Las Vegas

Its going to be a long blog, I guess, but I need to start this somewhere so here goes.
We had our thanksgiving weekend starting Nov 23rd to Nov 26th of this year and we decided to go to Vegas. So we left on wednesday 22nd evening and drew along Highway 152 which was the least moving one coz of vacation time time heavy traffic..but we enjoyed the way with our freshly uploaded dhinchak hindi songs:) We reached Buttonwillow at around 9pm,we stayed at a motel there which rakesh had booked. Then next day we again drove the remaining 250 miles or so to vegas our end destination. We reached Las Vegas at around 4 pm. Checked into Paris Paris.
We freshened up and left for sightseeing at 7 pm. Actually its such an awesome sight when you enter Vegas..huge palatial hotels everywhere but Vegas had not yet got its hold on me, I mean I had visited places before and I didnt find anything great about this place yet, I had seen all this in Discovery Channel in much detail and I couldnt find anything new. Also, had visited Reno with Rakesh, casino wasnt new to me. But as evening progressed, it got better.
First we visited Caesar's, took plentiful pictures. Saw a cool free show at Caesar's where giant statues of a king, and his kids prince and princess come to life and talk loudly with all possible attractive sound effects and visuals as to who should reign the kingdom blah blah!

Then we went to Bellagio, this is one of the top 10 most amazing hotels. Such beautiful decor inside that I cant explain. We also went to Flamingo. Here I got lucky on the Big Wheel or Big Six as they say in some casinos. Let me explain a bit about it for those who dont know ;) There is a big wheel placed vertically or standing upright and somebody would be there to rotate it. It would stop on one of the nos. i..e 1,2,5,10,20 or 40. Now these same nos. are present on the table and you've to place your bet on any or all of these nos. starting with 1 or 2$ minimum. So depending on which comes correctly you win. So if you bet on 1 and place 1 dollar chip, you get 1. If you've put, 2 chips on 1, then you get 1:1 i.e. 2 chips in addition to your chip and so on. So I used to get lucky for quite some time. We both together made around 39$ on that table. But we also lost around 10$ at some other tables...hehe... then we came back tired to sleep at 12 or 1.

Next day we left for Lake Mead. Now this is a man made lake created using the Hoover Dam. Alas, we couldnt reach upto the dam due to traffic but we went upto Lake Mead and me as usual got some really good pics!!!


Then again we were back to Vegas and started our casino hopping:) We went to Venetia and I enjoyed the beautiful ceilings with huge paintings..and Venice look alike gondolas..There was a couple getting married in the gondola..and when the priest or whoever who got them married clapped, everyone who knew that couple and also those who didnt..like us..clapped loudly wishing them well and a happy married life:) It was enchanting. Along the corridor there were displays of beautifully hand painted face masks and they were so costly because they were so beautiful!!!

Then we went to Harrah's...here like the name goes I felt that hum sab "haar" gaye "haarah's" mein...hehe..we gambled but lost badly. But the surprising point was a woman in lively swim costume ready to pose with the tourists and we got to take a complimentary picture with her. She was sweet and asked R to click my picture with her using our camera!!!

Then, we went to TI..Treasure Island...there was some free show going on outside and we had just crossed the road, and we both ran across to see the show but alas, it was so crowded we just got a short glimpse of the show!!!

We also went to Wynn, it seems its the latest casino built over there. It had beautiful decorations inside the hallway. One example was there were beautifully lit chinese lanterns dangling from the roof and music playing in the background. Slowly but steadily they were moving up and down and the whole atmosphere looked so colorful. Also, R managed to get some very beautiful pics with me and a red flower painting, those are my favourite :)

At night after dinner, we went to Bellagio where we again gambled and lost miserably, we saw a show "O" played by Cirque Du Soleil. It was an amazing show put up by around 40 artists atleast. I couldnt understand their logic but it was just awesome and the effort that they put up was just great.
Now I read some article on them and I know so much more about the show so here it goes for you all:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_%28Cirque_du_Soleil%29

We were dead tired when it got over at around 1. I was so desolate that we had lost in gambling that whole day, but R went on and played at roulette his yet another favourite table. And guess what he recovered whatever we lost and actually made some profit...yippee...


