Barack Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize 2009!
WTH! What has he done so far to receive this prize? It seems just like the media was under his spell during the primaries and subsequent elections, the international populace is taken over by his "magic". Of course my views may differ from many but I do not think he has accomplished anything yet since taking office. There are so many larger issues at hand but none have been resolved.
MNS stops screening of Wake Up Sid!
WTF! Who is Raj Thackarey to curb freedom of expression right given to the Indian Citizen. It is just a word - it doesn't matter if we call it Bombay or Mumbai, those who love the city will keep loving it no matter what. I think Raj Thackarey has not heard the phrase "A Rose by any other name smells the same and is still as beautiful". And I am hugely disappointed with Karan Johar for apologizing for such a non-issue thereby encouraging such regionalistic intentions. But I guess, KJo chose his battle and the movie becoming a hit was more important choice.
And if Thackarey wants to restrict outside people from entering Maharashtra, just build your separate country, set up visa rules and show how you can survive as a self-sufficient entity without using the "India" clout. You are not worth to be called an Indian and you put us all Maharashtrians to shame.
Friday, October 09, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Five Reasons Why Mama's Boys should never marry?
- Because the wife will never be good enough.
- Because the wife will always feel inferior.
- Because the wife will be made to feel guilty for wanting to spend time with just her husband.
- Because the wife will be made to give up control when Mother is around.
- Because the wife will be told she is right to pacify her but later be told that Mother is always right.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
London Trip
I am visiting London and surrounding places all this week. London is an amazing place and so cool. I really enjoyed my visit. Next on my agenda is to do the main European continent.
But for now back to London - Here are my trip details and suggestions
First, if you are visiting England or UK, brush up on your British history. It helps identify all those Kings and Queens who have the same names but different numbers. Otherwise it will get very confusing on who is whose daughter and who is whose son.
First Day in London
Got on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus and stopped at Buckingham Palace first. Since I am visiting in July, London and all of England is very crowded with tourists. If you can stand the cold, it is best to visit in May or August. You can also see inside of the Buckingham if you visit August through September. With swelling crowds around us, we decided to skip Changing of the Guard ceremony and move on to other things. The HOHO bus is a great way to visit all sites without tiring your feet.
Next we saw the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. After taking some good shots we walked over to Westminster Abbey. We did the inside tour for about an hour. No photography is allowed inside the Abbey. It was very grand but kind of spooky since so many kings and queens are buried here.
We moved onto Trafalgar Square which was crowded. We circled the square and then moved onto the London Bridge and Tower of London. We spent couple of hours in the Tower of London touring the Crown Jewels and White Tower. It was great place to see. We did see St. Paul's Cathedral from outside but did not tour the inside. Hopefully next time, I will go atop the dome.
Towards the evening we went over to London Eye to get some great views of the city and river Thames. Unfortunately, it began raining but since we had timed tickets, we had to go. The view from top is great and should be done once.
Second Day in London
Continued seeing the city from atop the HOHO bus. Saw Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus on way to British Museum. After seeing many statues and Egyptian mummies we went over to Kensington Palace and toured the inside. It was a decent tour especially since we got to see it at half price using the 2-for-1 offers that are valid with a travel card.
We did skip over a few things and did them quickly, but considering several logistics we did cover most of London in a good way.
The next week was spent doing an international course for my MBA program. The most I learnt during that week is that all shops close before 6 pm every single day in the UK. This definitely hampered my shopping adventures.
The following Saturday, we visited Stonehenge, Oxford and Windsor Castle. We did Stonehenge early in the morning and avoided the crowds. It is such an awesome place. However, we got sucked into the crowds at Oxford and Windsor. It is definitely a good idea to have at least four hours for Windsor Castle. We returned to London on Saturday evening. I walked over to Buckingham Palace so I could take some good pictures of it.
The history and architecture definitely amazed me and I loved all the places I visited. The things that surprised me were the lack of trash cans around London. It was odd that people threw their garbage into plastic bags at various points and the town workers gathered up all the garbage into the bags and then hauled them into the truck.
I loved the Cornish Pasties. They are so yummy. Overall I found the food at pubs and restaurants very tasty even though it was vegetarian. Taking the tube was very easy and doing the travel card is definitely recommended if you are getting on the tube more than once.
I found it funny that many phrases such as "mind the gap", "way out" were on souvenir t-shirts because they were funny to Americans only.
But for now back to London - Here are my trip details and suggestions
First, if you are visiting England or UK, brush up on your British history. It helps identify all those Kings and Queens who have the same names but different numbers. Otherwise it will get very confusing on who is whose daughter and who is whose son.
