tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50452684784406582952024-02-19T11:32:16.466+08:00Notes to MyselfSome moments, events, experiences, thoughts.. which will otherwise be forgotten with time !Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-49170071938564667672016-04-02T10:40:00.000+08:002016-04-08T03:06:48.333+08:00Travelling in China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Exactly one year ago we were in Shanghai, for the first time, figuring out schooling, housing, groceries, costs etc. for a possible relocation from Singapore. Before this, China was never a destination in our wildest of dreams … neither for relocation nor for vacation. But as they say - Never say never. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here we are, living in Shanghai since 8 months, all excited and nervous for our first China travel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Planning for a family vacation is a very time and thought consuming affair. Lots of research on the internet, reading guide books, seeking advice from friends, choosing a destination, decision making, itinerary planning, costs, making bookings, packing !! But once everything is set it just seems magical. We give a pat on our backs and say 'Voila !'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I realised that we all live our travel virtually while planning for it. Once the actual trip starts we gather real experiences but it ends in a blink. So enjoy the journey as well as the destination !! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With spring knocking at the door and a long weekend in sight, we decided to take the plunge and started exploring for our first travel destination in China. The only obstacle was that we didn’t know where to start.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tripadvisor did provide a few pointers but somehow it wasn’t as extensive as for other countries we have used it for so far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I asked around. Everybody had travel plans for Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia et al but China.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Surprisingly, Lonely Planet China was not available on amazon.cn. Some copies were available on Taobao but they were so cheap that I was afraid they might be counterfeits. Even the book store which had two shelves full of Lonely Planets did not carry the China one. (it's a mystery I need to find an answer to !) We finally asked a colleague to get us one from Singapore.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">China where are you ?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One fine day, on a casual conversation over phone, a friend directed me to this map.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She also directed me to Ctrip and ChinaHighlights websites. This was my deja vu moment. These are english sites providing really detailed and clear information and itineraries on each place. I was quite amazed at the level of detail, given that these were sites of private tour providers. I mean weren’t they afraid that if they give such organised information people might not need their services !</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We zeroed in on Guangxi, a province in South Central China. We will be spending four days in Guilin and Yangshuo in North Guangxi. The southern part of Guangxi touches north Vietnam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We never noticed it earlier that the view on the 20 Yuan note is a picturesque section on the Li river somewhere between Guilin and Yangshuo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All the Planning:</span></div>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The return air ticket costs twice that of one way ticket. Simple ! Initially we were like 'What ! we don't get any cost benefit for booking a return ticket !' But then it gives us the flexibility to choose different to and fro airlines without worrying on losing the cost benefit.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When the price of air ticket for children came out to be more than that of an adult, we were sure there was some fault in the site. But it happened consistently wherever we checked. A friend confirmed that this was the case in China. (I still need to figure out the logic behind this). Some friends book children too as adults to save cost but as first timers we decided to play safe. (Though I can see ourselves travelling as 4 adults next time !)</span></li>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">|| This made me realise that there are some things that we are so used to that we just can’t believe that someone might think about it differently. ||</span></i></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Booked one night in Sheraton, Guilin.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A friend suggested a good resort in Yangshuo - Yangshuo Mountain Retreat. It is high season for Guilin and this small resort is ranked no. 2 on trip advisor. We were lucky that they still had one room available. Booked for 2 nights there.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet another friend recommended a good guide in that region (yeah ...now we are talking to the right people) . It turned out that she has already been hired by someone for that period but she promised to work on the itinerary with us and have her colleague join us. After some to and fro on emails, we agreed on an itinerary. She would provide us a car with driver, an english speaking guide and all required ticket bookings (which actually are a lot here !!) for the duration of our stay.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now that flight, hotel, car, driver, guide and itinerary is set… the question on everybody's mind was - what are we going to eat as vegetarians and limited knowledge of the language (yes these two things are related ). Well ! It turns out that the top rated restaurant on trip advisor in both places is 'Kali Mirch', an Indian Restaurant. Why I ask !! Are there too many indian tourists or the non indian tourists love indian cuisine so much ? Will try to answer that question on the field.</span></li>
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<li class="li1"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While packing I realised that it is for the first time that we are having a domestic vacation in a country other than India. In our 6 years in Singapore, it of course always had to be international travel with visas and currency exchanges to be planned for. It is another matter that this domestic travel entails a 3 hour long flight which is almost the same or more than most of our trips from Singapore !</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thoughts on our mind:</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Yangshuo weather looks like this.... Will the rain play spoil sport ?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's a long weekend and tourist crowd in China is notorious. Will we have to walk shoulder to shoulder with hordes of tourists ? Will we have to jostle for space and views everywhere ?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will the flights be on time ?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There has been no money exchange with the guide...will the person turn up ?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Children below 1 m in height are not allowed on the bamboo raft. Though we have been suggested that we can fill our daughters shoes with tissue paper to increase her height, i doubt we will be doing that. Will we be able to do the rafting/boating which supposedly provides the best views ?</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So we will find out !! </span></div>
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Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-72326920787791028702014-04-22T12:18:00.002+08:002014-04-22T12:28:31.159+08:00Farhan Live<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #666666;">Rock On had released when Pranav was just 3 years old. He is a Farhan Akhtar and Rock On songs fan since then.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0seKoHOJLnJ83ypWvee3i3qlcUfL_pcnLyNuzJcrzqLO0e2P2Buuh3nqlzok81PUQvdH5fEP1fGUN-dQRDw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">This sunday (13 April), Pranav and me were at Esplanade theatres to see Farhan Live.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;">Some observations / realisations:</span></div>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Pranav was probably the only kiddo in the audience.</span></li>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">He rarely shows his excitement for anything. This was one such rare occasion where he remained excited for full two hours – smiling , clapping, guessing the songs by the tune, singing ‘Na Na – Na Na Na’ (pichle saat dino mein – Rock On) and ultimately standing up and jumping (though rather coyly and making sure that no one was looking at him).</span></li>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Pranav is too much into shoes these days….. he said he did not like the shoes that Farhan was wearing.</span></li>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Its so easy in a place like Singapore to have such late night outings alone with kid in tow without having to worry at all about logistics. Sometimes we tend to take it too much for granted… should make the most of it and have more such outings <span class="wp-smiley emoji emoji-smile" style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; display: inline-block !important; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-height: 1.2em; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative !important; text-indent: 9999px; vertical-align: bottom; white-space: nowrap; width: 1.35em;" title=":-)">:-)</span></span></li>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The best part in music shows is when the band members are introduced...this is the only time when you can hear individual instruments at their best. </span></li>
