Probability - very Interesting topic

a Friend asked me a puzzle: "I have two children. One is a boy born on a Tuesday. What is the probability I have two boys?"

I answered based on my thinking process. My thinking direction was correct but maths for it was very wrong. What do you think answer is? Any idea?

In my next post, I will share the link which gives its answer... enjoy!!!

P.S. My last post about "Possibility of accident" -- has bad maths to calculate probability :) Now I know why... ;-) But chalta hai.... kaun certificate dene wala hai ;-)

cheers
~Krupa

Possibility of accident

Yesterday I saw at least 3 accidents on road during my morning and evening drive. Read about one of them here. It makes me think, freeway drive is risky. Of course, I need to be alert all the times but then if I think about it some more... it's like if I am on freeway probability of me meeting with an accident is '1'. (mathematics concept for calculating 'probability')

So if I don't drive so much everyday then my possibility to meet with an accident or death becomes less. But what to do? I have to!

I know it's little negative thinking but trust me if you see big accidents everyday then you'll start thinking like me...

Anyway, I am doing great :) So no worries!

~Krupa

Cars & my routine

You see the pic? That's My routine!!

Every morning I wake up and calculate if I leave at 6.20, I will get traffic like in the pic above the side which looks like coming vehicles and if I leave at 6.25 or anytime later than that, then it will be like the side which looks like going other side. (ek ek minute me pura calculation garbad ho jata hai)

Who says we have traffic only in India? It's everywhere!!!!!!!!!!

Last time when I went back to India, Jan 2010 onwards I was craving to drive a car in India. I don't have a car in India so I could only crave and do nothing about it. I think God heard me and when I came back to onsite since May I am driving 120 miles everyday except weekends. Now I know why they say "ask carefully", make sure u ask what u r really wishing for and something where you know the side effects also :-) (like back pain and filling gas every now n then)

Houston needs some more lanes I guess.

~Krupa

2009 ~ what happened

I just saw that in 2009 I wrote about 13 posts in entire year; while this year by now I already crossed that number.

I don't know what was the deal with me then? But feels good to be writing again! :-)

~Krupa

Gurantee for my Smile :-)

All of us go through an up and a down of life. If something's not too big event, we go through a small version of it called low mood and normal happy mood/happy mood.

For the 'up' feel and normal happy mood, there is nothing needed. But whenever we face a low mood, we need something to cheer us up. I am sure, in these 25+ years of life, all of us may have already figured out what works for us in such mood! We know that there is something/someone who can bring a smile back on our face.

• Is it talking to someone close to you ?
• Is it small walk alone or with some friend ?
• Is it some outing ?
• Is it sleeping ? watching tv ?
• Taking shower ? (Don't laugh.. I have a friend for whom this works big time! :-))
• Or what?

There is something that surely works for us all the times.

For me that 1 thing is "Music". Krazzy after 'sound', deeply in love with raaga and beats, fanatic about lyrics, I breathe in Music. Generally, songs with happy lyrics or motivating lyrics does the effect of an "Injection" - while other nice numbers in installment are like regular medicine dose. :-)

So music is my secret mantra which gurantees a smile on my face! Latest one still playing in my head is "Mustafa Mustafa... " (in Hindi) from movie Duniya Dilwalon ki. Lyrics of this one is awesome! 2nd Stanza telling about ~ how life moves on like a train and stations like 'sadness' and 'happiness' keep coming... so keep going! hmm.. Lovely!

Now tell me, What works for you?

(By the way, I found out that many of you read my blog secretly but never put any comment... please go ahead and find yourself comfortable to post some anonymous comment also ;-))

~Krupa

Follow the Heart ~ Rise or Fall

It sounds filmy, but I say it's true. Follow the heart! When it says something, listen to it and follow it. First thing it gives is satisfaction of living without conflict and rest is automatically taken care of. Whether it leads to a rise or to a fall, it is the path that your heart brought for you. Our heart is much more intelligent than our mind. Even our health stays lovely because we live without conflict.

