Sharing is Caring!!

..We are heading towards festive season...with winters around the corner.I can feel the chill now days and dewdrops in Lawn ...Seasons start with new hopes and joys,spare a thought for those who cannot enjoy or have never seen any kind of luxuries...Sharing is caring...
Service to Humanity is service to almighty...
With winters hitting back we need to replenish the Closet and see what inn..but before that...try to to take a time to get the old stuff out from the closet ...all that has been lying and off no use or something that you had worn out ,not in fashion or d-clutter  the house..I often see people wearing over size clothes specially females getting into bargain deals and ending up giving pregnant look..for no reason jus to save some bucks...Saving money is good but not to the end of spoiling our own personality..I am not telling you to squander money but at least wear something that fits you well and in fashion saving couple of Dollars.Be a smart shopper,look for good coupons or rewards and get awesome deals at top notch stores..Get the best ,that it gives you a classy look..Simple yet good looking..not going overboard with other things,I would request you all to  donate old stuff and  buy one good apparel this season ,it can be anything... lets give a boost to economy and same time ,help those who are in need..its always the common people like us who help each other!
Whats inn..
Waist coats with double buttons ,knee length.... belted ones look good if you are fit..
Solid colors are always in fashion they never go out...

Clean ,simple seamless jackets  some with abercrombie and fitch has unique styles and lines,Gap and old navy is very reasonable, has cool stuff to offer.

 

For men I would suggest ..simple straight pants without pleats,they look trendy and always in fashion.Denims boot cut look great,straight or tapered denims are as per physique for men.
females..Leggings in wool are in fashion with long sweaters and belt them to give a waist cut or long sweat shirts ,Jeggings came inn..that's a combo of jeans and leggings ,they are good but not as comfy as leggings..I tried one:)

For festive season try keeping some solid dark colors for shirts ,for men with some festive ties..keeping a contrast rather then matching..underneath a suit I would suggest a small collared shirt worn without a tie gives an impression of tuxedo..(a tip)

Cuff-links are always welcome ,try some trendy one this season.
Females..keep a shimmer tops one or two in closet..for festive season works with shrugs or wraps or otherwise worn with dress pants ..no pleated ones please..!! straight flowing pants with big cuffs.

Caps..I would suggest just simple ones wool or cotton ,men look good with simple caps or hats or jus a logo looks more trendy..

Fur jackets gives a heavy look I am not a fur person,but its good to keep furry things..I would suggest black or sand color goes well and give a neutral look in Crowd!for men and women.

Last but not the least..keep a smile and confidence with positive attitude while hitting a party..and drink plenty of water to keep skin glowing...and go slow ...
No drunk Driving!

Oh Boy!

...Kids sometimes act very funny....this incident happened two weeks back...my hubby was at home that time luckily...My older one came from school ..who is in third grade...he is usually pampered by his dad ..so he probably looks for dad if he needs something...I being  little strict ..he usually tells my husband about his needs...

so kevin said..Dad I need a Bible..the teacher asked for it.

..looking at him I said...why do you need a bible?..I had mentioned during your enrollment our nationality and religion in the forms..

Shrinking his brows...he said...

I have to get that ,most of the kids in my class got it!I asked ..Did Mukund get that too?as he is the only Indian boy with him..

 (kevin)

he said ..yes!I told him to wait for a day I will talk to his teacher over the phone and confirm the reason,but I forgot..so he said its the last day today ..and if I don't get it I am not going to school tomorrow..My husband looked at the clock it was quarter to nine... he told my son to come with him to the store ,the book store closes at nine..as they reached the store he took him to bible section and told him to take one which  the teacher asked for...

Kevin looked around and said this is not what I want ...this is not a" bible" teacher asked..there was a lady standing next to him she laughed looking at my son.

Its big one...has holes and spring in them...the lady laughed louder...

my husband standing next to our boy felt embarrassed ..and told him this is the only Bible in this world OK

then ..looking at him he tried to figure out the description he was giving ...he asked my son ..is it a Binder? they want!!

Yes..he laughed ..ya..I want that! my husband then took him to school supplies and showed him one!

he picked one and came home..

I looked at my son who was laughing ,looking at the binder ..and I thought its good, I forgot to call the teacher as it would be embarrassing for me too!!!

Kids can be so funny ...its like a real life joke...

Sequel(What do you say?)

..In my previous blog...I had written about one of my close friends ANU..her preferences and expectations for life partner...to which I read many views ...
The reason I am writing a sequel on this..is I would like to clear some misconceptions on the views I read .

I think everyone looks for a better companion in life...I have never heard any girl saying she wants to get married to a poor guy..or get a ride on bicycle ..or looking for an illiterate person...I mean when we were in University most of my friends had similar kind of views except few things ..and had set their standards high..Girls from big towns or livin in US always have a class difference with those of villages or people from small towns...Most of us in my friends circle got married as per our choices...and luckily we found one!

