Rubik's Revenge Completed

So it happened that after clearing 4 sides; I was struggling with the last two and I had reached a dead lock situation. Nothing was working for the two sides unless I break other already made sides. I tried to create some new technique and I messed up completely. I had to start ALL OVER AGAIN from First level.

Anyhow, Since I wanted to do it once in my life time; I decided to do it again.

And that memorable day for me had come -- it was 7th March Morning and I fixed all the sides of the Puzzle.

I have made a big hype about this Rubik's revenge on my blog I know; but for me this success was a small reason to add confidence in me and my capabilities. I am very very very happy with my achievement :)

~Cheers

Krupa

Rubik's Revenge Continues...

So, I fixed two more sides ....,
Green, White & Yellow!
Blue, Red and Orange on their way~

Hurray!!! :-) "I truly love myself for this effort" ha ha.....

~Krupa~

What a Productive Weekend ~

I was really tired after the Sunday errands. I did Laundry, Grocery and also explored a beautiful area in the neighborhood. I came back home and I have not even arranged my wardrobe after laundry.

I was sleepy; but I did not sleep; because otherwise my Sunday night sleep gets ruined. So, anyway, after something here and there, I started with my Rubik's Revenge where I was struggling to get '1' LAST face piece in its correct position. There was lovely music playing on my laptop. I tried many techniques and still that one piece is not working.

After a while I found myself upset leaning on the table with eyes closed. But then I got up and thought, let me try all over again!

It was around 4:25 PM on historic Sunday evening; I just had to do two moves on two sides of the puzzle and look what I got!!!!!!!!!!!!! I solved Top Layer of Rubik's Revenge 4x4 with all 16 pieces in the correct position.

There are 4 corner pieces, 8 edge pieces and 4 face pieces. If you understand this, corner piece has 3 sides with different color, edge piece has 2 different colors and getting face pieces is a challenge in itself.

In this Puzzle, it can not come correct if every piece is NOT in its correct position; so it's not like we can manage with the puzzle by shuffling left-2nd row edge piece and left-3rd row edge piece. Nah! That does not help.

If you remember, In January I mentioned that I was just away from 2 face pieces mispositioned but those 2 took a long time. (Not that I worked for it all these 2 months but still!)

Now, who wants to call me 'wanna-be geek' ? --- You are FREE to say that :) :) :) You can not imagine how happy I am right now!

"Believe that nothing is impossible and work towards it!" ~ Having that attitude is important, not the end result itself; and then end result follows! (I know I am talking too much for a small victory... but well that's how I am)

(I also added few gadgets on my blog and put the link for subscription -- and these all count to productivity of the weekend too :P )

~Krupa~

Local World - some drawback

Few of my friends require this kind of clock and I recommend them to keep this time in front of them before they pick up the phone. I know we are becoming global and world is becoming local. I know we can reach each other with no difficulty and the Voice over IP (VoIP) technology has been so fruitful that we can make calls in just few cents. BUT -- where do you draw a line for globalization and be considerate for someone like me?

It was her birthday and she was getting mad at me that I did not call her till half day is over; so she called me and showed her complete anger on me. Birthday means, person gets one year older - which in an ideal case - "should" mean that person gets more sanity, more buddhi. But Nah! My friend is super in converting those facts into myth. It was my 3:30 AM when she had called me to remind me that it was her birthday. She was in Singapore time zone and me in US Central time zone. HUH!!!! :P

Another friend is expert in calling me at 6:00 AM always. He always checks the Eastern time zone clock which say 7:00 AM and dials my number bindas. I agree that 7:00 AM is good time to call but come on you can't forget that I am not in that time zone!

Thank God! At least in India we have only one time zone; helps reducing the confusion.

Well, though they do this, I don't leave a chance to take their case for doing this to me :-)

My dear friends in different time zone, please buy something similar to keep a note of US Central time zone (till I am in USA) and do check the time before you call me :P

~Krupa :)

Smile and Spread the smile

It was Saturday morning and around 11 AM; I was on a walk to a grocery store and what do I see -- only silent road; few old couple with a dog and some cars on the road.

It was horribly silent and this neighborhood is so depressing, specially in this season of the year when the trees have not yet turned green and when the humid of Houston rain takes over the freshness of the air.

Hmm... That was 'me'; crying for the surroundings. But better space and greener world is inside me; I don't need to get affected by the outside colors.

However, in reality we do want to see things green around us and smiling around us; that gives us energy. And the best idea is to start doing our own share of spreading that smile and color.

Do this for me, "Smile and Spread the smile! Make someone's day!" You never know that someone may meet someone else and that someone can meet other someone and eventually that 'smile' may come to me! :-)
Keep enjoying the inner space ~ You will surely radiate in the outside world!

~Krupa~
(I don't know where I started this post and where I ended.. but surely the end message is important ;-))

Famous Songs & their Video -- can relate?

There are few songs - very famous ones - But when I watched their original video - I was surprised. Some of them, I do not even know that actor or actress but that song is so famous! I sing those songs too, may be due to Remix version of the same I know those songs.

Let me know if you are better than me (I am sure you are:) ) and if you know the original video of these songs.

(1) Bin Tere Sanam mar mitenge hum...
(2) Nile Nile amber pe chaand jab aa jaye...
(3) Hawa Hawa.. e hawa.. khushboo luta de..
(4) Oh Hansini, meri hansini...
(5) Oh Hasina Zulfowali...

~Enjoy
Krupa

Khobo Bhari ne ame

"Khobo bhari ne ame etlu hasya;
ke kuvo bhari ne ame roi padya...."

A beautiful Gujarati song - the first two lines of the song says ~ We laughed n laughed a LOT that we ended into a sea of tears.

Sometimes the mood changes so drastically - some thoughts and some emotions take you all the way to 180 degree shift. I don't know if you can relate to these lines or this meaning, but I can. I laugh a lot and then other moment, I may be really heavy in my heart. This one is very hard to explain but ever since I heard this song, It's on my mind.

~Krupa~

Flight from LA & more..

I was flying back from Los Angeles after Christmas. In that flight I noticed one thing which I had not observed for all these years. The aircraft had the seat numbers starting from 1 -- going all up to 32 I guess. But there was no seat row with the number 13.

I tried to search something on google real quick, but did not find anything good that can explain why it is so. However, I can say that it's certainly because of the superstition related to the number 13.

One thing I must say that it's all in the mind. I had my roll number 13 during my 12th standard and I achieved rank in the City's top 10.

Another thing about that aircraft was - they did not have TV :-( I was bored big-time. I can not sleep easily in the plane and there was no TV; so guess, what I did? I tried to solve Rubik's revenge . I tried many techniques given in the booklet. I am almost about to solve the Top Layer with only 2 of the pieces mis positioned. Ha ha...

I wanted to solve it and then come back to write about it with pride - but I am so impatient that I could not resist sharing my mid-way success. Once I solve the first level, I don't mind anyone calling me Wanna be geek ;-) ;-)

On a funny note, my colleague in office told me that he better finds a boyfriend for me that I don't spend my time behind this puzzle. Coz I am really working hard for this - deriving techniques on paper and doing lots of trial and error... :D

By the way, Wish you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR. I wish to be regular in updating blog and with really good articles. I still remember I used to write much better earlier and somehow 2008 did not turn out that great for writing for me. Let's see how 2009 goes. As I said - all in the mind :-)

Cheers
~Krupa~

Perfection is a fever

Perfection - we aim to be perfect in almost everything we do. We aim to make no or least mistakes - we want to keep everyone happy around us.

In this process - we have been dragging ourselves so much and we forget to be ourselves sometimes too. Well, I am coming to the point that obsession about performing with perfection is not a good thing to have.

I felt that I am dragging myself many times. I have set a bar for myself and below which I can not easily accept my own performance. I think it's just fever to have that mind-set (even though it may be temporary and for short period only..)

Hope, I keep working towards inner balance and peace.

~Krupa~

Lost in the Map..

I did not think it would be like this. Last weekend I was travelling to Michigan and had a flight at 7 from Houston Internation Airport.

I had a pretty simple route to reach to the Airport - I just had to take a toll road and then take an exit to the airport and that would drop me right to the long-term Parking place. Sounds simple - isn't it?

Someone from my office gave me that description and I was convinced that it's a simple route. I had the GPS Navigation with me; but who's gonna start it for such a simple route. I am kinda person who would not like to depend much on GPS because sometimes it just takes you via some toll roads unnecessarily.

I had taken a print-out for the map from google maps. Name of an exit was "Hardy Airport Connector E".

Okay, I started at 5 from my apartment and took the toll road; Toll Plaza came - I was confused for like 3 times and finally went to the lane which read "Exact Change - $1.5 Min" [Yes I did not make mistake to go to EZ TAG Lane - I had that experience once in California]. This stupid lane was an auto-service; i.e. you put Coins to the machine and it gives you fare paid reciept. I could hear my heart beats since it said No Bill - Only Coins. I wasn't sure if I had enough coins. Anyhow, I managed to get enough coins and paid the toll - BUT the gate did not open - After 5 minutes of confusion; tension; the guy on other booth opened this gate and I started again.

There came an exit called "International airport" - But Nah! I had a day of adventure - I see the exit but I don't take it coz I trust Google Map and the exit name. [ Huh...!?!]

