Does every action in this world falls in the premise of logic?
Or that’s what I believed till about yesterday. If not watch “Face the Nation” on CNN-IBN by “Sagarika Gosh” and you will surely ask this questions yourself!
Confronting yourself for something that happened and for which you don’t have a reason….probably was the most humbling experience. You just cannot address the simple "why"….you know the simple word "Why". There was this need this urgency to address it for, for ages it was done that way and I was taught to believe it that way!
So this "why" got me thinking for bizarre 40 sleepless hours with no food and no sensible thought? Just a simple "why"!! I tried the age old solace methods of keeping myself engrossed, reading books, lying on the bed with my eyes wide open, going for a walk (now that’s something that partially helped!)
Yeah so there was this me and this "why"!
But something somewhere maintained that buoyancy for me to stay afloat. Something that didn’t let me be lost somewhere in my shell rather it got me out.
It got me out to believing once again that life that existed around me. It was perfectly ok for me to be human and that I have every reason to move on in life. It helped me come out of my rigidity and the mould that I had set for myself for something which didn’t exist anymore.
But just be cautious......the catch 22 etchings!
The question that remains now is that, do I still need to address this "why"…..I choose not to and take no offense about that too.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Wierd Thoughts on Seven…..
Its been a time since I have posted something on my blog. Few of the reasons for that, for one I did not have much to write about and secondly was too busy with sumitting lab reports and the important reason I did not have the patience to type what I wanted to lol....
But now I have both!!
While preparing lab reports last week I needed to enter the pH value of water and solution in a report and by mistake forgot to do that!! Missing values did not resulted in any disaster other than repetation of whole experiment !! I realized its was none other than number “7” fault and I realized the importance of number Seven and did some research on this troublesome number.
The significance of number Seven can be derived from the fact that the number of stellar objects in the solar system visible to the naked eye is Seven. Sun, moon, and the five classical naked planets: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Probably here lies the reason why Seven has been so sacredly used in all the religions of the world. Also, there are Seven colours in a rainbow.
According to Judaism, Christianity and Islam (all three originating from similar if not same platform), God created this world in Seven days (although he is supposed to have rested on the seventh day according to some). There are Seven days in a week.
According to Christianity there are Seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride), and seven corresponding virtues (Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal and Humility). Book of Revealation has been addressed to seven churches of the apocalypse. (This I did not knew at all though I have spend my 17 years of education in Christian missionary school and colleges).
But short chat with my european friends worked well !!
The number of earths and heavens according to Quran are Seven. The number of ayat in surat al-Fatiha (the opening or the first chapter in Quran) is Seven. (Ref. Ali my Iraqi friend!).
There are Seven yoga chakras in our body, and seven levels of consciousness to be achieved, before we can come out of the unending cycle of life and death, according to Hinduism. The number of sages are Seven and their wives are the goddesses referred to as the “Seven Mothers”. The bride and the groom are supposed to take “Saat pheras” during the marriage rituals.
Prince Siddhartha (better known as Lord Buddha) walked Seven steps at his birth.
Seven is also considered a “Virgin number”. Probably because it’s the only single digit number (natural number), which is neither a multiple nor a factor of any of the single digit numbers.
The reason for 7 being a lucky number symbolically, is because it represents the union of man and woman, since the number for women is 4 and the number for men is 3.
There are Seven continents and Seven seas.
Ok...its enough.. as its 7 o’ clock and my sister is online!!!
But now I have both!!
While preparing lab reports last week I needed to enter the pH value of water and solution in a report and by mistake forgot to do that!! Missing values did not resulted in any disaster other than repetation of whole experiment !! I realized its was none other than number “7” fault and I realized the importance of number Seven and did some research on this troublesome number.
The significance of number Seven can be derived from the fact that the number of stellar objects in the solar system visible to the naked eye is Seven. Sun, moon, and the five classical naked planets: Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. Probably here lies the reason why Seven has been so sacredly used in all the religions of the world. Also, there are Seven colours in a rainbow.
According to Judaism, Christianity and Islam (all three originating from similar if not same platform), God created this world in Seven days (although he is supposed to have rested on the seventh day according to some). There are Seven days in a week.
