the bubble machine

Mooshika Vaahanam

2010-09-15T01:04:00.002-05:00

The monsoons had begun just a couple of days before our eventful journey from Bangalore to Hyderabad. This journey as far as my memory goes had always been a pleasant one. Not only did the overnight train take a mere 11 hours to get us to our destination, but this line was also one of the cleanest in India. In fact, Hyderabad was once the cleanest city in India... in 1999 and 2000. However I should've know that past glory is past. We found that out pretty quickly at nightfall, when there awoke a tiny army of little grey mice all over the train.

In all of our previous journeys we had yearned for lower berths so we could watch India through the windows and we never got the chance. On this fateful trip, we were given what we wanted with a repulsive twist.

Resigned to my fate I tightly scrunched myself up like a baby in a mother's womb and tried to push the gross feeling away in order to catch a few winks of sleep. Nive on the other hand, who was the first to spot them, sat upright (well, as much as she could with the middle berth looming over her) and started to pray. None of the other passengers seemed to care. How were we to get through this night?

As Nive's prayers turned futile she resorted to another plan: tracking the movements of the mice. She rattled off, "Below the blanket of the lady in the second compartment, across the floor of second compartment to the side berths of third compartment." - Silence. -"Aaaaaah! Below me! Below me! Below me! On your chappals! Your chappals! Chappals!" she shrieked.

Impressed by Nive's observation skills and assured that would not let any harm befall upon me I dozed off. An hour and a half later we switched roles. Now I was on watch while she tried to sleep. Once or twice she opened her eyes to ask if the mice were still around and where exactly they were. I lied. Even when there was one right under her berth and then running around our bags. After all I had to protect my kutti sister and really, how harmful could Ganesha's vehicles be?

Anyway, enough said. Nive and I survived the night. I, by composing this distracting and comforting text (yes, I wrote this that night!) and she, by trusting me to watch out for her. We've learnt a good practical lesson for the future though: in India always travel by middle or upper berth.

Goodbye :)

2008-10-11T16:35:00.003-05:00

It´s been so long since I wrote anything here. It´s not that I don´t have anything to say. It´s just that this place no more seems the right place to say it. So, I´m not going to write here for now.

I will continue to write. I do still write... just elsewhere.

I love this space and in a way I´m sad to stop writing here. May be someday I´ll come back to it... then maybe I won´t. For now I´m putting it away into my treasure box of nostalgia where it can live on.

Thank you everyone that´s been here.

Beaches... here I come.

2008-07-31T07:38:00.000-05:00

Bliss

2008-07-25T00:23:00.002-05:00

I have no idea what time it is. I'm not wearing my watch. I don't know where my watch is.

I don't know the date or day of week. Haven't looked at a calender for long. Everyday is a Sunday. Hmm...no. Everyday is a Saturday with a Sunday ahead.

Where is my cellphone? I don't know and I don't care. I love that I don't need it.

The world can't reach me. But I can reach it whenever I want to.

No routine, no homework, no readings, no class preparations, no corrections, no stress, no dead-lines.

Just rest, laziness, getting pampered and lots of sleep.

Finally I'm on vacation.

Looking back

2008-07-04T16:33:00.003-05:00

Nearly 2 years have gone by since I looked at the List.

I was curious how much I have done since then. A lot of what I had done before I have done over and over again. Like 8, 9, 13, 15, 19, 26, 31, 38, 41, 42, 53, 58, 59, 102, 127, 130, 138, 141, 146.

So what's new?

35, I've done on the Wii. 87 is done. 150 too.

The rest haven't happened and my thoughts on them are the same as 2 years back.

Some things I predict will happen are 80 (will probably happen soon) and 52.

Next destination

2008-07-04T15:56:00.003-05:00

The rare pessimism of an optimist

2008-06-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Hoy es un día pensativo.

Dbske

2008-05-31T14:00:00.002-05:00

A new beginning? A revival? Another try?

Whatever it may be, here you have it:

Dbske (pronounced db as in rib with a 'd' and ske as in ski, that is dbske as in dibski)

Why? I am not completely sure.

2008-05-07T21:57:00.001-05:00

It was a long one hour 20 minutes.

Keeping in touch

2008-04-19T22:09:00.008-05:00

It's strange, it's so hard to keep in touch inspite of technology. With email, messenger, Skype and falling ISD charges it shouldn't be so difficult. Do we know too many people? Are we really that busy? Life has other priorities? Too tired?

Well...

Realizing not keeping in touch is normal for most, I decided to try and keep in touch with my friends on their terms... Hmm, better said, what I understand as their terms.

So some I email once or twice a year. Others frequent social networking sites. Still others prefer Skype or a simple phonecall. Many ways, many options.

One thing is clear though, reciprocated or not I will keep in touch because I'm not willing to lose them.

2008-04-09T20:37:00.002-05:00

I dread correcting papers. My conscience does not allow me to do a careless job. So I spend hours and hours with the papers.

This is certainly one case where absence will not make the heart grow fonder.

2008-04-08T12:40:00.002-05:00

Consecuencias

2008-04-05T00:17:00.002-05:00

Por vivir con la cabeza,
se me ha dañado el corazon.