I was convinced now that I missed it - but there was no other exit anywhere next. I finally reached another Toll-Plaza & this time I went to the "Full Service" Lane so that I can talk to someone and ask for the way. The Lady said to take first exit and take U-turn.

I took Exit - there was lot of traffic and it was 5:50 PM - It was dark now and I was definitely un-easy. I took U-turn but managed to miss the Free-way entrance again ~ [Yes.. AGAIN]

I reached somewhere and there was some board indicating Airport on my right [I was going to turn Left.. Oh Thank God! I did not] It was 6:00 now; I stopped at some place and started GPS; but Nah! it does not show me anything - coz I am not able to type correct place name. I went to a Shell Gas Station and asked for help - the good fella guided me and I reached the parking place by 6.15 and then to the air-port by 6:35.

On my way back on Sunday - I started GPS :-) & reached home in 25 minutes!

Lots of Lessons Learned - Important is: Allow your self with enough time to make more mistakes.. :D ha ha..

Cheers

~Krupa~

Faith ~ I guess that works ...

It's almost end of November. I still remember last year I was counting days to return to India in January '08. One year seemed to pass extremely fast. Well, the year has been really productive overall. AND many of my friends are getting married this year end. Nov end and December are full of weddings. This winter, My friends are tying the knot to be together forever n ever... May God Bless them all. :-)

On the other end, in my office (at client site of course) there are non-Indians who keep wondering regarding how does 'arrange' marriages really work where someone else choose the partner for you? It's been an impression about our culture that we get married to the person whom our parents choose - basically blindly :-).

I try to explain them always; that Parents do the necessary filtering (which scientifically is right and required) and then the final choice is in individual's hands. I do agree that there are still families, villages etc in India, where this choice is not given to the bride or the groom. But as far as most of the cases in today's world are concerned, we are given the free choice.

'Arrange marriage' is indeed a process not proven with any method but is represented with facts in numbers - like how many marriages are successful. To me also, it's the magic unknown. Whoever goes through it, also says the same thing - they do not know how they ended up saying 'yes' to each other. I think all that works behind this is -"Faith"; Faith in God; Faith in Existence; Faith in this Universe. Once you have Faith; you know that if your heart agrees for someone in this process - that's gonna be just right!

I have not gone through this yet but I know I have to - some day; & I am sure the other end is unaware of the magic of faith too :-)... so guess that's how it works ~

~Krupa~

Rubik's Puzzle & Me

I am little bit occupied in this GREAT Puzzle of the world - called Rubik's Revenge.

Don't wonder that I have mastered all the techniques of Rubik's cube and I am Now on to Rubik's Revenge. Well the Joke that happend with me is - I just thought let me buy the big one instead of a small one and did not realize that it's even tougher since it has MANY MORE COMBINATIONs. Size can be deceiving; did not anyone told me? Huh!

Check this link out for getting more info about this ultimate brain teaser.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubik%27s_revenge

Good part of this is - I have started learning its techniques from its booklet and I am hoping that one day - ONE DAY - I will get to its solution; At least for one side!

Have you tried it ever?

(Hey Girish, don't you think that I am a 'wanna be' geek after knowing this - That title still remains with you Mr. Geek :P)

The day I resolve it, I will definitely PUBLISH it with PRIDE :D... ha ha.. (don't know if in this life time ..)

~Krupa

I am Alive ~

My dear blog, this is a sincere apology to you since I had gone to hibernation for a long time. This year, ever since started, God knows when! (Probably on 1st Jan) has been the time full of some work. It's been a fruitful year considering career and the opportunities that came my way. Thanks to God & this universe for everything!

Writing is my hobby and that's why I started putting my thoughts on this blog. Whatever work I am doing currently, involves lot of typing and when I come back home after work, I just don't feel like typing anymore. It has been the struggle within, trust me, when I don't write!

So... "I am Alive". Stay tuned.. and I am back :-)
~Krupa

With Internet ~

I, finally have internet at my aparment and I can do surfing or chat with people online during weekdays too. [May be on a constructive front, can write some real good thing on my Blog too now]

Life is going good. I am kinda becoming a workoholic. I get the email sentences in front of my eyes when I am about to sleep :D Too much computer usage lately too. I want to avoid so much use of computer.

No kiddin... it is going to get worse if I let it continue this way :-) BUT I am aware of it now and won't let it become so. ;-)

Take care

~Krupa

[~ mania - well something is wrong with me - I use '~' sign a LOT - any time I send any email I type ~ with my name and to me it looks cool! ]

Deepika's Youngest Fan ~ Tanay

He is playing and he is in his own world, sometimes he is crying for food or he is crying because he is sleepy - That's my nephew Tanay Shukla.

You play this small song of a long lady Deepika Padukone and he is all happy, shouting, jumping, dancing and in a very different world. [song is Aankhon me teri ajab si ajab si adaayein hai.. from movie Om Shanti Om]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWbKxoqSqn8&feature=related

Let me also tell you something that NOT ONLY the video makes him Diwana but he starts jumping even with the audio where it starts with the word "Shanti Priya.....!!!! " [lol.. I love to see such a cool fan of Deepika, really!! :-)]

Deepika must know that she has her 'youngest' fan here in Texas :-) We are going to make the video of his drastic mood transition. When he is a grown up kid, he can also see how deepika ke pichhe pagal he was :D and guess when he reaches his teen age, she would still be in movies and he can continue his Diwangi too ;-) (ha.. ha..)

I will share the video if possible, once made :-)

~Cheers
Krupa

I am doing good...

I am in Houston ,Texas. Came here for a project on 1st of September. Had an opportunity to experience Hurricane Ike. I stay quite far from the actual Hurricane center areas. However, I did get a chance to experience some amount of wind storm and rain. There was power outage at my place for 3.5 days when I had nothing to do. No hot food or milk or tea or anything, no battery in phone - so no way to talk to any of friends of family, no music since my laptop does not work without power anymore and so you can imagine that I was almost in a jail. :D

I can smile now and also talk about that memory with so much description, coz God is nice to me as always. I have my cousin staying in Houston. I am all taken care of by them ever since I came to US, for every small thing to big thing. During and after Hurricane, I had some days without anyone but later days were OK, when I was with them.

I am settling slowly and doing good as long as work is concerned. I am enjoying every change at this point in life. I really believe in this very strongly - "Everything happens for a reason!"

Here I am.. in USA and working with a different Client and enjoying life with my cousin and little nephew .
Will be in touch with my blog soon.

Take care
~Krupa

Charlie's Video.. Very funny

I had never seen this video but my sister showed to me today and man! I could not stop laughing...

check it out (may be you have already seen it..)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MItK9eoOsho

~Krupa

Kissed my soul ~

Gorgeous that smile,
Dreamful those eyes,
He whispered in my life,
& kissed my soul!

Ups & downs - he is right here ~
Always beside me!
He is in me & he is around me,
He became unsaid words of my life,
& kissed my soul!

I am mad in his arms
I am mad for his words,
I am in love with everything,
& 'Everything' involves his love!

Feeling is endless
Eternal is his memory
He really made my life
& kissed my soul!

Thankful to God!

~KrupA

Very ty*ical Key board ~

~Can you ty*e a word with one or more missing letters?
~Did you have to rethink while you ty*e anything in the blog?
~Do you have to reword your statements in your mind when you chat with your friends?

Well, At *resent, I have to! Reason is sim*le - I am using a La*to* where '*' key is not working. I can not ty*e that letter with the normal keyboard, unless I really o*en the on screen keyboard and start ty*ing *ro*erly!! But you know what? It's really *ainful to use the mouse in between to just ty*e a *articular letter.

I am trying to use the alternative words while chatting/writing a blog and even avoiding using my email account login ;-) (u know my id may contain my name)

Did you guess what key of my keyboard is not working ;-)?

I am sure you are smart!

~Cheers
Kru*a

Less Productive Week

This week was very less productive at work. I was on leave on Monday and Tuesday and after that, I come to office, sit at my place, refresh my inbox couple of times, go around, meet many more people and then come back and do something more.

Every morning I was feeling that I do not want to get up and sleep more. Evening when I reach home, I feel glad. Very lazy feeling, yeah?!?

My iPod is still not working and after checking many options, I am convinced that it has got Hard disk problem and I will have to give it for service. But I think I won't. So mostly, I am out of the music player right now that was my only companion.

Anyways! I am looking for some kind of change. Let's see when, where, how?

~Krupa

Jalti Shamaa

Hum jiske sang beh nahi sakte,
Wo armaano ka jharna ho tum,

Hum jo keh nahi sakte,
Wo adhuri kahani ho tum,

Hum jo mita nahi sakte,
Wo chahat ki nishani ho tum,

Hum jo chun nahi sakte,
Wo pyari manzil ho tum,

Hum jo nibha na paye,
Wo dosti ka ehsas ho tum,

Hum jise bujhne se rok na sake,
Wo khwabon ki Jalti shamaa ho tum,

Jise hum ji nahi sakte,
Wo akeli jindagi ka adhura hissa ho tum!

~Krupa

Online Facilty - Helpful but Painful in hidden way ~

Thanks to Dilbert.. Please Read on!

Idea of online banking, online bill payment and many other online things ... I am sure most of us would consider it a great benefit because it makes our lives easier and saves us from going physically to a place and perform the task.