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<li style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: inherit; list-style-type: circle; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Can’t believe that Farhan did not sing ‘Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe’ (from Dil Chahta Hai). I was thinking that he was saving it for the last but he ended it with ‘Pichle Saat Dino Mein’.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-61809318630013733382013-08-19T11:59:00.001+08:002013-08-26T10:10:22.892+08:00To Believe in Santa or Not !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Back Story</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Around two years ago (2010), it was we (The Parents) who introduced our then 5 year old son to the relation between Christmas, Santa Claus and gifts. We did that for a reason and in the end were left kind of embarrassed. The full story is <a href="http://shubhrasethia.blogspot.sg/2011/01/will-santas-magic-work.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />What happened in the coming years made us learn the true meaning of "You Reap What You Sow" :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next year (2011), as the Christmas approached, Pranav started wishing for the oh so popular in this generation of kids - A PSP. We did not pay much attention to it. We were vacationing on a beach in Krabi that christmas and got off by saying that Santa Claus will not be able to deliver any gifts here, instead he has asked us to buy you something. Pranav bought that explanation. So we took him to a market off the beach and he chose a sand digger. We got off easily and all was forgotten.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Persistent Wish</span></b><br />
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As the Christmas of 2012 approached, Pranav started to tell us everyday that in the coming December holidays he doesn't want to go anywhere for vacations. On asking many times, he explained that he doesn't want to miss Santa this year and he is already wishing for a PSP everyday. We were taken aback.... this 7 year old, otherwise mature and rational kid, still believes in Santa !! Moreover he remembered what we said last year about gifts not being delivered outside home even though we never discussed this ever.</span><br />
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The discussion continued.We knew that all his friends had a PSP and he had been waiting for 2 years to have one of his own. Throughout the year he never asked us to buy one for him and kept waiting for the next Christmas. "I don't think Santa will give a PSP, why don't you ask for something else?", I tried to persuade him. "Let me at least ask for it, rest is up to Santa." he replied. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Secret Enquiries on Santa's behalf</span></b><br />
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Before giving in, we decided to make some enquiries on the models and cost of a PSP, because ironically, for Santa to be able to keep his name and fame, we had to do all the ground work.</span><br />
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Whilst my husband made some enquiries in Mustafa Centre, Pranav pitched in, saying, "Papa, you don't need to spend any money, if Santa will give it to me then it's TOTALLY FREE." Hmm... so we had to find ways of making enquiries secretly :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
We finally bought one from Mustafa. Pranav was of course elated on finding one under his bed on Christmas. Can't say whether he was more happy to own a PSP or with the fact that his friends had paid for it while he got a damn good deal by getting it for free ! </span><br />
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The next task was to set some rules for its usage. We had to tell him that Santa has send these rules. And thus once again we contributed in keeping the faith in Santa going. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heart vs Mind - Is this what Faith is ?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
Now, we do realise that this is a very dangerous thing. Pranav was already getting the idea that he can get an expensive thing for free on Christmas. It was a kind of an achievement and vindication for him. We did not want to outrightly prove him wrong, so we started giving him subtle hints that there is no Santa and these gifts are bought by parents. He kind of understood in his mind that this could be true but in his heart he did not want to believe this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />A friend suggested that one of the way to stop this without any heart break is to tell kids that Santa fulfils wishes only till kids are single digit age...(see this will be a chance in touching up on Math as well :-)).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We don't know how the next Christmas will be on our pocket, but when I think of this episode, I realise may be this is what faith is like... it gives one Hope, Hope that there is someone out there who has the power to fulfil our wishes. It gives us a reason to be good, to sort out what is it that we really want and then be patient and persistent till he hears us :-) </span></div>
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Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-968505761598350022012-10-01T16:34:00.000+08:002012-10-01T16:34:23.469+08:00Joys of Paris in India ?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our recent visit to India, we were driving on the almost empty noida expressway.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pranav was looking out of the window, excitedly, taking in the sights. In Singapore, long drive is a rarity. In fact, the joke goes that 'Do not run too fast else you might find yourself in Malaysia'. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were all quietly lost in our thoughts when suddenly Pranav exclaimed, with a deja vu kind of excitement in his voice. <em>"Look, Look, we are in Paris !"</em> His face lit up and had an expression of bewilderment and excitement of discovering something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We looked around, puzzled, trying to decipher what he was referring to. It took us a while to understand that he was pointing to the following.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsqZWmZXrQ2Nqm6HzyS98T_akgpx83c1kCnyMMa15cjiyo7Pm21CcAUwNo57bugKYsKz033yAsBiTXQUmLnDgIUltMTgpVVi4ARlVYkcFPutbONAy87Qr5x7FeKBkJxLb2B6PBPbaL_pE/s320/Power+Tower.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo from </span><a href="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/taxation-and-accounts/article3223210.ece" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">here</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The omnipresent power towers which we seldom give a second look. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our immediate reaction was to burst into a hearty laughter. Ya Ya ! I know it wasn't a display of mature parenting... more so because Pranav just hates anyone laughing at something he has said. But sometimes it becomes unavoidable :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hated breaking the truth to him.... but it had to be done. Pranav just reacted with a little 'Oh !'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Later, he decided to make it into a little joke and tried fooling his grandparents in Ahemadabad by pointing towards these towers and exclaiming - "Look Dada... so many Eiffel Towers !"</span><br />
</div>
Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-85400408062795807502012-08-29T01:24:00.001+08:002012-09-03T11:30:44.852+08:00Dental Woes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The Pain<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I ignored the tingling sensation and the
sweet pain in the jaw when a small part of my wisdom tooth chipped off, and
avoided seeing a dentist. With almost 4 filings in my teeth and an extraction,
I am wise enough to know that it means another painful extraction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As luck would have it, I was at the wrong
place at the wrong time. I was literally praying to let the nurse be rude and say
that there is no appointment available for a month. My prayers went unheard. She
was all ears and promptly asked me to see the doctor the very next day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The Dental Surgery clinics in Singapore are
akin to the Paan shops in India… you will find one in every neighbourhood. As I
entered the clinic, which is just across the road from my house, there was no
queue and I was directly ushered in. The doctor turned around in his revolving
chair and asked, “Hello Ms, What can we do for you today?” Umm.. how do you answer such a question </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> plus I immediately doubted his skills…a dentist who talks so
politely to you with his 100% attention … is it some gimmick!. Aren’t good
dentists supposed to make you wait and act pricey?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After the routine examination, I was whisked
in adjacent room for an X-Ray. As I entered back in like 10 seconds, the doctor
was already studying my jaw on his computer. He again revolved in his chair,
explained about the required extraction and still expected some questions from
me. Once he was convinced that I had run out of questions, he said, “So, do you
want to go ahead with the surgery now?“<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now…as in Now ?? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost 5 years back, when I got my wisdom
tooth extracted, in India, I had almost fainted. The pain and swelling that
lasted a few days…. The feel of stitches in mouth….the khichdi and porridge
meals…. The ice packs….all came back to haunt me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Decision<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I made some enquiries on whether it is safe
to get something as big as a tooth extraction done at a neighbourhood clinic
where the dentist talks to you nicely, explains what exactly is happening and
encourages you to ask questions ! Shouldn’t I be going to a big hospital or
something? Well, I got positive feedback on neighbourhood clinics and finally
decided to go ahead with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">All prepared to have painful four days of
Chinese New Year holidays ahead (bye bye Tiger, welcome Dragon), I announced to
everyone who called up for Birthday party invitations / plan of an early
morning nature trail / a potluck dinner etc. that I am going to be in bad pain
and wouldn’t be able to join in anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Surgery<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The next evening I heard the doctor say, “Raise
your hand if you have any discomfort during the surgery”. I felt as if I was
going on a diving expedition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The injection for the anaesthesia hurt. As
soon as a tool was inserted in the teeth, I shouted and simultaneously raised
my hand. The Doctor had to give another shot in the nerve. I cursed the moment
I decided to go ahead with this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Soon after that I could not feel anything but
knew that the tooth was being drilled and cut and pulled. Actually while
writing this.. I realized how amazing the <b>local
anaesthesia</b> is…and decided to do a little reading about its history.