¿Para siempre?

2008-02-26T20:00:00.000-06:00

Life stands still, life goes on. All at the same moment.

Fools!

2008-02-26T18:57:00.002-06:00

Life has much too many surprises...

...and yet we go out and look for more.

Backgrounds: Jan 2007 - Present

2008-02-25T11:06:00.005-06:00

Present

Aug 2007

Jan 2007

Danger!

2008-02-24T10:16:00.002-06:00

When you start reveling in past memories and are not creating any new ones, you're old. Wake up, get young, go do something. Now!

La felicidad... mis hermosas plantas

2008-02-23T18:09:00.001-06:00

Yes, I found my camera. Happiness.

Wise words... unexpectedly

2008-02-22T22:21:00.003-06:00

Thinking is for losers. - Bart Simpson

Some of my cherished friends

2008-02-17T10:51:00.002-06:00

After more than 10 years I've found Hikari, Mila and Eine Fröhliche Familie again.

Nostalgia

2008-02-15T01:02:00.003-06:00

Just feeling nostalgic about last year... my students, work, classes, my dear colleague-friends.

Can't believe a year has passed by and everything is so completely different in my life. So much extreme change.

And no, this is not a complaint. I'm just marvelling at it, that's all. Phew! That's why I love this world, this life. It takes me to the many unexpected places, gives me unexpected pleasures and of course all this flows into and amalgamates into my oceans of memories. And in the process culminates into me.

What an ego, ¿verdad?

2008-02-05T18:02:00.000-06:00

We´ve been having the most amazing weather here at Austin (and hopefully this won´t jinx it!)

The other day it felt like I was back in Hyderabad during the monsoons. You know how before and after the rain there is a heaviness to the air and a cool breeze blowing? Hmm... heaven. Even the smell of monsoons was in the air.

And then day before yesterday I stepped out and I could smell the sea. I closed my eyes and all that was missing was the sound of the waves.

I wish I could capture it in and share it with you.

I don´t even know where my camera is to capture at least part of it :(

This is what I have from the past:

I miss Hyderabad.

2008-02-03T22:15:00.000-06:00

I thought some things belonged to us, were special... sacred. Seems only I thought so. However this does not change a thing. For me it will always be ours, special and sacred and no one can ever take that away from me... not even you.

A touch sensitive desktop

2008-01-22T18:09:00.000-06:00

I am so excited. This looks amazing. With a few changes or rather, adaptations to it I'll be ready for one. It's impressive.

Here is their website.

Here is the video on how it functions:

Go have a look. Click, click...

Thanks Adithya and Divesh and keep it up.

2008-01-20T12:49:00.000-06:00

There are some little things that matter to me, that I get complete joy from and that are an inherent part of me. I've been them putting aside, ignoring them. In a way forgotten them.

I'm not myself without them.

Therefore to revive them and myself this week I will:

1. write something; and
2. go out and take random photos.

Happy new year!

2008-01-13T18:29:00.000-06:00

It's a new year! And I'm ready to go :D

Goals for this semester:
- Do my work on time (no procrastination)
- Be at least a step ahead of my professors
- Be at least a step ahead of my students
- Be fearless with ideas and opinions
- Eat healthy (which means no more daily pasta, no snacking)
- Go to the gym and work out three times a week
- Be generous
- Be patient
- Be nice
- Keep smiling
and
- No cribbing, no complaining

2007-12-20T10:57:00.000-06:00

Every once in a while bright little sparks appear in my life that light up an amber fire of memories, the warmth of which envelops my cold existence and makes me smile again.

The Christmas version of the three little pigs!

2007-12-14T01:54:00.000-06:00

An award

2007-12-04T21:33:00.000-06:00

The Procrastinating Queen!

This is the award conferred to me by my father and I couldn´t put it more aptly.

It´s true and I embrace the fact with no protest.

A new experience

2007-11-30T23:55:00.000-06:00

I wrote my first recommendation letter today! Till date I have only asked for recommendation letters for me. So this was exciting. Fortunately one of my good students asked me for it. I would have found it difficult to write it if I hadn't been convinced of her capabilities.

I don't know if I'm allowed to publish the text. I think I better not since it's confidential.

Anyway, am feeling happy.

My first Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T11:20:00.001-06:00

Turkey!

Pumpkin pie and Pecan pie!

14th November

2007-11-18T22:00:00.000-06:00

To all the children out there,

To all the big people who remember they were children once,

To all the big people in who the child still lives,

Belated Happy Childrens' Day!

From the child in me.

Wishes!

2007-11-18T21:50:00.000-06:00

x
They say be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxI should definitely stop wishing altogether.
x

2007-10-31T19:26:00.000-05:00

It's Halloween.

Joy!

2007-10-30T22:07:00.000-05:00

It expresses so much joy so easily. I love feeling that way.

Also brings back fond memories of school.

Click on it to enlarge.

Got it from here.

Excerpt from the other blog

2007-10-21T15:03:00.000-05:00

"You know tomorrow's Monday again and I am dreading it. On one hand I feel and I know when you start off on a Monday you end up with a Thursday (you see I'm off on Friday's this semester!). And that is always my feeling on Monday mornings. That's how I pull through. What's hard though are the Sundays. They know there's a Monday waiting to spring at them. Really once the Monday starts it's ok. Sunday's, time is ticking by so fast. It makes me restless and nervous.That imaginary sound!..."