However, for me, lately I have found too many online accounts as a problem in itself. I have some reasons for it:

1> Every account has different username and password policy .. i.e. some accounts suggest to use special characters and few do not.

2> Many places, the user name which I may want to keep, may already have been taken. I have to invent a new one, which may be an odd one compared to any of my other accounts. [one more thing to remember]

3> Every account asks me to keep some security questions and provide its answers~ do I (or will I be able to) even remember what questions have I chosen for which account and what was my answer there? And If I keep same answer everywhere, then also it's not a great idea from security point of view ~ hmmm..

4> Password change after, say, 45 days also cause one more headache. I know that it is necessary, but how do I remember all?

5> To keep it in my memory, I can also have an option to write it somewhere and whenever required, refer to it. But huh! how can I write my password anywhere, which can be accessible to anyone?

6> Some bank accounts have the numbers only as the user id. So more credit cards you have, different user ids you will have to remember. [This is one reason, I do not keep many credit cards and restrict myself to one] Also some accounts have only numbers allowed for passwords.

7> Gas or electricity, etc - Add to the number of accounts I already have!

4-5 System passwords (in my software area), mulitple bank accounts, online e-ticket facility for train and for flights and many more..

Recently in my company, they have created one portal where I can login and reset my domain password on my own! Who would remind me the portal password NOW to reset the domain password?

8> If I go on vacation for 4-5 or more days, then, definitely, expect me to forget the passwords easily.

I have more reasons too. I totally agree that Password policy is designed for security, but I, somehow, find it very difficult to remember and manage with these.

Do you have a good way to manage which is secure too? I guess, Girish (Mr. Wanna be Geek) will have some idea. Please Share!

Thanks

Krupa

Mere Dil ki Pukar ~ Returns!! -- contd ...

Sigh!!...

It does not feel great to share with you that banging the iPod idea did not work for me yet.

I am missing my iPod terribly, however in this phase of life when I am too away from my iPod, I seek your help. Please pray that I get some way out to repair my iPod and get a life back to it.

Thank you
Krupa

Mere Dil ki Pukar ~ Returns!!

Well, in this trauma of tolerating the 'Judaai' from my iPod, I have not given up on my hopes.

I have been searching on Apple site every now and then. Guess what! I found this link which has a very intelligent (without any intelligence) 'technical' solution. I have not tried it yet, but since it worked for MANY people, I am going to try it when I reach home today.

Many people have replied on that forum to hit the right corner of the iPod hard, and it will start working. Seeing many people meeting back with their iPod, I am hoping to try the same and see the days of 'Milan' once again ~

Let's see.. I will give updates soon.

Krupa

Meri Dil ki Pukar ~

suna pad gaya hai jahan mera, har pal mein uski yaad basi hai

Har angdai, har baat par ek ummid Jagti hai,

use chhune ki, fir se apne haatho me use pane ki,

usi ki dua se aaj tak main apne jivan me khushiya bharti aai hu,

uski vajah se muje ehsas milta hai ishwar ke aashirwad ka, mohabbat aur chahat ka...

aur bhi kai rang dekhe hai .. bas usi ki badaulat..!!

Lekin, na jane kahan.. wo mera saathi kahin kho gaya hai!! Aise soya hai is baar ki jag hi nahi raha..

Sun le mere dil ki pukar... laut ke aaja mere meet...
********************************************

My dear iPod! this blog post is dedicated to you to express my feelings for you. I love you so much, please come back from this comma state of yours!!!
Pleaseeeeeeee... I am so incomplete without you.

Please all you readers, pray that I get my iPod back in its working condition!!

Love

Krupa

Switch off ~

When you switch off lights, suddenly it becomes so dark that you can not see anything, But, if you notice, after few minutes, your eyes get that power to see in the dark also!

Short and Big events happening in life which we find so shocking, are like those 'switch-off' events. We just have to keep the faith up and we are able to see the way in that shocking darkness also!

It's wonderful that Life is so transparent to us but it's funny that we always make it complicated!
:)
~Krupa
*********************
अंगना फूल खिलेंगे,
बहार फिर से लौटेगी;
खुशिया झर-मर बरसेगी,
मुझे विश्वास है!
*********************

When a friend departs !

Departure is just heavy!

It was Girish's last working day yesterday, he has opted to fulfil his desire and achieve his ambitions. We(me and my other best friends) all are big fan of this buddy of ours. He is very supportive and has got great sense of humor.

Mr. Mast Ram, We will always cherish the time spent with you. It was my good Karma I guess, which made me enjoy such a long phase of life with you around.

All the best for your life ahead. Of course, keep blogging!

Keep smiling!

~ Krupa

What would you do, if you were one of them ~

It's raining heavily in Mumbai today. My roomies and I were wondering why do we have to go to office today! Getting wet in rain even with an umbrella in hand (even the umbrella was sinking due to heavy rain) and feet all time in 2 inch (minimum) water all over, we reached the bus stop.

Bus came and we headed to office. Traffic was bad everywhere due to rain and we took 1.5 hrs to reach office instead of normal 40 minutes.

We have put so many efforts to come to office, there should be something exciting to happen to give worth to those efforts !!:D

Okay, let me tell you what exciting 'can' happen! We had our performance appraisals during April and today is the day when we 'may' get our letters. That letter which everyone is waiting for - which will tell you how much more money you will get in next year or may be how much more tax will be deducted .. ha ha.. It can also be a promotion in your position.

A funny thing happened few mins ago - I met few people who were waiting outside the meeting room at 9:55 AM, coz they had booked the meeting room from 10:00 AM for their regular team meeting. They figured that the HR team - the team who is working on putting the appraisal letters in the envelopes so that they can dispatch them soonest- is using that meeting room.

In a normal scenario, if anyone uses the meeting room without booking it and when you have booked it, it just makes you very angry. In today's scenario, people were angry but they did not want HR team to move out in the middle of such an important work.

Isko bolte hai 'Dharma Sankat' jaisi situation.. he he..

If I was one of them, my reaction would be same too - 'angry but don't want to kick them out' :) - After all, they are doing something of my interest!

What would be your reaction?
;-)
Krupa

Hope or Expectation ~ Are you clear about your emotion?

Neha and I were discussing something. As usual, we were arguing for our points and none of us wanted to give up. ;-) But then she made an interesting statement that is still on my mind. "Hope is a beautiful emotion, don't ever mix hope with Expectation".

It happens. Many times we hope for something to happen, but then we end up suffering. Why? Because we put condition that the hope should become reality. The moment you put a condition on your Hope - it becomes expectation.

In the Bollywood movie 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge" - there was a dialog - "सपने देखो! बस उनके पूरे होने की शर्त मत रखो!" =>"Dream anything, but don't put conditions that it must get fulfilled."
True! :-)

So Neha - You were right, I think I was suffering from expectation and I was naming it as hope! Thanks!

~Krupa

High in the rain ~

Barsi aakhir wo baarish jiska intezar dil kar raha tha
Wah! Subhanallah!!
***************************************
Angadi marodkar aaj saawan jhoom raha hai,
kabhi idhar to kabhi udhar,
kabhi thoda to kabhi zyada,
thandi chal rahi hai pavan,
khush mizaz rehti hai dhadkan,
Masti chhayi hai galiyon mein,
bachho ki shaitaniya sunai di ab kaano mein,
baarish me bheeg kar football khel rahe,
rang-birangi chhato ke saath dance kar rahe,
khidaki se unki mummy chinta mein chillaye,
ha ha!! ye dekh.. Papa unke mann mein muskaye ;-)

Mitti ki wo khushboo jo mujhe kahi aur na mili,
des pardes gayi, lekin apne vatan ki yaad nahi gai,
Sau rang se badhkar megh dhanush ka rang;
Khushiya saji hai har taraf baarish ke sang;
Mera mann to kho chuka hai,
Daud kar baarish me ghoom raha hai,
Angadi marodkar aaj saawan jhoom raha hai,
Puchhiye apne dil se bhi,
Aakhir wo bhi to kuch keh raha hai!!

:-) High in the rain
~ Krupa

Saturday Lesson Learned ~

It so happened that the beautiful start of my staurday helped in making sure that my day does not end without any adventure.

I took a rickshaw to reach home, I got off the ric and heard some 'thakk' noise, I looked behind making sure that I am not missing anything. With normal chit-chat with my friend, I went home upstairs.

I am back to my routine and surfing internet in the bedroom with the music quite loud in the main hall. My cell phone rings (next to the speakers), of course, I did not know. I missed a call. My friend caught the call when it rang second time. (Thanks a lot!)

It was some stranger - confirming my name and then he asks "Have you lost your wallet with license and cards?" I was surpized ..not sure what's happening. I said .."uh..um... 1 min.. let me check it.." I checked my bag quickly and it wasn't there! :-(

Anyhow, it had happened that he had found it from an auto-rickshaw and was going to come to my place to deliver it to me. So nice of him!

I thanked GOD, saying "There are still good people, thanks a lot!"

When I got the wallet, I figured that the weight of the same was very less than it used to be. I opened it and saw there was no money! All money from all parts of the wallet was gone. There! Now this was a shock! (though you might expect it!) Then my statement changed "There are bad people also.. :-( !!"

Someone stole my money and left my all cards intact. At least, thankful I am that none of my cards have been stolen. It would had been worse if my cards (including my PAN card) were stolen.