Next day we went to Zion National Park. Its a complete world from this make belief world of Las Vegas. Rocky mountains beautifully carved as if some sculptor etched life into them!!!

Amazing, we thoroughly enjoyed the views and took some amazing pics..and then returned to our crazy town of Vegas...when we were on our way back, it was an awesome sight that R pointed out to me. We were driving through complete darkness and suddenly behold there is light or something like gold shining out from the horizon..guess what it was...it was the outline of Vegas that we could see..that city had some much brightness with all the luminous lights glittering at the distance that it simply dazzles you...what a life it carries..!!!

We covered all the remaining Casinos like Monte Carlo where I lost at the Wheel :( then MGM, New York New York, Luxor and Alladin...and it was nearing 1 at night...we returned to our casino Monte Carlo..and I thought why not try the wheel again. I had spent lost some that evening but then when I played I not only recovered my money but also made small profit..the whole process was fun when I hit 10 twice!!!
Thus ended our trip of Las Vegas..called as Sin city..marked as the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Next day morning we left for our home sweet home at around 9 and reached by 11 at night..!!!Whew what a trip..:)) Happy reading.

Sammy

Sammy...Does the word ring a bell in your minds ? This is how M.K.Gandhi was addressed in Durban, South Africa by the whites to the non-whites or asians. M.K.Gandhi, yep you read it right Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi...lovingly referred to as 'Bapu' by all big and small.

There is a play now being hosted around the world namely Sammy..and yesterday we went to watch it. I was astounded by the play and all my gandhigiri came back to life :)

I had thought it would be little philosophical etc but no. It takes you through Gandhi's life and his trysts with truth, it had powerpacked performances by the actors supported by their able director Lillette Dubey and a strong script by Pratap Sharma.

I loved the light humour that was used effectively throughout the play. It starts with the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi when he started his work in SA as a young lawyer. His interactions with his soul through his thoughts and strong instincts have been brought to life so well on stage that any applause would be less for the play.

Gandhiji's journey through life has been well portrayed on stage and I think I love gandhiji a little more now. Also, all his weaknesses were properly or near to completeness shown and you understand how much a person goes through when he transitions from being a common man to a Mahatma...Salute off to him and the team who tried to put together his life on stage in as good a manner and I recommend this play to everyone white or black to watch it and enjoy !!!

Nature at its best !

Today is wednesday and every wednesday morning we have a status meeting with all the key people. So am always in a rush on wed mornings !
I was midway to office when I took the call on the way while driving. The weather was beautiful and slightly cloudy. It wasnt too cold neither too windy neither too sunny so for me I found it beautiful. There's this one point when I drive on 880 that I get to see the mountains ahead of me..and today when there were slight clouds hovering above those rocks...the picture looked so beautiful ...I cannot explain :)
For the first time, I saw that view so beautiful guess the combination was never there...slight greenery and brownish pastures..with beautiful bluish clouds and the sky combined it was just awesome..and I almost felt an impulse to stop and admire that beauty and capture it in my camera..but neither did I have a camera at that time and neither would've been able to do it..as I was driving and attending a business call ...hehe..can you imagine doing all these at the same time..neither can I..but I did experience that...and I loved it ! I dont have the exact picture but I found out which looks close to that scene...so here goes..

17 Mile Drive

On Saturday 4th Nov we went for the 17 mile drive with our friends Aparna aka Appy and her hubby Shashi.

Let me give a brief description of the drive:
The 17-Mile Drive is a scenic road through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach, California, United States, much of which hugs the Pacific coastline and passes famous golf courses and mansions. It also serves as the main road through the gated community of Pebble Beach. Like the community, the 17-Mile Drive is owned and operated by the Pebble Beach Corporation. Entry into Pebble Beach costs US$9 per automobile. Residents of Pebble Beach and their guests enter for free. Entry is also free for bicyclists and pedestrians.