Guess what!

2007-10-12T21:55:00.000-05:00

The UT vs Kansas State game

2007-10-05T11:45:00.001-05:00

The Hook 'em Horns sign of UT. And a burnt orange UT band. Just for the heck of it.

My first American football game live! UT vs Kansas State.

The Longhorn players. They run across the field and kneel to pray. A bit like kabaddi, huh?

Longhorns supporters/fans in burnt orange and Kansas state in violet.

The sea of orange.

It was an experience. We lost, so a bit disappointing especially with all the hype of being Natinal Champions in 2005.

The stadium experience was pleasant. Nice weather. It even rained but we were didn't get wet because of the shade. Compared to cricket in India there were many people but also a lot of space so no stickiness. Like I said before no heat. No dirty litter all over the place. The T.V screen (the biggest in the U.S?) made it very convenient to watch the replays and the details which cannot be seen at such a distance. Less noisy as we couldn't take anything into the stadium that was noisy, security reasons you see.

Impressive band and formations. The U.S national anthem, The Star Spangled banner, started the game.

Joined the crowd with the 'Texas fight!' slogans and the UT song 'The eyes of Texas'. Oh! Also wore a UT burnt orange T-shirt. You must have noticed burnt orange and white are the colours (colors?) of UT.

Will I go again? No idea. Wouldn't mind but wouldn't spend so much money on it.

More info here:

About the Longhorn traditions.

About the Longhorn stadium.

¡Feliz Cumple!

2007-09-24T21:22:00.001-05:00

Just realized, partly because of a friend, that last 5th of september my blog turned 2!!!

Significant that it was born on Teachers´ Day!

2007-09-24T00:58:00.000-05:00

I have finished my dissertation. Yes, you can all rejoice now. I won´t trouble you any more.

Unfortunately my worries are endless. This time it´s due to the song by Charles Aznavour called Hier encore.

The well rendered English version of the song was sent to me by a friend.

One of the lines of the song is my next worry:

"The friends I made all seemed somehow to drift away."

Je, je, je...

2007-09-15T22:07:00.000-05:00

Y yo pensaba que solo pasaba con los estadounidenses.

Definition of teacher in the context I am working in.

2007-09-13T23:44:00.000-05:00

x
Teacher:

A person who cares enough about abusive and ungrateful teens to work for crappy pay and long hours while hoping someday students mature enough to realize how lucky they are to have someone who gives a shit about them.

Example: My teacher may have been a bitch sometimes, but she never gave up on me and I'm happy about that.

View source.

Spontaneous reaction to this

2007-09-13T20:07:00.000-05:00

Immortal, invincible dreams

swarm around, intoxicating me.

Turning my very existence nightmarish

and yet I can't live without them.

They are my instinctive breath.

Me and my thoughts!!!

2007-09-03T22:52:00.000-05:00

"Je pense, donc je suis" (more popularly known as "Cogito ergo sum") said Descartes.

In my case, I think too much therefore I am confused and lost. I can't stop thinking therefore I am an insomniac and I am going crazy.

KI KHUK KHUK IN

2007-08-06T10:14:00.001-05:00

Didn't know I had such crazy friends. That's why they're fun to be with. They make me roll with laughter!

2007-08-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

This is one of my other favourites :)

Talking aloud.

2007-07-21T07:25:00.000-05:00

Doesn't feel different. Doesn't feel exciting. Feels so normal. Am I getting used to change?

My last few days in Hyderabad didn't feel like the last ones. I don't think I was mentally or emotionally prepared for this next step. Life is running at a high speed and just pulling me along with it. I am not complaining. If I hadn't got this opportunity I would have been. But really, I was not expecting it.

I feel like I'm on vacation. Feel like in a months time will be in Hyderabad again. Even saying goodbye to my friends was strange. I just know it didn't feel like a goodbye.

A new beginning is what motivates me. This is what I live for. A new world.

But as of now, I'm still transitioning. Haven't as yet digested the reality of my rebirth.

July, I'm home again. And this time to stay.

Goodbye yet again! This time with a difference.

2007-07-13T03:34:00.000-05:00

xxxSeems like my life is full of goodbyes... or new beginnings. That's what makes it exciting and dynamic - and emotional. My heart doesn't get used to it. One would assume it's easier each time but no. Doesn't get more difficult either. Just that my heart has learnt and now recognizes the ache and deals with it. I get used to the ache, now bitter-sweet .

xxxAnyway, since I am unable and unwilling to cut the umbilical cord to school, I went back (yeah, once more). This time to bid farewell to my teachers. Won't see them for long.

xxxThose of you who haven't been to school for long, the timings have changed. It's 8:20 -14:40 now. So imagine my surprise when I reach there at 8:50 with the intention of attending Assembly (9:00 - 9:20) and don't see any children on the fields. Not one.

xxxI walk in a little rattled. Summer school? It isn't even hot. Holiday? My watch isn't working?