Lessons learned -

1. Make sure you don't lose your things..double check when you leave some place. (Basically, stay present-minded)
2. Ok, if you manage to lose it, then do not panic but take the steps to deactivate the cards.. so for that keep the customer care numbers handy.
3. If you lose your PAN card, first thing you do is register a FIR to the nearest police station (this one I did not know, my friend told me)

Also, Do not carry unnecessary cards in your wallet. I had some 5-6 cards that were not necessary in India (those were US cards) & Keep a Photocopy of your license and important cards at home at a secure place.

Hope my experience helps you in keeping your things well...
~Krupa

What a start of Saturday ~

It's Saturday and I am in office. Entire office is quiet and there are only few humans that I see if I go out of my cube. (Actually, there is only house-keeping boys and ladies everywhere)

It is supposed to be the cutover weekend for my project, when project work is applied to production. Being at offshore (India office), I do not have any task to perform for this Cutover. Major activities take place in US, at client Site.

However, I am still called to office.. may be for moral support :-)

One of my friends called me and when I said I am in office for moral support, he laughed! He was like 'you and moral support!?' How Sad!

So Bottom line ~

It's Saturday & I came to office by 6:30 AM, I have no company whatsoever of any colleague, I am supposed to do no work related to what I have come for & Over and above, my good friends laugh at me saying "you and moral support?"

Compelete Waste! I feel utterly useless and put down at this moment. I am not sure if this is work or this is personal? Is it my mood or is it something else?

Well, I am here for more 1.5 hours and then I am off to home. I wish my team in US to go live smoothly with Project, where I Play no role. :-(

~KrupA

Reality Shows on TV - Nowadays

Nowadays on TV, maximum we see is the Reality Show. Every Channel has some reality show going on. Most of them are Talent shows - Music & Dance.

There is no reality show for playing the Instruments!?! After all, any song or dance can not be successful without the great instruments and their combinations. Anyhow!!

One thing has always confused me about the Reality Shows.
Do they happen Real-time? Meaning, if their performance happens already then how the public-voting is taken care of? Sometimes they do whole drama to show who will be eliminated based on 'public voting' and other hand, they would show the commercial ad for the next time's performances.

Last weekend I spent (or wasted) in front of the idiot box (that's TV). I watched the repeat and fresh telecast of 3 reality shows.

Shahrukh's 'Kya aap Paanchvi pass se tez hai?' (Quiz contest of the questions up to 5th standard for the big kids like me and above to earn up to 5 Crores INR), "Yeh hai Jalwa" (the dance competition) & Super Star (Singing competition).

I liked these shows. But still felt that to capture or enjoy 'some' part of the program, I am wasting much more time behind watching it all.

"Kya aap Paanchvi pass se tez hai?" - is a cool program. SRK is an entertainment in it and the kids are just amazing on the show. This is an opportunity to revise the basics too :-)

(I had drafted this post on Monday and publishing on Friday ~ huh!)
~Krupa

Bus service and my feedback !

It was about the Bus service. I travel by the company bus to go to work & return. The buses are not spacious enough. I mentioned about it in my morning Raga post.

Anyway!

I expressed my feedback with the positive intention to show to the organization a different side of the coin.

Well, if they keep quiet, I really do not have much an option here. However, I sent a reply to all the Admin people since I did not receive any response for a month.

This time the message reached & I was called for a meeting and we discussed the concern areas. I thought the meeting was successful enough.

I felt good about the fact that I tried to suggest the improvement instead of sitting quiet and just talking bad about it.

Had another meeting today and it was not fruitful enough. I got to know - what opinion company has built about its employees.

Mind it, this opinion is created due to the very employees themselves.

It has happened that any time company provides the bus service changes/facility improvements, the bus fees become the debatable and mostly a rebelling issue. Employees fight to reduce the bus fees & company can not make better contract or deals with the bus third-party contractor. Many employees come by an auto rickshaw or public transport to save the fees of the bus. But if it is rainy season, they would join the bus service since it is more convenient. After all these, company also builds the opinion about its employees that we(employees) have interest in saving money and not getting good service.

So, out of 100 employees, even if 30 employees are ready to pay the price for the better facility, rest of the 70 oppose it. End result -> 70 wins and hence no improvements in the service. Now out of those 30 dissatisfied people, some leave for good or some go for private vehicle or some just go ahead with the bus that is provided & continue with the dissatisfaction.

Sad!

I do not know what I can do more about this. If my colleagues do not want better bus at the cost of paying little more money then how do I go and debate with my admin management?

Improvement is in progress as per what they say, so no action for me at the moment. Anyhow! I am hoping for the good.

~Krupa

Alzheimer's & me~

Alzheimer's Disease is what I saw in the Bollywood movie U Me aur Hum. Until then, I was not aware of such disease. (Only I knew was that some people lose their memory but I never knew it's medical name)

Lately, I have been forgetting some things, some conversations a Lot. My numeric memory is good, generally. But I forgot some number and could not recall it at all. I ask some doubt to my friend or colleague and then I forget. After a few days when that colleague asks what happened to that problem & I would be totally blank. I asked him - what problem you are talking about!!

It is so rightly said 'Ignorance is the best policy.' :-) I did not know such disease and I was not bothered about my forgetfulness, but ever since I have (only) 'some' knowledge about it, I relate my problem to that disease.

Curiosity took me here - Alzheimer's Disease

& Here is the wiki link!
This article made it clear that I am not suffering from any kind of early symptoms of this disease. :-)

Let's Party now ;-) & I will forget to pay the bill saying 'what party man!' ... ha ha...

Krupa

Mother's Day - 11th May, 2008

Mother's Day.. I am little late to make a wish here, but not totally late yet.

Mothers are just Special in any terms!

Happy Mother's Day!

By God's grace, I have got 3 mothers & I have seen my 4 sisters and 1 Bhabhi (sis-in-law) becoming a mother. Watching them is like imagining my own birth & my mom. Mother is GREAT - Seriously! Whatever they go through to see their baby in their hands, is just not comparable to any damn thing in this world.

You know what? The perfect example of 'Unconditional love' is a mother giving birth to a baby.

I Love all my three mom (1 mom and 2 Chachi... (aunts)). THANK YOU.

~Krupa

Project that I enjoyed

After a long time, I was on a Project which had lots of hard-core technical work which really did help me in enhancing my technical skills. Also, it was pretty good experience in terms of being at offshore and coordinate the work up to some extent.

I got to learn some soft skills of handling the problem. Generally, we jump into research work, however this time I learned how we can avoid jumping into the problem.

[ In fact, I am not totally right that I learned soft skills coz my Lead (the one who did my performance appraisal) suggested and advised me to learn the soft skills more & better. I respect the suggestion.]

There is a proven methodology of asking question - 5 Whys. This method is very strong and effective. I have not used this method in its right systematic form, but can say that I have used it to reduce the problem resolution time.

I really enjoyed this project, where each day I returned with some learning to home.

~Krupa

[ P.S: I can always create the excuses for not writing here for long time... but I am learning that the excuse game is not a helpful thing I am doing to myself.

So.. with the spirit to write again... here I am :-)
]

Khuda Ke Liye - In the Name of GOD

"Khuda Ke Liye - In the Name of God" -> The movie I surely admire..

Some movies when you watch you feel there is a lot the director wants to cover and he is not doing justice to all the aspects. BUT This movie, has it all and is all so well presented.

The movie is about Islam. Many people in this world, make up their own interpretations about GOD and GOD's message and try to misguide the people. This movie , so beautifully, shows how can just few people misguide a big bunch of people in the name of GOD. It covers how the women are treated in the men-dominant world, again in the name of GOD's message.

Part of the movie deals with the message - "Do not hate some country or people from some race or religion, just because some or few of them have done something wrong". Woow!! So important for us all to understand. Love is so big a Religion, why put the constraints of Race, Religion, country and money!!

We face this racial, regional, religion discrimination all around. There is a habit to generalize. I am a Gujarati (West part of India) girl, let me take my example and say - I meet with many people who say "Oh! you are gujju.. Gujjus are quite this or quite that!!" And similarly we also say sometimes, Americans are like this, Indians are like that and so on...

Movie's storyline is awesome and the direction, the print of the movie, the colors, the music, acting and so much clarity in the dialogues. (Some dialogues which had too many Urdu words, was difficult to understand but surely the context was clear)

I perceive these messages -
- Do not misguide yourself in the name of GOD.
- Feel the GOD within you, be honest and have intergrity in your living. This will bring you closer to GOD for sure!
- Live with the sense of Equality and Love in your heart.- Do not generalize your opinion about people from any caste, religion or country. It's not fair to generalize.

Newspapers and the critics have their own criterias to give 'stars' '*' to the movies while For this movie, I will just say "I truly loved it!"

A suggestion From a MUSIC-FREAK like me :)) Go buy the CD of this movie songs.. You won't repent it if you like Sufi Type songs!

Until we meet again ~

Enjoy, Appreciate and Put into Practice!