Another thing which I would like to discuss here is ....having a mind-set on something and striving for that is nothing wrong..its always the society you move inn raise your standards of living and expectations... most of the Indians we know here in Michigan are Engineers as it has an Auto industry here..The Big three(GM,Ford,Chrysler)and they all have "DECENT"Cars...Indian community here ,the educated people ..professionals.. I am talking about ..the people I know ,have expensive houses and luxury cars...so its no big deal to find a person having all these ...and may be moving in that crowd as we have a common friend circle ...Anu has some expectations from life and partner!!!

Joint family was another factor ...Its good as long as it works in the family and respect each others decisions...but no compulsions...I would not harbor that thought since parents are precious for everyone and laying conditions before getting married not to live in joint family is considered not so good....things workout once we get into that situation ...and we know many Educated families here where parents live separately as they need their own space from their kids and keeping cordial relation with them....but on any Social gathering we see them together..
Lemme tell you I live in a joint family..so to me living close to my family is very important I get a feeling of security!
Anu had jus given her preferences ,but if it was a guy instead of her ,,,,he would look for some Queen in India ..expecting lot of things in dowry since he is US returned and even after that he would lay some conditions on her before bringing her to US.
And guys ...wait for few years we are not far from that age n era when girls gonna keep conditions too like boys before marriage ..see the rate of female infanticides..where the population of females is declining  ..there will be a bride hunting at every nook and corner..

Marriage to me is love and respect ..with adjustments ...and keeping the temperament in control...the real story of life begins
AFTER**
:)

what do you say?

(this is not anu's picture)

..I met ANU last week at a party ...Quite a stunner..... ..I met her almost after six months...(she resembles the girl on the picture here)
we had a game at the pool table..I had some time to talk to her...so we started on a personal note..
I asked what happened to your IDs on social networking sites..
she has deleted all her IDs on these sites...but many of her friends are there in my frds list..so we had a discussion..,she said
..its ..very time consuming..and any guy you talk wants a commitment..which I cannot afford to do right now!!
I know many guys personally also but ..I have my preferences which I need to see before I go for a commitment ..I am personally a very practical person..I have my set of needs which I think needs to be taken care off ,before starting a married...life..
I asked ,like What?
Anu is couple of years younger to me.....
..She said..Hermen"the Guy has to be tall at least six feet if not more,she is five eight..
he has to be attractive if not good looking ...complexion can be wheatish..I was smiling looking at her..he has to be educated ..at least an engineer ..Doctor would be even better...
Its not I am looking for money..only ..he has to be grounded..clean habits..any Indian..guy!! my parents are open, if sikh, it has to be clean shaven ....she is a sikh too..
I cannot live in joint family ,so ...and I eat non-veg..so no vegans...
he should have a house of his own ,a decent Car..like Lexus, Ferrari would be better....I don't mind Benz also..:)I looked at her ..she was seriously telling me while playing the pool...
At these social networking sites there are ..only people who are idle!!the Rich and successful consume their time on work and making money!
I asked her do you drink? she said occasionally...and would prefer ..one who drinks occasionally too.. not a drunkard!!or a teetotaler
Anything else, I asked her...she looked at me and laughed loudly ..blushingly..she asked "you have someone in mind"for me
I said ,NO...not at least in this life...its not possible...
she asked.. why?
You have to step down dear!!I told her
and compromise on something....
she said ok...then ..I will compromise..
..He has to be Rich for sure...
..he has to be educated....
LEXUS will do....I am not interested in Benz
..From US preferably...no FOB
(Fresh off the Boat)
..tall ,at least Six feet.....
Anu said....I think these are pretty reasonable demands...

...what do you say??

life on a blimp..UP

I had a draft of this lying since last few months ..when I first saw the movie..I was totally flattered ..by the director s imagination..and when it won The Oscar I knew it was the best..Movie in animation Category.
...For those who have not seen this movie..UP..an Animation ..very close to life..Surreal ..life on blimp ,UP is a MUST ,to see movie.

I have seen this movie couple of times in fact its always there whenever I wanna see..The first time I saw I got emotional how short the life is!!!it relates to every ones life,though an animation but for all ages...

Up is also thoroughly grounded in real emotion and ideas of substance
Scene to scene it captures your imagination how ..from a childhood friends to sweethearts to a married couple...Ups and downs in life ...and then the Final stage of OLD age...where one partner leaves another...Carl and Elle

Being alone and wishes to fulfil ..Carl and his house soaring into the sky, where they go up, up and away and off to an adventure in South America...
The blimp..... Though the initial images of flight are wonderfully rendered — the house shudders and creaks and splinters and groans as it’s ripped from its foundation by the balloons....