First Day in London
Got on the Hop-On Hop-Off bus and stopped at Buckingham Palace first. Since I am visiting in July, London and all of England is very crowded with tourists. If you can stand the cold, it is best to visit in May or August. You can also see inside of the Buckingham if you visit August through September. With swelling crowds around us, we decided to skip Changing of the Guard ceremony and move on to other things. The HOHO bus is a great way to visit all sites without tiring your feet.
Next we saw the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. After taking some good shots we walked over to Westminster Abbey. We did the inside tour for about an hour. No photography is allowed inside the Abbey. It was very grand but kind of spooky since so many kings and queens are buried here.
We moved onto Trafalgar Square which was crowded. We circled the square and then moved onto the London Bridge and Tower of London. We spent couple of hours in the Tower of London touring the Crown Jewels and White Tower. It was great place to see. We did see St. Paul's Cathedral from outside but did not tour the inside. Hopefully next time, I will go atop the dome.
Towards the evening we went over to London Eye to get some great views of the city and river Thames. Unfortunately, it began raining but since we had timed tickets, we had to go. The view from top is great and should be done once.
Second Day in London
Continued seeing the city from atop the HOHO bus. Saw Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus on way to British Museum. After seeing many statues and Egyptian mummies we went over to Kensington Palace and toured the inside. It was a decent tour especially since we got to see it at half price using the 2-for-1 offers that are valid with a travel card.
We did skip over a few things and did them quickly, but considering several logistics we did cover most of London in a good way.
The next week was spent doing an international course for my MBA program. The most I learnt during that week is that all shops close before 6 pm every single day in the UK. This definitely hampered my shopping adventures.
The following Saturday, we visited Stonehenge, Oxford and Windsor Castle. We did Stonehenge early in the morning and avoided the crowds. It is such an awesome place. However, we got sucked into the crowds at Oxford and Windsor. It is definitely a good idea to have at least four hours for Windsor Castle. We returned to London on Saturday evening. I walked over to Buckingham Palace so I could take some good pictures of it.
The history and architecture definitely amazed me and I loved all the places I visited. The things that surprised me were the lack of trash cans around London. It was odd that people threw their garbage into plastic bags at various points and the town workers gathered up all the garbage into the bags and then hauled them into the truck.
I loved the Cornish Pasties. They are so yummy. Overall I found the food at pubs and restaurants very tasty even though it was vegetarian. Taking the tube was very easy and doing the travel card is definitely recommended if you are getting on the tube more than once.
I found it funny that many phrases such as "mind the gap", "way out" were on souvenir t-shirts because they were funny to Americans only.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Harry Potter and Half-Blood Prince Review
I saw Half-Blood Prince in the land of Harry Potter and like typical England weather, it was raining on the day. We had to stand outside due to a fire alarm in the pouring rain. Fortunately, it all happened before the movie began.
Well the movie is good but not excellent. I had imagined so much when I read the sixth chapter of Harry Potter series. The movie is only 2.5 hours long which explains the missing parts of the book. A lot of story from the book is missing especially all the memory journeys that Harry has with Dumbledore. Some key fight scenes are also missing. Voldemort hardly makes an appearance only once as a child and then as a teenager. This was disappointing because I was expecting a character build up for him.
I hope the final chapter is better visualized and since it is releasing in two parts, it would include all key scenes and stories.
This one felt more like a romantic comedy with Ron-Hermoine tiffs and Harry-Ginny love angle. It was made worse by giggling teenage girls around us who giggled every time Harry and Ginny looked at each other.
Well the movie is good but not excellent. I had imagined so much when I read the sixth chapter of Harry Potter series. The movie is only 2.5 hours long which explains the missing parts of the book. A lot of story from the book is missing especially all the memory journeys that Harry has with Dumbledore. Some key fight scenes are also missing. Voldemort hardly makes an appearance only once as a child and then as a teenager. This was disappointing because I was expecting a character build up for him.
I hope the final chapter is better visualized and since it is releasing in two parts, it would include all key scenes and stories.
This one felt more like a romantic comedy with Ron-Hermoine tiffs and Harry-Ginny love angle. It was made worse by giggling teenage girls around us who giggled every time Harry and Ginny looked at each other.
Monday, July 06, 2009
The Art of Appreciation!
Indians, in general think very highly of their culture and I as one take pride of the same. But sometimes the love for our own culture results in looking down or being blind to other cultures. There are good and bad points in every culture and recognizing the differences is the key to be respectful to every nation's culture.