~Krupa

Kathhak Shikhti balao nu noor ~~

Komal Pag emna, Najuk najuk hath,

Gol ghume to e Duniya ghumi jaane,

Kudko bhare to jaane ek pahor ni chhalang bhari le

Aankhon ma chamak ane pag ma ghunghroo bandhi ne nache;

Chham Chham Chham chham Saad kare,

Joine emne bani chhu nishabd hu;

Man ma khush thati hu, emne joine malaku chhu hu;

Madira bharyu emnu sahaj Smit joine,

Emni j saathe Laya ma khovai java ichhu chhu;

Aa koi kavita nathi, Shabdo no shangar - Alankar nathi,

Mari saathe Taal Par nachti e balao no nasho chhe;

Koi ne nahi samjay aa mara hriday na eva shabdo chhe!!!

~Krupa

Society changes required ~

Have been watching News and heard about the crime rate and the dirtiness in my own country, it Feels bad. But I don't think I am doing anything to change it or contributing much (Except not making my city dirty by doing any non acceptable act...)

Area of cleanliness should be handled by us at an individual level where talking about government or 'bad' ministers etc is of no use! No goverment is going to come to our streets to get it cleaned! NO!

It's a wake up call for "us", Educate people to stay clean, Why so many people want to stay like how they have been staying till today, as if in the mud?

I was sitting in the auto rickshaw and that person must have spit the Red colored dirty 'Paan' or 'Masala' on the road almost 4 times in the journey of 15 minutes. Imagine! Such millions of people spitting on the road anywhere and throwing the 'Masala' cover anywhere.

I heard that Mumbai has become the seventh dirtiest place in the world. Man!! Let's change the fame criteria so that people know this city on good names.
As a solution, I was wondering if I could try this approach (but I am already skeptic) - I will tell any rickshaw person or taxi person to cut the money from his share of rent if he spits on the road during my trip in his vehicle.
"Ek baar thunko aur Rs. 5 Cut karungi.." - Like that..What if everyone does that! Would that make any difference?
On the other hand I felt, probably they will deny to take such people or simply do not agree!! Well..people are quite blunt generally. If they do not want to listen to you, they won't! :( :(

Kaise kare problem ko door? How to make people aware that "Following instructions or rules is good for us, we are not doing it for anyone else!" I found so many people, crossing the signals at 'Red' Light, smoking in the non-smoking public transports, taking the vehicle on wrong-side to avoid a bigger U-Turn, Parking the vehicle on the road side and blocking the road traffic, Taking a picture where the photography is prohibited (this increases Piracy problems)...
--Ain't these all leading to a mismanaged living place?

At one point of time, Media's role was very important and positive, but if you see today, it's just an entertainment channel on TV. Every News channel just wants some 'Masala' to speak about. Everyone is bringing news just to compete with each other, no other purpose I feel. Real time problems like the ones that I mentioned, are not being looked upon by them, RATHER they are after the lives of Cricket Players, Politicians and Bollywood. What else they are showing on TV?

Come on Media, Get a Life!

I find watching a cartoon show much better than the News Channel.

I wish that GOD gives me courage to believe in the right things to change the current circumstances. I really want to contribute in the progress of my country!! At the least, I am going to try telling people to contribute in keeping the streets clean... Let's see how that goes..!

~Krupa

क्या जिंदगी फिर से.. ?!

ख्वाबों के धागों में जुडी थी,
बन कर मोती, पीरोकर ख्वाहिश,
जिंदगी कभी साँस भी ले रही थी;

बनकर खुशबू फूलों की,
गजरे की आड़ में छुपे वादे सी,
जिंदगी कभी महेंका भी करती थी;

चुनर ओढे अब मुक़द्दर की,
राह चल रही फिर भी मोहब्बत की,
दामन बनाया है विश्वास का,
क्या जिंदगी फिर से जिंदा होगी?

~कृपा

General Conversation topic

Anyone that you are in contact with, will ask you for snaps/pictures after any event that happens at your end. For example, if you visit some place, only conversation starting point will be "Hey!! Where are the pictures?" Huh!! As if there is nothing else to talk about..

I have been proactive and have sent the pictures as soon as I can and guess what? I received no single reply from any of those busy people in the world. Now what is my motivation point to send pictures?

But why is that thing? Only one question - "Where are the photos" ..Come on dude! ask me whad did I do? Or How am I doing?

Anyways.. Today I thought since I have got some time and internet both, let me write anything that comes to my mind.. ;-)

Cheers~
Krupa

Updates n updates

If you are hungry and you do not get to eat at that time and then if you get food after few hours, can you really eat properly?

:( This is what has been happening with me.. I feel like writing and at that time either I do not get internet or I do not get time (generally when I am in office.. means when I am working.. I feel like doing non-work stuff :D). When I get time in the evening, I do not get internet connection much and also I do not get fresh mind state.

It's quite late & tiring by the time we finish cooking, eating and cleaning. But Anyways!! all excuses apart, some things are always doable if you have a will to do it very strongly. Not that I was so keen on writing during last one month, but there was a small wish inside & the words just did not come out. I always had the guilt feeling about not writing and here I am back to write something.

Hmm.. something can be anything, right? Some random updates or random talks would do.. wat say!!
-- My morning raaga (That I mentioned in one of the posts earlier) continues.

-- Something more added to that raaga that the team mate who sits next to me in my office, wears quite strong perfume, just like men's cologne. Yeah.. that's little irritating. Reason A that it is 'She' wearing that strong perfume and B that I literally have headache issue due to it. But Luck is not too harsh!! We(read me and my roomies here ) are not the exceptions who can make it to the bus stop just-about-in-time, I guess she also may be facing such issue and hence not getting time to wear that strong fragrance everyday ;-) (Well.. I am used to it now and my head doesn't hurt also)

-- At work, I am totally enjoying and learning something or the other every single day which is truly an experience for me. Compared to my any other project, this project is giving me more confidence as a technical consultant.

-- Personal Life is cool too. It occured to me today that my dad calls me "Kavi" which means a "Poet". It's a nice coincidence that I really love poems and also love to 'try' to write poems. This name originated by joining the first letter of my first name and first letter of my middle name.

--By the way, Tomorrow is Holi festival where on the second day of Holi we play with colors. Lovely!! Wish you a very happy Holi..

~Krupa

Lyrics and Music that I recommend ~

I genergally get that feeling that I am very good at appreciating the talent!! ;-)
Specially in the field of music, I can go on appreciating the song, music, instrument, the lyrics and the composition... Lately, I have been talking more about the lyrics. (Appreciating something doesn't mean that I also own that talent ;-))

I really love the poems and I am also a poet up to some extent. Every field has the limit like an endless sky to improve in. I feel that I am at a lower level and trying to improve in that direction. However, the words used and the way they are used in the poem make a lot of impact.

I can go on giving examples of great songs with fantastic lyrics. Some of the songs, I must recommend...
1) More Ang Ang - By Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Album 'Charkha')
In fact, if you have ever been Rahat/Nusarat/Kailash Kher/Rahman Fan then Just Buy the Album, you will NEVER repent!!! All songs from that album are fantastic. It can take you to a different world where you can be yourself, where you can imagine anything you want to. Just close your eyes and feel whatever you want to, it will serve as one form of meditation for you :) !!

2) Jashn-e-Bahara - From Jodha Akbar -> I have always been fan of Javed Akhtar and Gulzar Saheb for their talent of writing. Man! They are fabulus at analogy to express the right emotion in the song.

If you get a chance and want to try the music at its best, of course the best lyrics too, then try the albums that I suggested.

Krupa

मन बनाये बातें...

मैंनू पता नही मैं क्या चाहू,
अपने आप से एक वादा चाहू,
खुशी का साथ माँगू,
एक नज़र का इज़हार माँगू,
देख ज़रा आँखें छलकी जाये,
कोई पूछ ना ले इन्हें कहीं,
फिर से उन्हें हँसी में ओज़ल कर दू,
बेबसी और बेचेनी से लड़ती रहू,
किस दिशा जाना चाहे ढूँढु,
मन् बावरा बना इंतज़ार करे,
कब ख़ुदा अपने साथ कर ले...

~KrupA

Morning Raaga in the bus

My morning Raaga is almost the same everyday. I have to catch the office bus at 7:40, but for that I must walk out of the house by 7:25. However, It never happens.

Somehow, I manage to reach to the bus stop and wait for the bus. Now, my only concern would be - to get a good comfortable seat in the bus.

The office buses in Mumbai (which I have always wondered why they are like that!!) are 2 x 3 buses. Ideally, it is to be called as 2 x 3 seats -- meaning 2 and 3 people can sit there respectively! If someone tells me to define that seat size, I would say it is '1.60' x '2.60'. So, the moment I am boarding the bus, I just wish that I get to sit alone on 2 sitter(supposedly '2' sitter) Or sit with only 1 person on the 3 (sigh!) sitter.

To my luck! This happens very rare. Today I sat on 2 sitter where I was accompanied by a Lady who is healthy enough in my comparison. (No jokes on any one who thinks he is fat, 'coz for a 'thin' person like me (who looks like a stick :(:( ), everyone else is healthier) She was sitting at the window seat and I joined for the aisle seat. Trust me....Out of that 1.6 size of the seat, she was occupying 1.20. Remaining .40 was not enough to adjust myself. I kept on trying to adjust here and there, so that to make her realize that I am almost on the edge and I may fall!! But No! May be she knew that she is helpless as such! :( Well! She could had squeezed herself a bit to adjust, but probably she might had to do it quite frequently since I think the Body mass/material spreads on its own after a while. (At Least, today I experienced so...)