xxxI find out about the change of timings and get really disappointed that I won't be able to attend Assembly. But as it turns out, my luck, Shantatamma takes Assembly on Fridays for the 9th from 9:00 - 9:20! Yippee!

xxxWe sit in the room (no corridor, terrace assembly). She plays some Hindustani music as the children/students walk in. All of them sit quietly. Yes, no chitter-chatter.

xxxShe turns off the music and asks them to identify the instrument - sitar - and the artiste - Ravi Shankar. Once they reply, she's silent and everyone else too.

xxxShe suddenly looks up and says, "We have an old student here with us today." All heads turn to me and I fell a warm burning on my cheeks as all the blood rushes into them. "A.g, why don't you say something about yourself?" I nod, tomato red and cheeks scorching now. She adds, "In fact, why don't you take assembly today?" Not one to miss opportunities or run away from challenges and since I love impromptu action, I get up and walk to the front. Now I resemble a trembling tomato.

xxxWhat shall i say? Will they listen? Are they already making fun of me? They don't relate to me at all. I'm too old a senior. Will my voice shake? If they notice? Why are they staring at me with those small, black, beady, curious eyes.

xxxThings went well though. Made them guess my profession. Not engineering, nor medicine. They did not interest me. Spanish did. Asked them what they knew about Spain and Latin America. We spoke about football, bull fights, Santana and Shakira. I added some literature to it. And one student even knew Isabel Allende.

xxxThen Shantatamma took over. Praised me of course :D

xxxShe said people should realize there are other fields and other professions. I pointed out that I am not the only example. I said, "Look at the teachers around you. They have to deal with you." Got small laughs (very encouraging).

xxxFinally thanked Shantatamma for giving me the opportunity and the students for not making fun of me. A student, after much coercion from Shantatamma, got up and thanked me too.

xxxOn the whole, loved it. Amazing experience, feeling exhilarated. Warm memories of our school days came flooding back.

xxxAfter meeting all the teachers, saying good bye, I left school on cloud nine, grinning away to glory... actually, I haven't stopped grinning as yet.

P.s Painting by a Japanese artist.

Call for help!

2007-06-11T09:09:00.000-05:00

Have hit the lowest of lows.

No concentration, lots of motivation but somehow am not motivated.

Things can only get better, right?

I know there's such a bright future. I can see it and feel it. Yet i'm not moving and time is.

Help me out. Don't call. It's such a distraction. Just leave comments, positive ones, please.

Animadme por favor... ya!

P.s Man! I sound really bad. It's not that bad but still leave hope please.

Inédito

2007-06-11T08:51:00.001-05:00

This is basically to keep you busy reading something till the 1st of July. Wrote all the following more than a year back. At that point, it was too personal or incomplete... well, a lot of it is still incomplete but here you have it.

And please remember this.

Chennai to Madrid and back... and misery struck!

2007-06-11T08:40:00.000-05:00

xxxxxThe city sweats. The reeking stench of 7 million bodies brushing past each other. The blend of sticky sweat from the hands, arms and shoulders of the masses is hanging in the air, adding to it’s putrid saltiness. You feel repulsive as you anticipate your bonding with them. Not yet though. Right now the heavily scented, sweet agarbati perfume of the flight clings to you nauseously and you feel a shooting ache seep through your teeth to your jaws, zipping through your eyes and pounding your temples over and over again...

Moments of loneliness…

2007-06-11T08:39:00.000-05:00

… when you have no one to talk to in the train.
… when you have no one to cry with.
… when you want to go window shopping, when you want to share old xxmemories with that someone and they’re not there.
… when you don’t find a hug, a real hug.
… when you badly need and don’t find an ¨I love you¨ .

:D

2007-06-11T08:38:00.000-05:00

When you’re all alone and a laugh escapes you, that’s a true laugh.

Happiness...

2007-06-11T08:36:00.000-05:00

… when you cry uncontrollably, shedding your burdens, feeling lighter and fall asleep.

A Olga y a Teresa

2007-06-11T07:58:00.000-05:00

He conocido a muchos y llegaré a conocer a más. Sin embargo, sois vosotras a las que conocí en mi primer viaje a España. El viaje de más ilusión y el más difícil para mí hasta ahora. Un lugar desconocido y dos almas hermosas para darme la bienvenida, para ofrecer a shoulder to cry on, para compartir lágrimas y sonrisas… y cotilleos :p

Tristemente al fin sólo para despedirme de ellas.

Aún así, sé que estaréis a mi lado, y yo a lo vuestro, para siempre.

Os quiero mucho.

A Jörg

2007-06-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

Mi querido Jörg:

xxxxxxxxxNo lo puedo creer... que no te voy a ver jamás en mi vida; que no te voy a dar ni un abrazo, ni un beso más; que no vamos a dar otro paseíto por el bosque. El té y el café que me hacías por las mañanas. Tus cuentos. Tu música.

xxxxxxxxxLamento no haber podido pasar más tiempo contigo, a tu lado. Estoy muy agradecida por haberte conocido y haberte visto otra vez antes de...

xxxxxxxxx¿Qué es la vida? No lo sé. Quizás lo sabrás tú ahora.

xxxxxxxxxTe echo de menos muchísimo y te recordaré para siempre.

xxxxxxxxxMi querido Jörg, estés donde estés, te doy un abrazo muy fuerte. Espero que por fin descanses, que descanses en paz.

