Hmmm. Yup! I've been gone a long time but now I'm back ... I think ! Sorry for being away from Bloggerville for so long. I was just out of sorts in ways. Was I missed ? :D

Well, it's my birthday today. Yup folks ! It was 3 decades ago ( almost ;) ) that I stumbled into this world crying and screaming. :) Yeah yeah, not much has changed you'll say :p Have made a few friends ( I believe ) around here so would love to share the gist of my celebrations with you. Joy shared is after all joy doubled ! And God knows I have halved many a sorrows out here so why not !!

Thursday I was shocked to receive an IPOD TOUCH by Fed Ex, thanks to my generous husband. If that were not enough, on Friday a friend drove all the way from Jersey to Virginia to celebrate with us over the weekend. Another couple joined us and we had an over night party which spilled onto Saturday with a trip to VA Beach with sea food, walks along the beach side and cycling. Sunday was reserved for Brunch and kayaking ( which I tried for the first time and LOVED ) which culminated with loving calls wishing me at 12 sharp from the family. The D day that is today saw me decked up, doing somet light shopping/lunch with a friend and her cutie boy which was followed by some alone time at home with more calls wishing me and a long chat with Mommy dearest. Evening was spent having a cozy, lazy 2 hour dinner with hubby which included lots of laughs and experimenting ...



I owe Most of my happiness to my hubby sweetest but what I'm feeling right now is an exhilaration at being loved - by all those whose lives have touched mine. I am truly Blessed !!

I'd like to thank all those Here too who touch my life in more ways than one with their words and even those who follow me silently for their support is truly inspiring !!

A special shout out to those with whom I've truly connected in the Real sense - Dreamy, Tasneem, Shruti, Archana, Stillness, Hemanth, Nups, Kunjal, Ankit, Baljinder, Yojita, Aparna, Ani, Keshi, Sagar, Arun, Kokonad, , Satan's Darling, Asha, Appy, Priyanka, Anks, Christopher ... and the Blogerrati Community on Orkut !!! If I've missed out any names, I sincerely apologize in advance but you see Old age has it's side effects ;) :))

7 days no post and I feel like it's been an eternity. I'm so sorry haven't been around but honestly, just not been up for it ...

I still don't have much to say except what's in my heart and right now my heart is fuming mad !!!!

I cannot believe how people can be so self absorbed. It's ludicrous to imagine that in today's world people can think of nothing and no one but themselves. Oh please !! Don't give me the rant about expectations and such coz I've heard it all !! Expecting common courtesy and basic thoughtfulness is NOT too much to expect ...

What am I mad about one may ask ? Well, I'm pissed off at my friend who I supported through all of their achievements for years together and today when I expect some back, all I get is a thoughtless comment about my weight which was not even relevant !

I'm aghast at the nerve of the person I was supposed to be working with on a project. Going behind my back and talking to everyone under the sun and trying to manipulated the situations to meet their personal gains is Just NOT done !!

I'm amused by the comment of a friend who thinks it's silly to figure out what's wrong with a given predicament. I'm expected to sit back and enjoy the gossip !!

I'm appalled that in today's world people think nothing of asking for lavish parties and gifts but when their time comes, they find a cheap way out or a convenient excuse. Whatever happened to being happy for a friend ??

I'm surprised that people think nothing of inviting their friends to a third person's house without talking to the said person before hand.

I wonder why it is that politics is played in Every field of life. Everyone wants what they want and it doesn't matter who else is in the way for they all will be pushed aside. In the end the one who suffers is the one who never cared in the first place ...

Sigh !!! Am I being a idealist here ?? I think not !

Hey All!!! I request anyone and everyone who is sick or feels a sore throat to have themselves tested. And please read up on all information regarding the Flu. It's a sickness that can be cured when caught on time, not a reason for social ostracism. Kindly educate yourself and those around you. Take precautions and prevent the spread !!!

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:

Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
Sore throat
Cough
Stuffy nose
Chills
Headache and body aches
Fatigue

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING THE FLU ?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

*Avoid live animal markets, poultry and pig farms in affected countries.
*Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene, especially before and after food preparation and in-out of toilets.
*Regular wash your hands.
*Cook pork thoroughly.
*While in an affected region, seek immediate medical attention if you develop influenza-like symptoms. (High Fever, body pain,coughing and red nose).
*Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
*Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
*Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
*Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands.

