Okay, so I just got back from my trip to Orissa. And it was wonderful. Just a quick overview though because it's really late and I should be getting off to sleep soon because I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.
So, this is how it went. We went to Bhubaneshwar, from there to Lake Chilka, then back to Bhubaneswar, spent a day at Puri and Konark and then got back.
All in all, a brilliant six days spent!! I shall give a detailed account soon!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Reading Rushdie
I've started reading another Salman Rushdie. I got it from a friend, and it's not that easy to pick up and glance over. For one thing, you have to read each and every word, else you'll lose track of the gist of Rushdie's humour and wit. I like reading Rushdie - this is my sixth Salman Rushdie, after Midnight's Children (awesome 1981), Haroun and the Sea of Stories (really good 1990), East ,West (1994), and Shalimar the Clown (2005), The Enchantress of Florence (2008).
I picked up my first Salman Rushdie in 2001 while on vacation in Paris. I was staying at one of my family friend's places, and they had a copy of Haroun and the Sea of Stories. That is one book that I would recommend to all young people - it's cute and witty and lovely to read.
Midnight's Children I finished two years back while in Ludhiana. I liked the book - some portions were brilliant. I even liked Shalimar the Clown and East, West. I didn't like The Enchantress of Florence so much though - in fact, I thought that Rushdie may be beginning to lose his touch after that one.
I started to read Shame, but I misplaced my copy and never got around to finding it again. Currently I'm reading Satanic Verses and courtesy the Internet, it is easier to read. I can imagine though why it has been banned from being sold in various countries though. Some of the contents are simply blasphemous.
I picked up my first Salman Rushdie in 2001 while on vacation in Paris. I was staying at one of my family friend's places, and they had a copy of Haroun and the Sea of Stories. That is one book that I would recommend to all young people - it's cute and witty and lovely to read.
Midnight's Children I finished two years back while in Ludhiana. I liked the book - some portions were brilliant. I even liked Shalimar the Clown and East, West. I didn't like The Enchantress of Florence so much though - in fact, I thought that Rushdie may be beginning to lose his touch after that one.
I started to read Shame, but I misplaced my copy and never got around to finding it again. Currently I'm reading Satanic Verses and courtesy the Internet, it is easier to read. I can imagine though why it has been banned from being sold in various countries though. Some of the contents are simply blasphemous.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Julie and Julia (2009)
Based on the life of Julia Child and a true story about a young lady growing up in Manhattan, this is a nice feel good family movie about a person who loves to cook, and the project she decides to undertake. With the help of a New York Times article, she makes it big as a writer.
Interestingly enough, her blog takes off and gets her all this attention.
Wow!! See, I have a blog as well!! Any editors interested in signing me up? I'm a good catch!!??!!
Interestingly enough, her blog takes off and gets her all this attention.
Wow!! See, I have a blog as well!! Any editors interested in signing me up? I'm a good catch!!??!!
Friday, December 18, 2009
500 days of summer & Push
Awww... it's been a while since I saw a cutsie wootsie movie that is essentially a chick flick. My husband couldn't sit through it. But I liked it.
It's about a girl called Summer, who starts to date a boy. Boy falls in love with her, but she's not too sure.
I guess we all go through something like that. A breezy kinda relationship. It's fun in a way!! Though my husband didn't think too much of the whole film. I liked the way it was made, the direction, the artiness involved.
What I didn't like was Push. It's an okay movie. People with special skills, blah blah, pursued by the Division. Interesting, yet couldn't hold my interest. I was playing blocks most of the time.
I have a cold - have had it for the past few days. Am on medication that gets me drowsy within an hour of its consumption. My hour is coming up.
I better sign off then. Gnite!
It's about a girl called Summer, who starts to date a boy. Boy falls in love with her, but she's not too sure.
I guess we all go through something like that. A breezy kinda relationship. It's fun in a way!! Though my husband didn't think too much of the whole film. I liked the way it was made, the direction, the artiness involved.
