Cross stitching

THE VILLAGE

Finished in Trinidad and Tobago

I've been a fan of cross stitching since I was in school. I used to sit over my 10th grade history books memorising countless details while finishing the humungous cross stitch that I'd recently bought.

It's good to keep yourself busy while you're doing tedious tasks. And there are many advantages of cross stitching. You can sit with your cross stitch while watching television and while listening to music.

I didn't know this until I started doing a bit of research on the web, but cross stitching also helps you relieve stress. It keeps your mind occupied and focused.

While holidaying in Trinidad I managed to complete a long outstanding cross stitch of my sis's - I've taken a picture of it and put it to the side. It took a very very very long time to complete - the first stitch was put in 1996 and the last, in 2008.

The result though is very very pretty. It's approximately 3 feet by 2 feet and depicts a scene from a village. And it is no exaggeration for me to say this, but it was very very very intricate. I'm not saying that it takes a rocket scientist to finish a cross stitch, but it does take a lot of work.

I'm ready for my paintings now!! :)

Mumbai attack on Wednesday 26th November

We all watched in horror on television as the news started to unfold. Somehow some terrorists had managed to get into Mumbai heavily armed and had started to indiscriminately shoot any and all civilians they could see. They were specifically targetting Americans and Britons, but killed any and all Indians they could see.
How could such a thing happen? Who were these mad men and what was their agenda? Why had they targetted Mumbai? Why had they targetted India? Even after the situation has been brought under control, these questions still remain.
I feel horror and sadness that such an event could occur. Somehow I felt that we had things under control, that our borders were protected and that the domestic terrorism that we were facing was being tackled with effectively.
It doesn't help knowing that what I had thought wasn't true.
What has become of the world? Why is it that with more education and more interconnectedness, a set of people can arise who just want to commit cold blooded murder? What sort of religion condones such behaviour? Shouldn't people be more aware of their fellow human beings?
I don't know. I can't be angry - because if I am, that won't improve the situation. It also won't make the security enforcement agencies any more competent or effective. I still can't believe such a thing could have gone undetected. They had grenades!!
Should we start combined praying? How can we convince these lunatics that killing people isn't the solution? When they don't value their own lives, they obviously won't value others. That's the problem with suicide bombers.

Books I'm reading and have read

Well I've completed yet another Kathy Reichs -- Monday Mourning. Apart from this I finished Grave Secrets and Bare Bones bringing the total count to 7. I am on my 8th Kathy Reichs novel.

I've realised that the secret sometimes to good reading doesn't just lie in the reader - the author's style matters to a great extent. Sometimes Rushdie e.g. is just so amazing in his prose that you take an hour to finish a chapter, to incorporate all the wit that he infuses into his text. Amitav Ghosh is also like that. And so is Pico Iyer, whose book, Abandon, remains my most favourite romance novel of all time. I seriously recommend this book to anyone and everyone. The book is almost like falling in love.... I read it when I was in training in Mussoorie, next to the heater, curled up in my blanket... trying to save myself from the biting cold... I could not put this book down.

Monday Mourning was in keeping with my morbid theme of death and crime investigation, which is reflected in my favourite television shows - CSI, Criminal Minds... There's just something about a good mystery that I love. I used to be a great fan of Law and Order as well. It's a good thing my line of work involves investigation!

So Temperance Brennan stumbles upon the modus operandi of the killer and unravels the mystery of the bones found in the basement of the pizza parlour. Not for the faint hearted I might add. Her love interest, Detective Ryan, gets more serious... all in all a good beach read. I finished it in a little over three hours.

Fatal Voyage

I've recently set about reading a new author called Kathy Reichs. I've finished the following books by her:
Deja Dead
Death Du Jour
Deadly Decisions
Fatal Voyage

She's a forensic anthropologist and she's awesome. Apart from solving intricately difficult crimes, she's independent and free thinking.
I read Fatal Voyage when I was in Tobago. Yes, it may seem a bit wierd that I'm reading a book which is based on a plane crash while on vacation to a holiday resort, but c'est moi! I have always loved a good mystery.
What is it about mysteries though that intrigue us? Obviously the fact that we're always curious about the unknown - but so much is unknown. They say ignorance is bliss, but then, aren't we always checking up on facts and trying to figure out what choices are better or worse? Doesn't that make it like a mystery we're trying to solve?
One mystery I can't figure out is why people don't read more. I'm not being facetious but it's true. There is so much out there people!! And one great thing is that you can read about practically everything, it's now become at the touch of a button, there are bookstores that cater to all pockets.......... :) So let's read up more on the mysteries of the world!!

My trip to Tobago and reasons for starting a blog

Tobago is a beautiful island located next to Trinidad in the Caribbean Sea. I got to spent 4 days there as part of my trip here to Trinidad and I must say, it was refreshingly beautiful.
If you go to Tobago, you must must must see the waterfall at Argyle Falls Estate. Teeming with wildlife and birds, it's a sight not to miss. We had the most lovely tour operator - Elidah, who showed us the way there.
Tobago depends largely on its tourism to rake in the revenue. The staff of the resort I stayed at were quite courteous and charming - Coco Reef in case anyone is planning a trip was where I stayed. I missed the wedding that was to take place on Saturday there because I had to catch the ferry back to Port of Spain.
We had a bit of an adventure coming back on the ferry. After having to evacuate the ferry twice, I was just glad that they got news of the possible bomb scare before we had set sail. They thoroughly checked the boat though, and since I'm writing this piece, it is evident that I'm in one piece.
I've always wanted to start a blog and I have something like this going on in my facebook account with the notes. Usually I always put up a note on something I've done and what I want to do. I love reading, watching films, meeting up with friends, discussing ideas, drawing and painting. So I thought, since I'm in the lovely island atmosphere before I have to get back to reality and my pay cheque, I'd start a blog on my many adventures that I set out on. I'm 29 by the way and plan to cover a whole lot more before I'm 30!!