Emergency Signs.

In CHILDREN emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash


In ADULTS, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting


If anyone has more pointers, please share in the comments section !!!

Love Stories - Aren't they fun ?! I for one, am a sucker for a bad ass love story. Be it complete, incomplete, meant to be, or all wrong. The best part about them is that they can be found in plenty. Like sand in a desert! In movies, books and people. Every one has one - a story of love, loss, lessons learned or fulfillment. Some shine in the glow of rapt audiences while others' are hidden in the recesses of days gone by.

They come in all shapes and sizes. Sweet and sour or from the old days. Of crushes or those special or not so special people. It's like a web where sometimes, one is connected to another, but some of the links are broken coz they don't suit the final design. We all bumble along the pathways in the dense forests of love, in search of the one flower that grew to all it's glory just for us !

What I find specially endearing is the look on the faces of people as they relate their personal journey or a monumental incident. A smile, a giggle, a bashful look, a far away stare, a sparkle in the eyes, nervous fingers, all signs that the words being spoken come from the heart. It's like a hidden treasure is being re discovered and each antique is polished and put up for display with pride, even the not so pretty ones. For each milestone is cherished, a memory locked away that springs up at the most unexpected of places displaying vividly the difference between the past and the present.

It's hard to forget those sparkling gems. The electricity in the first glance. That mushy feeling. Those moments of apprehension. That first kiss. A few special conversations. Those caring ways. The love and support. The warmth in the voice. That velvet touch. Those actions / quotes that are unique. Tears of remorse, regret or anger. The lessons that come from getting to know each other. The pain of the heart breaking into a million pieces and then the walk down the path that helps them piece them altogether.

Even today when gossiping with the gals or other couples, there are boundless laughs and ' awww, so sweets ' as incidents that brought two people closer are told and re told. The first time they met, how they got close, what they liked about each other, how they proposed, how things worked out, the hindrances they met as they got to know each other better, romantic moments, grand gestures expressing their love - all moments a rousing celebration of the success of their togetherness.

And after all, one of the things we love talking about Only as much as love and life is the person around whom our world revolves. I can just imagine many of you blushing as flashes of your life dance vividly in front of your eyes ... :)

Care to share ??

I love a story that makes me think, that i can relate to, that has me wondering about my life and the people in it. This weekend I came across three such stories. I read Firefly Lane and watched the movies Runaway Bride and Love Aaj Kal. These are some of the random thoughts that flew through my head as I watched the movies smiling at how similar these stories were to life as I know it.


I wondered why it is that people don't know what they want even when it's right in front of them ? All they have to do is reach out and touch it.

Why is it that people don't know the source of their happiness when they have it with them and consequently forget to treasure that source ? What we think makes us happy is usually different from what truly touches our hearts.

Why is it that some people flirt without knowing that they are flirting? Why do they have no consideration of those around them and the subsequent feelings that they are in danger of hurting?


What makes people think that romance is in the lavish shows of affection ? Isn't romance even in the smallest gesture and the shared sly smile ? In the Fun things , just hanging out doing things together ?




How is it that people don't really Know themselves? They go along with whatever others' think they should be like and forget to look into what They need to be alive !

What is it that has people searching for their happiness within others' ?

Who says career is more important than family or vice versa ? Should a person not live their life the way they want to, doing whatever makes them happy ?


If a person were to live the life the way they want to, would they still be left with regrets of what they didn't have ?

Why are people always running behind what they don't have forgetting all that they already have ?

Does being a go getter mean you Have to put yourself and your priorities Over everyone elses' ?

What gives people a right to think they can reach into Your life and rearrange things about, only to have you picking up the pieces of the fiasco later?

No matter how close you are to someone or how close They think they are to you - do they Really understand you?

Why is it that people find it so hard to say they are sorry as soon as they realize they made a mistake ? What's important is to realize, amend and act, not wallow in the pool of your own self pity .

End of the day we are all mango people ( aam janta ) running down the roads of life in search for happiness. In the end, all anyone truly wants is the simplest thing - to be loved and cared for by someone who 'gets' You be it a relative, family , friend or the love of your life ! But for that isn't it important to know who you are, yourself ?





Ok ! These were almost rhetorical questions ... Most importantly I wonder why it is that for most people, nothing is ever enough ?!