Petrichor

Our sudden plans to go out camping did not work out due to sheer laziness. Weekend Vetti- Officers ! To make up, we played some long lost shuttle at a nearby park...loved it! I happened to go to an Indian grocery shop(that I generally don't prefer going to). "Okra $0.99/lb" did make me go in happily, though. Pona, it was a mini thiruvizha there. I could not help think that Parents who come here from India have a ball in the Indian stores. They discuss so much. I felt like rushing over to tell, "mami, its just a bigger version of our local market". All the Okra was pretty much gone. While I was thadavifying whatever was left, I could not help overhear people say, " Ayyo amma, vendakai kadaikave kadaikathu; ippo theriyartha, ivlo kootathle nan epdi thaniya vanthu vanguven? That's why I bring him along ". And their sweet ammas reply, " theriyarthu ma. romba kashtam thaan ". Indian Grocery shopping is a major event here!! Watched Babel too!...

My happiness exceeded all boundaries when I found a copy of 'Harry Potter 7' at a friend's place & was glad to share her extra copy with me. Needless to say, that I talked, walked, ate Harry Potter over the weekend! Anyways, the book is amazing;I simply loved it. Duh! This was the first time ever I managed to grab a book on the release date. I did read reviews(gladly stuck to those that did not reveal the story & spoil the fun). This book is definitely my favorite among the entire series, followed closely by 'Half-Blood Prince'. But half-way into the book, I could not help but realize that there is going to be no more of Harry Potter. As someone said, I wish Potter could go to school a couple more years. :-( Quite a fistful of the good guys die :-(. But I can live with it. The fact that a lot of Dumbledore in this book makes up for the fact that he is not alive anymore. He is truly the hero. Me felt that there is no Harry Potter without Dumbledore. Well! he...

I am an ardent Harry Potter reader/fan. There is no way I can miss a movie/not read a book however bad it can get. As I mentioned before, " Order of the Phoenix " is definitely not my fav(too long & too many things happen), I was witnessing this amazing reviews on IMDB & friends about the special effects. Unfortunately, Gandalf continues to be Dumbledore(Gandalf can be Gandalf! He cannot be Dumbledore!!! *personal lamenting*). Also, this was the first part I was watching after reading the book. Initially, I used to wait until I watched the movie before reading the book, so I remain unknown of what was going to happen. Guess what: I should've continued doing that. But that means I would have to wait over a year to read the book. No way! This movie is a total let down according to me. Well! I did not see the movie to know what happens. I knew it. Just wanted to see it visually. But, all those small things that made the book complete, were missed out on the movie. Th...

Sivaji- the Boss I was rather forced to watch "Sivaji" last weekend. By this time, the blogosphere is already filled with the movie's reviews & clips. But, hear me, as a non-Rajini fan! Firstly, my better half is an ardent fan of the Superstar (he clapped in the theatre when the name came up on the screen "&*#@!") I am not a big fan of anyone in the Tamil film industry. My humble view that Tamil movies lack a lot of logic(realization dawned with the familiarity of English movies) remain strong. So, there I go. Camera3 in San Jose downtown had probably fewer than 25 people.(almost a month after the release, so justified!!!) Then the movie started to a few claps(US version of "biggles", I guess) & there it started. It is a known fact that the make-up artist did a fantastic job! Rajini looked 20 yrs younger. Shriya looked beautiful too. I did read a couple of reviews that the movie is a spoon of "Gentleman", a bunch of "Anniyan...

You Have Not Been Ruined by American Culture You're nothing like the typical American. In fact, you may not be American at all. You have a broad view of the world, and you're very well informed. And while you certainly have been influenced by American culture (who hasn't?), it's not your primary influence. You take a more global philosophy with your politics, taste, and life. And you're always expanding and revising what you believe. Has American Culture Ruined You?

I am back after a short visit to my dentist. I was so glad to find a Tamilian-Indian dentist & was trying to explain my pain to her in Tamil. Wow! Though she understood whatever I said, she never said a word in Tamil. Is she breaking any code if she converses in any language but English? It surprises me! I see Mexicans converse in Spanish whenever they meet. Even people from other parts of India converse in their mother-tongue when they meet someone from their land. I am not promoting my language here, nor do I believe in the correlation between patriotism & languages. But come on, a little drop of English sure does not hurt, does it? Or is it just me?