When we love, when we pray, when we smile, we don't involve our mind at all, it's only heart's deal then. These are the moments when we are close to ourselves and existence and God. In these moments, whatever we do, it will Only be right!

I also believe that following your heart is a practical way too. Mind & thinking about what is right or what is wrong... all that is just a myth. Can you listen to two people talking to you? Can you make out anything from that conversation? That's why I feel that we should do something so that either mind or heart -- only 1 of them can talk at a time. For me it's easy to ignore what mind says and listen to what my heart says...
Well, this is what my soul says to me so I am putting on my blog of soul thoughts :-)

(I know lot of importance to heart talk... but I am convinced that - it's the truth of life)

Krupa

KISS

u are certainly misled by the title... right? KISS is a wonderful lesson that I have learned from my client boss. He uses phrase 'KISS it' for any problem at work i.e Keep It Simple Stupid!

So many things in our day to day lives, so many relations and what not in our daily working life, we complicate things very much. "If I don't call her, she will feel bad", "If I say this, will he understand me correctly?" "Why is this program behaving like this?" etc. Due to this habit, now, even if a simple puzzle comes up to do a multiplcation of 26 and 7, we will need calculator. (I just used in my laptop)

Can we not live simple? Can we not live with simple fundas like "Live Good, Be Good and Retain Peace!" ?

~Krupa

Daras Dikha ja... Shyam re

Check this out ~ Anoushka Shankar's Beloved from 'Rise'

It's beautiful and I have been listening to it so many times now. It takes me near Shyam whenever I hear it.

Shyam re Shyam re Shyam re

Daras dikha jaa, shyam re
Daras dikha jaa, shyam re
Saawre, saawre

Daras dikha jaa, shyam re
Saawre, saawre

Daras dikha jaa, shyam re

Chavvi torey nainon ki, taan teri bansi ki
Chavvi torey nainon ki, taan teri bansi ki
Satoan na tum aisay piya
Main hu teri bas teri
Satoan na tum aisay piya
Main hu teri bas teri

Saason mein basa tera naam re
Shyam re, saawre

Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Shyam re, saawre

Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Daras dihka jaa, shyam re

Itt ud khoju piya
Jaadu tuney aisa kiya
Itt ud khoju piya
Jaadu tuney aisa kiya

Samjhi ab lila tori
Basey morey man mein piya
Samjhi ab lila tori
Basey morey man mein piya

Saason mein basa tera naam re
Shyam re, saawre

Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Shyam re, saawre
Daras dihka jaa, shyam re
Shyam re, saawre
Daras dihka jaa, shyam re

Bowling.....it was my day

Yeah.. it was my day yesterday... I love bowling and I finally went for it. The intensity to bowl had become too much that while one presentation was going on during mid-day, I was imagining myself holding the bowl and rolling it on the lane to do a strike :-) (just like in the picture above) I did not score too much, but still was fun.

yuhuuuuuu :)
~Krupa

Check-in & a hand bag

It's been 6 BIG years that I am away from my parents. They already feel that they have done Kanya daan and my company is my mother-in-law :-) In fact, this mother-in-law is cool who pays me lot of money every month :D

During this 6 years of IT career, I have shifted 7 times to a different apartment. Setting up the basic amenities/furniture, electricity connection, gas connection, internet connection, talking to apartment offices or brokers etc... I am PRO now :) Initially I had lot of belongings, a lot to pack if I move. But slowly I realized that I don't need that much. Lesser the luggage easier to move-in or out. Nowadays I can easily fit myself in 2 check-in bags and 1 hand bag and then I am set to move anywhere!

To some extent I realized that we really don't need a lot of things in our day to day lives. We keep on increasing liabilities in the name of investment. So I (the great philosopher ;-)) say, enjoy lesser liabilities and relax with your loved ones. At the end of the day, your family's love is all you want...

After achieving much satisfaction in my career, I also feel that now I want a short PAUSE and not move to many apartments.

