A Beautiful Prayer

I asked God to take away my habit.God said, No.It is not for me to take away,but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make ay handicapped child whole.God said, No.His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary
I asked God to grant me patience.God said, No.Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.God said, No.I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.God said, No.Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.God said, No.You must grow on your own! ,but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.God said, No.I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

Seven Guys and One Gal

It was Sunday and I was waiting for the clock to strike 6 p.m. to be there at the Blogger's meet. But there was a hitch, I had to break my fast and go, and that would take sometime. Had anyway told Arun about it. So at 6:20, I zoom out in my Maruti (and still some people think it’s a Toy car). On a day when u want to reach early, all trouble comes ur way. A huge traffic jam, at that very moment, Arun calls to ask, where am I? In the next 10 minutes, there I was at Bombay Stores.

The first person I see is Arun, knew that it was him right away, he had the Camera dangling in his hand. And the rest of the gang sitting there. First thing Harry questions is the color of my bag. I had lead these guys on a wild goose chase by telling them that I shall walk in with a beige bag. There was a lot of discussion as to the color of my bag, but I still say its beige. :) All said and done, the entire crowd, Arun, Harris, Suresh (God), Satish, Anand, Indra and ofcourse, me the great, walked over to the cafe inside Bombay Store. The conversation just picked up, what made u blog, who was responsible for ur start blah blah. There was our Harris asking each one of us questions like, do u like big comments or something small and funny. Also the question of do big blogs interest u were debated. And suddenly, the parent in Satish, took over, and he walked away into the fading sunlight, promising to stay in touch. After all, duty calls. The photographer in Arun, was waiting to lay his hands on the gadget and before Satish could say Good Bye.

After the first round at Coffee Day, we decided to take a walk down MG Road and see if there was something to eat. We stopped in front of Lakeview. But God said No! No one had the nerve to tell God come on, we can go here. God said ICH (India Coffee House) and the crowd moved on. Meanwhile talking and exploring each other's views and tastes. We walk into ICH, unwelcome guests, that guy has about half an hour to close shop. He bangs the menu card and says, Quick order! Now that was a Tall Order. God immediately decided and the rest of the group followed suit, minus Harris and Me. Harris had a Cadmium battery to charge himself, (please check with him for further details.). We requested the guy next table to please click a snap of ours, to which he obliged. Guess Arun feels that this may not be a good one, right Arun?

The blogger community of Bangalore, has come to the following conclusion

1. Create a community blog, which will be the first of its kind(I suppose)
2. 8 are a good number for the first blogger’s meet. We hope more people join us soon. Are u listening floatingcreeper/Kartik?
3. His Highness Maltesh would be there at the next Bangalore Blogger's meet.
4. Princess Suku comes back to blogging ASAP
5. Arun would post the photographs ASAP, maybe even use Anand’s site for hosting the pics.
6. Everyone agreed that Tania’s blog on the Groom hunt was the best one in the past few days.

Slowly the group drifted into their own world. It was time to say Good Bye and till we meet again, here's three cheers to the Bangalore Bloggers. Thanks Guys for being there and making it possible. It was great meeting u and I hope we meet again very soon.

Cya later Alligator :)

P.S:U could also read another report on the same meet on Harris's Blog.

No post for today, very busy with work. Life should be back to normal, once i return from my vacation. Yes, am taking a 10 day break to stay at home for the last few days of Ramadan. Am i looking forward to it...u bet i am :)

Have a great weekend people!

Looks like this weekend is gonna be great. After all its the Bangalore Bloggers meet. 7 confirmations till now. Hope there are more and more people.
Just cannot wait for the weekend to begin.

No long posts today, got loads to do at work, and there is the cricket match to follow as well. Lets hope our boys do a good job. After all 202 is not a big score...Hers wishing them luck :)

Guess each one has certain phobia, but I have a real strange phobia. Am shit scared of dolls, be they teddies, stuffed toys, etc etc. Wonder how I caught up with it, but the sight of a Teddy Bear or a Doll or a stuffed doll, makes me run at the speed of light. Everyone ridicules me for this strange fear. My cousins love to tease me, with the n-number of stuffed toys they have. Friends always threaten to buy me a teddy bear, so on and so forth. So very unlike a girl is what they say. But I HATE those stupid toys.