Indians who have never traveled to US or lived here hold a very different view of America and its culture. They think that US is mostly about lack of family structure, divorces, rampant public display of affection and more. Mind you that when I say most Indians, I do not mean all and everyone. I just mean that this is the impression I get and not every single person comes under the umbrella of Indians that I am talking about here. Since I have been living here for so long, I can see that the views held by so many are incorrect and not as prevalent as they think. They are many aspects of American culture that we wish aren't there but at the same time there are many good things about the culture of this country and its people.
What I want to talk about today is about is the Art of Appreciation that most Americans possess. In India, people would never say "Thank You" or "Appreciate It" to cashiers, electricians, plumbers or anyone who performs a paid service for them. Paying for the service is considered enough. Here, almost everyone says these kind words as an act of courteousness towards the other person. When I first came to US, I would feel odd and weird as to how everyone says "thank you" like its no big deal. I would think that they don't really mean it and still say it and that's rude. But having stayed here for longer time, I have learnt why it is important to say two words to a person. It always feels good to be appreciated or acknowledged. Even spouses utter these words to each other.
I am sure the Indian generation is changing and I haven't had close contact with them but there are still many who need to assimilate this particular good from the American culture. I think the bottom line behind saying these words of acknowledgement is not taking for granted any relationship or person. Sometimes, people do say things just to make the other person feel important and they don't really believe it. Many years back, I would have thought of it as a bad thing but today I would say that at least an effort was made for someone. It is a classic Dale Carnegie principle. There is an old bollywood song - "pal bhar ke liye koi hume pyar kar le, jhootha hi sahi" which means "Love me just for a moment even if its fake". Everyone likes to be appreciated, liked and loved. It doesn't cost anything except few kind words to make them feel that way, so what's the harm in doing it.
Just because I am friends with you, married to you or related to you does not mean I am not worthy of being acknowledged. Even if its my duty to do something for you, if I did it right, say so.
And even though I am from India, I like living in the suburbs, I like my privacy and I like that no houses are behind my house. I do not like uncalled interference from others or random Indian aunties asking me about baby plans. If other Indians consider it "unIndian", please do by all means since everyone is entitled to their opinion but don't hold your breath!
Indians who have never traveled to US or lived here hold a very different view of America and its culture. They think that US is mostly about lack of family structure, divorces, rampant public display of affection and more. Mind you that when I say most Indians, I do not mean all and everyone. I just mean that this is the impression I get and not every single person comes under the umbrella of Indians that I am talking about here. Since I have been living here for so long, I can see that the views held by so many are incorrect and not as prevalent as they think. They are many aspects of American culture that we wish aren't there but at the same time there are many good things about the culture of this country and its people.
What I want to talk about today is about is the Art of Appreciation that most Americans possess. In India, people would never say "Thank You" or "Appreciate It" to cashiers, electricians, plumbers or anyone who performs a paid service for them. Paying for the service is considered enough. Here, almost everyone says these kind words as an act of courteousness towards the other person. When I first came to US, I would feel odd and weird as to how everyone says "thank you" like its no big deal. I would think that they don't really mean it and still say it and that's rude. But having stayed here for longer time, I have learnt why it is important to say two words to a person. It always feels good to be appreciated or acknowledged. Even spouses utter these words to each other.
I am sure the Indian generation is changing and I haven't had close contact with them but there are still many who need to assimilate this particular good from the American culture. I think the bottom line behind saying these words of acknowledgement is not taking for granted any relationship or person. Sometimes, people do say things just to make the other person feel important and they don't really believe it. Many years back, I would have thought of it as a bad thing but today I would say that at least an effort was made for someone. It is a classic Dale Carnegie principle. There is an old bollywood song - "pal bhar ke liye koi hume pyar kar le, jhootha hi sahi" which means "Love me just for a moment even if its fake". Everyone likes to be appreciated, liked and loved. It doesn't cost anything except few kind words to make them feel that way, so what's the harm in doing it.
Just because I am friends with you, married to you or related to you does not mean I am not worthy of being acknowledged. Even if its my duty to do something for you, if I did it right, say so.
And even though I am from India, I like living in the suburbs, I like my privacy and I like that no houses are behind my house. I do not like uncalled interference from others or random Indian aunties asking me about baby plans. If other Indians consider it "unIndian", please do by all means since everyone is entitled to their opinion but don't hold your breath!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Totally agree with Bill Maher
I know this is a late post about Bill Maher's take on President Obama, but I totally agree with every statement that he made in this video.
I too am tired of watching Obama whenever I turn on the TV. The media like my husband is totally in love with Barack Obama and overlook whatever he is not doing, giving excuses that how much can he do or he has just come in.