At the north end, the road originates in Pacific Grove at the intersection of Del Monte Blvd. The famous portion of 17-Mile Drive then begins a few miles south of this point. The road runs adjacent to beaches and up into the coastal hills, providing scenic viewpoints. Travel along 17-Mile Drive takes as long as the traveler likes. There are numerous turnouts along the road to stop, take pictures, or get out and stroll along the ocean or among the trees. Each visitor receives a small map that points out some of the more scenic spots.

Chief among these is the Lone Cypress Tree, the official symbol of Pebble Beach and a frequent fixture of television broadcasts from this area. The only services open to the public in Pebble Beach (gas stations, restrooms, restaurants) are at Lodge at Pebble Beach and the Inn at Spanish Bay; there are plenty of comfortable and scenic spots to picnic.

Just outside the lower Pacific Grove gate to the gated community of Pebble Beach is Pacific Grove's Sunset Drive (which becomes Ocean View Boulevard), which follows Pacific Grove's scenic coastline and is called by some the "poor man's 17-Mile Drive."

It was indeed a beautiful drive and we saw both the sunset on one side and the moonrise on the other side! A truly awesome experience.

Diwali

Diwali came and went and life moves on. Diwali - Festival of Lights when everyone young or old, hindu, muslim or christian everyone enjoy equally in India.
You can hear lots of boom blastic crackers bursting into the sky way into the night. Houses are beautifully decorated with dazzling lights and diyas. Lots and lots and lots of snacks and sweets for you to munch on at home. You wear new dresses and enjoy all the 5 days thoroughly to your heart's desire. I get nostalgic during diwali rememberin the childhood days when you used to really wake up early before sunrise at dawn, apply scented oil on your body and take nice hot bath and wear new clothes, burst crackers, light diyas at your doorstep, put colorful rangolis outside your house and eat lotsa sweets :))

This time round its different because I got to decorate my own diwali. I say this because now am all grown up and married and have my own sweet home to decorate so that I and all my family and friends can enjoy the same warmth and fun that I had grown up with.

Well, in US you cant really have a similar diwali but nonetheless where there's a will there's a way. Thanks to my sweet husband, we had lotsa friends to celebrate it with.

First day, i.e. 19th Oct, was Dhanteras in Hindi or Dhanatrayodashi in marathi. This day, the business folks like gujjus etc buy a lot of new vessels or gold. Also, it is said, one should light lamps at their doorstep this evening so that Lord Yama would excuse this door that day :) So ritual or no ritual, I went to the Indian grocery store and lit lamps at our doorstep and inside our home.

I had also attempted ladoos, sev and shankarpalli(also tukdi in konkani). Chaklis turned out a disaster..hehe.

On friday, I took some of these goodies to my office and distributed it to everyone. They liked it ! and of course I was enjoying it..:)

That evening, we went to see DON...so totally enjoyed.

Next day on saturday, we had cousin's at our place for lunch, and we thoroughly had a good time. Evening again we had to attend a friend's place for party.
Before that, I did Lakshmi puja at home and it was so much to decorate the place with diyas.

At our friend's place, she had made lovely snacks with toast and garlic cheese spread on it yummy..! Then we all danced to bollywood's favorite tunes and someone had got disco lights..which turned the atmosphere into a lovely den.

Next day, Sunday we had a potluck at another's friend's place...which turned out to be so much fun. BY the end of it, we were so tired as everyone had exhausted themselves with Diwali...totally..and thoroughly !!!

We ended that evening by visiting a beautiful temple...a perfect finish to our Diwali celebrations..

DON

One of the much awaited movies this year - DON in Hindi Bollywood cinema ! It got released yesterday on 20th Oct worldwide and we as 'Desis' went to watch it on the first day of its release. 'Desis' is a colloquial for Indians settled abroad anywhere in the world outside India refer to their fellow countrymen.