:) In the Evening I go to the bus & Wish for only this, that I get to sit at a better place where I can squeeze myself in the entirety!! :P

The people who designed these Buses for 2 x 3, I really want to ask, according to them, what is the 'Normal' size of a person!!!

~KrupA

The compliment...

My friend told me today that If someone does any 'Punga' (Any fun/humor/problem) with me then he gets the honor to appear on my blog. :) I smiled at this compliment!

Currently, I am studying some stuff and after few days I have to give training on it to my fellow team members (Company colleagues!). I thought it won't be too bad or hard to learn it since I have already worked on it. But trust me, knowing something by your own and teaching someone about it are very different scenarios. I am literally tensed about what should I do to not get screwed up!!

This training thing, however, I have invited to myself on my own.
But my lead came back with some more expectations on the other day. The scope of the visionary statement that he spoke by mistake, turned out to be bigger than expected. :( My luck!

Anyways, It's ok! The funny statements that I had said about myself after my first attempt to read something - have caused the compliment that I received (mentioned in the first line).

In today's blog, the honor is given to my friend instead of the Lead ;-)
(Dude, No Punga with me!, I tell you! :P)

Cheers!

Krupa

P.S: For my non-Hindi Readers... Punga can be pronounced the way it is written where 'u' sound is like in 'Sub' :)

Income, Attrition...

I am back in office. My friends with whom I had stayed and worked in US, are also here and I feel great to be with them.

In this software industry, we have such a common term called attrition and I believe same is the word responsible for the new recruitments. When I returned to my office after 1.5 years, I could hardly see any familiar face. Whoever I could recognize, for them, I thought in my mind: 'Oh! He is STILL here?'

Fast Growing world, quick money are some of such words that are used for today's era. Everyone wants to earn MORE in LESS time. I can very well gather that in dad's generation, getting a promotion and an increment of a good amount, used to be a very hard earned dream.

Considering the Income boom, I realize that the life style is becoming expensive equally. The prices of Patrol/Gas or the basic routine needs are touching the sky I feel. Not many things are sold in the single digit price! (Talking about INR here)

Point is not that the income standards are growing largely. I am sure there will be a balance between the income and expense. But the large income expectations are resulting very costly for the companies. People leave companies like anything. They join, stay for few months and switch to another company in the hope to get even more salary.

Such a changing resources environment can affect the quality of the service being provided. Who's to stop this and how? I feel that the people joining the company must own the organization from responsibility point of view and not see it only from money point of view. As they say, 'Love your work and you will be successful'. Indeed it's true! Just the way you own your family, do the same with your work. You don't leave your family, if something goes wrong, Do ya?

And those of you my readers, if you are also giving yourself any excuse for not writing a post (like I did for few days), please get back to writing. Remember that this is one of your world where you are so free!!!

Love
Krupa

Stay Calm

I went on vacation and no one is even looking at my blog.. huh!!

well, that's expected though :) no worries.

After spending a lot of time away from this place, naturally, many things have changed and I am noticing them. The approach of people, my own approach, my reactions and what not!!

During one of the meditation Program session, I had learned one amazing thing - 'Use of Positive words'. For example, instead of saying "I am not doing bad", say "I am doing good". Instead of scolding a kid for eating bad food, inspire him to eat healthy food by saying "If you eat this, you will be healthy and smart!". But As a matter of fact, I found the usage of negative words more than positive around.

Couple of days I tried to implement that lesson to use positive words and then I could see my self also losing temper at small things, shouting and not really listening to anyone. It's frustrating. Not the circumstances, but I find it frustrating since I can literally watch myself failing on my all learned lessons thus far.

It's very important when we stay calm, we can approach things wisely. Otherwise no point! We end up with mistakes and anger and frustration... :(

So Today's lesson is "Stay Calm!" :)

Keep in touch..
Krupa

When I returned...

I am back home. Enjoyed the meeting with parents after 1.5 years and after taking a day off, I headed to office to 'Aamchi Mumbai' (Our Mumbai).

Felt literally 'home' when I came out of the train and took a breath in the city where crore people earn their bread each day, the city where Most of the Bollywood stars brought up, the city where people run even faster than the Clock - The city called Mumbai. :)

Of course, there is a lot of difference in my country and USA, but home is the place which you love, no matter what! Amazingly fast growing country is India I feel. The pollution or the system or the crowd, what so ever it is, I Love it, I am part of it all. I will try to improve whatever I can.

People, I am going on vacation for few weeks now and I am all excited to enjoy the time at home with the family and rock!!

I Wish that you also enjoy what you do. Good Luck! See ya later when I write next! I need to write the way I used to write earlier. But just a small break is what I ask for right now :) :)

Love
Krupa

Good-Bye to this Phase of Life

While I am about to leave from Office, I am writing this little message to my readers.

I am flying back to India tonight and Even though I always said that departure is a heavy feeling, I am all ready to continue smiling and say bye to everyone.

Wish you A very Happy New Year.

Lots of Love,
KrupA

End of the Year

Last day of the year 2007.

Somehow, I am feeling so low that I don't feel like welcoming 2008. But my low-mood is absolutely temporary. I guess it's because I am packing my stuff and leaving in 3 days.

You have read many of posts, where I cry for the plane journey. Man!!! I am going to go for the longest journey :( :( I wish I don't get irritated and I enjoy the journey this time.

Somehow, this journey will be good I feel, coz I am heading to home. I have my parents who are waiting for me. And I am certainly,waiting for amazing fooooooooood ;) So yes, for this reason I am looking forward to the coming year ;-)

Okay...
Our journey together in US was just this... Good luck. See you when I see you.

Take care and welcome the New year. Wish this new year brings the positive and higher spiritual learnings in your life.

Happy New Year 2008 :)

Love
KrupA

:)

I exist. Rest are details.

(kidding...)
~KrupA

To-Do

My routine has become little boring and then I found myself approaching my come-back date so soon.

Any major eventful day and I start the countdown. Don't know why do I lose the present moment in day dreaming the coming moments. I guess need to change my approach. Well, I am not too much into day-dreaming, so it's ok enough :-)

However, small planning is always important part for any event. I have started packing my stuff, throwing unnecessary stuff and selling the liabilities. Canceling the services on my name is next task on my to-do.

Exact word - yes got it!! It's basically the 'To-Do' List.

Working in office also requires some decent and systematic approach. First thing that we do in office is to check emails and gather work and then prepare the To-Do List for that day. This list helps a lot to plan and meet the time line of each task. You finish the work and check it off the list.

Also, it gives an idea about how much work is pending, if we are not able to finish all tasks at the end of the day.

Everyone has different To-Do Approach and I tell you there are many ways to improve it. So keep an eye on everyone's approach and you will find the learning is unlimited.

~KrupA

Packaging ~ Is that the name?

I have been taking many medicines over the last 10-15 days. Also, was taking some instant-mix for soups. Well, I thought of something and found it interesting.

Every such thing that we buy, has the user-instructions. How to prepare or how much to take and how to cook or when to stop etc. Isn't that an interesting area of industry where people work to find the language and words to be most user-friendly and which conveys the exact meaning?

You take any item, starting food to electronics, you will find the instructions manual which is well versed in multiple languages (generally).

Alright, I know this is not something new. You already may be knowing it. But I wanted to say that it is that part of an industry which does not have name like software industry, hardware industry, manufacturing, interior decoration, construction etc (May be 'packaging' is the name for it, may be I only do not know it!)

Yenyways... how's life? :-)

(When you find that you are not able to write/talk much then ask a question and the conversation continues... ;-) ha ha...)

Cheers ~KrupA

Just because he took the cake first ~

That's why even the war started!

Cake is a dessert, supposed to be taken in the end. It was all placed nicely on the table along with the rest of the meal. What was the idea? Once we finish lunch, we could have that cake as a dessert.

We were some 6-8 people on one table and one person got the cake along with the food itself, thinking that 'let me reserve my piece of cake'. He felt insecure if the cake is over by the time he finishes the lunch. So far no problem! Now, Seeing him, other person felt insecure too, went and got his piece of cake. Seeing two people on the table reserving the cake for themselves caused insecurity to others too. (However, none of rest of us all went to get the cake at that time.)

Here the point is ~ One person's fear or insecurity contagiously affected the others. This is the reason I see how the war started after all. Huh! One country had power and bought the weapons. That one country just made itself secure by keeping weapons. This caused insecurity to the other and so on...Contagious, you know!!

Just because he took the cake first, just because he felt insecure at first place, others started feeling insecure by seeing his actions for keeping himself secure.

I do not know the solution, I guess that's just the choice that others have to make in such situation.

~KrupA

My latest crush

I know I know..Title is little misleading.

Anyway...
I am talking about my latest crush for a SONG.

After Masha Allah(and all other from the same movie) from Saawariya, Kitni baatein from Lakshaya, I am on to 'O Re Piya' from Aaja Nachle!

A song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. What do I say about this song?

Listen to its beats and the way the dance is choreographed!
Look Madhuri in the song with her amazing expressions!

Listen to each musical instrument played in this song (the way it starts..I don't know what it is, but it is a distant instrument I feel.) I feel as if someone from the soul world of mine is calling me. ;-)

In between when Rahat ji sings 'Piyaa....' has so much depth in it.