Interestingly, the first usage was with cocaine and because it is addictive
other “-aine” drugs are now used like idocaine, novocaine or tetracaine! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Read more about it here - <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/anesthesia.htm" target="_blank">The story of local anaesthesia and How stuff works</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctor kept asking me in between – “Are you
feeling ok?” and surprisingly I was actually feeling quite comfortable. Before
I realised, the doctor announced that the surgery was over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">He showed me 3 pieces of blood stained
tooth…and explained that the whole tooth has been extracted and the surgery
went quite well with minimal cutting of bone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Happiness
that Money can’t buy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I walked home taking small steps…expecting
the fainting sensation to come anytime – it didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Next day, I kept waiting for the swelling and
pain to come – it didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The next to next day, I stopped pain killers
and waited for the pain –nothing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I called everyone back to announce that I had
no pain and would join in all activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">By the second day I almost forgot that I had
a surgery. Only when I laughed too much while playing Pictionary over potluck
dinner, my jaw pained a bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">On the seventh day, I went to get my stitches
cut and dared to tell the doctor, that because
I had no pain at all and no swelling, I doubt if the teeth was pulled out fully
! He asked me jokingly – did you do the surgery or me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well … HE
did… but in this whole episode I experienced the sort of happiness that money
cannot buy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Well…it did make me poorer by 800+ dollars
but the fact that the cost was fully taken care of by insurance did contribute
in the above mentioned feeling!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">PS: Some
gathered Gyan:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Wisdom tooth is actually a
vestigial organ…an organ which has become redundant. With change in eating
habits (more processed food instead of raw) the jaw does not expand enough and
so doesn’t have enough space to accommodate this late arrival. As a result, the
wisdom teeth grow tilted and put pressure on neighbouring molars to create
space for itself. In some policies, the government actually encourages people
to get rid of the wisdom teeth at a young age to have less of such hassles in
old age.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-83381353249492948152012-05-03T17:00:00.002+08:002012-05-03T17:01:52.875+08:00What's your Weakness?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Pranav got an assignment from school for
listing down his strengths and weaknesses. We decided to make it fun and each
of us started to state a strength and a weakness for Pranav. For weakness, I
began by saying ‘Lack of….’ and paused a second to think of a suitable word.
Pranav, without thinking twice, completed the phrase for me, with – ‘MONEY’!! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After the laughter subsided, we saw he was still perplexed and defended himself by saying .. "of course ! Lack of money is my weakness !" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">How to argue that ? </span></div>
</div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-16472832947402425002012-01-12T18:17:00.000+08:002012-01-13T10:38:56.874+08:00Filing woes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The article mentioned how to identify which documents should be stored in fire safe places or lockers. A picture of a beautiful file organizer with all neatly organized and labled papers mocked at me.<br />
<br />
Uhh ha...I thought ! High time I took control of my paper life.<br />
<br />
Itching to organize all my 'difficult to replace' certificates, so to say, and get that NEAT look, I bought a new clear A4 file with 30 leaves. Next, I gathered all my certificates from birth till marriage which were currently dumped in a folder.<br />
<br />
<i>Oh my birth certificate is on the verge of tearing off..and woa..my name was 'Rachna' at that time !</i><br />
<br />
<i>Why did MCA have 6 semesters..now I have to take care of all of these all my life !</i><br />
<br />
<i>Can I throw away the provisional degree, now that I have the real one ?</i><br />
<br />
Battling these thoughts, I arranged them in chronological order and started placing them in the clear leaves one by one.<br />
<br />
Sounds easy ?<br />
<br />
I guess those catalogue pictures of neatly filed papers never faced the problem of no two papers being of the same size ! I mean even the mark sheets of same course from same insti are of awkwardly different sizes. Either longer than A4 or just a bit wider !<br />
<br />
<b>So the puzzling question of the day is - why can't everyone follow the same standard of using A4 (or whatever ...as long as you get files of those sizes!) for certificates and all sort of other documents.</b><br />
<br />
Well...even if that happens.....I will have to live with the ones I have...in this life....!<br />
<br />
But I am no quitter....I folded or cut the ends to make each one of them fit into the A4 file... and finally got a neatly organized catalogue look.<br />
<br />
<i>Yes... I am happy about it.</i><br />
<i>No.. I don't know if there will be any consequences. Only time will tell !</i></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-87319103968752240172011-11-22T19:00:00.002+08:002011-11-24T11:03:52.786+08:00That infectious gesture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Roaming aimlessly at the promenade near symphony of stars in HongKong, we noticed a little frenzy. An organization had setup kiosks where kids were painting and playing games. Interested, we enquired whether Pranav could participate.<br />
<br />
'Of Course!', one of the volunteer beamed enthusiastically.<br />
<br />
She started to explain Pranav, 'When children have a disease or fracture etc. they feel discomfort. We will try to paint with that discomfort to better understand what they go through.' She showed him eye glasses which were opaque and had only a tiny hole to see through and asked whether he was ready to wear those for few minutes and paint ?<br />
<br />
Pranav listened every word attentively and nodded his head gently. I could see it was like a challenging game for him and he was obviuosly interested. I waited for the lady to give him the tools to start. Instead, she smiled, looked up at me and said, 'I think he does not want to do this. He is saying NO'. <br />
<br />
Umm...what was the confusion ?<br />
And then it dawned on me suddenly ... Pranav was nodding his head from left to right all through the conversation. I muffled the itch to laugh out loudly...and said...well what he means to say is ..'Yes'..he understands and he is ready to take it up. She looked confused but gave him the paints and got busy with another child. <br />
<br />
A lot has been said about this typical Indian way of nodding the head sideways to mean 'Yes' or 'I understand' or 'I agree'. But this was my first time to actually witness a confusion because of this. What I wondered most is how kids adopt these ways ! This isn't something that we have taught him and I never realized when he picked this up. It's an infectious gesture which we all indians just pick up, unconsiously.<br />
<br />
Rest assured...the faster the head moves...the more the understanding !! This head Wobble crosses the language and cultural barriers and unites India....second only to cricket !</div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-9579293542162185262011-11-11T19:00:00.001+08:002011-11-11T19:00:02.328+08:00Thus starts the Cycle of Money<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Will you give me 10 cents for school?" Pranav, now 6, asked, lying lazily on the sofa one morning. "With 10 cents I can buy a super lemon candy in recess. If you give me 20 cents I can get 2, 3 for 30 cents, ... and 10 for 100 cents. But actually to buy 10, you will have to give me one dollar. Yesterday my friend bought a super lemon and he did not even share with me." The monologue went on. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Overall, I was happy that he could do this much of practical math and after some dos and donts talk agreed to part with 10 cents.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In the evening, we were super excited to hear his story of how he could not eat his lunch because he had to stand in the queue for a long time to buy the super lemon which was oh sooo lemony. How he sweated because there was no fan near the queue. How super lemon can be eaten by only older children like him because the kindergarten kids will find it very spicy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After a few days, while running already late for the school bus, he asked for 20 cents so that he could share a super lemon with his friend. There was no time to argue and somehow I could not ignore the cute request. I handed him 20 cents just in time before the lift door closed. This time it was a sob story in the evening as he dropped and lost those coins in the bus. After some thought he said "If you can buy me a wallet, I will never lose money like this". We ignored it, but his request continued day after day with daily calls in my office - "I really hope that you can get my wallet today". I finally bought him one which has become his proud prized possession and he now refuses to wear any shorts or pants that do not have a pocket. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">All was well till Pranav dropped another bomb - "See how empty my wallet looks with only a few coins.I want some 'notes' for my wallet. Will you give me one?" </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Welcome to the cycle of money and possession. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What started as a 'request' for 10c has now become a 'demand' for 2 dollars (In SG lowest note is $2 ) and the battle of wits continues....!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have been trying to avoid the topic for a while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">No prizes for guessing who will emerge as the winner in due course !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Looks like the time has come for some serious money talk.</span></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-53247968677402305632011-03-20T17:37:00.001+08:002011-03-20T17:38:30.633+08:00The chicken or egg dilemma !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I was helping Pranav complete and understand a puzzle depicting the life cycle of a hen. It was like this.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o8yqoiFJfXaBC_blBZMMH76LVjhTSaRTeTVF65TzkouHZG4FMSagPYGqTf1ozwknEBvp0CuxQgkr4EBWr_2QuN0yAvBhyphenhyphen_tKlySv0rnu_NrTg6Sah6AEqpV-m3k-BIAZTY9lcbiOBZdJ/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_o8yqoiFJfXaBC_blBZMMH76LVjhTSaRTeTVF65TzkouHZG4FMSagPYGqTf1ozwknEBvp0CuxQgkr4EBWr_2QuN0yAvBhyphenhyphen_tKlySv0rnu_NrTg6Sah6AEqpV-m3k-BIAZTY9lcbiOBZdJ/s400/029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It was just a simple puzzle and probably did not need much explanation to a 5 year old. But as with all children, Pranav didn't buy it and asked how can it start with an egg....there should be a hen first....! <br />
<br />
I was taken aback for a moment...but then I said ..umm ya ok...that's also possible....we can start with hen and then the life-cycle could be ... Hen->Egg ->.....and so on... . This confused him further and he asked - then how did the hen come ?<br />
<br />
I was amazed at the question and the thought process of a 5 year old ! Kids have such open mind without any pre-conceived notions but as we grow older we stop questioning a lot of things. <br />
<br />
It is such a simple question and yet so complex. The little one did not know that he had just asked a fundamental question about life and universe.... a dilemma...a question that has perplexed generations from the times of Aristotle or even earlier.<br />
<br />
I was in a catch-22 situation- whatever explanation I gave, the cycle had to start from somewhere. Every start led to another logical dilemma.<br />
<br />
For the first time I tried looking into what exactly is going on in this regard and found that various practitioners have tried to find answer to this in their own ways.<br />
<br />
Wikipedia summaries various beliefs regarding this question <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_or_egg">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Interesting to know is that as per the Hindu Mythology, the supreme 'cosmic egg' from which the whole universe originated comes before all creatures and this egg is called 'Brahmanda' = 'Brahma' (Creator) and 'Anda' (Egg). I knew the meaning of Brahma as the creator but never knew the break up of the word 'Brahmanda'.<br />
<br />
The only convincing theory seems to be from the Darwin's evolution according to which a mutation might have taken place at conception or within the egg such that an animal similar to chicken (but not chicken) laid the first chicken egg.<br />
<br />
Very recently in 2010, British scientists claimed to have solved this mystery saying ' The scientists found that a protein found only in a chicken's ovaries is necessary for the formation of the egg, according to the paper Wednesday. The egg can therefore only exist if it has been created inside a chicken.' Which means that the hen came first.<br />
<br />
But many do not buy this theory and are of the view that this is exactly the same as what has been stated in the Bible and so is not anything new.<br />
<br />
<br />
CREATION, DAY 5: "And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.' So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.'" –Gen.1:20-22<br />
<br />
So there still isn't a conclusive end to the argument. But now, after all this study, when I tried to strike a conversation about this with Pranav, with the intention of explaining him that he had asked a very good question to which there isn't a definite answer, he seemed to have made up his mind that hen came first and no longer wants to argue on this topic :-(</div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-3223296591884797992011-01-08T17:17:00.001+08:002011-01-11T08:21:42.756+08:00Will Santa's magic work !Pranav was asking us for a scooter and a Ben 10 watch. We thought Christmas to be the perfect opportunity to gift him what he desired. We also planned to use it as a bait, to lure him into sleeping on his own bed.<br />
<br />
How difficult can it get !<br />
<br />
When I presented to him, the idea of asking Santa for scooter, he plainly rejected, saying 'Santa will not be able to deliver such a heavy gift' !<br />
<br />
It took a lot of reasoning to convince him that Santa will indeed be able to deliver. Phew ! Next step was to make him believe that Santa will leave the gift only if he finds children sleeping in their own bed. He said that he'll think about it. I considered half the battle won as he did not out-rightly reject the idea ;-)<br />
<br />
As Christmas day neared, he stated plainly, 'I think Santa will know where I am sleeping' ! We felt cheated. Kapil and I tried to coax and cajole, threaten and even used some emotional attyachar. But he had made his decision. We could not make out whether he was sure that Santa will deliver his gift or he wasn't too keen on the gift or if he did not really believe that Santa existed !<br />
<br />
In any case, we saw no doubt in his eyes and I wish I could be as decisive as him ! <br />
<br />
So we all again snuggled together at night, somehow, on the queen size bed...Pranav peacefully, with his Christmas stocking by his side, and we restlessly !<br />
<br />
In the morning, in a bid to save our faces, Kapil suggested to keep the gift in the other room, on his bed.<br />
<br />
As soon as Pranav woke up, he went to check the stocking. We felt more excited than him to see his reaction ! He opened the gift wrap and found a real watch with Ben 10 figure on it. What followed is difficult to explain....his face lit up and he did a jig with his fist and cried, 'I got it ! I got my watch !' He did not even try looking for scooter and we had to remind him to search for it. He was happy to get the scooter but the watch had made the day for him.<br />
<br />
When we mentioned to him that, 'look Santa left the big gift on your bed' , without blinking for a moment, he replied - Santa has made a mess...throwing one gift here and another there ! Ha ! how does these things come to kids ! In our own interest, we stopped the discussion here.<br />
<br />
Finally, he got what he wanted without compromising on anything ! We are happy that he has a strong mind of his own and are, secretly, already thinking of embarrassment saving ways in such situations !<br />
<br />
May he <strike>always </strike><strike>listen to our directions </strike>, <strike>at least sometimes listen to us</strike>, always make his own decisions ;-)Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-34142895572928649142010-09-22T11:44:00.004+08:002011-01-11T08:22:23.509+08:003 couples, 5 nationalities - First hand experience of Multi Cultural SingaporeBorn off a keralite father who was first generation singaporean and a Philipino mother,he married a beautiful Thai lady whom he met at his workplace. His sister recently married a Sinhalese (Sri-Lankan).<br />
<br />
The host, a Singaporean Chinese free thinker converted Christian, married a gorgeous Indonesian lady. They met while graduating in Australia.<br />
<br />
We, belonging to the same country and state and religion and caste and sub-caste were introduced by our parents. Though we found our story quite mundane after hearing theirs, this part of the world was quite interested in understanding how the arranged marriages actually happen ! <br />
- Bio-data ! What do you write there ?<br />
- Do you get to see each others photos ?<br />
- Do you get to meet each other before marriage ?<br />
- Do you have an option to say 'No' after meeting ?<br />
<br />
Hope we were able to change the concept of arranged marriages more to be like western dating where your parents play the role of dating agencies ;-)Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-88041048904549864592010-08-17T16:27:00.000+08:002010-08-17T16:27:37.329+08:00Scared wit !<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a flick of a second I have so many thoughts - I am losing it really, I am getting mechanical here, I should do some puzzles or sudoku to keep my brain working. How could it happen again ! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know that I have a tendency of boarding wrong trains or getting off at wrong stops but this time I had been very careful. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I remembered that I had to take the train in opposite side of my home..so I carefuly suppressed my involuntary movement towards the home bound train. Then I studied that of the two, which train should I board,decided on one, re-checked and boarded. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a while I realized it was announcing (and even blinking on the map), the next station to be the homebound one ! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't the fear of going in the wrong direction (it's no big deal ..I could have gotten down anywhere and taken the train from opposite platform !) but the fear of what could be wrong with me. I am aghast ! I cannot believe this was happening ! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got down as soon as the train stopped, saw around and suddenly - it was my moment of deja vu! I heaved a sigh of relief...It's not 'demnetia' after all ! I am exactly where I intended to be......glitches do happen here too ;-) (though it was the first one in my 8 months of extensive usage of public transport here) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait...could it be that the announcement was a figment of my imagination ! Did someone plant it in my mind ! Uhh....C'mon...I haven't even watched 'Inception' yet !</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-43793243602245812142010-08-04T16:13:00.002+08:002010-08-15T13:44:22.848+08:00Movie watching in Gurgaon: 10 years back<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once upon a time in Gurgaon...there were no swanky malls and no multiplexes. We did not own a mobile nor a computer ! There were only some pathetic cinema halls called 'Jai' and 'Paras' which did not even advertise the movies playing ! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Motivated by urge of seeing a movie and too lazy to go to Delhi...My friend Ms EA called a 'restaraunt'(Yes you heard that right):</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: Are you from Santushti ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: Yes mam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: Is there a cinema hall called Jai nearby</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: Yes mam</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: OK...so can you tell which movie is playing there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: Mam...chori chori chupke chupke</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: Oh when did this one release...who is the cast ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: Ummm mam... salman khan..preity zinta</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: what time is the next show</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: mam 3:30</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: Oh it is already 3:15...is there a long queau at the ticket window ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S: umm Mam...may I know who are you ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA: How dare you ask me that...how does this matter to you...if you don't want to give any info then you say so ! BANG !!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EA to me.... C'mon run ..the show starts in 10 min..let's catch a rickshaw fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was 10 years back !</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today: Tap iphone app or open site...choose movie, date, time and seats, pay. Wait for the movie day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I let you chose which one is FUN ?</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-65981495666180171392010-07-10T16:19:00.001+08:002011-01-11T08:22:59.931+08:00Being Vegetarian in Singapore<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Eating is a passion in Singapore. If you meet someone who knows you are new here, sooner or later the question 'How do you find the food here?' is going to pop up. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though, it was actually awkward for me because I am a vegetarian and cannot stand the numerous food courts here which smell of seafood, and I have to search for right words to mention that to a passionate Singaporean foodie ! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well...it's an island with no local agricultural produce..which does explain the eating habits ! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lunch time around office area looks like a carnival and you will be greeted with empty office chairs at the strike of 12:00 !! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If the family is small they find it more economical to eat out daily rather than cooking at home. In fact, I hear that some do not prefer renting their house to Indians 'cause they know that our likes will be doing extensive cooking (and rightly so !) </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It isn't too easy to find vegetarian eateries anywhere and everywhere except for Little India which has all the indian vegetarian restaurants.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I remember in our first month in SG, we had gone shopping and as lunch time approached we roamed for 30 minutes through the mall trying to find something to eat for lunch. The very few places where we could find something vegetarian, cooked it in the same oil and with same cutlery that they used for non-vegetarian food...! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, exhausted and possibly a little angry at everything in general and nothing in particular, we bought a few chips and juice from 7-11 and had our so called lunch at one of the benches in total silence :-) ..converting dollars to rupees and dreaming of Haldiram's ...!!!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That was then....we are better informed and know how to be better prepared now !</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing beats gathering knowledge from people's experience and that's how I found out (and have a long way to go, being still very new here) few good vegetarian places and chains which serve palpable veg food. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.hungrygowhere.com/">HungryGoWhere</a> for Singapore and <a href="http://www.happycow.net/">HappyCow</a> for globetrotters can also come in handy at times when you cannot use your acquaintances as if they were food guides :-)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I might try to keep a track of some of them here for my reference and experience recall purpose !</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-5890278144609824272010-06-30T15:15:00.000+08:002010-06-30T15:15:13.110+08:001984 - George Orwell<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a long lull, finished reading three very different (from each other !) books. Guess the long gap was due to a) not able to decide what to read b) I like to read only when on the move and my travel time in the crowded metro was only 20 minutes. But then I began feeling very fidgety and depressed at not having read anything for a long time ....so I just started off and in the process experienced what 20 + 20 minutes each day could mean !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someone has rightly said - Don't do nothing because you can do only little ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>1984</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What luck ! Under that am-depressed-as-have-not-read-anything mode, I picked up 1984 by George Orwell. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a scary book if you imagine yourself in the world of 1984. A world where there can be no friends, where you cannot trust even your children, where you are being watched 24*7 by Big Brother and his men, where even 'thought crimes' are tracked and can leave you begging for mercy if you commit one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are no memories as the past is being constantly changed according to the present !! The dictionary being constantly modified to reduce the words so that people have lesser vocabulary to think and express themselves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there is Room 101 where your worst fears come true ! ..on reading that part, my first thought was that Thank God my house number is 102 and not 101...else I would have had nightmares for a few days !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book is basically a satire on a totalitarian society..where a group tries to tightly control everything for the society. And if you come to think of it, it is not entirely impossible. In fact ! it does exist in certain parts of the world in some form.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can already experience in Singapore, how things are controlled...the gov. controls the number of cars by auctioning a quota for it. There is a well defined fine/punishment for almost everything - from not using flush in public toilet to drugs ! To get over the difficulty of removing littered chewing gums, a total ban on it's consumption was imposed...If you are found littering you will be subjected to public shame by having to wear a bright jacket of corrective action and cleaning a public place while local media will be invited to cover the event and you will not be spared on account of being a foreigner :-) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well..all is OK till you are on the right side of the law....and I am not complaining here at all, as all this has made Singapore one of the cleanest and safest place in the world. But probably if I were a citizen here, I might have felt a little stifled sometimes at so many dos and donts! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not to forget the Taliban, the secrective N Korea and what is happening to Google in China !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book is still relevant even after six decades, though it goes on the extreme. It gives you food for thought and though the book was depressing (but very very interseting), it did make me stop cribbing (for a while ;-) and feel lucky and thankful to be where I am !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The famous Big Brother show (which Shilpa Shetty won and on which our desi Big Boss is based !) takes it's name and concept from this book.</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-61409998797804553512010-06-20T01:00:00.002+08:002010-08-20T18:11:40.597+08:00Movies (1)<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I intended to pen brief thoughts on movies watched recently with a little background on the <a href="http://shubhrasethia.blogspot.com/2010/06/library-system.html">library system</a> here ...but I got carried away and wrote quite a lot on that topic already....so continuing with the original intentions...