13 de junio de 2006
Alcalá de Henaresxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa.g

2007-06-08T07:10:00.000-05:00

Dissertation... deadline... so not available till... ¿July?

Coming Soon!!!

2007-05-16T06:21:00.000-05:00

Harrassment at the Passport Office, Hyderabad

New links:

2007-05-09T01:24:00.000-05:00

Guerrero and Zogam.

:)

And it rained!

2007-04-28T01:56:00.000-05:00

I love Hyderabad when it rains. The heavy grey clouds hovering over the city. It's a pity photos don't capture the cool, fresh breeze, the refreshing smell of wet mud, the soothing sound of the rain, the laughter of children playing in the rain. It pushes you to jump out, join them and scream out in joy.

Back to school

2007-04-28T01:30:00.000-05:00

Went to school the other day, on my birthday.

Always feels good to go back. Lots of memories flood back and the best thing the teachers still remember you :)

Had lunch with them and was witness to an interesting 'Vijayalaxmi teacher style' conversation. Was rolling with laughter. It all began when the teachers were discussing that the 10th class students wanted to spend a night in school. So here's the conversation:

Zainab Ali teacher: Where will they sleep?

Vijayalaxmi teacher: Who is going to sleep?

Zainab Ali teacher: And what about the mosquitoes?

Vijayalaxmi teacher: They will sleep!

I remember the time our batch spent a night in school, we had a bonfire and all. Would love to do that again.

Met Shantathamma, who tried to impress upon me how the work I'm doing isn't significant at all and how I should start a school. How everyone should start a school. I appreciate her advice and concern. Most of all, I am flattered by her confidence in me. Start a school! Not as easy at it sounds, is it?

Hmmm... I miss school. Thank god I can go back whenever I want to.

2007-04-17T06:32:00.000-05:00

Hi!

Will only be able to post after the 26th, so please bear with me once again. Meanwhile comtemplate one of my favourite works: Muchacha en la ventana (Girl at the window) by Salvador Dalí.

Love,

a.g.

2007-04-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

A game!

2007-04-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

Hey!

Check out the game i added at the bottom of the page. i love it. it's addictive.

Enjoy...

:)

By the way, the objective is try to "flood" the board with a single color in less than 25 steps.

Hyderabad:

2007-04-01T11:18:00.000-05:00

Where are we now?

2007-03-21T02:35:00.000-05:00

Well, good question.

Routine, routine, back to routine.

Last week we organized a cultural programme which to our pleasant surprise went off very well. It was absolutely worth all the sleepless nights, bad moods, tensions... A thrilling sense of achievement is what i feel.

Now i could do with a little rest before moving on to something new.

Just want to record my thanks here to all those students who were always there inspite of my nastiness and without whom the cultural programme would not have happened. Next sem again?

I'm also very satisfied with my students because this time 17 (!!!) of them got an A! I can clearly see the effort they are making and it feels so rewarding.

So basically, and as usual, I'm smiling blissfully.

Still want more though.

Incredible ignorance!

2007-02-28T03:56:00.001-06:00

How come they also have the best brains?

There are more, many, many more videos like this so don't tell me that this is a highly edited, manipulated video.

An update

2007-02-16T01:29:00.000-06:00

Have been asked to update my blog...

...so here you have it.

2007-02-14T00:44:00.000-06:00

I´m becoming what I´ve always asked other friends not to become... a workaholic!

Para una persona especial

2007-02-14T00:31:00.000-06:00

Hay poca gente sincera, inocente, positiva y buena.

Poca gente que entra en tu vida, la llena de amor y felicidad y deja huellas para siempre.

Jaume eres una. Cuando estoy contigo siento tu paz.

Gracias por todo.

Hasta la próxima.

Un beso,

Thoughts on the balcony

2007-02-14T00:05:00.000-06:00

Life would be so much nicer

with background music.

You'd always know

what state of mind you're in!

Desayunos en el balcón

2007-02-13T23:27:00.000-06:00

For the archives

2007-02-13T22:44:00.000-06:00

Proof of books being cleared.

Amma´s dream come true ;)

New Years´ and the surprise party

2007-02-13T22:30:00.000-06:00

We invite you...

2007-01-30T10:52:00.000-06:00

The Hyderabad Choral Society meets every Thu. at 7 p.m. at Vidyaranya. New members are welcome. For more information contact 23736512 or 66101030 or 9849451794.

Generally...

2007-01-25T23:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Republic Day!

Went for the flag hoisting today. Sang the national anthem. Felt sweetly patriotic. Reminisced about Republic Day Celebrations in my childhood. All the games and sweets. All my kutti friends.

About work, am thoroughly enjoying it. I'm teaching a beginners batch and once a week i teach the diploma evening students. I love it.

Ofcourse, most of the methodology i learnt falls flat. With 52 students it isn't posible to do group work and teach a substantial amount in 2 hours. Try it. The advantages are that Indian students are quite used to being a grupo numeroso. But the disadvantages are many more. We go very slow. No individual attention. All the students don´t get to participate so the shy/timid student loses out. Correction of home work is dificilísimo. Correction in general is difficult since there isn´t any time for individual correction. The classroom is arranged in rows since any other arrangement does not accomodate 52 students. And many, many more. You got any?