What I didn't like was Push. It's an okay movie. People with special skills, blah blah, pursued by the Division. Interesting, yet couldn't hold my interest. I was playing blocks most of the time.
I have a cold - have had it for the past few days. Am on medication that gets me drowsy within an hour of its consumption. My hour is coming up.
I better sign off then. Gnite!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
CFS - and other such symptoms
These days I'm feeling listless. I've got a perpetual body ache and am feeling so tired. On top of that I cannot concentrate and I feel like I have a migraine all the time.
Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? I hope to God not!!
I have noticed one thing about myself though. If I feel that the stress is getting to me, I decide to relax. Whether it is through reading a book, or watching a film, I completely slow down and make the pressure go away.
Most days though eating a chocolate (particularly a Cadbury's Wowie) helps a lot. I dunno why. But it does. Or ordering a pizza. This isn't doing much for my waistline though. So I think exercise is in order now.
My husband and I are planning a trip to Bhubaneshwar this month. That should be relaxing and refreshing. I think most of our expenditure will be on food and drink - we're planning to spend a day at Chilka Lake and see the birds and flora. This should be exciting. I believe there is a 95% chance of seeing a dolphin at the beach. So I'm quite excited about it all!!
I was thinking though why we hadn't gone to Goa or to someplace more exotic, like Ladakh. But then, Ladakh in winter, isn't such a great idea. And Goa I've been to before. This time I wanted to go someplace new which I haven't seen and would not easily see either. Bhubaneshwar is out of the way but at the same time the state of Orissa is so culturally rich that it begs to be visited. Further, one of the ancient dhams, the temple of Puri, is a must-visit place for any good Hindu. Now I'm not particularly religious, but I thought that this would be a nice place to go to for our first vacation trip together.
Do I have chronic fatigue syndrome? I hope to God not!!
I have noticed one thing about myself though. If I feel that the stress is getting to me, I decide to relax. Whether it is through reading a book, or watching a film, I completely slow down and make the pressure go away.
Most days though eating a chocolate (particularly a Cadbury's Wowie) helps a lot. I dunno why. But it does. Or ordering a pizza. This isn't doing much for my waistline though. So I think exercise is in order now.
My husband and I are planning a trip to Bhubaneshwar this month. That should be relaxing and refreshing. I think most of our expenditure will be on food and drink - we're planning to spend a day at Chilka Lake and see the birds and flora. This should be exciting. I believe there is a 95% chance of seeing a dolphin at the beach. So I'm quite excited about it all!!
I was thinking though why we hadn't gone to Goa or to someplace more exotic, like Ladakh. But then, Ladakh in winter, isn't such a great idea. And Goa I've been to before. This time I wanted to go someplace new which I haven't seen and would not easily see either. Bhubaneshwar is out of the way but at the same time the state of Orissa is so culturally rich that it begs to be visited. Further, one of the ancient dhams, the temple of Puri, is a must-visit place for any good Hindu. Now I'm not particularly religious, but I thought that this would be a nice place to go to for our first vacation trip together.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Kolkata for a wedding
Recently a very good friend of mine was getting married. So I got the opportunity to visit Kolkata - the old capital of India during British rule. I've visited Kolkata before, so it wasn't such a new discovery. With my sis we had visited all the typical touristy places when we had gone there to present a paper at Jadavpur University.
It's a sooty city; it looks old and the streets are narrow and congested. There is a brilliant metro line in place that is like the Mumbai's train system - it forms the lifeline of the city and you cannot imagine travelling in Kolkata's heavy traffic without it.
Satya and I were lost in translation - because my Bengali ain't even upto 1%. Satya's was better though, having spent time there as a kid. We spent a nice morning at Park Street in the middle of the wedding festivities, lounging around in the Oxford Bookstore and then having a light snack at Flurrys. Totally chilled out. I feel so relaxed just thinking about it.
I also dragged Satya to watch the latest Twilight installment. I must confess though that I myself did not like the film too much. I found it all too trite and absolutely ridiculous in places. But, I am a twilight fan and hence, I did watch the movie at the Empire Theatre. Imagine that almost five years ago I'd watched another English movie at the Empire Theatre in Kolkata with my sister and a friend. Amazing right?