I am sitting in the airport now, ready(or probably not) to go home. What a trip! What an experience! I met a whole bunch of people whom I've never met in my entire life. I ended up doing all that I planned, a little that I did not plan. All turned out for the good. I really don't know if my mind is heavy with 2 weeks of vacation or light with the relief that I've landed in Alaska. It surely is a great land! The people are amazing too! Well, I am dozing off right now. Sleepy flight home :-(

Today is a continuation of my life-changing experience in Alaska. I met so many animals & so many different people. Interestingly, most of the people I met have been to India. And all of them love the place. I even wrote "Vanakkam" in tamil in one of the homes. Travellers are so open & practical. No airs. Its probably the travel that made them so. I, so long, a learner. And yeah! I was an instrument in murdering close to a million bugs :( Part of life!

I am on the road now & have opened my thinking cap, probably. "Innikenna kelame naalaikenna kelame Ada naalpaathu naalpathu thunggathedaa Ponaa thirumbathudaa vaalke perumbaaduda" Sivakasi sonna correct a thaane irukum :-) This road trip has been intimidating my ego so far. I have experienced so much that made me realize that we are not on the top of the food chain. Some things exist, they cannot be possessed. ALASKA is a living example. Keeping my arms open to embrace what the day offers!

Just a random thought crossed my mind while I was entering Walmart this morning(don't bother about that; my mind thinks of a million things at the least expected times). Why do I blog? Why do people blog? Interestingly, I came up with these options. 1. I have a lot to say & nobody to hear. 2. I observe a lot that is cool to pen down. 3. I want to hear other's views on what I feel & write. 4. Just a hobby. 5. Lots of time to kill. 6. Everyone has a blog these days. 7. When I read other's blog or write my own, I think a lot. In the process of writing, I end up observing even more of what is happening around me. Just WOL! (Wondering Out Loud)

I am from a Catholic school & I more or less know the life of Jesus. I've never watched "The ten commandments" during Good Friday or Easter back in India. I can be unpredictable when it comes to such movies. I happened to pick this dvd from the library last week. Wondering how easily I got hold of such a hard-to-get movie, I later realized that it was the Hebrew version. I would not have understood head or tail of it but for the subtitles. It started slow, but I got into it soon enough, probably because, I knew bits & pieces of the story already. On the other hand, the movie put my hubby to sleep after mentioning that I like & watch all "saamy padams" :-) No doubt, the movie was gross & grueling when it came to showing the torture on Jesus. I would gladly throw up on some of those scenes ie., when the Jew soldiers fit a thorned fence on his head, the prior torture scene beating him until the very last crucification. No one deserves such torture f...

We planned to stay back home for Memorial day weekend. A local hike found its way one day! Dipsea trail from Muir Woods to Stinson Beach. RT 10 miles. Photos from the hike:

The time to be happy is now The place to be happy is here And the way to be happy is to make someone happy.... This old song from school just flashed my mind :)

A poem I came across for Mother's day written by a mother. "I love you" - Carl Sandburg I sit here quietly Watching them while they sleep I wonder And my heart is torn How my love for them Grew so strong That I feel breathless It sometimes even hurts Yet I am never tired Of watching their little faces As they sleep. I can see That they are running In their dreams Their legs move Back and forth... Are they on a beach? Or in green grass fields? So what if when I am tired They ruin the room again Are they not the reasons Which makes me forget every pain Oh Lord! Tell me How possibly could I live? Before I was a mother I never knew this bliss. Be thoughtful for your mom always and treat your mother like a princess everyday. That can be the most wonderful gift to your mom.