Anyway...

I proudly announce that I've joined the Hyderabad Choral Society. It was one of the few things i wanted to do.

So basically very busy... and inspite of everything happy. The best thing is that feel tired at the end of the day. So I get a good nights sleep.

Apologies

2007-01-11T01:03:00.000-06:00

will post after the 18th of Jan. Deadlines to reach till then. Please pray for me!

Y T, te escribo la semana que viene. Ay, ¡cuánto te echo de menos!

Recipe for travel/ Receta para viajar

2006-12-30T12:50:00.000-06:00

An Australian-columbian friend sent me this recipe which only works today!

Una amiga australiana-colombiana me envió esta receta que sólo funciona hoy!

"A la media noche rápidamente te abrazas y saludas a las personas con quien estés y sales con una maleta a dar una vuelta de la manzana donde vives(round the block where you live), make sure you have the most important things (asegúrate de llevar las cosas más importantes)en la maleta, un poco de ropa y algo de dinero, just a small bag will do (bastará un bolsito).Suerte, yo lo estaré haciendo."

Yo también. Y tú?

Since this is really important here's a translation, more or less:

"At midnight quickly hug and greet everyone you're with and leave with a suitcase to go round the block where you live, make sure you have the most important things in the suitcase, some clothes, a little money, just a small bag will do. Good luck, I'll be doing it."

Me too. And you?

My sis painted that!

2006-12-30T05:39:00.000-06:00

Posted by a proud sister. (Beaming!)

Amigas. amigos...

2006-12-29T08:51:00.000-06:00

Vease abajo... Scroll down!

12 Days of Christmas

2006-12-26T10:50:00.001-06:00

got this from here and absolutely love it. Belated merry x-mas.

Reliving Rome

2006-12-04T02:06:00.000-06:00

Rome: the Colloseum

Just a pretty car

The Neptune fountain

My favourite place in Rome: the Pantheon

A sunny roman market

Bernini's The Ecstasy of St. Theresa

Yeah! St. Peters Basilica.

Michaelangelo's Pietà

Specially for my nephews

2006-11-27T05:35:00.000-06:00

Sorry, you know i'm not computer savvy so click on it to enlarge.

Un abrazo fuerte a ti

2006-11-24T02:41:00.001-06:00

ok, i know i said the blogs taking rest till January but i had to post this.

Thanks to Olga and The wiz.

When and where did it begin? Who started it? Why?

A short goodbye

2006-11-20T07:41:00.000-06:00

Hey!

The blog will be temporarily be closed until January 2007. Sorry, too much to cope with. No doy abasto : (

Here are two photos i wanted to post long back.

Don't know what to say, just like the pic for many a different reasons.

Not a common sight, a lady conductor.

2006-10-18T01:15:00.000-05:00

ok, i thought i'd share some photos here. the upload isn't working and now i'm fed up. and then i thought i have to post. i mean since i'm already here just do it.

this has been on my mind for a long, long time. solitude makes you pensive.

with help from Neruda...

...Cuando quiero llorar no puedo
Ni lloro sin querer.

Soñé.

Hoy amanezco.

Empieza mi llanto eterno.

Dead! No way dead!

2006-10-17T00:59:00.000-05:00

Very much alive. Just taking a break... what's wrong with that. I need it and i deserve it.

I have loads of things to do. My back is already hurting with all this burden. I know i chose it and therefore i will achieve it. But really, all i really, truly want is a break.

I've been told i plan too much for my life. I plan well into the future, a future that after all, may not even come. but i can't live without making those plans. i need to feel that my life has direction. that's how i've reached here. two dissertations to start and finish. a whole application process pending. two course works to complete. a trip to be made. have to think aboout starting to teach again. i want to and i also need it for my c.v (my future plans depend on it, you see!).

other than all this, i wanted to join the Hyderabad choral society, learn german, excercise, catch up on my reading, learn cooking, do a photography course. these are things i'm putting off for later. i have to set priorities.

don't worry. keeping up my blog is certainly one of them.

Here i am again... just for a short while.

2006-09-15T05:45:00.000-05:00

September has been hectic. Except for the last week, i have been/ am travelling the entire month. First it was Santander and some villages in Cantabria, Asturias (Oviedo, Gijón, lots of villages), then it was Valladolid, Salamanca, Ávila and Ponferrada (went for the Scorpions concert, and we were standing right in front).

Since all roads lead to Rome, i finally reached there. It´s a lot like India. Chaotic traffic, very dirty, stench of urine in many corners... Lot´s of Bangladeshis.
A very expensive city, but absolutely worth it.

Next week it´s Sevilla before getting back to Alcalá, winding up and getting back.

My road has reached Rome, yet so much left to see, to do, to live, to share. And so much work pending, so many deadlines! I really wonder how i going to cope with it all.

I know lots of photos are due. I know i haven´t been blogging at all. I´m really sorry. Can´t promise anything as of now. Will get more regular whenever i can.