We were late for the movie and just reached when it started so seats are on First Come First Served basis :( So we got the second row to watch the movie from ! But inspite of that, I loved the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a remake of an superhit movie of yesteryears superstar Amitabh Bachan titled DON also :) Mostly the story remains the same but with the current background of shooting done in Malaysia...and transporting prison inmates in planes instead of police vans albeit older days !!

SRK was awesome in the movie...and I loved the screenplay and the direction and the music...it was total bollywood masala in a new style..!

Neways, I think the movie should do fairly well..given the way it was done and seeing people enjoying in the hall !

So enjoy watching the movie people !

Colorado

A long couple of weeks. Its fall time and its becoming colder. Last week my bammunu was away to Colorado on work and I was yet damn busy @ home. All his friend's family had called me over to their places for dinner to keep me busy :)

Then on Friday I went to Denver and spent the week there...it was awesome. Let me elaborate on what all we did there. Friday night we went to an Mexican joint 'On the Border'

Neways, then we crashed and then next day i.e. Saturday, we had breakfast at Schlotzsky's Deli restaurant. After that we drove down to Rocky Mountain National Park it was simply awesome.. The road trip made me feel a bit sick though...but the result was excellent. It was getting chillier and suddenly it snowed...that was awesome.. We saw so many elks on the way...!




Check the pictures attached...We missed going up the Pike's peak..as the last train uphill was only till 1.30 and we didnt have time.

Then we returned home and freshened up. We had dinner at PF Chang's. Later on sunday we unwinded and I got my classes on American Football from our cousin's quite a match they are...it was nice. Later me and R went over to Colorado Springs. R took me to Garden of the Gods..that was so good too...! These are rocks with stunning silent beauty.

You've to actually see their pics to understand that. We just strolled around and then had a sumptous Indian meal and I was on my way back home. R joined me later on MOnday back home!

Birthday Party Time !

A long awaited party becomes successful.

It was my husband's birthday yesterday and I had planned a surprise party for him.
Had invited over friends to our place with strict instructions that no one is going to call him up or talk to him about his birthday !

On saturday that is a day before his birthday, he went out for some shopping and I pretended am not feeling well so that I wont need to go with him..he was kinda getting bored i guess to go alone..then he went over to his friends place..to help him out in something...again this was in plan to delay him from getting home.

Meanwhile operation surprise party was taking shape..I was preparing lots of yummy food..let me self appraise myself a bit here..hehe..

Then friends came over at around 7 pm and decorated our house...and then we waited with baited breath when my husband would come over...we switched off the lights...and when he came inside we all jumped on him...surprise...!!! Voila what a moment it was...I had never done this and it turned out so well...:))

I am so happy I could do this for him...and seeing his smiles made me so happy ! Touche :)

Then it was all in the moment...we had a very good time with friends and as new friends kept pouring into the party it became more fun..

Let me spell out the dishes that I managed to doll out..that day ..
Chicken Curry, Beans Upkari, Caulifower Capsicum Upkari, Saar Upkari, Bhara Baigan, Raita, Pulav, Daalitoy, Gulab Jamun for dessert.

After food, everyone got a bit drowsy..:) So R made lovely tea for everyone and then we played Dumbcharades...and it turned out more fun..but I was so sleepy...then it was time ...the clock struck 12...

and whoa...the tiramisu cake was out....with 3 candles ..marking 30..and he cut the cake...everyone wanted me to splurge some cake on his face and I did but I got some on myself from him in return...guess he got excited..

Then we had a treat...and the evening ended so beautiful..now am feeling one of those feelings when you dont want something beautiful to end...hehe..

But thats what gives you the motivation to go on and try something new and challenging and exciting..:))

Happy living..

Ice Hockey

Yesterday we went to watch an ice hockey match...R had got tickets as part of client outing...and this was my first time when I would be watching a live game.
This was held in HP Pavilion in San Jose and the stadium itself took my breath away. I instantly loved the feeling. The match was between the San Jose 'Sharks' and St. Louis 'Blues'..and the game went on..

