A long weekend after a long time

Weekend comes and weekend goes! Every year there are a lot of long weekends we get! But this weekend was special in its own way.. I did not fly down to any fancy place, neither did I travel miles to seek happiness..coz happiness was at my doorstep:-) There are certain things that are totally inexplicable but still I am trying to put them into words. Exactly, a year 26th May that I landed in India one year back. Most happiest day I remember in recent memory. Exactly a year that I have been "that"happy. I felt the presence of my "hometown" here, coz a very dear friend from my home, Kalyan visited me. In my home town, Kalyan we have this tower in the market place, which is called "Shivaji Chowk". This tower in Omaha, reminded me of that. This one was at the Riverfront. Lonely deserted street of Omaha on a usually quiet sunday evening. This was taken while driving, when the raindrops fell on the windshield. This one was in Old Market. There is something totally mystic about old buildings especially in the evenings! This was at the Omaha Heartland Park Observe the ducks that were walking in one straight line. They spent the entire time at the same spot. Wonder how they dont get bored:O This one is my favourite: "Path of Enlightenment" is what comes to my mind, when I look at it. I don't know but the pic of this "mynah" cracks me up totally whenever I look at it! Both of us call it "Khadoos mynah" for some reason. My friend was clicking a pic of this bird and after several attempts wherein she was just carelessly flying everywhere, he managed to capture her after all. The moment he said "E thamb (hey wait)"..she paused exactly for few seconds, allowed him to click her, gave him an attitude and flew off":/ A railway track totally empty. Kinda takes me down the memory lane when I travelled by train in India. Never got to see such a vie sans people:) Green grass and clear water..what else would one want? And this one is my favourite! There is this dark sky, pale blue water, greens of different hue. Clearly, the best weekend I ever had! Time well spent with a person from a familiar soil in a foreign country basking in midst of nature! A Home away from home was the feeling:)

Distant memories out of the closet

I wonder how I mess my apartment up! I am hardly home and also clean up my apartment every week! Today, as usual I was looking for something. Today it was a "clip" to tie my hair up. I manage to leave one in the lab and manage to sucessfuly break some of the banana clips. So when I was browsing through the mess in my closet.. I came across this. An Irish Handkerchief. Given to me in Lousiana by my Irish Professor for whom I was more of a daughter than a student. Even now, although its been more than 2 years that we have met, we connect in that manner. One professor who despite being 72, said "I am relentlessly young" For those of who, have never come across an Irish, one thing for sure is they have an extraordinary sense of humor. When I mentioned to my brother-in-law about him, he said "Just ask your profs to narrate you some Irish bar jokes" I approached him and asked him to tell me some. He smiled and said "Those jokes are the ones I could tell my wife but not to my daughter" His attitude is so much like "Morrie" from one of the most inspiring books I have read in recent times "Tuesdays with Morrie" There are some people who are absolutely inspiring. Although, I like a lot of people, there are very few ones to whom I look upto. On whom, I my level of trust can be equated to 'blind faith". He tops amongst those few people. I remember, one day while going down the elevator, when we were discussing some Indian recipe, he casually said "I believe, a woman should have a zeal for cooking. Otherwise, its no fun being a woman". Well, there were few other American women in the elevator too and obviously weren't too happy to hear that. We chuckled, but somehow he has been quite motivational for me to develop my interest in cooking. And then one day, on my first birthday in US..we celebrated my birthday by blowing one single candle on a muffin along with a cup of "English Blend Tea". Just him and me. The most memorable birthdays that I ever had. When he casually said "Just sit there. Women are supposed to sit there and look beautiful on their birthdays and enjoy the presents". Thats when he presented me with that handkerchief. For the fear of spoling it, I never used it. There are some gifts that are so special that although they are needed every waking day of your life, you dont get around using that! And then there are some gifts whose gift wrappers are also special:) coz they are just too precious to go into the trash:)

Science and reasoning?

Yesterday, some event made me say something totally 'non scientific' to which my sister said, "How come you say this being a scientist" I gasped and could not control my tears. My mind was saying something and my heart refused to accept it. Its wierd how when it comes to family and people whom we love, we defy all laws of universe and science. Sometimes, we just refuse to accept the truth. Science might say: Your father has heart complications. Needs to cut down on calories. You might agree. But, you might think, let him have just one laddoo. It wouldnt hurt! Science might say: Your mom needs rest. She should not cook. You might agree. But, you might feel, wish I could just have that one piece of aam-ka-achar made by her. Science might say: Cancer is still fatal (although this is a common belief which I dont buy) You might agree. But, You would still not give up. You would still think there might be some remedy unheard of which might work! One might be an established surgeon. But, his hands would still tremble while handling those forceps while dissecting his kin! Science might assume logical dimensions, but when it comes to loved ones, you defy logic. Science might believe in hardwork and reality but sometimes you wish to believe that miracles would occur! P.S:-I am not getting sad or anything. So please no sympathies and what happened ROS comments:D