So the marriage went off well... and I came back home via Jet Lite (which was delayed by almost two hours!!). I still find it amazing how quick and easy travel has become now. Bhubaneshwar is the next trip out. We are trying to find things to do there though!! :)
It's a sooty city; it looks old and the streets are narrow and congested. There is a brilliant metro line in place that is like the Mumbai's train system - it forms the lifeline of the city and you cannot imagine travelling in Kolkata's heavy traffic without it.
Satya and I were lost in translation - because my Bengali ain't even upto 1%. Satya's was better though, having spent time there as a kid. We spent a nice morning at Park Street in the middle of the wedding festivities, lounging around in the Oxford Bookstore and then having a light snack at Flurrys. Totally chilled out. I feel so relaxed just thinking about it.
I also dragged Satya to watch the latest Twilight installment. I must confess though that I myself did not like the film too much. I found it all too trite and absolutely ridiculous in places. But, I am a twilight fan and hence, I did watch the movie at the Empire Theatre. Imagine that almost five years ago I'd watched another English movie at the Empire Theatre in Kolkata with my sister and a friend. Amazing right?
So the marriage went off well... and I came back home via Jet Lite (which was delayed by almost two hours!!). I still find it amazing how quick and easy travel has become now. Bhubaneshwar is the next trip out. We are trying to find things to do there though!! :)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wings of the Dove (1997)
I saw this movie a few days back. It is an old film, and well worth watching. I particularly liked all the scenes in Venice, Italy.
The story tells about a young recently turned rich woman and her love for a young struggling idealist journalist. He is cute, she is pretty. Apart from the fact that they may live on the verge of poverty, they have everything going for them. After all, all you need is love like the Beatles song says.
Tis not to be though. A young heiress enters the scene and she falls in love with Kate Croy's Merton Densher. A sad and twisted plan is plotted; and no one is left happy in the end.
I wonder what the most optimal solution would have been in this case?
The story tells about a young recently turned rich woman and her love for a young struggling idealist journalist. He is cute, she is pretty. Apart from the fact that they may live on the verge of poverty, they have everything going for them. After all, all you need is love like the Beatles song says.
Tis not to be though. A young heiress enters the scene and she falls in love with Kate Croy's Merton Densher. A sad and twisted plan is plotted; and no one is left happy in the end.
I wonder what the most optimal solution would have been in this case?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
Made ten years after the genocide in Rwanda, Hotel Rwanda is an excellent retelling of a true story involving a very brave hotel manager and his family, who give shelter to over 1200 refugees. It is a remarkable story.
Rwanda was a former colony of Belgium, and the Belgians had divided the local populace into two communities, the Hutus and the Tutsis, according to certain visible genetic traits, like the size of the nose and height. The Tutsis were the minority, and reared to be the privileged ones. THutus fought back with a vengeance culminating in the genocide which left almost a million Tutsis dead in Rwanda.
The International community did nothing unfortunately. The United Nations did not send enough peace keepers, the whites were evacuated on priority - almost every single thing that you can think of which screams discrimination and apathy took place. It's almost shocking just how blatant every thing was. I'm glad that 300 peace keepers did stay - but considering the might of the United Nations, and the developed nations, that is nothing.
A must see movie.
Rwanda was a former colony of Belgium, and the Belgians had divided the local populace into two communities, the Hutus and the Tutsis, according to certain visible genetic traits, like the size of the nose and height. The Tutsis were the minority, and reared to be the privileged ones. THutus fought back with a vengeance culminating in the genocide which left almost a million Tutsis dead in Rwanda.
The International community did nothing unfortunately. The United Nations did not send enough peace keepers, the whites were evacuated on priority - almost every single thing that you can think of which screams discrimination and apathy took place. It's almost shocking just how blatant every thing was. I'm glad that 300 peace keepers did stay - but considering the might of the United Nations, and the developed nations, that is nothing.
