Dawn...

“Fie, fie, you counterfeit. You puppet, you!”

2008-10-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

These days even though I am busy somehow I am keeping a good track on the election debates between the Presidential Candidates and the VP Candidates.

Not that I am interested in American Politics, but as the elections are coming in Canada too and I happily casted my Vote to my candidate Mary Minna from Liberal Party, I felt like comparing between US and Canada elections and the candidates.

Nothing much I have to say about Obama and John as I felt the dashing Obama was nervous or tired during the debate time.
But with regards to the VP Candidates debate, where when I heard Sarah Palin….I literally felt it was a show- you know where you can learn by heart some of the speeches and you come and give a solo act performance and based on that people say – wow! What a performance? What a way she used the word ‘you betcha’ and all the time her ‘soccer mom’ comment – I really don’t know what Americans think about her but hey….talking as if she know what a common man needs doesn’t satisfy that she can handle the Country matter and solve things as what she did in Alaska.
I felt she had nothing to add with regards to the financial melt down and the nuclear drew!

“Don't show off every day, or you'll stop surprising people. There must always be some novelty left over. The person who displays a little more of it each day keeps up expectations, and no one ever discovers the limits of his talent.” ~ Baltasar Gracian

In stead I felt Senator Biden was much capable, knowledgeable about the situation and felt that he has that intelligence to find a solution.

I hope Americans don’t make mistake again in electing the right one ….

“The leadership instinct you are born with is the backbone. You develop the funny bone and the wishbone that go with it.” ~ Elaine Agather

"Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress"

2008-09-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

I am back from a busy week- trying to close issues, confusions and show stoppers and what not. However, I thought of sharing a story here.

It’s about a horse and a donkey. There were two horses – Dave and David, who were in the farm working for their master. As we all know how masters are – they will try to get the work done as much as possible. They will not analyze the capacity of the horse or even dividing the work for the horses.
Both the horses were working hard and were tired everyday. One day Dave felt that what are we doing, just work and work and get stressed and then you start another day and so forth. There must be something where we can find some peace and relaxing time.

Dave started thinking if I don’t think and work smartly there will be no difference – we horses being called as donkey. Dave shared his views with David.

David was more interested in doing things what the master gave and being the pet of the master. He felt that being a pet of the master will always keep him safe and sound.

“Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

David used to work like day and night. He used to lift all the load and pull the cart for his master and at times master will take David for a horse riding as well.
Dave, with a bit of his smart mind started doing things with a difference. He would lift the load not on his back but on the cart and he would take rest in between when ever he got chance and this made him look always with full of energy.

“For every disciplined effort there is a multiple reward.” ~ Jim Rohn

Slowly, master started feeling the change. He saw David takes him for the ride but he is dull and slow. He gets tired fast and then master has to shorten his ride and come back home.
One morning master went to ride back on David and David accidentally fall on the ground. Master looked at him and he called the vet to take care and he took Dave this time for a ride.
Dave was doing things smartly; he used to take his master for ride at places where there were green grass and lake water to drink. Dave knew his masters likes and dislikes and this place was perfect for his master as master used to get in for hunting deer and Dave used to freshen himself with some water and green grass.

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now” ~ Allan Lakein

Master started enjoying the ride with Dave and slowly Dave became his favorite pet and David was like a forgotten horse for his master. David recovered from his illness but he couldn’t ever get back to the level where he used to be with his master.

Summary is that if we don’t plan and work accordingly and if we fall for such things to be favorite of your boss you might miss many important things related to your work that might bring chaos to the overall work or project.

Thinking smartly and executing the work appropriately made Dave a perfect horse as compared to David who always thought like a donkey ;)

Now my friends will think this story was about a donkey and a horse and I started there were two horses :D….its up to you to think now …;)

“Every job is a self portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence”

“Life is just a chance to grow a soul”

2008-09-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

The other day I was watching this movie ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’ (Bombay my life).
It basically was showing a bomb-blast and then life in Mumbai how it goes on!

It’s in between when I heard the news about a blast that occurred in New Delhi…and believe me I could feel what it could be as one was watching all this in the movie. The impact to the common people, the fear phobia, the chaos and the sufferings of all, was nothing different for New Delhi people and also the rest of the country too.

“Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey.” ~ Anna Julia Cooper

It was sad but two things that this movie was conveying and that too to two set of different people.

One, to the people who creates terror in the world that no matter what you do life goes on still may be for a while that spirit is lost but it doesn’t take much time to regain that.

Secondly, to the people who starts searching for a terrorist in their own friends and neighbors and differentiate them from society. Try to show their anger on them and then starts the chaos as that becomes easier for the people to make a country get destroyed.

“True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness.” ~ Albert Einstein

Together we can unite and deal with certain issues but we there is issues within ourselves then it’s more dangerous.

I would say a worth watching this movie. The actors are awesome like Paresh Rawal, Menon, Irfan Khan and so forth. It relates to everyone in the world as it was not only in Mumbai or New Delhi – but the terrorist attacked the WTC in NY too.

“Love the moment. Flowers grow out of dark moments. Therefore, each moment is vital. It affects the whole. Life is a succession of such moments and to live each, is to succeed.” ~ Corita Kent

Life is festival only to the wise

2008-09-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

I was wondering this morning when I got up, no matter what ups and downs one has in life it’s the small festivals and cultural events that bring life overall in the surroundings.