The first half is excellent ...how tie changes with age....and then ultimately grey hair and a cane in hand..and second half ..how difficult life is on blimp...and a pint size stranger to add problems...I would say..its a matter of one .. prick and there is gonna be nothing....that's what life is!!

....it is a beautiful movie. Shows that innocence, aspirations,relationships, humanity, life's disappointments, bitterness and renewal of spirit can be masterfully communicated through the medium of animation.

...leaving the rest to see..and not to break the suspense....a superb piece of Art!

I Will Miss him!!

My hubby is all set to move to Canada for three months,to support a new launch...
Working as an Engineer with his team...they notified him saying, you have to leave on Monday ..I was little upset since its gonna be too long this time though mom n dad are here with me...he usually goes for a week ..within US but this is another country...
A very pleasant person,when he saw me upset ...said I am not goin to Iraq for war..its the company that needs help from us and they are paying an incentive for that!!!
To me ..money doesn't matter ..if you have to leave your dear ones...but he is so dedicated to his work that he did not refuse looking at situation company is passing through ...he could have refused or raised his demands ...I prayed ..last night to get a solution out ..of this problem....
He heard my prayer coincidentally ..and immediately told God ..not to answer her prayer ...I laughed looking at him...who usually doesn't pray or performs any rituals like me...

Why men are made like that?

Makes ME Hungry :)

...Reading lots of blogs on Food and recipes...Some are so good that whenerver I tried they came out soo oo very good that I bet the similiar kind you would get in Restaurants ever.....
The Kashmiri style food or Rajasthani Daal Baati or Bengali style Fish or down South Indian Style Rava Dosa ...Man sitting in my office ,wheneverI get time to read ..I feel so hungry...
I think only about food ....Recently this Guy..who had posted with pictures when he visited some place where they sell street food ,lemme give you the link...so that you feel hungry too :)
http://finelychopped-k.blogspot.com/2010/09/once-upon-time-in-fort-pancham-puri.html..
Look at these pictures...all tempting things shown ...even menu card is over there ..and the blogger has converted into US dollars too..so very kind of him......I felt like flying back home and visiting these places...Awesome!!!
There is so much variation and variety in food ...its like a never ending thing....I like to cook ,so jus try to gather all good recipes and visit blogs...Recently I made my blogger Friend UMA's ...one of the recipes...
Dum Aloo..its originally a kashmiri food..but this thing came out so well..I got so many compliments for my cooking,thanks to my friend UMA...
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5427298207359714908
Cooking is an Art ...very innovative.....It needs patience and time too....I always plan ahead what I have to cook ..looking at the grocery available at home....The best part is to bookmark the simple recipes posted day today...and jus try them when you want to get out of regular routine!
Food has always been a passion for me..cooking I learnt jus few years back ..I was a spoilt kid ,but Coming to US made me learn this..which eventually helped me a lot....
I think its an essential part of life ...to cook ,there are many who live on store made food ...or may be they never tasted the simple home made food.
Its always I read all these blogs (food)during afternoon in my office ...as I am little free and can browse net...but immediately ..Hunger programme starts after reading these blogs...the worst part is there is no Indian joint or restaurants near my work place...in fact there is only one which is about four miles from here...
which leaves me in a bad shape...

Back to School!

....recently we had a "Back To School" thing going inn here at US...after almost three months of vacation the kids are back to school..in New grades and new set of teachers...Almost everywhere in News or otherwise the whole "Back to school" scene was created..All school supplies were on SALE ...every store had a special kinda treats for kids.
There is a whole big School supplies list which is handed over to kids at the end of the session for next year...This business industry runs on this...
Its Mandatory for every kid..and kids also get encouraged with new set of things.
My older one went to third grade this year...he had his list of things ..which he handed over to us...
He A big fan of Tony Hawk ... (for those of you who dont know who tony Hawk is?,,,he is a skate boarder I also came to know from my kid only :) The younger one went to pre-school ...two days a a week..for two and half hours.. But its a big relief for me that school has started ,no more fighting or messing up at home... Back to routine as Back to school.
I went back to memories ,when we were kids,these kids today enjoy everything ,they are privileged ones!born in luxuries.... though we studied in best schools in India but still looking at the kids I wonder how they will behave when they have to carry heavy bags or do homework everyday for two hours or preparing for monthly tests and then Appearing for Grand finale ...they will pass out...
...No they don't do that over here if you are wondering ,not in third grade at least ..jus more fun in school and one page Homework...for which my son shows his tantrums....
I remember when my Dad was posted in Delhi and I studied in Army public School standing and waiting for school bus in winters with our Blazers and jus woolen socks and shoes ,no heat in the bus ..jus bundle our self ,heavy bags we had, a peer pressure to do well ..most of the teachers were army officers wives ..and mom n dad knew them very well ....so nothing was hidden from anyone....which was very sad for me at that time..I wanted to change school and move to Loreto Convent ,Got admission ...but DAD said NO...at the end moment.
School supplies were jus limited no Brand names we had jus simple and decent looking stuff...more focused on studies ... ..DAD always believed in getting us in good schools but a very simple day to day living....I never had any big brand names till college nor did I demand anything, my best friend in college was Army officer's daughter too ,so she had a similar life style so no competition between us, we always excelled Academically ...very satisfied with our looks and thoughts unlike others.... Today when I look at my own kids playin with all hi tech stuff at this age and younger son who is jus three and half year old knows, how to handle computer and mouse ..surprises me ...who plays Disney games on PC...
Sometimes I feel an ERA has passed..when I see a Drastic change ....in kids and me as a parent too..