Now this uncanny fear that has been growing with me from ages, has always put me in embarrassing situations. Once, a big gang, about 15-20 of my cousins and me (age group of 7 to mid 20's) walked into this big store on Brigade Road (Bangalore). Since I was the leader of the whole pack, I told me to go their way and very cautiously (as always), avoiding the stuff toys section, I go to the place where u have some books etc. Now these fellas, headed by eldest male, decided play trick with me. Me as busy as every, reading a fairytale, when suddenly I see there is darkness in front of me, thinking the lights might have gone, I look up to see, a big black Doberman, and lo! I scream at the top of my voice. Everyone in the store started wondering what the hell is happening; least they expect a girl to scream at the sight of stuffed toys. All eyes to the section from where the scream originated. Now this backfired on my dear cousins, and they did not know how to react to the sudden attention that was on bestowed on us. All we did was gather all our folks and march out of the store. Phew! It was a stupid situation and then these little ones, apologizing for what they did.

Once we all landed at the famous Kemp fort, this place is full of guys, who dress up as cartoon characters. Now how do I get into that damn place, without these characters noticing? They love to shake hands with people entering the store. Somehow I sneaked in, hiding myself behind my brother-in-law. Once inside I thot I would not have to worry about these pesty characters bothering me. No, that was not the case. One fella dressed as Mickey Mouse, starts walking with us, since we had about 2-3 kids along with us. And me trying to dodge was another scene. Another character dressed as an animal or so, started chasing me and reluctantly I had to let our another scream. I jumped into the lift and was out of the store, waiting for my folks to finish their shopping without having to worry about me scream at the sight at these characters.

Strange it may sound, but I just cannot stand the sight of the toys. After these episodes, I have atleast decided not to put people with me in a bad position. But then they somehow invite trouble by teasing me and there is no way I can control my shrieking. :)

Hear Hear Hear, fellow bloggers of Bangalore. Lets give some competition to the mumbaiya's...Don't u think we should all meet, after having read each other's blog's and comments. Do get in touch with Arun or me to get the ball rolling.

Noteable quotes which were gracefully dumped to my mail box today. Thanks to the person who sent it, has been a eye-opener. Read on...

Three things of life once gone never comes back - Time, words & opportunity - Use them rightfully.
Three things of life must not be lost - Peace, hope & honesty - Preserve them carefully.
Three things of life are most valuable - Love, self-confidence & friends - Never loose them.
Three things of life are never sure - Dreams, success & fortune - Dont Take them for granted.
Three things make a man - Hard work, sincerity & success - Accept them.
Three things of life that destroy a man - Wine, pride & anger - Wean from them.
Failure doesn't mean - You are a failure, It means - You have not succeeded
Failure doesn't mean - You accomplished nothing, It means - You have learned something
Failure doesn't mean - That you have been a fool, It means - You had a lot of faith.
Failure doesn't mean - You've been disgraced., It means you were willing to try
Failure doesn't mean - You don't have it, It means - You have to do something in a different way.
Failure doesn't mean - You are inferior, It means - You are not perfect.
Failure doesn't mean - You've wasted your life, It means - You have a reason to start afresh
Failure doesn't mean - You should give up, It means - You must try harder
Failure doesn't mean - You'll never make it, It means - It will take a little longer.

A man kissed 11 king cobra's and created a world record. AXN and its frightening shows. Phew! This happened on Guinness book of world records. As soon as this guy, Cordon Cates (I hope I am right?), picks a snake, it goes hiss hiss hiss. Some how he bends down and plants a lovely kiss and the snake is all subdued, wondering what the heck is happening. Ultimately he picks a 15-foot long snake and with great difficulty, seals a kiss on to the dangerous King Cobra. Phew! The entire crowds, on the set and off the set, were aghast at this strange show. Strange are the ways of people, they just come up with stuff, u would not even have dreamt about. And perform these stunts as though they have been born to do it. Sheer courage.

Now u know how my weekend went by. TV, TV and TV. After a long time, i spent my valuable time in front of the idiot box. Another thing i did was, sleep. Slept like a log. And its effect on me today, i am dozing at work. Wake up lady is what i tell myself, time and again. :)

Was reading a Professional Journal and jumped out of my chair when i see this huge write up on Blog by Greg Notess in Online Magazine. Which goes on to say that the blog regin will be a very good sharing of information. Well Mr. Notess, we are already doing that, is what i intend to tell him, in a mail which i am sending very soon. (How soon don't ask?) ;-)

Happy Weekend to all of u!...ciao

They say, God created the world in seven days, and this is my 7th attempt at a proper blog today. Am not comparing myself to the Creator, but i am just testing the theory, since this is my seventh try at writing a blog today. Here i go.