July 2006

2006-08-23T11:46:00.000-05:00

was with my parents and my sis for an entire month... went tubing... went to an aquatic amusement park... went on the scariest ride 'cliffhanger'... organized a garage sale and sold everything... fell ill... went swimming... tried to learn tennis and almost died of exhaustion... yummy! dunkin donuts... ate mexican food... ate indian food... made a lot of tea...of course, shopped a whole load... watched a tamil, hindi and english movies... went to philadelphia... met my two cute lil nephews... and my cousins and aunts and uncles... and sheena and brute... redocorated mami´s living room... blogged... submitted my work on time... read a lil... sang songs... did not cook (tea does not count, that´s boiling only)... washed very few clothes... did wash vessels... gave alot of free fashion advice... talked lots to my sis... fought lots with my sis... bugged her a lot with my kisses... also did window shopping... met so many people i´d only heard of earlier... went house looking... took a lot of photos... dressed up... lazed around... slept late and woke up even later...watched pirates of the carribean and rang de basanti (mentioned here since i liked both)... bought a lot of gifts... played rummykub and life... sulked, cried and laughed... went to auburn... met my cousin... visited her department and labs... met a friend after three years... took silly photos and videos... saw a fireworks show... went to a temple... got pampered... went to amma´s school... merratafied one devil... helped my sis with babysitting... and so much more...

Ferias de Alcalá

2006-08-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

We are celebrating the Ferias de Alcalá this week (18 august - 27 august). what does that mean? that means lot´s of cultural programmes, competitions, concerts, lot of people, lot of drinking and lot of partying.

the drinking thing is an extreme. At 1:30 in the afternoon free sangría is given out at the Plaza! At 1:30 p.m!!!

And when i asked some Alcalaínos why they celebrate the ferias, the answer was, "Para divertirnos!"(To have fun!)

The real reason is because on the 24rth it is the Día del santo patron of Alcalá (San Bartolomé).

here are some photos of the inauguration. i don´t particularly like them but anyway.

i like this one, reminds of the roadside stalls outside the exhibition grounds in hyderabad

List

2006-08-23T08:26:00.001-05:00

Usually i´m too lazy to do this stuff but found it here and even though i have to much stuff to post i thought i should do this atleast once in my life. Really don´t think anyone´s going to read the entire list, it´s just for me.

Instructions:
Bold the ones you did.
* the ones you want to do.
the more stars the more desperately you wanna do it

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins*
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid*
06. Held a tarantula*
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it (many a times and *********)
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise(many a times and ******)
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa*
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg*
19. Slept under the stars***
20. Changed a baby's diaper (don´t particularly want to do it!)
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon *
22. Watched a meteor shower *
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (who hasn´t)
27. Had a food fight (no way!)
28. Bet on a winning horse (i don´t bet)
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb*
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster*
35. Hit a home run / a six
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking(many a times)*
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment(so many times, in fact, just yesterday! and of course, *************************************)
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 10 provinces (?)
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (many a times and don´t want to do it ever again)
42. Had amazing friends (and have amazing friends and *****)
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales *
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing*
49. Midnight walk on the beach***
50. Gone sky diving *
51. Visited Ireland *
52. Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan**
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your cds
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke******
59. Lounged around in bed all day*******
60. Posed nude in front of strangers
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain *
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China ***
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites***
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married (Thank god no!)
73. Been in a movie (a short film)
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice ***
80. Gotten a tattoo*
81. Rafted the Snake River *
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage***
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark*
88. Had a one-night stand
89. Gone to Thailand ***
90. Bought a house***
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one of your parents (i don´t like this one!)
93. Been on a cruise ship*
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking***
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote article for a large publication (not yet, but hopefully soon and ****************)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane*
109. Petted a stingray*
110. Broken someone's heart (don´t know)
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari***
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild*
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon***
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents***
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days *
126. Eaten kangaroo meat*
127. Eaten sushi *
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about (i hope so)
130. Gone back to school *******
131. Parasailed**
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey*
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language**
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair (at a school fair, it counts doesn´t it?)
146. Dyed your hair (coloured it)*
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head (i may in May)*
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life

Independence Day

2006-08-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

To celebrate this occasion, the Embassy of India organized a programme of Indian dances at the Plaza Mayor, Madrid.

All Members of the Indian Community and All Friends of India in Spain were invited to see the programme.

Bharat Natyam by Tatyana Popova. She´s from Kazhakstan who studied in Kalakshetra around 15 years!

Bollywood style dance by Silvia and Isabel. Their first dance was fun but after dancing to 2-3 songs we were just too bugged. I mean, it was like they didn´t want to get off the stage.

Flamenco Performance by Pepa Chacon. Good guitarrist and singer, amazing voice she has, but the flamenco dancer was just not worth it. Sad!... and by the way, don´t know why there was a flamenco perfomance on our Independence day. Perhaps a Kathak-flamenco fusion would have been better.

Bollywood Masala by Masala Group. Finally an Indian face! This was really fun now. Just like in the movies.

Bhangra by Surinder Singh and company. Punjabi fun.

Bhangra, Bollywood and Masala join to invite Public to the mass dance. Best part of the programme. All of us danced.