According to Christianity there are Seven deadly sins (Lust, Gluttony, Avarice, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride), and seven corresponding virtues (Chastity, Moderation, Liberality, Charity, Meekness, Zeal and Humility). Book of Revealation has been addressed to seven churches of the apocalypse. (This I did not knew at all though I have spend my 17 years of education in Christian missionary school and colleges).
But short chat with my european friends worked well !!
The number of earths and heavens according to Quran are Seven. The number of ayat in surat al-Fatiha (the opening or the first chapter in Quran) is Seven. (Ref. Ali my Iraqi friend!).
There are Seven yoga chakras in our body, and seven levels of consciousness to be achieved, before we can come out of the unending cycle of life and death, according to Hinduism. The number of sages are Seven and their wives are the goddesses referred to as the “Seven Mothers”. The bride and the groom are supposed to take “Saat pheras” during the marriage rituals.
Prince Siddhartha (better known as Lord Buddha) walked Seven steps at his birth.
Seven is also considered a “Virgin number”. Probably because it’s the only single digit number (natural number), which is neither a multiple nor a factor of any of the single digit numbers.
The reason for 7 being a lucky number symbolically, is because it represents the union of man and woman, since the number for women is 4 and the number for men is 3.
There are Seven continents and Seven seas.
Ok...its enough.. as its 7 o’ clock and my sister is online!!!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Lamhe
Apni kahani likhni hai, apni hi zubaan likhni hai
har lamhe ko qaid karna hai, uski har daastan likhni hai
But why I am writing this??? I came to lab thinking to work for few hours and that too in weekend!!
Good Idea!! But Destiny and desires don't think alike.
It might not be as dramatic and unexpected as O Henry's stories but often circumstances surprise us in more than trivial ways. The seed of our thought might not reach the fruition but that doesn't mean the end of the world.
As usual first check out my mails and orkut!! Ah...it’s “Shilpi Birthday"!!!
It’s my dearest buddie's birthday today. So it’s a special day for me!! So what gift can I give??? A call and few conversations will be good. But then in lab you can’t do that and in home laptop is not working!!
So ..ok I will write a blog ..
Heck of lab work!!!
And I just got transported back in time, aeons ago, to when birthdays used to be so much fun. A gala event to look forward to!! That’s too a friend who was my first “Crush”.
But at this point I want to define few loves!! Though its sounds much like a philosophical viewpoint!!
Love is which lasts for 2 months.
Big love ----- which lasts for 2 years.
Great Love is which change the life of the person. Great Love knows no comparison. A lady in love feels her man as the BEST. A man in love feels his lady as the BEST. People in Great Love are everybody and everything to each other.
It's no secret that I was a teensy bit in love with her but I don’t know which category I belong to at that time. Might be none….as it was one sided…hehe!!!
But really I have done all the crazy stuffs for her “love” in my school days. I still remember writing her name on each page of my books as well on copies. Did 35 km of cycling on hot (45 degrees) days to just get a glimpse of her ….
Ah so wonderful days!!! If you are in Sweden then you need to travel to different country even to get experience of 33 degrees forget about 45 degrees.
Well, the destiny had its own desires. She went to different school and to different city. I loose contact after that.
As we grew up these things seemed kinda arcane. But again destiny had its all writing, this time role was played by Orkut!!! You won’t belief, when friends told me that we can search old pals, her name was first one to crp up on search!!! And I still remember she was first friend to be added on my orkut list!!! Yet those early love days remain my sweetest memories!!!
Anyways, this post is actually dedicated to my dearest buddy. dunno why today suddenly brought back all those memories. :)). May be love never dies!!
A very very happy budday to you once again buds.
Have an awesome day today! Wish I could be there with you to celebrate!
har lamhe ko qaid karna hai, uski har daastan likhni hai
But why I am writing this??? I came to lab thinking to work for few hours and that too in weekend!!
Good Idea!! But Destiny and desires don't think alike.
It might not be as dramatic and unexpected as O Henry's stories but often circumstances surprise us in more than trivial ways. The seed of our thought might not reach the fruition but that doesn't mean the end of the world.
As usual first check out my mails and orkut!! Ah...it’s “Shilpi Birthday"!!!