"I wanna go home"....
~Krupa

My Another crush

Well I am not 'Bewafa'... but I must say that one needs to move on in life :)

After what I said about my latest crush I came across something new just recently. What a track in my favorite Kay Kay's voice.. "Zindagi Do Pal ki from movie Kites"

Find it here ... Amazing! :)

I am in Loveeeeeeeeeee... ..............................................................(with this song ;-))
~Krupa

Loving English songs lately...

At times I get craving to listen to songs of a particular language. Sometimes I feel like listening to only Gujarati songs, sometimes only Hindi. Last 2-3 days I felt like listening to loving English songs only. Someone introduced me to this song - Viva Forever. I have no clue about which animated movie it is, which album the song is from ... nothing! But this video is really romantic with lovely music. I love it now. 

Very few other English songs that I know and have fallen in love with are - "Love is all around", "Please forgive me - by Bryan Adams" and "Everything I do - by Bryan Adams", "Nothing's gonna change my love for you by Glenn Medeiros", "Right here waiting for you - by Richard Marx", "When you know...from movie Serendipity", "My heart will go on.. from Titanic", "when you say nothing at all... in the movie Notting Hill", "Annie's Song by John Denver". 

What lyrics of each song! Wow!

If you know any awesome romantic English song, please do share.

Cheers

~Krupa

Found the one ?!!

It's been a year+ since I created my profile on matrimony sites. I have gotten hundreds of interests and messages. I declined to many while I accepted very few. From those few also, either I rejected them or they rejected me. I have many friends around me who are like me - in their right age but are single. (Note...'right age' is a subjective word)

Whichever profiles I responded to, if today, I see their online activity status, it shows they have been online recently (i.e. logged in to matrimony site recently) - which means they are still looking for the right one.

I don't get this gamble of life. All of us are decent enough, well educated, well cultured but we all are still looking. This raises questions in my mind -

• Are we not clear what we want in life? 
• Are we too choosy? 
• Are we all stupid enough to not recognize any signal that life is giving? 
• Are we too tough to compromise on any criteria? 
• Are we not supposed to 'look for' anyone and let life take its own pace and course ?
• Or we are yet to learn the process of arrange marriage?

I don't know how this works and how it will work for me. I am just waiting to find the one and then may be share how this gamble works. Or may be I should just wait for 'the one' to find me instead I looking :-)

Good luck to me and all!

Adios ~
Krupa

Estimation Skills

Sunday Morning has taught me how important is Estimation in life at any stage ;-)

By even one inch, I can get in trouble!

There is a concept of Class 1 estimate which means from your initial estimation you can vary +/- 50%. But in life situations like this, even 1% variation is risky :)

I am working on improving my skills now...

Cheers
~Krupa

Sunday Morning ~

Change is only Constant -- I keep proving :)

It was really a Dhamal! I did not want to open my eyes, but God made me open my eyes so wide that I didn't just wake up but I had an awakening :)

Yeah, I am talking about my 'parakrama' yesterday morning. On a Sunday morning, I was not in a mood to wake up early. Sun started rising and I realized the brightness will not let me sleep more. So I got up to close the curtains. After closing them, with my eyes closed, with full confidence about my bed's location, I tried to lie down again. And yeah, my estimation skills had gone for a toss for sure! I was 20 inches over in my estimation. I fell next to the bed with huge 'dhadam' noise. I could not get up, nor make any other shouting, nothing! But God is with me! My friend came running from other room and took care of me.

I have almost 2.5 inches scar on my back. (although it's superficial enough, it's a scar to cause some suffering for 2 days minimum). Plywood of the bed hit me hard and sharp too.

Since I was very ready to go back to sleep, my speed and force was stronger. This force only caused shock and pain. Had some fainting and nausea and then we went to hospital. After some dressing, X-ray, and 2 injections I was back home.

Since yesterday, every time I go near curtains or come back to my bed, I keep eyes wide open, balance my self on my feet and then walk :D... Experience teaches a lot, isn't it ? ;-)

Nothing to worry anymore, I shall be up and running in 2 days.