Here's the overall picture of the game :
Milan Michalek scored two goals and Curtis Brown got the game-winner in overtime as the Sharks defeated the St. Louis Blues, 5-4, before a sold-out crowd of 17,496 at HP Pavilion at San Jose.


St. Louis struck first at 36 seconds of the first period. Dallas Drake had the puck in the left corner and got a pass out to Jamal Mayers, who took the puck behind the net and tried to back door the puck. The shot rebounded off Vesa Toskala’s pads and right on the stick of Dan Hinote, who put the puck between Toskala’s legs for a 1-0 St. Louis lead.

San Jose answered at 2:39. Marcel Goc brought the puck into the St. Louis zone on the left wing and spun around at the left face off circle. He passed the puck to Mark Smith on the right point. Smith’s shot went wide left, but Matt Carle pinched in and banged home the carom for San Jose’s first goal of the 2006-07 season.

The Blues came back slightly over a minute later. At 3:42, Josh Gorges lost the puck in the St. Louis zone to Hinote. He was able to get the puck to Mayers, who shot it past Toskala to give the Blues a 2-1 lead.


The game’s first penalty came at 8:37 when Blues defenseman Barrett Jackman was called for hooking Steve Bernier in the right corner of the Blues zone. Despite having the top power play unit of Mark Bell, Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo up front with Christian Ehrhoff and Carle on the points, the Sharks could manage only one shot.

Play was relatively quiet until the 16:25 mark when there was a scrum in front of the St. Louis goal. That’s when Petr Cajanek was called for cross-checking Mike Grier and gave the Sharks their second power play opportunity. However, the Blues didn’t allow the Sharks to score.

After the first 20 minutes, St. Louis led the Sharks, 2-1, despite being outshot, 15-10.

San Jose got their third power play opportunity at 4:31 when St. Louis was called for too many men on the ice. The man advantage turned into a two-man advantage when Hinote was called for hooking at 5:10.

The Sharks capitalized at 6:11. With five forwards on the ice – Bernier, Michalek, Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Cheechoo – the Sharks had the puck in the Blues zone. Cheechoo faked a shot from up high in front of the net. He passed to Thornton in the right faceoff circle, who shot the puck off Manny Legace’s pads. The rebound came to Michalek in front and he tapped it in to tie the game at 2-2.

But the Sharks good fortune continued as Dallas Drake was called for unsportsmanlike conduct after Michalek’s goal. The Sharks kept the same five forwards on the ice for another two-man advantage and scored 46 seconds later. In a near repeat of the previous goal, Thornton shot the puck from the right faceoff circle, the rebound came off Legace’s pad and Michalek banged home the rebound. The goal was his second of the game and gave the Sharks a 3-2 lead.

St. Louis went on their first power play at 10:57 when Scott Hannan was called for holding Jamie Rivers. While the Blues couldn’t score, San Jose couldn’t get the puck out of the St. Louis zone. Eventually, St. Louis’ hard work paid off. At 13:48, the first goal review of the season came after St. Louis’ Eric Brewer took a wrist shot in front of the net from the blueline. The shot deflected off a high stick from Lee Stempniak. The goal was allowed and tied the game at 3-3.

San Jose went back on the power play at 15:23 when Jay McClement was called for interference. The Sharks didn’t score, but as soon as McClement came out of the box, Mark Smith was called for hooking at 17:33. Fourteen seconds later, San Jose gave the Blues a two-man advantage when Kyle McLaren was called for cross-checking.

The Sharks sent out Hannan and rookie Marc-Edouard Vlasic on defense and Curtis Brown up front. The trio killed off the 5-on-3 and San Jose killed off both penalties as the period ended with the score tied at 3-3. The teams ended the period with 24 shots each in the game and St. Louis outshot San Jose, 14-9.