It’s my dearest buddie's birthday today. So it’s a special day for me!! So what gift can I give??? A call and few conversations will be good. But then in lab you can’t do that and in home laptop is not working!!
So ..ok I will write a blog ..
Heck of lab work!!!
And I just got transported back in time, aeons ago, to when birthdays used to be so much fun. A gala event to look forward to!! That’s too a friend who was my first “Crush”.
But at this point I want to define few loves!! Though its sounds much like a philosophical viewpoint!!
Love is which lasts for 2 months.
Big love ----- which lasts for 2 years.
Great Love is which change the life of the person. Great Love knows no comparison. A lady in love feels her man as the BEST. A man in love feels his lady as the BEST. People in Great Love are everybody and everything to each other.
It's no secret that I was a teensy bit in love with her but I don’t know which category I belong to at that time. Might be none….as it was one sided…hehe!!!
But really I have done all the crazy stuffs for her “love” in my school days. I still remember writing her name on each page of my books as well on copies. Did 35 km of cycling on hot (45 degrees) days to just get a glimpse of her ….
Ah so wonderful days!!! If you are in Sweden then you need to travel to different country even to get experience of 33 degrees forget about 45 degrees.
Well, the destiny had its own desires. She went to different school and to different city. I loose contact after that.
As we grew up these things seemed kinda arcane. But again destiny had its all writing, this time role was played by Orkut!!! You won’t belief, when friends told me that we can search old pals, her name was first one to crp up on search!!! And I still remember she was first friend to be added on my orkut list!!! Yet those early love days remain my sweetest memories!!!
Anyways, this post is actually dedicated to my dearest buddy. dunno why today suddenly brought back all those memories. :)). May be love never dies!!
A very very happy budday to you once again buds.
Have an awesome day today! Wish I could be there with you to celebrate!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
A great Kiss!!
These days a new colleague of mine had joined our group. She seemed to be very interested in India and her people. So after our work we decided to leave together and as most girl after few conversations she got going.
Journey was fun. Believe me. She was very eager to know my opinion about act of "public kissing" in India. She was utterly disturbed at the Indian public's display of anger for recent Richard Gere's kissing of Shilpa Shetty on an AIDS campaigning stage. To my shock and surprise, she was so aware of this news. I know many of you may not be. She had the concern that why are Indians so cynical about kissing in public- even about just kissing on cheeks. She considered it to be kinda greeting. Now it was my turn to put the "act of public kissing" in Indian context. I talked about the differences between Western and our culture and about the difference in their thought processes. Beliefs of our older generations and changing mindset of the younger generations. It went on for a few minutes and I assured him that 5 years down the line she won't have any such complains with the Indians:) She was satisfied. Se seemed to be happy and excited about her trip in November to “GUA” rather than “GOA”. After a while, infront of our seat, two beautiful couples then started kissing and we both loved glaring in each other eye, with a beautiful smile.
As my destination was coming near, I thought I also belong to younger generation and how come I assure her to wait for 5 long years. And inspired by yesterday great win over Pakistan and beautiful eyes of my colleague I decided let her know that “Young Indians” had arrived…in other words “CHAK DE INDIA”.
So just before getting down as we both moved towards each other to give warm hug and that moment I decided to go for a “Kiss”.
So I hold her a bit longer and gently lock up my lips!!!
I thought that she may be surprised but she responded with a smile.
Probably I assured him that 5 years down the line are not far ahead!!!
Journey was fun. Believe me. She was very eager to know my opinion about act of "public kissing" in India. She was utterly disturbed at the Indian public's display of anger for recent Richard Gere's kissing of Shilpa Shetty on an AIDS campaigning stage. To my shock and surprise, she was so aware of this news. I know many of you may not be. She had the concern that why are Indians so cynical about kissing in public- even about just kissing on cheeks. She considered it to be kinda greeting. Now it was my turn to put the "act of public kissing" in Indian context. I talked about the differences between Western and our culture and about the difference in their thought processes. Beliefs of our older generations and changing mindset of the younger generations. It went on for a few minutes and I assured him that 5 years down the line she won't have any such complains with the Indians:) She was satisfied. Se seemed to be happy and excited about her trip in November to “GUA” rather than “GOA”. After a while, infront of our seat, two beautiful couples then started kissing and we both loved glaring in each other eye, with a beautiful smile.