Deal!

..."Seal the Deal" is a very common term used in Corporates ...But what if its used in Matrimony...
kinda surprising??
Dowry system is very popular in India...it was there ever since we are Born but the standards have been raised or..Greed has grown with inflation or Peer pressure.....
I was actually surprised when one of my online friends who is all set to get married ,looking for a girl in matrimonial sites or otherwise ...told me that he got an offer for fifteen lacs,Cash as deal with rest of the stuff ...as the girl is not so Good looking...so the offer is made by girls parents and not him...
When I asked him ..why he is stooping so low?kinda shaking his Soul,I actually showed him the mirror!! .. money for a partner of lifetime ,I asked ..he said ...its not him ..but his people at home who are interested ..looking at the money...but he refused as he is not interested in girl or money....
this is not the first time I heard this....there are numerous stories ...
Gauri was one of the girls in our neighborhood in India...got married where the deal was set to twenty two lacs...it happened recently.... the Guy is frm Gurgoan in IBM and his family has actally priced him in the Market...Gauri is good looking girl working in a bank as ABM ...but her parents said...We had to make a deal elsewhere too...so at least these people are educated..
I would ask here from girls parents...
what kind of eduction is this?
1)Why is there so much desperation...to get rid of your own kid?
I mean same amount of money spent on her studies or some better professional course ..where she is self sufficient ...and lay ground rules for getting your child married to some decent people... so much greed..what guarantee is there that these people will be satisfied with twenty two lacs....
2) why do we forget that we are the people who make laws of society and later repent on them...no wonder why female infanticide is there....Coz Greed cannot be fulfilled and people are gender biased now....
And guys when you ask for Dowry ,think how can you have a peaceful married life ..where one partner will always have hatred for squeezing money out of others pocket...
..We actually give Ideas to people that this is possible and marriages can be easy..in this form...

its a SHAME!!!

..BLOGS...

..I was recently going through a Blog ....it had immense fan following though the blog was kinda okay I found...I went to the Archive to check the posts ....to see the writings and to know what makes so many people read this blog....
I didn't find any thing interesting ... but the comments were more then eighty ....or so...
I was in a dilemma...
1)Should I write a comment ...it will be lost in this sea of Comments...
2)The blog owner doesn't respond to anyone so there is no value of our comment I guess...
"I Give a Damn"attitude was seen!!!
...My question is...why do we forget general courtesy? or is it an general habit of human kind to follow blindly if one is blind....or open a Blind Hospital like this BLOG.
Please give your opinion on this!

CAROL.

...there are many people in this world to offer help ..but did you ever think how many genuinely want to help or offer help out of their pocket.
Very few.... may be few in hundreds ...
Carol I met last month ,a blond who came to place an order.....
Very lively and pleasant person ...speaking in Hindi I was in fact surprised when she said "hey DESI girl"??
Speaking in Hindi ....I asked Carol , how she can speak and understand Hindi ...
this is how the story goes...
Carol had a bad marriage ,got divorced and totally Broke... she was out of her job and totally in a mess with her daughter...being a single mom nowhere to go...accidentally she met Anand who is an IT engineer working as supervisor in some company in Michigan..looking at her, Anand offered her a help ...taking her as a sister and keeping her in an apartment with him ..took care of her ..and helped her financially by paying her car insurance and her day to day needs.... carol was in tears when she told me this story ..she cooked for Anand ..learned Indian cooking for his brother and then Anand found a job for this sister.....the help didn't stop here.... he then started looking a guy for Carol to settle her and started interviewing guys thou the final choice Carol had to make...and then Greg was the was the guy she married ..its been a ten yrs since Carol knows Anand..
Carol is settled now and happy with her life....
Anand is marrying Jenifer this month and all rights were given to Carol to choose and interview the girl for Anand and it has to be Carol s final word for the marriage...
..Carol gave me a hug when leaving my office ..she was in tears ..I tried to calm her ..but she had all praises for Indian culture and Anand..
Its always we remember people who help us in hard times ...and specially when help is done financially ..its only if you have,then you support others or only generous hearts can do that...kind of help.