This morning was a pleasant sight, little kidos, walking to school, brightly attired, happy and gay. Enjoying the burden-less walk, smile on the face and a hope that they are not going to be burdened with home work. Guess most of the schools today, would just have games and such things for kid.

On seeing these kidos, the kid in me did a somersault. I have been ignoring her from a long time. Trying to put up an image of am an adult now....nope, very much a kid at heart...heee...is what i suddenly realized and then an immediate pledge, i shall never let the kid in me die a slow death.

How very easily, we let Childhood slip away from us? When we are kids we want to be teenagers and then the aspiration to be a adult. Then we keep wondering what days better than that of a kid. No worry under the sun. The greatest worry is of doing home-work and tests.....Memories and memories.

Guys, lets let the child in us, never over take the adult.
HAPPPPPYYY CHILDRENS' DAY...........

Strange are the ways we get involved into conversation. Today we suddenly started talking about death. A hard reality of life. It all started with the story of a colleagues Dad passing away in sleep. We started thinking aloud. One said, sleep is equivalent to death. How very true. When you sleep there is no guarantee that you will wake up to see the rising sun. But the optimist that a human being is, plans for so many things. How innocent you say, yes he is, but a very hopeful being.

Maybe one day i will make a check list of my bank accounts, my dues, my debts(including treats i owe to so many people), things which belong to me, what is where etc etc. People around should not curse me after death, saying, Where the hell are her drawer keys, where is her ATM pin number, etc etc. But before all that i wish and pray that i have a peaceful death, without worry to anyone.

But the thought of death most of the times, sends a cold shiver down the spine. God Bless all of us.

There are many many lessons which we learn in life. Through good times and bad, but we come out of this, better equipped with great experiences in life. Life is a School from cradle to grave and Time the best teacher anyone can have. Lessons in life just keep happening if u r a good student or bad. Something which i read today and so very relevant.

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it may be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles a rainy day and lost luggage.
I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a"living"is not the same thing as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn

May all of us be better students of life!

Am feeling pretty elated at this moment, Nilesh just wrote in to say he has started his own blog and that he has been inspired by my blog. Feels great ek dum great.

Welcome to the blogger land Nilesh :))

The weekend came and went, and it just does not feel like there was a weekend, guess the negative effect of having worked on a Saturday. Let me tell u it was such a lazy day and there was absolutely nil productivity from each one of us. The weather complimented our lazy moods. It has been raining at regular intervals from Saturday and the rain gods didn’t spare Sunday too. Its sucha boring weather, all u feel like doing is, curl up in bed with eateries all around u and read to ur heart's content.... But it is fasting time and no such thots to reach the head...

And its Monday, time to start a new week and loads and loads of work pending...Have a nice week ahead fella's.

Day 1 of Ramadan went on very well. Peace, calmness and serenity seem to be slowly increasing by the second. The entire idea of keeping away from bad thots really works fine. Its Friday, but the TGIF feeling has not set, maybe because we are working tomorrow, yes since we were given a holiday on Monday...sad but not bad.

Today at precisely 1300 Eastern Time, I was supposed to be in Czech Republic for a seminar. My junior at IISc and me wrote a paper on the publishing trends in India for a seminar on Electronic Publications. We wrote the abstract and sent it sometime in March/April 02 and lo! Our paper was shortlisted. We were beaming and sat to do our homework to make the paper a good one. We did put in our hardwork, but the catch was, either one of the authors has to be present at the seminar. Tragedy is that neither of us could make it. Cost of the conference is quite high and we could not find a sponsor as well. Bad that we lost a chance of representing our country. For a while, the thot has been lingering in my mind, saying wish I could go there. But at the end of the day, it’s an ok feeling. After all whatever happens, happens for the good of it.

Last year one of my papers was selected at an International Conference, but for a poster session, but the conference happened in Bangalore, so it was not much problem to be attending the same. This was my first full paper for an International conference, and it went like a flop show. The organizers have refused to include it in the seminar proceedings. The thot of it makes me sad.........