The economy is still trying to pick itself up and there hasn't been any real change. Healthcare is still in the dumps. And Immigration reform is not even on this year's agenda. I don't need to know what Father's Day message Obama sent to his daughters or where he takes his wife on dates. Give me something real to like you.
As a legal immigrant paying taxes every paycheck along with social security and medicare that I will never get to use, I demand a reform in more than one way. Having completed a Master's degree from a great university and working on an MBA degree from another, I have given quite a bit to this country. No doubt, I have received quite a bit in return too, but give me the right to advance my career without having to deal with visa issues every other year. Give me my labor approval that is stuck in audit since 20 months even though my company has proved why they hired me. Fix the immigration system from within and eliminate loopholes that allow offshore companies to use up the visas on people with lower skill and paying them less money.
Help those thousands of students who have come here to obtain advanced degrees using up their parents' lifetime savings. The American Dream is quickly fading away unless something is done. Immigration reform is not difficult and many other countries have implemented the right system which is why people are now moving to those places in search of their dream. Don't tell me that millions of illegal immigrants will receive citizenship under amnesty plan and all the legal immigrants will slog their way through a hopeless immigration system that is called the "green card system".
I did not vote for Obama because I was not eligible to do so, but here is my open request to the President. DO SOMETHING. Otherwise there is no difference between You, The President and You, The Wax Statue!
I too am tired of watching Obama whenever I turn on the TV. The media like my husband is totally in love with Barack Obama and overlook whatever he is not doing, giving excuses that how much can he do or he has just come in.
The economy is still trying to pick itself up and there hasn't been any real change. Healthcare is still in the dumps. And Immigration reform is not even on this year's agenda. I don't need to know what Father's Day message Obama sent to his daughters or where he takes his wife on dates. Give me something real to like you.
As a legal immigrant paying taxes every paycheck along with social security and medicare that I will never get to use, I demand a reform in more than one way. Having completed a Master's degree from a great university and working on an MBA degree from another, I have given quite a bit to this country. No doubt, I have received quite a bit in return too, but give me the right to advance my career without having to deal with visa issues every other year. Give me my labor approval that is stuck in audit since 20 months even though my company has proved why they hired me. Fix the immigration system from within and eliminate loopholes that allow offshore companies to use up the visas on people with lower skill and paying them less money.
Help those thousands of students who have come here to obtain advanced degrees using up their parents' lifetime savings. The American Dream is quickly fading away unless something is done. Immigration reform is not difficult and many other countries have implemented the right system which is why people are now moving to those places in search of their dream. Don't tell me that millions of illegal immigrants will receive citizenship under amnesty plan and all the legal immigrants will slog their way through a hopeless immigration system that is called the "green card system".
I did not vote for Obama because I was not eligible to do so, but here is my open request to the President. DO SOMETHING. Otherwise there is no difference between You, The President and You, The Wax Statue!
Friday, June 26, 2009
What A Week!
This has been the week of big news!
First the serious and sad ones.
Michael Jackson is no more. As wacko as he may have been he was a star and king of pop. People worshipped him and still do.
Farrah Fawcett lost her battle to cancer. Though I am not familiar with the old Charlie's Angels series, I understand she was an icon and losing someone to cancer is always heartbreaking.
And now onto cheating politicians and husbands!
Mark Sanford having an affair in Argentina on taxpayers' money. What is up with these politicians. Is it the lure of power that makes them do these things or are they just not happy with their married lives? Feeling powerful is just like being high and easily falling into the lure of the forbidden fruits. But if you marriage is not working, why cheat - just get out and then do it.
And their wives usually forgive them - that part I will never understand.
Aah! and then we have Jon who is reportedly cheating on Kate. Now seeing the show, every single person would agree that she is bossy and dominating and Jon has been bearing it all for ten years. So he wanted out which is fine though their eight will be the ones to suffer. But we can see how Kate is all over the media saying Jon wanted divorce and she would have never thought about it and so on. She is making him look like the bad guy! Though according to me neither is fault-free. I do have a new name for their show that returns in August - Jon OR Kate Plus 8.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Social Networking...
With so many social networking sites springing up, blogging is becoming obsolete. Microblogging is the new thing made popular by sites such as twitter where you say what you want to in 140 characters. While twitter gives people the unending need to follow and be followed, facebook gives them apps - quizzes and more to outdo their "friends".
But if you have a whole lot to say, a desire to write and want to remain somewhat anonymous, blogging is still the best. So let me try to do this one more time.
But if you have a whole lot to say, a desire to write and want to remain somewhat anonymous, blogging is still the best. So let me try to do this one more time.
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