San Jose got their seventh power play opportunity of the game when Bryce Salvador was called for holding at 4:00 of the third period. Play stopped at 5:12 when a shot from Michalek went off the face of referee Rob Martell, who was stationed behind the St. Louis net. Martell, who was hit in the left eye, was helped off the ice and taken to a local hospital for observation.

The Blues killed off that short handed situation but went back into penalty killing mode when Dennis Wideman was called for hooking at 6:14.

While the Sharks were in the middle of the power play at 13:26, Cheechoo and a Blues player went into the left wing boards in the Blues end. Cheechoo kicked a big hole in the dashers that took 18 minutes to repair.

When play resumed, the Sharks still had the man advantage. At 7:42, Marleau brought the puck down the left wing and passed from near the goal line to Bernier in front of the net. His shot went off Legace and looked as if it was kicked into the net by Blues center Jay McClement. After the second review of the night, the goal was disallowed.

The Sharks broke the tie at 14:18. St. Louis turned the puck over at the blue line in their zone. Thornton took the puck towards the middle of the Blues zone, passed to Cheechoo on the right wing and then he gave it to Bell, who was crashing the net in the left slot. Bell put the puck past a diving Legace to give the Sharks a 4-3 lead. The goal was Bell’s first with the Sharks.

But the Blues tied the game at 19:54. With six men on the ice, Keith Tkachuk flipped a wrister from the left slot that was saved by Toskala. However, the carom went off the stick of Bill Guerin and into the net to tie the score, 4-4, after 60 minutes. St. Louis out shot the Sharks, 11-8, in the third period.

Then, at 2:12 of overtime, San Jose’s hard forecheck kept the puck in the St. Louis zone. Brown’s aggressive play behind the St. Louis net created the winning opportunity. Bernier got the loose puck in the left corner and passed it to Carle at the left face off circle. His shot was stopped by Legace, but Brown was in front of the net to put the loose puck past Legace for the game winner.

Well, that was how the game proceeded...and the Sharks won the game :) But I understand only a part of this...and I tried my best to follow the news...so here's the transcript of the same and I am putting disclaimers for the same ;)

Bourne Identity

Well, title suggests that am going to write something about Bourne Identity(the movie) but no, its my new identity :) New Identity didnt quite sound great so chose this one ..hehe..

I got my new Indian passport yesterday as my old one's almost 10 yrs now...what a difference both picture wise and experience wise ! Picture wise I was this young kid on the block just doing engg wala studious face wala girl ! And now an experienced professional and married :)

This is one of those occasions when you tend to look back at your life were those 10 yrs worthwile..did you spend them wisely.

If you ask me, it was all about learning..some good things and some not so good things...:)) Discovering opportunities, friends, places and relationships.
After engg, the first job, the hassles in work, enjoying your first salary. Going out for movies with your family, this time you taking them out rather than they !!!

Having fun parties with your colleagues, bidding them adieu when they go abroad...as if they are going to some conquer some peak or so..and then your first trip abroad. I've been lucky that I got to see so many beautiful places in europe and US.
One day I'll write about it.

It would be fun if I carry on this blog till the next 10 years and then one day when I again renew my passport i write down about my past 10 years ..whoa !!!

Week without Bammunu ;)

Well bammunu in amchigele or better still konkani means husband :)
This whole week starting monday, my hubby went over for work to another state and I was all alone here nestled between home and work.
I must say having friends helps a long way as I had a wonderful time here even though he wasnt with me . Couple of dinners I had at friend's places. Remaining time I spent quite usefully shopping around and getting lost on the numerous freeway exits ..!!!

But all in all, it was great fun. But yes, nothing can beat your husband's company..his warm smiles, stupid remarks which make you sulk..hehe..cold looks..
And his undying love for you...this I am assuming bigtime now..whoa..becoz of which two come together...hehe..

Friday nite was his expected arrival and I had called over a couple of family friends..and it was fun to watch him get surprised and happy at the same time..!

But now back to the chagrin of daily life with him..