From yesterday Muslim all over the world have started observing fast which is done during Ramadan(Ramadan and Ramazan both mean the same, just the "da", in Arabic script and "za" in Urdu script which differentiate it!), the 9th month of the lunar calendar followed by the Islamic world. Each month begins with a sighting of the moon’s crescent and lasts 29 or 30 days until a sighting of the next month’s crescent. Due to a difference of interpretation, some Muslims may begin and end Ramadan a day before the others. There are various interpretations as for the sighting of the moon. Since neither interpretation rejects the Islamic sources, Muslims remain one international community despite this interpretive variety.

Ramadan is that time of year when Muslims recharge their spiritual batteries. For a whole month they fast from dawn to sunset, and offer additional prayers at night. After the end of Ramadan comes one of the two Muslim festivals, a day of Eid. On this day Muslims thank God for his guidance and grace in helping them to control their baser desires and fulfill their spiritual needs.

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guidance for all mankind. It is a criterion by which to distinguish truth from falsehood. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said that on each day of Ramadan God frees many souls from the fire of Hell. Fasting is a major feature of Ramadan. Many religions recognize the benefits of fasting, but only Islam institutes a month of it to secure its benefits for all its adherents. God prescribes in His book that all able-bodied Muslims must fast. This will develop in them a consciousness that will help them towards right conduct and prevent them from wrongdoing.

Fasting is deemed as one of the pillars of Islam. The 5 pillars of Islam are
1. Declaration of the oness of the Creator, 2. Establishing of Prayers,
3. The Zakath, which is Is devoting worship to Allaah by offering the obligatory prescribed amount of charity deducted from the wealth upon which Zakkat is due. Some of its Benefits are: purifying the self from immoral characteristics like misery, and fulfilling the needs of Islaam and Muslims. 4. Fasting and 5. Pilgrimage

Fasting is not just refraining from food. There are formal and informal aspects of the fast, both the aspects which are of great importance. The formal aspects include abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse. The informal aspects of the fast are just as important. The fasting person must abstain from lying, cheating, argumentation, fighting, foul language and every sort of evil. In this month one has to cultivate a lasting awareness of God, and a keen sense to observe his commandments throughout the year. Another one important preaching of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) is that if someone does not give up falsehood in speech and actions, God has no need for such a one to give up his food and drink.

Benefits of fasting can be listed as Spiritual, Medical and Psychological benefits

Spiritual and medical benefits of fasting : Fasting is a special act of worship that is between a human and God only, since no one else can know for sure whether or not we are actually fasting. It is our experience that the temptations and ways of the world tend to spoil our purity and austerity. But let me tell u we don't fast to benefit from these issues. though this is a good chance for people to reduce weight, giving rest to the digestive tract, and lowering lipids.

Ramadan is a month of self-regulation and training that carries the hope that its benefits. The basic difference between days when Muslims are fasting and when they are not fasting is the timing of our meals; during Ramadan, we have an early breakfast and then we do not eat or drink again until dusk (basically, we skip lunch).

The physiological effects of fasting include a lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and the systolic blood pressure. In fact, Ramadan fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes; obesity; and essential hypertension.
There is a physical benefit from increased prayer at night as well. It not only facilitates better utilization of food, but it also increases energy output. An extra 10 calories are expended for each unit of prayer. Again, we do not perform our prayers for the exercise; however, a mild movement of the joints accompanied by additional caloric utilization is beneficial.

Psychological benefits : There are also psychological effects of fasting. Those who fast during the month of Ramadan gain peace and tranquility. Hostility is at a minimum, and the soul is at peace. Muslims take advice from the Prophet (SAW) who said, “If one slanders you or aggresses against you, say I am fasting."

A prayer on everyone's lips is Peace and proseprity to the entire world. Lets hope the Almighty, accepts our prayers and bestows his mercy on us, Amin!

Helllooo.... Am back after the holidays and it was so hectic all the four days...but I enzoied it to the T :)

Okai, before we move further, I have added links of the blogs of the people who regularly visit my humble abode. If by mistake, any names missed please let me know, and not to mention, this is a very small way of saying Danka She (my German is quite bad, this is the only word I know) I mean Thank u, Thank u and Thank u. I was almost rapped on my knuckles for not having done this from a long time. Of late i have become a lazy bug and today I just wanted to get over with this. :)