</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">1. The Full Monty</b> (Not Bad)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A very warm story of how a few unemployed, very average looking guyz decide to perform a one time striptease for quick money.For a little drama ..they went overboard and claimed to go full monty...What follows is how they overcome their fears to perform the final act...! Quite a good play of emotions between a couple and a father and son with some very funny moments (like the encounter with cops was hilarious !)!</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">2. Stepmom</b> (Nice Watch)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Julia Roberts is not beautiful in the traditional sense but there is something about her that just lights up the screen. Very interesting to watch how the mom and the stepmom (Julia) treat the kids lovingly but in their very own different ways....some moments being very emotional...a scene where Julia says that she is worried that the daughter will grow up and on her wedding day will be thinking of how great it would have been if her mom was here and the mom is worried that she will not ! The Christmas presents from mom to her kids were beautiful ......and emotional.....but in the end I couldn't quite understand what was the point of discord between the man and his first wife and could understand that life really is a total mess when you start looking for love out of marriage especially when there are kids involved...the biggest victims of this are the kids ! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: blue;">3. Life or something like it</span> </b>(Don't tell me I didn't warn you)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quite boring actually, even though it stars Angelina Jolie ! The pace of the movie is extremely slow and very predictable. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our very own 'Dasvidaniya' is a great watch in this respect (though the comparison with this movie may not be correct but worth a mention here). Also it is interesting to note how the story and direction of the movie can make a difference where a movie with AJ do not appeal while you may want to see a movie with Vinay Pathak and no female lead more than once !</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">4. Miss Pettigrew lived for a day</b> (Drama, May Be)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's like an english drama...the British style of dialogues, slow paced...predictable....but a very watchable one....due to some misunderstandings a nanny lands up as a high profile secretary for a day and does fix things up... ! nothing too great and nothing bad either !</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">5. अतिथि तुम कब जाओगे !</b> (Laugh Riot but please don't use brains)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pranav kept asking us 'kitne aadmi the (कितने आदमी थे )' for many days after the movie...to a stage that we became as bored as the man was in the movie :-) </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">6. PS I love you</b> (Romantic, Must watch)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Must watch ! Felt like kicking myself why I never heard of Gerard Butler before....amazingly handsome man I have seen in some time.....still not sure if it was the character or the man himself. But when I mentioned it to a friend who is an ardent follower of Hollywood movies...she said 'Welcome to the gang !'...so the man must be handsome...!!! He is Scottish, by the way, and not American ! </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No idea why the movie is termed as romantic comedy...</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">7. How to train your dragon </b>(Animation, May Be)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We watched the 3D version...needless to say that the Pixar animation and effects and detailing were simply great....but somehow the story did not quite click me....though Pranav had a good time watching the dragons. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="color: blue;">8. October Sky</b> (Inspirational, Don't Miss It)</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I am generally a little hesitant to see a movie or read a book which is termed as inspirational per se. This movie was recommended by my brother Nishant. So I picked it up from library and it just sat in my home for close to two weeks. Finally having nothing better to do on a weekend we started watching it....and what a movie it was ! It is based on a true story. The life in mines, finding an aim ...a calling in life, the passion, the gang of friends, the drama....the almost losing it ...the winning ....it was all engagingly woven together... </span></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-26209612563835402712010-06-16T11:53:00.001+08:002010-06-16T16:21:51.574+08:00Library System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.getforme.com/images1/Photo_Library@esplanade_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qu="true" src="http://www.getforme.com/images1/Photo_Library@esplanade_01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You hardly get to see many hollywood movies in India unless you are the sort who will buy each and every expensive DVD for one time watch or you watch movies from internet (something that we did try but couldn't enjoy). Same goes with books to a large extent!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something I really really miss in India is availability of good public libraries.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was a member of the British Library in Delhi but that too did not have a good collection (collection was majorly British) though the kids books and CD collection was great. It also did not have any facility for maintaining individual account, online. There being only one branch in central Delhi and the family membership costing 3500/- per year were big deterrents for most.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier we had tried a site called cinesprite which was something like netflix of US and for some months we enjoyed good quality DVDs being delivered at our home...when suddenly the company closed down and we lost all our advance payment ! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I first experienced the concept of centralised public libraries in London. I could not make very good use of it though, as the library timings were something like 10 to 5 (Sunday closed !) and with hectic office life it wasn't very viable for me.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Singapore has even better setup. A foreigner can become member in any </span><a href="http://www.nlb.gov.sg/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">library</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> by paying around 45 SGD a year (for PRs and citizens it is almost free). With this, one has access to all national, public and community libraries. They are open till 9 or 10 in the night (even on Sundays), with many having 24 hour book drops. Even if you are not a member you can walk in and read inside the premises. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently reserved a book, at a nominal cost and got it delivered to the library of my choice. I was informed once the book was available and was given ample time frame to collect it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can maintain your library account online,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> can drop your personal used books in library, can participate in book exchange programmes, buy books at a bargain during library books sale or be a volunteer in library. I could go on....but t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hese are not new or great ideas...just some practical things which any good library should have....but never experienced them even in the capital of India !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If someone in India thinks of it as an enterpreneur option or it is gov. led, there may be a good business case. I know a lot of people who will really be interested in being members of good and accessible library system even if it costs a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I remember, around 7 years back, there was a book wala in my neighbourhood who had a good collection of magazines and books available on rent. Not sure, but I think he charged something like 10 Rs per day for novels. I read the first 6 Harry Potter books from him...even if I finish them in 7 days each (though Harry Potter fans would know that they are unputdownable and you are bound to finish them in max 3-4 days)... I still spend 420 instead of 4800 (if 420 seems to be big amount for paying in rent ...see it relative to spending 4800 or not reading at all !)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On the other hand I also know people who do not like the idea of reading a book which has exchanged many hands. <a href="http://shubhrasethia.blogspot.com/2010/02/recently-while-traveling-in-mrt-i-saw.html">e-book reader</a> might be a good option for them to some extent. Well...as for me.. I do like to buy books, but not all are collectibles and worth the money and space !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am not well informed about the dynamics in India...but would be great to see a centralised library system coming up in India ! Till then, as Bertram Wooster would say - Right Ho !</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-35265706110616334462010-05-20T22:32:00.015+08:002010-05-26T14:46:06.961+08:00Deep Purple<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Happened ('Happened' here means - booked 4 months in advance !) to be at the Singapore indoor stadium to experience Deep Purple - the english rock band - Live ! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The stage seemed great with smoky lights and all the instruments. The stadium was huge and the crowd big, ranging from teenagers to 60+</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The decibels were deafening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am no fan of rock music and had not heard any of deep purple songs before...no ..not even 'smoke on the rain' and the live experience did not help in enhancing my love for rock !