Onam

Long time ago, a demon named Mahabali ruled Kerala. He became very popular with his subjects. But the gods soon felt threatened as the king could soon start ruling over them with his power so they pleaded to Vishnu. Vishnu in turn disguised as a small brahmin called Vamana and came to the King for alms. Mahabali gave him 3 wishes and suddenly Vamana grew real huge. He kept his one leg to cover the skies, second step on the underworld and went on to put his third step when the King thought that he might now finish the earth hence offered his head on which Vishnu can keep his foot, as now it was obvious to him that Vamana was no ordinary person ! But before that he asked Vishnu to grant him that he be allowed to return to his soil once in a year and everyone around would celebrate that day and this day is how ONAM came into existence !

I had almost forgotten the background of this story..but lakshmi helped me revive it.
Well, in bay area we celebrated it by going to a Mallu function organised by the Bay area mallu gang ! :) Sorry to put it that way..but thats just me..

We went with couple of our closest friends anoop and lakshmi. To add to it the kerala flavour..I wore the traditional attire called as "Vesti Mundu" I hope thats what lakshmi told me..hehe.

Check it out in the snap..

KANK

Well, on this weekend we saw Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna(KANK). Hmm..I have lots of opinions to give over here. When I saw the movie I kind of squirmed under the feeling that do relationships have to go under such circumstances ?

Its shown that Shahrukh(married to Preity) and Rani(married to Abhishek) are unhappy in their individual marriages. Whatever be the reason it cannot be the reason to separate. It is a very bold movie.

I have mixed feelings about this movie honestly and till now I cannot tell whether I accept it or not. My strong Indian attitude tells me that it is wrong and if I keep an open mind I tell why not.

Honestly I feel that Preity's character is the rightmost amongst the four. She's strong, has a life of her own and yet still very much loves her husband and kid. The only thing which she missed was communicating this to her husband. This was triggered by her husband shahrukh uncompromising/non-understanding attitude and his own handicap. Abhishek is shown to be caring and loving, but again right from the beginning the basis for the relationship was wrong. Rani and Shahrukh;s characters are the most complex and they seem to have a problem with everything in life. The best would be for them to attend positive attitude classes :)

No wonder they say that one needs to rekindle romance in life every time, whether it is a 1 month old relationship, 1 year old or 10 year old or every moment for that matter !

Gosh looks like a tough job specially when one of the two in the couple is hard to handle or manage. But it is not impossible. Never say die should be the attitude in life.

All in all I liked the songs, thats all :)

I found an interesting review on the same:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0449999/

Singing

It`s Friday evening and we went to the Indian Community Centre in Milpitas. Sangeetha Mai was going to sing at that place so we went to listen to hear her sing. There were plenty of singers but she was the best. Also an uncle sang very well.
Its amazing to see these people sing with such beauty. The theme today was that of sad songs so it was kind of sad listening to all those sad old songs.

Sangeetha sang the song from Abhimaan..Piya Bina..a beautiful sad song. The original song was sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Something about Latadi ......
Lata Mangeshkar (Marathi/Hindi:लता मंगेशकर) (born September 28, 1929) is a singer from India with a career that has spanned more than six decades. She is one of the only two singers (and the only playback singer) to have been awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian honour (the other being legendary classical vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi). Although she sang mainly for Hindi and Marathi films, Lata Mangeshkar's popularity and influence transcends barriers of region and language. She has sung 35 major Indian languages. Lata is also popularly referred to as the 'Nightingale of India' and continues to sing to date in Indian cinema.

Long Weekend

It was the long weekend with Sept 4th being a holiday and I was so looking forward to going out with my husbaand..but fever struck him and we were tied up at home from friday. Even I was caught with some fever. But saturday we decided to venture out.

Headed out to Lowe's and Orchard Supply. Got some beautiful flower plants.. pictures posted. Yep they are in my patio...aint they gorgeous ? I just love them. I hope they continue to grow beautifully. Couple of them are called Garden Primula and the others are variations of the Vinca.


