger thing in this temple. Apart from the usual devotional songs I could hear some songs like “it’s the time for disco”, “bheegay hoont therey” etc. which of course came from the I-pods or the mobile phones of these youngsters.
I could even hear the poojari saying that the devotees are not supposed to run while making rounds but they are supposed to walk as slowly as a 9 months pregnant woman does. He also announces that chilkur balaji is so good in blessing devotees in respect to their wishes and he fulfills the wishes of the chain snatchers also who will be making rounds along with the devotees. (he then warns the devotees to be cautious and make sure that they still got their gold chains around their neck). This pujari has good sense of humor....
By the time I made 75, I felt a little tired. I thought of giving up. But then, I saw a limp man walking with the help of his crutches. He was also in the crowd making rounds around the temple. I followed him. By the time he made one, I made 2 or sometimes 3. I wondered when he would finish making rounds. Yet in his face and body language, I could find the determination to finish. His determination was my first source of inspiration. The second source being the handsome man in half white and snuff formals. He too seemed very determined. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, such ********* (oh! Sorry govinda! Govinda! ). Then I looked at my cousin who accompanied me. He also seemed determined to finish. I looked at the other devotees and drew inspiration from them. I kept walking at a speed of one round in 45-50 seconds. Two hours passed and I had completed 185! Rounds. Then I reminded myself that I was supposed to do only 130. I’m done with 55(185-130) extra rounds. Then I thought ‘ let this be a down payment. The rest will be paid in installments as and when my wishes come true.
I wonder how successful GOD would be in granting my wishes, but this visit to the temple taught me what determination was, especially the determination shown by the limp man. Also a sense of satisfaction as I finished 108 rounds made me happy. I’m as every body who finishes their 108 rounds would be happy. I wondered for a moment how much satisfaction that limp man might have got. For I also wished that my 55 rounds down-payment be transferred into his account.
The funniest part is that in spite of the pujari repeatedly saying not to talk or run while making rounds, I still noticed people talking among themselves or on the mobile phone. And after completion of the rounds I had to make, I realized that without my notice, I had my concentration more on observing the other devotees rather than chanting the 'venkateswara namam'.
Oops its now 4:35 in the morning. I am glad I am able to wrap up this post in 30 minutes.
Me still not feeling sleepy but would try to kill some time watching a movie....
C ya all in the next post.....
So just thought of spending a couple of minutes in posting the first title on the blog and gaining the credit of being the first one to post.... hehehehe.....
I just wanted to share one of the experiences when I visited India for my wedding...
And here it goes.....
Very rarely I visit temples... In spite of the niraharadikshas, bandhs and all the disturbances raised due to this telangana issue, I still somehow managed to go to my all time favorite temple.....
My recent Visit was to Chilukur Balaji Temple. Of course the visit was a pre-planned one as usual, I had gone there to make 108 rounds around the temple as one of my wishes was fulfilled.....The general rule of the temple is that you have to make 11 rounds when you ask for a wish to be fulfilled. Once this wish is fulfilled you have to make 108 rounds.
The purpose of this visit is to make 108 rounds for my fulfilled wish and then 22 rounds for my new wishes.... I had thought of two wishes to ask for. That means I got to make twenty-two rounds. If any of these wishes come true I have to make 108 rounds for each wish. That means if all the wishes come true I got to make 216(2*108) rounds. Actually I had many more wishes to ask for but considering the risk and significance of my wishes, I restricted myself to 2!
We started at my home at 4:45 in the morning. My cousin drove me on his bike. After 45 minutes of journey from my home on those roads with hell lotsa dust and pollution, we reached Chilukur.
And now I recollected the thoughts I had during my very first visit to the temple. As I got down, I could see what makes this temple different from others. There were hoardings and advertisement banners of many coaching institutes, which teach JAVA, SAP, .Net, etc. Also Advertisements of consultants for overseas studies, advertisements of men’s hostel, women’s hostel etc. There were a no. of young men and women wandering around. I said "Wandering around" because I have found many so-called couples there. Should I call them yuppies!! Of course I can as some of them might have come with their wish fulfilled.
For a moment I wondered whether I’ve come to a wrong place like a college festival or a job fair. I confirmed once I got to the inside of the temple. I was taken aback at first. So many people were rushing, walking fast around the temple with some of them running around. We found gaps and went for ‘Dharshan’. This is the only temple probably where you don’t need to give any ‘Dhakshina’. I asked for my 2 wishes. Now came the difficult task of walking around the temple. (108 + 22) seemed easy! I started walking at the speed of the crowd. 5 minutes passed and I made only 2 rounds.(during the 'bussssssiest' times,if u plan on making rounds, all that you have to do is stand in the crowd. You dont even have to walk. They will push you off around the temple along with them in the process of making rounds). That means it is going to take a couple of hours to complete the whole thing. I thought of giving up. Then I heard the Pujari announcing that we can make half the rounds today and the rest latter. Very cooperative pujari! I thought for a while and continued at least to make half of them. I started walking fast and as I walked I made some strange observations.