A must see movie.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Forgiveness
There was once a very stupid show that I used to watch called "Love at First Sight". Now it is from that 1980s era, where young girls read Millsoos (I suppose that happens today as well) and dream about the TDH guy who will come and sweep them oft their feet.
Sorry, I'm getting off my topic here.
There was once this episode called Forgiveness. Leave aside all the silliness involved, that episode on "Love at First Sight" was my favourite. I don't exactly recall the details, but in the end she forgives her TDH and they live happily ever after. It took some time though.
Forgiveness is not easy. Especially when the vindictiveness is still alive in a number of ways. I think that in your heart you should forgive, but if you feel that the other person is still out to do you harm, you should avoid all contact with them, lest they get another opportunity to harm you again. I've noticed that most people don't really care what you've done for them in the past. If there are deep stilled feelings of animosity, they will still arise at every opportunity they get to throw a jibe at you.
Hence my advice to all. Forgive, but do not forget. And avoid if that can be done.
Now this cannot be done all the time. Sometimes it may be a close family friend, or even a family member. Where there is a will, there is a way though. And I think that once the person knows that you're doing this deliberately, they'll also get the point.
But in the end, I'd like to quote these lovely verses I came across on Sacred Space in the Nov 27 edition of Times of India, which I sent to all my near and dear:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver
Life is so precious,
And each day is a gift.
So enjoy every minute,
As it were your last to live.
Cherish your loved ones,
Hug them tight,
Share with them your heart,
And your time.
Nothing is forever,
And life goes so fast,
Each minute that passes,
Is one you can't get back.
When troubles arrive,
And knock you off your feet,
Stand up and smile,
And remember life is too sweet.
Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That "Today will be a good day"
And let it all in with an open heart.
Laura Strickland
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade
and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day.
No talent, no self- denial, no brains, no character
are required to set up in the fault-finding business.
Nothing external can have any power over you
unless you permit it.
Your time is too precious to be sacrificed
in wasted days combating the menial forces
of hate, jealously, and envy.
Guard your fragile life carefully.
Only God can shape a flower,
but any foolish person
can pull it to pieces.
Og Mandino
Sorry, I'm getting off my topic here.
There was once this episode called Forgiveness. Leave aside all the silliness involved, that episode on "Love at First Sight" was my favourite. I don't exactly recall the details, but in the end she forgives her TDH and they live happily ever after. It took some time though.
Forgiveness is not easy. Especially when the vindictiveness is still alive in a number of ways. I think that in your heart you should forgive, but if you feel that the other person is still out to do you harm, you should avoid all contact with them, lest they get another opportunity to harm you again. I've noticed that most people don't really care what you've done for them in the past. If there are deep stilled feelings of animosity, they will still arise at every opportunity they get to throw a jibe at you.
Hence my advice to all. Forgive, but do not forget. And avoid if that can be done.
Now this cannot be done all the time. Sometimes it may be a close family friend, or even a family member. Where there is a will, there is a way though. And I think that once the person knows that you're doing this deliberately, they'll also get the point.
But in the end, I'd like to quote these lovely verses I came across on Sacred Space in the Nov 27 edition of Times of India, which I sent to all my near and dear:
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver
Life is so precious,
And each day is a gift.
So enjoy every minute,
As it were your last to live.
Cherish your loved ones,
Hug them tight,
Share with them your heart,
And your time.
Nothing is forever,
And life goes so fast,
Each minute that passes,
Is one you can't get back.
When troubles arrive,
And knock you off your feet,
Stand up and smile,
And remember life is too sweet.
Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That "Today will be a good day"
And let it all in with an open heart.
Laura Strickland
Never allow anyone to rain on your parade
and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day.
No talent, no self- denial, no brains, no character
are required to set up in the fault-finding business.
Nothing external can have any power over you
unless you permit it.
Your time is too precious to be sacrificed
in wasted days combating the menial forces
of hate, jealously, and envy.
Guard your fragile life carefully.
Only God can shape a flower,
but any foolish person
can pull it to pieces.
Og Mandino
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