Vote of Thanks. A necessary formality.

Plus points:
Very friendly and humble Ambassador. Sat with everyone else on the ground. Accepted the idea of asking people to move back and sit on the ground so more could see the stage.
Nice audience. Very appreciative and participative
Free show organized in the centre of Madrid.
Met a long lost friend from JNU.
Enjoyed some forgotten songs again.
Cute bhangra dancing guy.

Not plus points:
No chairs (bad organization).
Weak programme, lacked quality... why flamenco? why so few programmes?
Same problems with loud speakers (the keech sounds and of course they were blaring).

I don´t know why i´m so negative these days.

2006-08-09T10:18:00.000-05:00

Well, here we go again. I just mentioned to someone that i have studies spanish and that i´m going to be a spanish teacher.

As in, first it was like:

Me: i´m writing my dissertation.
The other: working or studying?
Me: studying. to be a spanish teacher.
Other : really cool

(and goes on to ask some more questions like: are you in spain?, in india, how long?, is it in demand?, marriage plans? etc.)

But 'Other' can´t control it.
Now Other: if u dont mind then can i ask u something.......why have u chosen spanish..and further studies in it...

I have no grudges against 'Other'. i´m just writing this cause it´s always bugged me.

I mean, i hate that question. It´s not curiosity. It´s just saying "you´re dumb", "what´s the point in that?" etc.

Does anyone ever ask a 'to be engineer or doctor' why engineering? why medicine? NO.

So don´t ask me!

Makeover

2006-08-08T09:59:00.000-05:00

My sister, my aunt and I decided to redecorate my aunt´s living room. This was

how it looked

BEFORE:

and

AFTER

P.s I know it´s kind of unfair that in the before photo the room isn´t decorated but the idea of a 'before and after' just struck us late.

and i couldn´t choose between both the after pics so let me know which one you like better.

Back to work!

2006-08-08T06:19:00.000-05:00

So i´m back in Alcalá... with mixed feelings... more negative than positive.

Had a wonderful, fun month at home. Now i have to get back, or rather, finally start working on my dissertation :( Boo hoo :(

Will post soon... maybe some photos... i don´t know. let´s see.

Yippee!!!

2006-07-15T00:43:00.000-05:00

Finally managed to link you all !!!

(and all on my own)

2006-07-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

The following is truly the most interesting conversation i've heard in a long time:

My sister: hi.
My boyfriend: hi.

Bombay

2006-07-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

if you need to locate someone in bombay
or
if you need any other help please check out:

http://mumbaihelp.blogspot.com/

thanks ravptor.

Paris in 2 and a 1/2 hours

2006-07-04T22:45:00.000-05:00

Missed my connecting flight due to an airtraffic delay in Madrid. So I was stuck in Paris for a night. Since the hotel was closer (but still very far) to the airport than the city and it took me around 1 and a 1/2 hours to reach the city, we will start our tour 'Paris in 2 and a 1/2 hours' directly in the city.

19:00 I got out of the RER at Saint Michel/Notre Dame and went straight to the Cathedral.

Sunday mass was being held inside. Since I'm totally ignorant of its historic importance I'll refrain from making any comments about its impact (on no) on me.

Leaving the Notre Dame, we cross the street and make our way towards the Musee du Louvre. We stop at a couple of souvenir shops to buy my sister a postcard of Paris and a bookmark of 'Le Ciel Etoile' (since she's learning French and since she likes this particular painting very much). We also buy a bookmark of 'Tournesol' for a friend in Valladolid (he likes this painting).

The streets are like the streets of Madrid, small, criss-crossed, lined up trees.

...

Walking along the banks of the Seine is a pleasure. I would have preferred having company, though. There are lots of ferrys on the Seine. Lots of tourists.

Along the Seine, there are many small shops selling paintings, post cards, old black and white pictures, old comics and books and other 'interesting' stuff like this.

Across the Seine as we reach the Place du Chatelet we can get a glimpse of the Tour Eiffel, our final destination on this tour.

We continue on our way and yes, we reach the Musee du Louvre. Sadly it's better know now due to the Da Vinci Code!

And right across is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel that opens out to the Jardin des Tuileries. One can also faintly see the Obelisque and the Arc de Triomphe at the back.

20:30 Oh my God! It's late and we still haven't seen the Tour Eiffel! We take a last glimpse of the Louvre as we hurry across de Pont du Carrousel in direction to the Musee D'Orsay.

At the Musee D'orsay, since we are dead tired and lack time, we decide to take the RER till Champs de Mars/Tour Eiffel.

..................

We reach in about 10 minutes and as we walk towards the Tour Eiffel it appears to us little by little. Voila!

There it stands on one end of the Parc du Champ de Mars.

We sit down to take a breath and feel like we're in India. Yes, the number of Indian tourists here is incredible. Finally after speaking to a Chilean couple and not buying 330ml of water at an exorbitant price of 2,50 euros(!!!) we walk back to the RER station and head back to the hotel.

It's 21:30 already. Paris needs more time but this is what we could (barely) manage in 2 and a 1/2 hours.

I enjoyed it. Did you?

the long-promised photo

2006-06-29T09:09:00.000-05:00