The Braveheart

The last week has been pretty upsetting at the same time busy. I was in receipt of two bad news, both that involved road accidents. One incident that happened with my close friends who was hit over on to the other side of he highway by a car driving at 80 mph on a Highway in Atlanta. Thankfully, he escaped with minor injuries. Two days before, it happened with a friend's dad back in India. His state is inexplicable, but currently he is at the threshold. These incidents kinda make me wonder what it is exactly with life?? What kind of feeling one must be experiencing when someone is at close quarters like that?? I have never had any close brush with fatal accidents except for one time. We were driving at a highway in Minneapolis. My friend was driving the car and there were four of us in the car. So this dude, merges into the highway without giving an indication and enters our lane. My friend had no clue this was coming and without thinking twice, abruptly moved on to the left lane. Fortunately, for us no other car was coming in that lane. Otherwise, that would have been "THE END" for all of us. It would have been the most horrible accident. It pretty much left me shaken and made me even more cautious while driving and not taking "life for granted" Sometimes, I really raise my eyebrows when I hear someone having suicidal tendencies. When someone is ready to just consume that "bottle of poison" for practically any reason, be it "failure in exams, being ditched by their loved ones" I might sound pessimistic at times, but killing yourself prematurely is something that I can never dream of. It can never be a "solution" I get increasingly uncomfortable in hospital environment. Although, I spent all my time in the medical school. Today, I saw this not more than 4 years old kid being trollied in the hallway. The kid had all sorts of tubes and catheters on its body. The sight saddened me to no extent. When such a small thing can fight for its life on a hospital bed, we as healthy living beings do not have the right to end it for any reason. Imagine people who are actually on the brink of life n death. They can see it coming from far off but still holding on to the strings of life. Thats what I call as "killer instinct" and a brave soul. Sometime back, on Sayesha's blog I read a comment by Negative creep in which he said "Death is what gives meaning to life" So very well said..and whole meaning of life summarized by few words!

I have moved

Guys, to maintain the flow of my thoughts and the fictional story "A Bridge across two cities", I have created another blog in my same account. The further parts of the story will be written here. http://refreshingrays.blogspot.com/ For those who are interested can just digress a little bit to Refreshingrays My other nonsensical posts will be written here itself:-)

A Bridge across two cities-Part 1

[An attempt at fiction. All characters are fictional. Any resembelance to anyone is strictly coincidental. Although, I have closely related this to my life, as will be evident in the write up! Can't live without science, you see;) reflects everywhere!!!. I havent planned the entire write-up, but here is the series] Gargi was just busy with her usual experiments in the lab. A third year PhD student happily burried in the confines of the laboratory. Where there were sounds of all sorts of equipments and an inner voice that never let the lab feel 'empty' despite the conspicous absence of people. It was one of the days of Spring, amidst a heavy work schedule that involved waking up and running around to work. Followed by an evening with friends and getting home tired and finishing up household chores before departing to bed. She seemed to have made a life away from home away in shores of California. Enjoying the warm sunny and happening lifestyle of the city. Studying in one of the well known university amongst a bunch of other people who enjoyed or rather lived in a similar lifestyle. Everything seemed to be the way she always wanted it to be. To live away from home. To live life on her own terms, where none would question her, whom she met, who her friends were. What time she returned home. Driving on fast highways. Zoom zoom zoom! Her life was full. Full of activities. But deep down inside she was lonely. Although, her loneliness never got the better of her. Being a headstrong girl, she never indulged into falling for men. She always knew she would be with someone with whom she can get married to. Flings were just not for her. Although, she kept getting attracted to different guys but many times, those crushes got 'crushed' the moment she came to know the guys a little too well. As she got all dewy eyed thinking of the transition, her labmate, Freya said "hey girlie, what you thinking, as usual senti kya" Gargi just gave her a mischevious smile. They both knew what she might be thinking. "Ok you in for some tennis" Freya asked "Naah! boss has asked me to finish up this abstract before the weekend", Gargi said. "Ohh...its friday honey! Take it easy", Freya said giving her a weary look. "Alrighty, I will work on it at night" They both were quite contrast in terms of personality. They knew each other pretty well. After all they spent atleast 12-14 hours of the day together. They were aware of each other' likes n dislikes. Although, Freya was pretty agressive and smart. Gargi was little mellow and pretty hardworking and had a bunch of friends who totally adored her. At the gym, both the girls met a bunch of guys who had already occupied the tennis court. "Hola guys!" both of them waved at Kate, Alok and Vinay "So here come the two lab mice" retorted Alok. Alok was one of those guys, who pretty much was concerned of what others did than what he did. "Yeah, the mice are out already. Like they say "When the cat is away, the mice play" Gargi said. Gargi knew how to exactly shut his mouth of. Thats why he did not try being a smart ass in front of her atleast. "Guys, we are planning to have a Pool party saturday night at mark's house", Kate said. "Wow, that sounds too cool" Vinay exclaimed. "We haven't had a party in a long long time now. Damn the semester" Kate said "Yeah, I agree to that. I have been having a spate of misfortunes. I indeed need to chill out on beer" To which, Alok said "Oh yeah right! Kate can guzzle down as much beer like one drinks water straight out of tap" "Stop being so sarcastic, Alok", chided Freya "Oh! relax Freya, Aloks knows that his words need not be taken seriously" "Oh am in, guys! Hope Mark has some non alcoholic margaritas too", Gargi said "Aah! Girl, beer is heaven. Damn..its not even an alcohol. How can one not drink beer when in America"--Kate said "Naah..nothing of that sort. Its just that my esophagus (food pipe) burns coz of alcohol", Gargi said. All of them roared into a laughter! "OK! lets kick their ass in tennis now, a reason to celebrate at Mark's"..Kate winked at Alok "Oh! whatever! You know, none can beat me in that" "Saturdat night's gonna be fun"--Chirpy Freya remarked!!!!!!