I feel that this song has all the moods - First stanza is a generic mood, second stanza is about - when the love takes birth in one's heart and the third one gives the sad and complaining expression. Awesome na? One song, same beats same instruments and amazing Singer at his best again!!

This song and its dance is my latest Crush!!!!! Masha Allah!!! ;-)
If you have not heard it yet then go listen to this song TODAY ~

KrupA

जागी इक तमन्ना ~

अँधेरे से निकल के उजाले को ढूंढती,
सुबह के सूरज से, शाम की अदा संग बहेती;

हर गली से गुज़रती,
कभी आँधी तो कभी बरखा का पैगाम देती;

हर पत्ते को छू लेती,
फूलों की खुशबू हर दिशा महेंकाती,

खिलखिलाती हँसी की तरह,
आसमान संग उड़ के ख़ुशी फैलाने वाली;

चाहती हूँ मैं ऐसी बन जाऊ,
बेबाक अल्ल्हड़ पवन सी खो जाऊ!!

Last line of this poem above is taken from the song 'Masha allaah!' from Saawariya (of course!). I am just in love with that song. It's so soft and so deep, so clear and so profound :)

You can admire the song later, admire the poem right now ;-)

Love
KrupA

Alarm and me..

First shot is always snooze.. Shoots! It's NEVER happened in my life. I have never stopped the alarm at the first ring and gotten up. Never!

You know the mind? It just starts playing and calculating as first thing in the morning.

One day my colleague and I were talking about the alarm system and we thought how good it would be if we just let our body get up everyday naturally without any alarm. Without any rule!

I wonder, years ago, when in village, people used to get up per Sun timings, so naturally. And today, we have just become so rules-driven. Hmm!!! :(

KrupA

What is it.. I don't know..

It's been many days that I am not able to get satisfaction in many things that I do. For example, working, writing a blog, reading a blog, cooking, keeping my room clean and what not..

I am just not enough motivated since I am not keeping well. I think that's the reason it is said that if the health is good, everything else is good too. (There is a saying in Gujarati - "Pehlu sukh te jate narya" on the similar meaning.)

I had thought of keeping a good target for my blogging but unfortunately there is something which is pulling me back. I guess my own criterias for what to write and what not to write are holding me back.

I am continuously struggling with something on my mind. This is adding to my procrastination about every matter.

I am not sure why I am writing this here but felt like this is the best place .. the best tool for me to write it out...

KrupA

Legends and the fun!!

I was watching 'Bal Ganesha' movie. It's an animated movie about Lord Ganesha during his young days. (Bal means - young kid...) Basically, about Ganesha's adventurous deeds, the magical/powerful shows..

Let me say it in the beginning that, I do not intend to make fun of any religion or do not intend to hurt anyone's faith or trust in God Ganesha or any other God. But while watching the movie, and being in the software industry, I just got some funny thoughts.

Let me share.

During the movie, We hear many legends about Deva (Good) and Danava(Evil). I gather that Danavas used to do Tapa (intense meditation) and impress Lord Shiva and ask for the Bliss (Vardana). Shiva is THE Lord who gets impressed so easily (I have heard so...) and gives the Vardana that his devotees ask for.

Now here comes the climax. Shiva gives the Varadana and then the Danava becomes powerful and rules over the world. (At least, tries to rule over the world) He puts the Devas in the jail. Indra Deva (Deva of all Devas) always gets the best chance to escape from such evil deeds by Danava and runs to God Vishnu Or God Brahma.

There they discuss the issue and try to find the solution. But What's the point? It's like the leadership team, consisting of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma, do not have proper communication amongst them then such day was bound to come. They give any blessing without discussing with other leaders about the feasibility. The Leaders, or shall I say management, should not have communication gap. Shiva goes and gives any access to anyone and then rest of the leaders sit and discuss how to remove that access. How stupid!! ;-)

And another interesting thing.. the stories of Lord also show that they used to lie to their mother many times ;-) For example, Ganesha used to lie to Parvati mata for Laddu (Sweet)and Krishna used to lie to Yashoda maiya for Makhan (butter)..(hey..am I giving any message? Nah!!..I did not say anything and you did not read anything.. ok?? ...Lol)

I find all that really funny...;-) Go watch such animated movie and then tell me how do you like it? :D

~KrupA

Our beliefs...

We always have some strong beliefs, don't we? We believe in them as our guiding principle, as our driving principle. And Trust me, it just becomes THE base of our lives.

But did you realize what is important here? Important is to stand strong with that belief in any condition, in any stormy situation of life.

They say, creating a relation takes a while, destroying takes even less, while maintaining takes lot more than you can ever expect. I find 'belief' as a similar thing. It takes a lot to stay firm on our belief.

When you find yourself shaken during some situations, find yourself in a need to be firm about your belief. Feel that you are being tested. Then it's up to you how to handle it to pass through the test.

"Believe in something and then have complete faith in it. It's the best test that we ever go through..."

Nah?!

~KrupA

Departure and random rambling...

I am going home in couple of days. Yes, still a month left for that. And I have been looking for this time so desperately for a year now.

Now since that moment is next door, I am feeling heavy about the time, place and people that I am leaving behind me.

And trust me, I am a very strong person when it comes to emotions. But the DEPARTURE is that emotion for which I still have to train myself :-) It is not fair to say that I am not happy for what is going to come after that departure. I am waiting for that time too.

However certain it seems, I am just heavy when it comes to departure. I can't say 'BYE' with a smile in my heart even if I wear a smile on my face. :(

I guess that is my next lesson to learn. Learn to say 'Good-bye' with a smile in heart!! I think, I will definitely work on it.

Something random is coming to my mind right now... Bear with me :) (Telling something to my life)

ज़िंदगी, तुजसे प्यार करु में,
आ, तुजे अपने हर कदम से जोड़ दू में;

मेरे अंदर एक ज्योति सी चमकती,
तेरी हर आरज़ू से नाता जोड़ लू में;

साथी मेरी, तू ही इक हमेशा साथ है,
ईश्वर की झोली से बरसता एक विश्वास है;

आँखों से बरसते हर वो मोती की तरह,
आ, तुझे हर हाद्से का हिस्सा बना लू मैं !!

आ!

Love,
KrupA

@ Shasta - Feeling Timeless

It's hard for me to say what time was the best one? When the Sun was up in the sky showering its bliss OR when the Moon had come out just for us to make us feel its divinity!! I felt as if the Sun and the Moon both are trying to enter the water to make it shine. And the water is ready to blosson with the stars of love by both of them..

Heaven on earth was what we all ended up calling it as...
Stars made of sun rays was what we ended up feeling it as...

चांदनी जिसे में आंखों से पीती रही,

मोहब्बत और इश्क के ख्यालों में खो गई;

कुदरत के स्पर्श को,
मैं अपने गालों पे महसूस कर रही;

सारे सपने जैसे मेरी झोली में आ गए,
दिल भर आया और सांसे रुकने लगी;
शायद बयान करने की कोशिश में हार जाउंगी, I better not describe the feeling this time...

It was Lake Shasta where we went and we rented the house boat and roam around on the water and enjoyed our 1.5 days on the boat.

The boat had every facility and was run by the engine (meaning we needed not any extra muscle-power ;-)). We had complete kitchen on it and beautiful company of music. Cool winter in California was pretty pleasant (of course with the thermals, otherwise I might had not returned in a condition that I can write here today ;-))

The best part was nothing that we had planned that we want to do on the boat and we ended up enjoying the nature and the company of each other along with lots of Picture-taking sessions. It was great and extra-great to enjoy with my very good friends.

This may be my last trip with these friends in USA before I go back to my sweet home country - India. I am glad that I enjoyed the moments that I had got in my hands.

Truly an Experience I will cherish always!!

Love,
KrupA

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello and Good morning to all,

Today is the Black friday, and the shopping mania is on.

People go early morning at 4:00 AM to find the best deals for the electronic things. It's fun to see people literally doing this to save some few dollars and enjoy the fact that they got something in a deal.
There is literally a long queue (I have heard! I have never seen, since I never went for it) :-)

I have a strong belief, that everything HAS to stay in Balance. If I am saving some money then it just goes away in something else. And I do not like the fact that I am losing money over the enjoyment of saving some money. So I do not go for any deals explicitly. ;-) (Stupid funda na!! ..Well that's how I am though)

This is particularly the holiday season. And I am going out of town to see a new place today. Will be back very soon. Will share the experience surely.. :)

Take Lotsa care..

Cheers~

KrupA

Exceptional Morning

Any fine morning when you get up and your throat is choked up, your nose is stiffy and your head is ringing the aching bells like anything with the body giving you high temperature feeling... how do you react?

Probably just like me. Get up, feel little restless and then make ginger chay and then take hot shower and feel fresh.

Well I am still at the restless state, still to get up and reach that fresh state. Please wish me that I get out of this physical uneasiness soon. I am going out of town for two days (Starting tomorrow), I want to enjoy every bit of it. Why am I saying this, is because, I have trouble due to Cold and there it is going to be EXTRA cold :(.

Right now, The weather here is 37 F (approx 3 degrees)..

~KrupA

Saawariya - When I watched..

A movie made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali - a very good director. I perceive him as a director who makes very big movies.