Cheers,
Krupa

The Why's of life ~

It is not new that things happen beyond my imagination,beyond my expectation. It happens again and again. I wonder 'why'. I question to life to get no answer.

When I came back to India, I joined my office and this time I got a responsibility of a project manager. With some doubts and questions I started performing gradually. Luckily, timing is good and project has grown during this period. So all was going well.

I realized that project management has a big component of people management, taking care of everyone's emotional reaction and then end of the day make sure the work is done. But what is the earning in this? Earning is the respect that you get from the same people whose emotional reaction you are handling. I guess my income has slowed down in this project. I asked my life "why" for this and of course, I have no answer.

At personal level also, few things have happened in the recent past and I kept questioning 'why!'.

When I get so many why's, I wonder - Do we really get answer for these 'Why's' ? I don't think so. Only thing happens is that our memory gets overwritten by something else and then we move on!

~KrupA

Re-Connect -- Possible?!

Girish wrote here about his project "Re-connect" and I was thinking about something similar. I log in to my gmail account almost everyday and I see so many people online. These people are not just anyone, they are my friends. I see them in 'green' status in gtalk but still I don't send them any message nor they do send me any message. Messaging happens just once in a while.

I feel we are not missing any technology in staying connected with our friends, but we are missing that zeal from within to stay connected with friends.

However I also feel that life is a continuously changing dream and hence when we move on, we get new people and we update ourselves with new relationships, new learnings, new fun ideas and lot more.

I love all my friends and I have thoroughly enjoyed my life so far with each one of them. But the truth remains is that when we move on, we may lose the contact and that should be acceptable to us. It is acceptable to me.

So concluding my thoughts -- I think "Re-connect" is possible only if individuals feel something from within. Until that happens, all messengers and social networks will behave as a bank account with lots of checks and but no cash!

Krupa

Chhoti si Baat

A baby kid was running behind two elder kids and laughing so blissfully. His mom was walking in that area only and she said "Beta, wo tere saath nahi khel rahe, kya itna has raha hai.. pagla!" -- meaning "my dear son, those elder kids are not playing with you.. why you laughing and giggling so much?"

I was very happy seeing that happy kid and I told his mom for her statement that "Your son is also trying to show and prove that even though those elder kids are not playing with me I am very happy". Somehow from childhood without awareness people try to teach you that you can be happy only if someone is playing with you or if someone is giving you attention. What to do!! Only hope that people stop stopping the blissful kids to express their innocence and freedom.

~Krupa

Mirage, Fear etc

I have been thinking about this word for some time now. Anytime I see the mirage on road I remember to express the perception about this word. Dictionary meaning says - Mirage is something illusory, without substance or reality. When something does not exist but gives an impression of its existence, that's called mirage. Many times on the roads or in desert, you will find some illusion of water from distance and when you get closer, you will find the truth that nothing exist there.

Similarly, Fear of unknown is also a mirage. It is there because we are imagining it. Worry about things that are not in our control is like mirage too. We think about so many possibilities and then with all the flow logic of "If-Else" "What-If", we achieve nothing. After so much waste of energy we will realize it's only a mirage; something that does not exist.

I meet so many people, my family, my friends/colleagues. I see how mirage exist in their lives as well. Because of this mirage effect only, they miss the present, they repent for past and they worry for future. well... What to do!! 

Lot of minor changes happening in my life and I can see things flowing. Best part is that no matter what, life is treating me really well. In all directions, all people are helpful and blessing me with a lovely smile. The Mirage shows up sometimes in my life as well, but it fades away soon too. Thankfully I am able to unclutch from it very easily now!!! (Thanks to Swamiji!)

By the way I am back in India and now working from Mumbai. So I am saved from the cold of US. In India also it's cold right now, but not too bad, it's certainly within my tolerance limits. :-)

Wishing a very happy 2010 to all who read my blog post accidently or intentionally.. ha ha.. :)

Blissfully enjoying...