Evening we were in fremont and got into a mood for a movie. Amongst the new ones released that weekend, Munnabhai Lage raho was there and we were up for it! Quickly we called couple of our friends and went for it. I found it a hilarious movie and was quite refreshing.



Later on sunday we lazed around at our friends place for dinner. This was in SFO and we enjoyed a great deal.

Monday, the final day of the weekend, when we were still braving it out with the fever and cold, we went out to stanford. Check out the pics. Am looking a bit sick ;)

Fever

Fever is one thing in life that I dread and hate to have. Well currently my darling has caught on some major throat infection and has developed fever so am like not supposed to go too close to him as I might catch it :((
The most that am trying to do is take good care of him so that he becomes fit as a fiddle. I want to give him some fitness ke liye drink but he isnt ready to have that :(( But its okay, am giving him what he likes and what is good for him so I reaaally hope he gets well soon so that we can go out and have a good time. Its a long weekend and we had no plans but were planning to go driving and have a good time.

Dekhte hai kya hota hai..:))

Chavathi

We celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand way ok not so grand but a nice way over here in San Jose. This is the first time I am celebrating it for the first time with my husband after our marriage. We woke up quite late on chavathi as we had attended a cousin's babyshower the previous night. But the moment I was up, I was all enthu about what all to do on that day ! Kind of was nostalgic thinking about how we celebrate it back home in India :) I quickly had my bath and did some small puja to lord ganesha by lighting the lamp and chanting some prayers.


Then I made some sweets. I made modak at home and offered to ganapati as naivaidya.
Then we went to the temple. This whole week is going to be grandly celebrated across the world in HIS remembrance and so yesterday too we visited a temple and had good amchigele temple food.

After a long time I visited a ganesha temple on tuesday and that too in US..!!!
All in all I had a wonderful time on that day :)

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi !

Independence

Lots to catch up since I last blogged. In my last blog, I was complaining about getting stressed etc while learning to drive. Well, you know what I got my driving license. We also got a new Honda Cr-V, okay its not totally new but another vehicle of ours. So I now drive my husband's Civic to work. It gives a lot of independence, when I can come home or go to work on my timings. Dont have to depend on my darling to pick or drop me..!

Driving

These days am preparing for my driving test !!! my my am i stressed or what..of course I am, the anxiety of the test and to be able to do well is quite high..also my husband bechara is going crazy guess sometimes he's more stressed than me..but he sure does take it out on me when we go for practice...hehe..Sometimes it gets on my nerves and then i feel like i dont want to do it anymore..i mean driving practice..or for that matter driving..then i calm myself down and say to myself everything is going to be fine and its fine if R yells at me or gets angry as its part of the game..i mean teaching driving..!

So we had gone for a drive yest n evening after work and it was quite late and he got hungry so we went over to a friends' place for dinner. They've a very very cute daughter esha lately born but even she was a bit cranky due to incomplete sleep..i love kids and this one's special ..i know her even before she was born..through R..

We had awesome food and were very late to sleep..then morning was a big rush and i was kind of irritated with the wireless not working and me getting late to office. But my husband was so cute..and he offered some workaround for the n/w problem and his smile puts all my worries to rest..

So thats it from me for today..until now..enjoy!

Amazing

My first blog on my brand new blogspot :)) Yahoo..yippee..
Ok enough of excitement.

My blog's named Being Together and the url says Life n San Jose..what does this mean..???
Rings a bell aint it ?? I live n san jose and am with someone special :)

Well, i've joined my husband n san jose and its all about being together n life..and what you do to get there is all about how you handle your life and how you want it to be :))

Cheezy message huh ? It is as a matter of fact and I intend to educate all souls in the coming days with such knowledge..duh huh ?

Nope...this blog is dedicated to cherishing my moments with my dear dear husband R and me P :))

Its private and thats what P and R stand for..hehe..lets see if you can find us out..so long then..

Have fun..