To me, Big movies mean - the set will be expensive and actors will be very experienced and hence expensive too, music will be extra ordinary, the choreography and cinematography will be outstanding, the costume of each character will demand the proper artistic attention and so on...

Extremely impressed by the music of Saawariya, I watched the movie.

The storyline is not realistic. You can say it's kinda fairy tale. But as I said, watching SLB's movie is an experience one must try.

I would not discourage the thought of watching Saawariya. However, try to see on the bigger screen. It's not fun on small screen like computer or TV.

Something about Actors - Ranbir and Sonam => For a debut movie, I found the acting worth appreciating. Not too sure about making an opinion about Sonam, since the movie is more about Ranbir (The Saawariya of the movie). I can say that he is well educated for area of acting.

Rani's role => She is a wonderful actress. She Always does complete justice to the kind of role she plays. She rules the complete range of acting - From serious-to-comedy-to-romantic-to-even a prostitute..

The Choreography => WOOOOOW!!
I just loved the dance steps.. they go very well with the music and do not even look like old styles. All dance crew was coordinating fantastically. You must watch the choreography of songs 'Chhel Chhabila' (by Rani), 'Yoon Shabnami' (by Ranbir, Sonam and the rest of dance crew). Gosh! it's awesome!!

Lastly, I am not too fan of Ranbir's face, but frankly - Overall he looks a very sexy package ;-) ;-)
Sonam is presented more an innocent, pagli girl which doesn't give her sexy look so no major comments for her.

Cheers ~
KrupA

Broken Promise

Last night I had made a promise to myself that I will publish one post for sure. Without doing so, I will not sleep.

:( I broke the promise with myself.

Don't know what was wrong with yesterday. Since morning I was feeling so sleepy. I felt as if entire universe/world was forcing my body to fall down in the bed.

And I slept!! But I am definitely trying to come back. Not writing a blog is causing frustration in my behavior, so I have to come back...

~KrupA

Uncondtional ~

Love & Commitment - so unconditional....

(Found a picture in one of the forwarded emails..could not resist sharing the expression that I felt after seeing this..)

Love

~KrupA

For my roomies so far...~

I am glad to meet with so many different people who have completely different background, culture, language.. (To me, We all have come from one universal life source!)

In my life so far, I have had a great pleasure of sharing the apartment with different people. However different background they had, all of them had one thing in common. Every one of them was (& is) so affectionate, very caring. They had a zeal to enjoy each other's company even if they had small fights sometimes.

Isn't it amazing the way we accept so many things in life? From complete strangers, we become so close to each other that when we depart, the heart can not resist crying.

Every moment during the growth of the relationship, it's like an adventure to know what's next. :-)

My Friend, my Roomie!

I have learned a lot from you,
Enjoyed each moment with you;

When I was sick,
You were my mother;

When I was mad & sad,
You became my soothing music;

When I was happy and crazy,
You danced with me on the tune of Now;

It was your love,
Which was motivating move;

How do I show my gratitude!

You know what? The BEST part of my roomies was - they always accepted me even if I cooked extra-sweet or extra-salty or extra-spicy food ;-)

I love you my friends - my roomies... :)

~ KrupA

I Love my life ~

... पल आ कर चले गए,
बीते लम्हे हँसी के पर्वत कर गए;
उड़ती हवा में वो आवाजेँ गूंजती रही,
:) बस यूँ समझों! की तमन्ना ठहर के चली गई...

How wonderful is the design of life! I was thinking it other day...

It's like you meet people, go to a new place, you start enjoying, you feel the world is awesome...
Then the path changes, you depart, you feel skeptic about it and unhappy about it...
Eventually, you understand, adjust, feel comfortable and then start enjoying it again...

Cycle never stops in a lifetime until you die.

I love it! I love my life ~ it is so full of events ...

~KrupA

Dandiya night... yeay....!!!

I am going for Dandiya tonight.. and I am so excited.

I am all set and ready to rock on the Garba & Dandiya beats.. The Gujju Blood is all flowing high in my body right now :) ;)

Yippee..... However it will be... I think one thing is sure.. I am going to enjoy.... :) :)

Cheers...

KrupA

Relations ~

रिश्ते - बड़ी नाज़ुक होती है ना उनकी तार? कितना भी गेहरा रिश्ता क्यों ना हो, लेकिन जब निभाने की बात आती है तब उसे निभाना दोनो तरफ से होता है! एक तरफ़ा रिश्ता, कोई रिश्ता ही नही...

जिंदगी कितनी ही कठिन क्यों ना हो, लेकिन वफादारी हर पल कायम रखनी होती है!

जाने क्यों, पता नहीं लेकिन जब भी खुद को ऐसे हालात में देखती हूँ की रिश्ता सिर्फ अपनी तरफ से निभाए जा रही हूँ तब दिल रो देता है! कुछ अर्थ नही लगता साथ बिताये पलों का॥

Relations can become a strength and it can be the weakness also ~ It's up to us what we want it to be!

Na???

~KrupA

The Slam book fun ~

Change is so constant. It is just not avoidable. I am changed a lot over last couple of years.

Anyways, the post is not about Change but about the ways to pass time during young days, during student life. Maintaining Slam book with MANY friends' information was one of many ways. (Can you believe, wiki has an entry for this also....!! huh!!)

Last weekend I was reading my Slam book. The Slam book is a funky book. It contains many questions - like "Your name, address, phone number, favorite movie, book,place, crush,etc.. " And also it contains one question at the end "Your feelings/views about me". This used to be a good time pass when people depart from each other, they express what that friendship meant to them and bla bla bla... ha ha..

All that senti-menti stuff.. some mature, some immature. Some funny and some serious.

When I was reading my slam book, I found that I was carrying one common personality that everyone used to perceive as. They wrote for me that "You are a very caring, fun-loving and bubbly personality. You are a great friend, but don't get emotional about small things in life." It was ONE Phase of 'me'.

But yea.. I am still that friendly person. Changed in many other ways. (I am doing the same with you that I mentioned in my post here.) ;-)

Now Go and read your Slam book. Trust me! you will laugh a lot. (I am sure someone else must be laughing at what I have written in their slam books .. lol..)

Cheers ~
KrupA

'Saawariya' - Sanjay Leela Bhansali & great MUSIC !!

I am sooo against those people who say - Nowadays the music is not that good as compared to old days.

I respect the current singers and the music composers as well. There are tons of albums which are just GREAT!!

I am in love with MANY singers, their talent, their voice and the music director too. If I have to choose the Best album or song or singer, I bet I can't do that. It's darn difficult.

The latest one that I am listening to is "Saawariya" - Bollywood movie by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

All the singers are at their BEST. Richa Sharma, Kunal Ganjawala, Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh, Parthiv Gohil & Shail Hada (I did not know about these two singers earlier.. seems new ones) --- Wooooooow...

Superb...!! Romantic, Classical, Mischievous, Pain.. Everything in its songs. Just because of the songs - I am certainly looking forward for the movie release.

~KrupA

MUST READ - "KrupA is Thankful to ya all"

Brief History - I started writing Blog a year ago. That time I was pretty much private and did not really have any reader for my blog. I was Quite Closed, I would say.

Long Present - Over a year's time, I have grown in my writing and I am happy about it. I am sure, still there is a vast scope of improvement and I AM working towards it. (Trust me!)

One thing about my writing - which you may have observed is that I have always written something of my own. Yes, I started blogging because I wanted my thoughts to be worded.
However, last month, I checked my posting statistics. Note that, I also checked the posts that I had published on AllJustLove & Routinetalks Blogs of mine. That's right - I was writing on three blogs earlier(including the current one). But I closed those two and just continued on this one where with the use of 'Label' it is easier to categorize the posts.

When I was checking on the statistics, I found that I am out of pocket by 20 posts to reach to the number of '100'. The number means THE effective posts, according to me, of course. I set the target for myself at the start of September, 2007 that I will make the century by end of September.

The target did not seem tough to me considering the popping thoughts on my mind. However, as I said in this post here, it is mood-dependent. I was pretty positive about achieving the target though.

This target gave me a different feeling of staying active and it was fun on my mind all the times. I could not resist to tell you about it but the exam papers can not be shared until the exam is over. So....

Anyway, Still, I did try to describe my emotion at that time by this post - Indian Cricket Match ;-) Stay Tuned. That time it was some 14 posts left and 18 days were left in the month of September. :)

You know what? While making up the insurance policy for people, if the Agent is short of 1 or 2 policies for his target at the end of closing of the year,Then he tries to buy few small policies in his own house :D (basically adjusts it inhouse to make sure his job is not gone :))

I did somewhat similar thing (kinda cheating) to achieve the target of 100 by the end of the month. The posts "Everything is just 'He' " & 'दोस्ती के नाम ~ " are the poems that I had written when I was studying in college. They are in my collection book. But I posted them here to reach my target. :( :( :( Sorry..... I am bad.. But If I define the target then the rules 'can' be defined by me too.. ;) Nah..?? :)

Blogging is a totally different world and I enjoy blogging. Today, I have gathered a small group of readers who are my regular readers. I am grateful to all of them who have been really nice to me and more or less always given me the feed back in the form of a comment. A comment is a very motivating thing for a blogger.

Thanks to you all. Because of you I had the motivation to do something exciting like keeping a target.

Creations have no meaning if there is no user for it.

Thank you again! I celebrate my century in blogging.

Love
KrupA