~ Krupa ~

Google Search n Me

I was checking my site meter today and I found that so many people keep searching with some word or the other and somehow my blog page shows up.

Isn't Google an amazing search engine? Anything can be found so easily on Google.

I love Google! And it gives me very good page rank for my blog. If someone searches with my full name on Google then they'll get my blog page as the first link in the search result.

Google does not give me money, but at least for this reason I definitely love Google :-)

What else... Life is fantastic and I am enjoying it to the fullest.... Swamiji recently visited Houston and seeing Him and meeting Him for Energy Darshan was full of compassion.

~Krupa~

Life and Vacation

I am going to India for a month on vacation and I am very happy about it. I wanted to do Navaratri in my hometown for last many years and finally I am getting that chance. I am flying to India in 2 weeks.

Someone asked me on previous post's comment that what is life according me?

Life is beyond logic! When I have done things that have no logic, I have felt so light. This weightlessness is 'Life' according to me. Note that I am not talking work or study that we do everyday. Basically, doing things spontaneously is Life.

We put conditioning and filtering to come to a conclusion, so much of planning for finances to secure our future, so much of psychological worry to only realize in the end that it was not worth. Living in the moment, spontaneously is something that is our true nature and we have forgotten that big time under the layers of society and drama.

What else can I say about this subject... If I do it will be too much of logic and :) no more light... so I will conclude it here only.

Looking forward to a trip to India and having lots of fun.. "Vacation" in real sense :-)

...Blissful...

~Krupa~

Love, Expectation and Hope...

Love, Expectation and Hope... how easily we have mixed these words and their meanings.

But this is how I want to express, this is how I perceive these words today ~

• To Love is like expanding in everything we do without any conflict
• To expect is to restrict/limit the 'possbile' and to deny the existence.
• To hope is to accept the existence and keep the doors open for love and expansion.

When you contemplate on above expressions, what are your thoughts?

~Krupa

Ishq Kar tu ~

Ishq kar tu,

Khud se kar, Khuda se kar,

Runh se kar, Sharir se kar,

Apne se kar, Paraye se kar,

Is Umar ka bharosa nahi,

Tu har pal se Ishq kar,

Bahot kam vaqt hai,

Tu Gile-Shikve chhod kar, Ishq kar,

Dekh apna Mann khol kar,

Har Disha, Zameen, Aasman ko gale lagakar,

Kuch mat soch tu,

Sirf Ishq ko hi Ibadat bana kar chal!

Kahin Galti, kahin shikayat na dhundh tu,

Dil me Ishq ka Chirag jala kar

Is Jahan me Roshni bhar tu!

Ishq Kar tu!

~KrupA

Name of My Blog

When I named my Blog - I named it as "Soul Thoughts" -- meaning the thoughts of my soul. I had great inner chattering, many questions, many philosophical ideas and lot more. My imagination did not stop and I continued writing many posts.

For almost a year now, thoughts have decreased. Please note that my thinking has not stopped. As I recently heard in Swamiji's Video that Thoughts and thinking are different. Truly I felt the difference. Even when you are not thinking you could have thoughts. This video is big one and you can watch it at leisure. But for your reference what I am talking, comes between 25 to 35 minutes of the video.

Paramhamsa Nithyananda is the Guru (Enlightened Master) I have met in this life time. I am so fortunate to know him. Life quality has changed. My surroundings have transformed and I can enjoy everyone around me. (there are still instances when I face low mood but that frequency has decreased to a large extent)

You can watch His Videos here or here.

Simple and strong Meditation techniques, workshops and just the spiritual talk itself can lead to greater truths of life. I feel like living in ecstacy when I am meditating or internalizing the teachings of the Master, teachings of God Shiva, Teachings of God Krishna. It's lovely. Please try attending basic level of meditation programs. Worth spending 2 days of your 50+ years life. Experience it yourself.

God Bless us all! Hope we all could reach a stage of reducing thoughts or reach to a no thought stage and live in Present Moment.

...Keep Smiling...

Krupa

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