Of food and frustration:)

Chanelling negative energy into the kitchen! Try making the hardest dish! The one that you have failed a million times. In my case, it was "Bhakri"(or bajre ki roti) Roast it to vent out! Try real hard to get the round shape. Even harder to prevent the dough from breaking down Help yourself with generous helpings of ghee. And eat it with "Kadhi" After that, relax..coz most of the "steam"has been already spent! :)

Tadpoles or frogs

[The title has nothing to do with the contents "superficially"] I was in the 6th standard in school. This was a very special year of my school. For one reason. There was this guy in my class named "S." We weren't the greatest of friends. But, he made quite an effect on me while in school. I was amongst the top rankers in the class. By "top ranker" I mean, who was always second in the class. The number two has been quite memorable for me in terms of experience. My birthdate being the second. I am the second daughter. Plus, I never awed for the first spot ever. I was pretty contented enjoying the second place. Not being overly ambitious. That made me the 'second best' in class. In my 6th grade, I got really close to being the first. It was mt most hated subject "Maths" I scored some 32 marks out of 40 in that class. "S" who was always the first in the class, was pretty taken aback, coz he made 31 in that class. Which was going to put him behind me in the class. The guy asked me for my paper. Being the pretty simpleton girl, I handed over the paper for him to see. He went through my paper. Next what I see, is him and the teacher talking and discussing something looking at my paper. Only to realize, that the teacher accidentally gave me 'ONE' extra point and he noticed that. After brought to notice, teacher instead of slapping him, deducted my extra point. Again, I landed with the second slot. That year, I cried like never before. So close-yet-so-far. Its OK, if I never got close to that. I never wanted to be there. But, after enjoying my 5 seconds of happiness, this was something that was totally a setback for a little child. I went home and cribbed about it to my mom. She only said, you should never have let the guy take a look at your paper. Dont trust people too much! People always learn from their mistakes. If you repeat those again you are only foolish. There were this Bong kids who went to school with us. Whenever we asked them during exam "Kitna padhke hua"(how much did u study)? They would just reply "Kuch bhi nahi"(nothing). And then, they would always top the class. I never understood their attitude and for the lack of words, I still do not. Whats behind all the hush-hush when it comes to academia? No matter what, I cannot get your grey cells and top the class, if I do not have the aptitude. Mom always used to say "Vidya (Knowledge) only increases if you share it" I never forget that. Even if someone asks me for something that I am not aware of, I use few resources to check it out and help in some ways. I do not think its right for me to blatantly refuse saying "Go figure it out yourself" That was then, when peer pressure wasnt too high. Plus, we were kids. Always knew how to patch up. Wonder how 25 year olds still believe in keeping things under wraps. Somehow, people refuse to grow up. or maybe I am not fit for the modern day competitive world:)

Sealed with love??

Ever heard about "Fate sealed in an envelope"? The envelope that holds the key to your happiness. Maybe it would put to rest all my doubts and fears or making me believe in the law of averages or else it might result in more skepticism. I don't know. Sometimes, other's expectations out of you pull you down. Maybe, I am laying too much emphasis on the contents of that. But, its something that will continue to affect me for a long long time! Hope my summer starts on a brighter note..