As my destination was coming near, I thought I also belong to younger generation and how come I assure her to wait for 5 long years. And inspired by yesterday great win over Pakistan and beautiful eyes of my colleague I decided let her know that “Young Indians” had arrived…in other words “CHAK DE INDIA”.
So just before getting down as we both moved towards each other to give warm hug and that moment I decided to go for a “Kiss”.
So I hold her a bit longer and gently lock up my lips!!!
I thought that she may be surprised but she responded with a smile.
Probably I assured him that 5 years down the line are not far ahead!!!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Sweden Journey
So I’ve been in Sweden for more than 2 years now. Many of my firneds ask about the country and its free culture so I thought why not to write something on this front after all I have spend precious 2 years of my life. It’s a beautiful country sparsely populated with reserved, yet friendly and extremely helpful people. As with every new place, there’s a tendency to form somewhat of a love-hate relationship with the surroundings as you adjust to all the differences. As an Indian in Sweden, there are a couple of things that really stick out to me as distinct differences. Below I will try and present (in a completely objective way) the more outstanding points. Many of my friends ask about my city so for them I have uploaded the video about my city Gothenburg “we love you”.
1. Alcohol and Swedes
Everyone knows that alcohol is ridiculously expensive in Sweden due to high tax. The more widely experienced of you may also know that to buy alcohol in Sweden (for anything over 3.5 %) you must take yourself down to the government controlled monopoly Systembolaget (fondly known as Systema).
Hmmm interesting!! Swedes will simply become a bit vague, shuffle their feet and repeat that it really is for the good of everyone. So, then is every Swede an alcohol-aware tea-totalling bore? No, quite on the contrary…
2. Socailism
- Sweden has a very good social system. For residents, health care is very cheap and comprehensive. Support for the underprivileged in society also appears to be very good. Gender equality has been tackled so intensely in Sweden that it could be argued to favour women. Sweden also probably has the worlds most comprehensive maternal support program. To the foreign visitor, this is best evidenced through birth rates. I don’t know the figures, but from walking around, Swedish couples appear to have their children young, and have at least two of them. Prams (baby sitter) and gorgeous young mothers abound. And not just your normal runs of the mill simple pram. Swedes opt for high-tech, sturdy, all weather, all terrain option. The pram in Sweden almost appears to be somewhat of a status symbol. Cruise past any cafe on a Sunday morning and you will see it filled with young parents and their respective prams. Fighting your way to find a table through the pram-based obstacle course can be tricky business, so in some cafes you must leave your pram outside. Not a problem! The modern Swedish pram is equipped with locks more sophisticated than I’ve seen on expensive mountain bikes.
- You can also equip your pram with custom made number plates! Cute!
- Just because you have a baby in Sweden, it shouldn’t limit you to going anywhere. On a sunny January day (-11°C and clear) don’t be surprised to see parents pushing prams through fresh snow along country lanes.
- If you have a pram, you can travel for free on public transport in Stockholm. This may be why it is possible to see children approaching 4 still being pushed around in a pram.
Seriously, if I had to live in Stockholm, adopting baby seems to be quite a reasonable idea.
Enough said.
3. Work ethic
- Sweden is truly a wonderful place to work. As an Indian, I am familiar with being branded ‘relaxed’. To be honest, I have never seen anything as relaxed as the Swedish work place. In Sweden, relaxation, spending time with family and having fun is held equal to, if not more important than working life. It’s an interesting concept. Sometimes I wonder how things ever get done here, but amazingly they always do. Maybe it takes a little more time, but eventually the goods are delivered. It is entirely possible that trolls, Sweden’s mythical little people, are actually secretly running the country at night when everyone has gone home for the day.
- One word: meetings. Swedes *love* to have meetings. It is totally acceptable to spend a whole day doing nothing other than drift from one meeting to the next. Sometimes it is necessary to have a meeting to decide when you should next have a meeting. Or to have a meeting to decide what to discuss at the next meeting. It is important, as a Swede in the workplace, to have a healthy fervour for meetings, and making all decisions in a group based and democratic way. No item is too trivial to discuss at a meeting, and of course no meeting is complete without coffee.