Unlike other temples, which are meant for oldies, this temple had many young people, which make 90% of the visitors. The average age of the crowd would be somewhere between 23 and 25. People were walking very fast as if they would miss some train if they don’t. I could hear some people saying “81 over”, “only 35”, “10 more left” etc. of course they were referring to the no.of rounds they have made. I heard names of many places most of them in the U.S. like “ Mississippi! Such a cold place yaa”, “Illinois! Good!” “ Is that a state university in Chicago?” etc. Those were the places where many are willing to go for higher studies. And then “when?” This is a big question as they were asking for their date of appointment in the American consulate for visa (the reason for which many come here) or their departure. “21st July”,“23rd July”, “3rd august” etc. came the answers. And also there was one stranger thing in this temple. Apart from the usual devotional songs I could hear some songs like “it’s the time for disco”, “bheegay hoont therey” etc. which of course came from the I-pods or the mobile phones of these youngsters.
I could even hear the poojari saying that the devotees are not supposed to run while making rounds but they are supposed to walk as slowly as a 9 months pregnant woman does. He also announces that chilkur balaji is so good in blessing devotees in respect to their wishes and he fulfills the wishes of the chain snatchers also who will be making rounds along with the devotees. (he then warns the devotees to be cautious and make sure that they still got their gold chains around their neck). This pujari has good sense of humor....
By the time I made 75, I felt a little tired. I thought of giving up. But then, I saw a limp man walking with the help of his crutches. He was also in the crowd making rounds around the temple. I followed him. By the time he made one, I made 2 or sometimes 3. I wondered when he would finish making rounds. Yet in his face and body language, I could find the determination to finish. His determination was my first source of inspiration. The second source being the handsome man in half white and snuff formals. He too seemed very determined. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, such ********* (oh! Sorry govinda! Govinda! ). Then I looked at my cousin who accompanied me. He also seemed determined to finish. I looked at the other devotees and drew inspiration from them. I kept walking at a speed of one round in 45-50 seconds. Two hours passed and I had completed 185! Rounds. Then I reminded myself that I was supposed to do only 130. I’m done with 55(185-130) extra rounds. Then I thought ‘ let this be a down payment. The rest will be paid in installments as and when my wishes come true.
I wonder how successful GOD would be in granting my wishes, but this visit to the temple taught me what determination was, especially the determination shown by the limp man. Also a sense of satisfaction as I finished 108 rounds made me happy. I’m as every body who finishes their 108 rounds would be happy. I wondered for a moment how much satisfaction that limp man might have got. For I also wished that my 55 rounds down-payment be transferred into his account.
The funniest part is that in spite of the pujari repeatedly saying not to talk or run while making rounds, I still noticed people talking among themselves or on the mobile phone. And after completion of the rounds I had to make, I realized that without my notice, I had my concentration more on observing the other devotees rather than chanting the 'venkateswara namam'.
Oops its now 4:35 in the morning. I am glad I am able to wrap up this post in 30 minutes.
Me still not feeling sleepy but would try to kill some time watching a movie....
C ya all in the next post.....
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Hi allllllll
Hi All..
This is Hima.... I am sure all of u all know me as Mrs. Raj
Well even I am having a boring day waiting for him.
So thought that I would add up a pinch of spice to his blog.
Also when Raj said that he is planning to start his own blog, I again realized that its my responsibility to share half of his work (being his better half).
So ala jarigindhannamaata...
Yenti asalu wishayam cheppakunda ee sutthi antha anukuntunnara?
Anukunna parledhulendi... Manalo manaki em undhi.....
Actually introduction aithe oka range lo icchaanu kaanee ee roju em raayali anedhi alochinchaledhannamaata....
So em cheppaalannadhi alochinchi repu ide time ki ikkade kalusthaanu......
oh.... hoooooo
Just be a little patient to see whats in store for u......
See u all tomorrow.....
Tataaaa
Your's Hima
This is Hima.... I am sure all of u all know me as Mrs. Raj
Well even I am having a boring day waiting for him.
So thought that I would add up a pinch of spice to his blog.
Also when Raj said that he is planning to start his own blog, I again realized that its my responsibility to share half of his work (being his better half).
So ala jarigindhannamaata...
Yenti asalu wishayam cheppakunda ee sutthi antha anukuntunnara?
Anukunna parledhulendi... Manalo manaki em undhi.....
Actually introduction aithe oka range lo icchaanu kaanee ee roju em raayali anedhi alochinchaledhannamaata....
So em cheppaalannadhi alochinchi repu ide time ki ikkade kalusthaanu......
oh.... hoooooo
Just be a little patient to see whats in store for u......
See u all tomorrow.....
Tataaaa
Your's Hima
Hi alll
The work I do to fill my pockets is becoming a daily routine kind of a thing and so I thought it would be a better idea if I could spend a couple of minutes here to share some of my thoughts with others.
Of course maintaining a blog would be a perfect idea for anyone to while away time in a creative manner..
What do you say???
I know your answer is a 'YES'
For the time being, I have just planned on the introduction.
So very soon I will be seeing you with interesting posts.
Signing off
Your's Raj
So very soon I will be seeing you with interesting posts.
Signing off
Your's Raj
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