I have my own reservations about Walmart & their products. I shop selectively though. For a minute, I thought differently. Last saturday, I had to be somewhere & I was late. Only when I entered the car, did I realize I did not have my purse, which had my license(& credit cards & SSN card & Costco card & ATM card & a couple of blank checks)! I had to be somewhere. So, sweet hubby brought along some books(to read while I was gone) to give me a ride, wait there a couple hours before he could pick me up. :-) Half way, I realized I could not concentrate there when I had lost my purse. So, made a U turn home & check & re-check where all I had been. Ran a flash back & soon realized Walmart was my last stop. So, called them. The lady at 'lost & found' was on a break. I was asked to call back in an hour. Knowing my nature, hubby offered to drive there & check out personally, thinking we may give better information about where I ' might...

I am a control freak! Yeah. I like certain things to be done certain way & I push people(a little) to do it that way(a.k.a my way) & I give advice to others not to push their friends/kids. What a hypocrisy! Well! I am not a bad person. I don't want people to do things my way just because I want them to follow my orders, but more because, I think I tend to trust others less than myself. I like my vessels to be in their places, checks deposited on time, Mail-In-Rebates posted on time, clothes in place & worst of it all, I expect all of them to be done just as I am thinking of them, as in, NOW!!! I think that is where the problem is.*sigh* If I place myself in other's shoes, I doubt if I can take my own wishes. I strongly do not believe in New Year resolutions. If I decide not to do something, I will make an honest attempt not to do it. So, here I am, making a conscious attempt to put this habit behind me. I am going to still be clean; just planning to give the other p...

Why do we all get married? I do not want to generalize things here, though. 1. Definitely not to pick on my husband at every oppurtunity. 2. Not to complain that he is not the right person for me. 3. Not to nag about his entire family. 4. Not because my mother wanted me to. 5. Definitely not because I wanted to cook. 6. Not because I wanted to quit my job, leave my parents & come to the US. Coming to think of it, I doubt if I thought of so many things before I got married. But now that I am, I think I can give a couple of reasons why I enjoy 'being married'. 1. To begin a loving family. 2. To grow in love together. 3. To understand. 4. To laugh. 5. To play. 6. To hike together. 7. To learn from each other. 8. To hold hands in silence when things go wrong. 9. In many instances, to just be 'for' each other. When you are on your own & fumble on certain things, a loving voice to say, "its okay, hon" goes a long way. I am so glad 'that' life did ...

I walk to the ocean. I smell the salt humid air. I breathe! The air brushes across my face attempting an air-painting! The Sun is setting into the Pacific. I see: a couple enjoying the setting Sun from their chair looking out for the ocean; a couple trying to get their feet wet in the cold waters; kids showing-off their sand castles to their parents; a family playing 'fetch' with their dog.. The air is cold! In a few moments, the Sun will be gone for the day & fill the sky with twinkling stars for the romance to stay! I, like a million others, am witnessing all of this with a cup of hot chocolate & my hubby. That makes my day. I close my eyes & all this is just a flash. It has been a while since I've done all that. Miss it so much! Maybe, its "Nature's call"! Sometimes, I forget to remind myself to live every moment. When everything seems to go wrong, there is this hope, this tiny happiness that sparks your day! All this, just around the corner. J...

I saw some recent Tamil movies over the weekend & I just could not sit there & watch it in full. Right from Rajini's sunglass, cigarettes style to Vijay's total makeover of the superstar, only the years have passed. The same flour being grinded again & again(& again & again...) I've often heard people say, "When you watch Rajini's movies, you will have to keep your logic outside the theatre". My question is, "apdiyavathu atha pakanuma?"[*kothikirathu ratham, athai adaku, adaku engirathu meesai*] All Indians who watch these movies think themselves to be a superstar when they walk around Spencers until a local Karupayee says, " ayye, moonjiya munna pinna kannadila pathirukiya? Vanthutan kadala poda". Kashta kalam! I was so glad that Bharathiraaja is not active into movies anymore, but last time I went to India, he was on almost all "Vizha's". Don't tell me he is going to get into politics!!![*wits end*] W...

I am done with 2 loads of laundry now(huge load due to laziness). I could not help myself from lying down on those dried warm clothes. I used to do that every saturday(Amma's saree preferable) when I was a kid(other days got school). However hot Chennai got, freshly warm dry clothes really make a good bed. When you are from a tropical place, it stays with you for ever. I don't know if I am sounding really out-of-the-ordinary here. Is it only me having fairy tale days or do others do it too?