So how come I continue to write my views without a coffee!! Till then you enjoy the movie!!
1. Alcohol and Swedes
Everyone knows that alcohol is ridiculously expensive in Sweden due to high tax. The more widely experienced of you may also know that to buy alcohol in Sweden (for anything over 3.5 %) you must take yourself down to the government controlled monopoly Systembolaget (fondly known as Systema).
Hmmm interesting!! Swedes will simply become a bit vague, shuffle their feet and repeat that it really is for the good of everyone. So, then is every Swede an alcohol-aware tea-totalling bore? No, quite on the contrary…
2. Socailism
- Sweden has a very good social system. For residents, health care is very cheap and comprehensive. Support for the underprivileged in society also appears to be very good. Gender equality has been tackled so intensely in Sweden that it could be argued to favour women. Sweden also probably has the worlds most comprehensive maternal support program. To the foreign visitor, this is best evidenced through birth rates. I don’t know the figures, but from walking around, Swedish couples appear to have their children young, and have at least two of them. Prams (baby sitter) and gorgeous young mothers abound. And not just your normal runs of the mill simple pram. Swedes opt for high-tech, sturdy, all weather, all terrain option. The pram in Sweden almost appears to be somewhat of a status symbol. Cruise past any cafe on a Sunday morning and you will see it filled with young parents and their respective prams. Fighting your way to find a table through the pram-based obstacle course can be tricky business, so in some cafes you must leave your pram outside. Not a problem! The modern Swedish pram is equipped with locks more sophisticated than I’ve seen on expensive mountain bikes.
- You can also equip your pram with custom made number plates! Cute!
- Just because you have a baby in Sweden, it shouldn’t limit you to going anywhere. On a sunny January day (-11°C and clear) don’t be surprised to see parents pushing prams through fresh snow along country lanes.
- If you have a pram, you can travel for free on public transport in Stockholm. This may be why it is possible to see children approaching 4 still being pushed around in a pram.
Seriously, if I had to live in Stockholm, adopting baby seems to be quite a reasonable idea.
Enough said.
3. Work ethic
- Sweden is truly a wonderful place to work. As an Indian, I am familiar with being branded ‘relaxed’. To be honest, I have never seen anything as relaxed as the Swedish work place. In Sweden, relaxation, spending time with family and having fun is held equal to, if not more important than working life. It’s an interesting concept. Sometimes I wonder how things ever get done here, but amazingly they always do. Maybe it takes a little more time, but eventually the goods are delivered. It is entirely possible that trolls, Sweden’s mythical little people, are actually secretly running the country at night when everyone has gone home for the day.
- One word: meetings. Swedes *love* to have meetings. It is totally acceptable to spend a whole day doing nothing other than drift from one meeting to the next. Sometimes it is necessary to have a meeting to decide when you should next have a meeting. Or to have a meeting to decide what to discuss at the next meeting. It is important, as a Swede in the workplace, to have a healthy fervour for meetings, and making all decisions in a group based and democratic way. No item is too trivial to discuss at a meeting, and of course no meeting is complete without coffee.
So how come I continue to write my views without a coffee!! Till then you enjoy the movie!!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Virtual IPOD
Came across website called IVOON PLAYER. It lets you upload songs, add songs other people have uploaded and create a virtual IPOD. This can be later be played online or can be embeded in myspace or blogspot. Please dont be shocked to hear Himesh Topping the chat and asian rock on my player as I added songs from other peoples playlist. My taste in music is not that strange.
The player is really neat have a look. The touchpad scrolls like a real IPOD. Please hit play and enjoy!!!
The player is really neat have a look. The touchpad scrolls like a real IPOD. Please hit play and enjoy!!!
Spice up your boring slideshows
Today I created my first Photostory based on best pics tag in picassa. The apps was easy to use and makes your photos come to life with different transition effects and backgroud music. At the moment it can only be played back on the computer but sonic makes add in which makes it possible to burn your photostory to dvd's for playback. Anyways please have a look at my first attempt and let me know how it is.
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