</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But, it was amazing to see the energy levels of the band members who were on an average 60+ ! They performed non stop for 2 hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Best part was the solo performances and the very cute dance steps of Ian Gillan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Obviously, they ended with their most popular song - 'smoke on the rain' and as we came out it was actually drizzling and the night had a smoky feel !</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We boarded the newly opened circle (yellow) line for the first time and changed the maximum number of times... yellow to red at Dhoby Ghaut, to green at Outram Park and finally to bus at Dover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Will add photos later !</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-36270030709774339902010-05-13T14:21:00.131+08:002011-01-17T17:51:57.613+08:00Sentosa - Underwater World<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Just a few months after I joined my first job, I was asked to fly to Singapore in 2 days time. Not having any experience of work, not knowing what I was expected to do at the client location in SG and afraid that I will probably make a fool of myself, feeling 2 days was an extremely short time to plan for the first overseas trip, I refused to go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well ! My loss was somebody else's gain and later it seemed that the whole project team was going to Singapore. One and all talked about their trip to SENTOSA when they came back to India. I had heard the name so many times from team mates yet I hardly knew what the place was like except it being an island near Singapore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Finally, after close to a decade, I visited Sentosa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sentosa is south of Singapore and from the Harbour Front station one may take a bus/rail/cable car to reach Sentosa. We decided to take a cab and I sunk in the back seat -relaxing and looking forward to a long beautiful journey into the island, when suddenly in 10 minutes time I realized that we had already reached Sentosa. I never knew it was so near! It is actually only half a kilometer from the southern tip of SG.</span><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.sentosa.com.sg/"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sentosa</span></a></i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> means Peace and Tranquility in Malay. There is quite a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentosa"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">history</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> attached to it before it turned into the so called 'island resort' that it is today. It is interesting to know that the place has no residential establishment (except hotels) but has been developed solely for recreational purpose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As soon as we entered the gates of Sentosa we could see the signature Orange buses plying here and there and a lot of construction was on for the upcoming Resorts World which features the Universal Studios theme park. Somehow, it felt like being in the Truman Show.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Underwater world</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We headed straight to the Underwater world and joined the queue for tickets. I suddenly saw a man with a big snake round his neck posing for a photo. A guy was renting snakes for $5 for photo and there was a small queue there too :-) Quite scary !</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We watched with awe the amazingly colourful fishes...the clown fish seemed exactly like Nemo (remember 'Finding Nemo'!). There was a beautiful white fish with a small dash of yellow. Then there were extremely small deep purple ones which just found their way everywhere. At the same time it was quite disappointing to see so many fishes in a very small confined space.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvybwBqPueuCCqS0Ex4qoj_4SYIuT-2IJLVEwMlQqKxlNCDA1GxROPJy53jik0Wn2ill0bY9ieREeTbjxAmEU2rEysSeIUcgnzjdrlKpRv6yPJTF3oGszvXGvknXrjqVD5iKQn-pCQ7Kq/s1600/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvybwBqPueuCCqS0Ex4qoj_4SYIuT-2IJLVEwMlQqKxlNCDA1GxROPJy53jik0Wn2ill0bY9ieREeTbjxAmEU2rEysSeIUcgnzjdrlKpRv6yPJTF3oGszvXGvknXrjqVD5iKQn-pCQ7Kq/s640/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIN1Ls4PlJlUS4DWxSXMuChsgwdIWm0dMlBHcyUY68HijDC0FeF7GCZhw0Gxpr7GP6c8INaT6i1zWZ4btrZg7RBMsSSDXyAtdXsdoAUWPpEHedOrxFgLld7aMN1uvLvLgQPEwNWt-JUwI/s1600/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIN1Ls4PlJlUS4DWxSXMuChsgwdIWm0dMlBHcyUY68HijDC0FeF7GCZhw0Gxpr7GP6c8INaT6i1zWZ4btrZg7RBMsSSDXyAtdXsdoAUWPpEHedOrxFgLld7aMN1uvLvLgQPEwNWt-JUwI/s640/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We spent a long amount of time watching the jelly fishes...It seemed like watching a slow ballet. We waited there for the colour to change again and again ...I am at loss to describe it. Had to capture it in a video...but not able to upload here.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlzmTRomNR3fhnkZoHar38SxnJ4a1N4WvVUO7Ck3y5e8dR8H-sMY71kUj53-IZZomDtNjvOqezvp_I-NJCpqJ8wk7CdZNh-bjXwgWgrc9rGBd5us-DwPAVq4vhDOsE03K8ED2Aa-8Q-Wg/s1600/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlzmTRomNR3fhnkZoHar38SxnJ4a1N4WvVUO7Ck3y5e8dR8H-sMY71kUj53-IZZomDtNjvOqezvp_I-NJCpqJ8wk7CdZNh-bjXwgWgrc9rGBd5us-DwPAVq4vhDOsE03K8ED2Aa-8Q-Wg/s640/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I spotted a travelator and hurried everyone on to it. We had spent a long time at the initial 2-3 attractions and I was worried that we will not have enough time for anything else. I was sure that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Kapil and I had been to the Scotland UW world or whatever it was called and it was so big that we could not see it fully as we had reached late.I also faintly remember the marine world of Mumbai which was huge as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So we jumped on the travelator, admired some more big and small fishes....some of them were sharks too but not as big as we were expecting, took a few photos and within no time we reached the end of travelator journey........ ummm so soon .... excuse me ......I am sure we are missing something.....I went up and down ...left and right to search for a turn that we had missed and which will lead us to more of the underwater world ! But there was none....I could not believe that this was all of it.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qry0j29wYvo/S-tKN61JeKI/AAAAAAAABb4/B1VCrgZGKLM/s1600/Sentosa%202nd%20April%202010%20045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0rHisxnds5dQfvfXRjfY0u2-KLCuwi5Fkm67Mg8W-AR0Le1VGdDn4Lq9lQKRw5iYnQd5e6cGT1YyYbrLyZMYouBUgWtrGFZLJYOoeGzf5GRs2IzNQ1J25oPuT5E_MdpBuVMicgCVZpbk/s1600/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0rHisxnds5dQfvfXRjfY0u2-KLCuwi5Fkm67Mg8W-AR0Le1VGdDn4Lq9lQKRw5iYnQd5e6cGT1YyYbrLyZMYouBUgWtrGFZLJYOoeGzf5GRs2IzNQ1J25oPuT5E_MdpBuVMicgCVZpbk/s640/Sentosa+2nd+April+2010+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But wait ..there was the dolphin show and the sea lion show also included in the ticket. So we headed for the shows. They were not bad but not as good as the ones in the <a href="http://shubhrasethia.blogspot.com/2010/04/singapore-zoo.html">singapore zoo</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Overall, I felt it is quite a hyped attraction but may be good for someone who hasn't had a glimpse of the marine world before.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next, we took the Sentosa bus for the next destination.........</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-11546671093428133882010-05-01T00:05:00.001+08:002010-05-13T17:10:17.866+08:00The Singapore Zoo<span style="font-size: small;">Recently when we were trying to recollect some details of our itinerary etc from the past holiday trips....we could not recall as much as we would have liked to :-) So thought it might be a good idea to pen some thoughts on places visited so that we can refresh our memories later :-) But will keep it short and simple else will never be able to complete !</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So starting with the Zoo !</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Have never been too fond of zoos ! Somehow the word creates an image of sad looking lazy animals in confined and a little smelly spaces ! Having already visited the Delhi and Ahmadabad zoos (which we did enjoy to a certain extent but there was no deja vu feeling ! ) wasn't too keen on a trip to the Singapore zoo. But well, it is all so famous and then husband's company gave free passes and have a 4 year old so had no excuse for further delay !</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">So one fine Saturday (or was it sunday..see forgetting already :-) morning in Feb, we packed our lunch and camera and jumped into a cab and were inside the jungle in 20 minutes !</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGHJz_hj729DH0zqdnLvM8QZ0iexQPAYLET7_AQZNj32oTmJ5XcLnqB-jzGT27UzqyoD-XpQN5_WDCV61k-cCJxQAMOFVdvB5uWKt_LO3ZpwRut1mSJ3FzIy7GYeUk5x5Bd1YHEqM1Fnf/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGHJz_hj729DH0zqdnLvM8QZ0iexQPAYLET7_AQZNj32oTmJ5XcLnqB-jzGT27UzqyoD-XpQN5_WDCV61k-cCJxQAMOFVdvB5uWKt_LO3ZpwRut1mSJ3FzIy7GYeUk5x5Bd1YHEqM1Fnf/s200/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20196.JPG" width="200" /></a>The stream of people there already created some excitement and Pranav wanted to sit on the cows statue at the entrance when we kept telling him there are some real animals inside. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">To put it simply,I would have been a fool to miss this.We felt we were in a jungle. It was truly the zoological garden that all zoos should be. The animals seemed soooo near, you have to see it to believe it! it was as if they could jump out any time ! On a closer look there was enough security measures and planning like a transparent net and a deep valley separating the animals from us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Though the spaces were confined, it was as if the animals were in their own habitat.The animals even seemed happy to pose for a photo :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We spent the whole day there and it is really difficult to pen what all I saw. Just mentioning few highlights.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzH0SHGex1scReg85sBBAkG04mJlwjh6FCigTwpGgLHsF_tBjegFEOOwD3TrM6jtkUnkXUbOTnGEsHjxlWZopY5p9CEDbVwphCPfBEeZTbyUoqaz0OBUAyYYs5RHz51TbdLcLmkG-oWAq/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzH0SHGex1scReg85sBBAkG04mJlwjh6FCigTwpGgLHsF_tBjegFEOOwD3TrM6jtkUnkXUbOTnGEsHjxlWZopY5p9CEDbVwphCPfBEeZTbyUoqaz0OBUAyYYs5RHz51TbdLcLmkG-oWAq/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20035.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Watching the Orangutans was amazing...the way they swing from one branch to other...Their hands are even longer than their body. Saw a happy family of three lovingly snuggling with each other. Would have liked to sit their and watch the activities for some time but had to move on!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4kWK_GkAZrhJJoqtsanHyuHFxH1LmLkZ295rveMgv4xCi4ksLxCy8DZJAKZI90Uni_zNAwwSMrmbNyZ2T4yfFn5jNz8dMfMdrI78LLbwBim_ODdWDegGvLiz-ddJ9IfB0fgQvTSjGrTZ/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4kWK_GkAZrhJJoqtsanHyuHFxH1LmLkZ295rveMgv4xCi4ksLxCy8DZJAKZI90Uni_zNAwwSMrmbNyZ2T4yfFn5jNz8dMfMdrI78LLbwBim_ODdWDegGvLiz-ddJ9IfB0fgQvTSjGrTZ/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20038.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Spent some time just sitting and watching the polar bears (mommy and son) swim graciously without resting. Reading the information and photos displayed since the baby polar bear was born in the zoo and how it's birthdays were celebrated and how it has grown and how the whole staff loves him took us into a different world.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGK05ycb9-4vhxLT1fk3SjmgN5AK6EDExHNysx9QcSXnoAw7hRNXz3xqV_hyphenhyphenMjH3QzeBK7Wdlhyphenhyphenof9vgKzdmui37PHPQvQehCVsnrA6ubO1bnCw-y3kJjy69uNN3GJUGjRV0HuQDwlDSl/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGK05ycb9-4vhxLT1fk3SjmgN5AK6EDExHNysx9QcSXnoAw7hRNXz3xqV_hyphenhyphenMjH3QzeBK7Wdlhyphenhyphenof9vgKzdmui37PHPQvQehCVsnrA6ubO1bnCw-y3kJjy69uNN3GJUGjRV0HuQDwlDSl/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20051.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjevJPEisoD7siKDPTovtr3rS-w_5vVXGim0bHRkeitaS1Xz8UUK6apl5ElGLWwkpph0WJrzYZdoHCp_3hBfDPAEXaKv-x2WU60W1Zf2z0EJNcQgvRDv0CHxzclX9jxMT8S3Z1EBmcIAV/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjevJPEisoD7siKDPTovtr3rS-w_5vVXGim0bHRkeitaS1Xz8UUK6apl5ElGLWwkpph0WJrzYZdoHCp_3hBfDPAEXaKv-x2WU60W1Zf2z0EJNcQgvRDv0CHxzclX9jxMT8S3Z1EBmcIAV/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20066.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">The Giraffes looked huge and we were there at their feeding time. So fed some carrots to them. Love the photo of this lonely Giraffe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We watched all three shows: Elephants at work, splash safari and the rainforest fights back. We were just strolling lazily for the first show when we were taken aback by the amount of people already gathered for the show and all seats taken :-) Pranav laughed and laughed when the sea lion splashed water on the audience ! All the shows were weaved very nicely and were quite interactive though only 15-20 minutes long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saw such big a tortoise for the first time...looked centuries old..and looked as if he was smiling while eating away the leaves !</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoVhfnWYe7OqXwsX4-yfRvln9byL1Cvy48z3f-aqhyphenhyphenNfbY-RZqvJ2xHjXTw00oMX7OvwwHuBZ1WPdgb-hwh0u0jRS80Eu2wmhFqV6Vk6sUO5lV71E0aeQWyCkbjbJHVyp_ZyZ0-OOeeK-/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWoVhfnWYe7OqXwsX4-yfRvln9byL1Cvy48z3f-aqhyphenhyphenNfbY-RZqvJ2xHjXTw00oMX7OvwwHuBZ1WPdgb-hwh0u0jRS80Eu2wmhFqV6Vk6sUO5lV71E0aeQWyCkbjbJHVyp_ZyZ0-OOeeK-/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20119.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1mIAVHOiF7KF_mKdfriPHXEP_vOFGAd9NDisySKVKoZ9dJKBf2b3OGvHbKUPK1pJz3Umv1MwTA9F2cPX0yF3w7KNL8EEL78309ZQ90U_MyKzfbs9nvd65-okV-gnn88WnRWRZWPIIVvU/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1mIAVHOiF7KF_mKdfriPHXEP_vOFGAd9NDisySKVKoZ9dJKBf2b3OGvHbKUPK1pJz3Umv1MwTA9F2cPX0yF3w7KNL8EEL78309ZQ90U_MyKzfbs9nvd65-okV-gnn88WnRWRZWPIIVvU/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20125.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaF7v9hhK8L4alAkHIsPeMc0JUsPdxIwebgShONaKZWk8WvZrYJDxwNMDBc6CjjJ1v6KIa1AAadMjZnnRwzn6B0BeDvNBrw-QZV_7p6g2P8ypqTCctk2HsEb_E80baMptGVg8aUKzRCbd/s1600/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaF7v9hhK8L4alAkHIsPeMc0JUsPdxIwebgShONaKZWk8WvZrYJDxwNMDBc6CjjJ1v6KIa1AAadMjZnnRwzn6B0BeDvNBrw-QZV_7p6g2P8ypqTCctk2HsEb_E80baMptGVg8aUKzRCbd/s640/Zoo%2013th%20March%202010%20117.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The comodo dragon looked deadly and all the information written about it was quite scary !</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">There was also a big space for all sorts of vegetable and spices plants and we loved it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">By evening, we were dead tired. A lot of walking coupled with the humid weather doesn't make it too easy. I would like to go again and spend more time just sitting and looking at the activities of animals and read the whole bunch of very interesting information at display again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, it was quite nice and all but don't know how much it could impress Pranav because when we ask him about his favourite animal, he still answers 'DONKEY' with full confidence as earlier to the visit and is not ready to budge even after some coaxing! On asking why.. he says 'because I like his 'Dhen chu Dhen Chu'. Had no option but to leave it there with a smile...after all kids will be kids and it's amazing to see them happy in their own world !</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-49063830138455737022010-04-23T10:23:00.000+08:002010-04-23T10:31:50.649+08:00Song on my mindVery few songs in these times which has lyrics that you want to hear again and again ...<br />
The song 'aaj din chadya' from the movie 'Love Aajkal' has amazing lyrics. It has also won the Filmfare award for best lyrics !<br />
<br />
A part of it which is my current favourite :-)<br />
<br />
माँगा जो मेरा है <br />
जाता क्या तेरा है<br />
मैंने कौनसी तुझ से जन्नत मांग ली<br />
<br />
कैसा खुदा है तू<br />
बस नाम का है तू<br />
रब्बा...जो तेरी इतनी सी भी न चली<br />
<br />
<em>( lyrics by Irshad Kamil and sung by Rahet Fatah Ali Khan)</em>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-13380726608232015682010-04-21T11:15:00.000+08:002010-04-22T10:36:08.880+08:00Two's Crowd<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am in a cab, zooming on the almost empty road in Singapore. Suddenly, there are 6-7 cars ahead of us. The driver slows down a little before gaining speed again, he feels a little sorry as if it is his fault and asks me: 'Mam, is Delhi more crowded than this ?' </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I feel I have gone dumb. I am suddenly transported. I can hear the honking, I can see the never ending queue, I can feel the wait, I can feel the pride in knowing how to balance the ABC (accelerator, break and clutch) at best of ability in first gear, I can feel the bumper to bumper drive, I can see cabs, cars, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, scooters, bikes, cycles, pedestrians, trucks, cranes all side by side jostling to move ahead and I feel the exhiliriation of finally reaching home with only a little scratch on the car. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a deep sigh, I reply - 'Yes'.</span>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-11832710596179393272010-04-07T00:12:00.000+08:002010-04-07T00:18:05.378+08:00Shivering in Singapore<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I had heard that Singapore has only three types of weather - hot , hot and hot ! Well, to be fair it does has some variation - It is amazing to experience bright sunshine, humidity, heavy rains with immense thundering and lightening and pleasant breeze in Singapore, all in the span of a single day. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But as I shivered inside the public transport, I realized that Singapore also has something for which I was not prepared. Yes, Singapore is notoriously cold if you happen to be in bus, malls, cinema or office. I thought probably something was wrong only with me until I read many complaints in the newspaper about it and came across a mention on this even in Lonely Planet.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">No idea why everyone wants to keep the air cons as if they are expecting polar bears ! </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">But I am happy that my Delhi stock of stoles and my son's stock of sweat shirts will not go waste after all :-)</span></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045268478440658295.post-88340771434675057642010-03-28T10:58:00.000+08:002010-03-28T10:59:51.564+08:00Play of Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Preloved</i> - recently came through this usage as a polite way of saying <i>second hand.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I really liked it and the play of words does make such a difference !!</span></div>Shubhshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12944276541008308844noreply@blogger.com2