Its so amazing that ramadaan has started already and others have either Ganesh festival or Onam (in Kerala) and all these colorful events, food and get together programs makes everyone leave their grievances and in-differences and unite them as one.

“Festival of the impassioned efforts and manifold ambitions of all forms of youthful activity of every generation springing from the threshold of life.” ~ Pierre de Coubertin

I don’t know even if many things I am not able to celebrate but when I see others do, the excitement itself brings a splash of rainbow colors in my heart and mind.

I want to wish everyone Happy Ramadan, Happy Ganesh Chaturthi and Happy Onam.

May the festivity bring happiness, good health and peace to this world.

“The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival...because when you are unhappy, you also throw unhappiness all around. ”

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow...”

2008-09-01T12:01:00.000-07:00

Recently, I heard people wondering where I get the time to write blog.
I am sure all my blog friends will never ask this and will understand how one does this.

I have understood one thing if one is passionate about something they will make sure they do that – but that doesn’t mean you forget all your other responsibilities.

I want to tell my friends who ask this question – I am passionate about writing but that doesn’t mean I don’t do any work at home or shy away from my responsibilities.

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” ~ Angela Monet

I remember those days when I used to write posts everyday in blog then things started getting busy, responsibilities increased and my daily writing hobby turned to weeks and months.

You can never achieve anything in life by focusing on only one thing and even if you do so that doesn’t show one’s greatness as completeness is always in doing everything without fail.

“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” ~ Hebbel

Do you think if a mother gives birth to a child and then doesn’t take care does that show that mother is a complete mother?
I hear everyone says a mother is great because she carries a child in her womb for 9 months and goes through the pain to deliver.

But I believe every mother (human or animal) they if conceived will always goes through the pain to deliver. But then after delivering the kid how a mother takes care of the child is the true motherhood.

“The mother loves her child most divinely, not when she surrounds him with comfort and anticipates his wants, but when she resolutely holds him to the highest standards and is content with nothing less than his best.” ~ Hamilton Wright

So friends, when I have some turbulence in my heart and mind I make sure that I put it on paper and if that needs a sacrifice then I will make sure that I do it.

Many times, I have written blog when I am at lunch eating with right hand and typing with left! Many times I write after work sitting in the office and so many other moments.
As many times the surrounding people can be encouraging to the writers but can be also creating hindrance by not allowing.

I believe in expressing as that’s my birth right.

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.”

“For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.”

2008-08-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

At times being busy is good as you don’t get to hear or read any news but then how far can you escape from truth.
Yesterday was busy but today when I checked news, I read Ahmad Faraz died on August 25th, 2008. It is shocking news though I know his health was not so good. But it was one of the best ways to see that we still have great Urdu writing poets, who are compared with Mohammad Iqbal and Faiz like great poets.

“Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary”. ~Kahlil Gibran

I am like a hungry person running around to read about him and his news, probably to make sure that the news is not just a rumor as I remember this was a rumor one time.

I feel the emptiness though I have never met the poet personally but Ahmad Faraz being one of my favorite poets, I always kept him near my heart just like Javed sahib and Gulzar.

He was born in Nowshera, Pakistan and brother of Syed Masood Kausar. In an interview with Rediff he recalls how his father, a teacher, once bought clothes for him on Eid. He didn't like the clothes meant for him, but preferred the ones meant for his elder brother. This lead him to write his first couplet:

Layen hain sab ke liye kapre sale se (He brought clothes for everybody from the sale)
Layen hain hamare liye kambal jail se (For me he brought a blanket from jail)

He was told by his parents once to learn mathematics from a female class fellow during the summer vacation. "I was weak in mathematics and geography. I still don't remember maps and roads".
Instead of learning mathematics he played bait-bazi with her, a game in which one person recites a couplet and the other one recites another couplet starting from the last letter of the previous one. He always lost, even though he memorized hundreds of couplets for her, but when he started manufacturing his own couplets she couldn't catch him anymore. Coming from a respectable family of Syeds, descendents of ''Haji Bahadar" a famous saint of Kohat, he moved to Peshawar with entire family. Studied in famous Edwards College, Peshawar and then did his Masters in Urdu and Persian. Initially Syed Ahmad Shah Faraz thus became Ahmed Faraz.
During his college time, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Ali Sardar Jafri were the best progressive poets, who impressed him and became his role models. Ahmed Faraz initially worked as a script writer at Radio Pakistan Peshawar and then moved on to teach Urdu at Peshawar University. In 1976, he became the founding Director General (Later Chairman) of Pakistan Academy of Letters.

“Inna Lillahay Wa Inna IlyehaY Ra'jeoon “ (May his soul rest in peace)

On this day I would like to share one of his poetry translated in English and I pay my condolences to his family and his fans.

Khvaab Marte Nahin (Dreams Do Not Die)

Dreams do not die.

Dreams are not hearts, nor eyes or breath

Which shattered, will scatter (or)

Die with the death of the body.
Dreams do not die.

Dreams are light, life, wind,

Which can not be stopped by mountains black,

Which do not burn in the hells of cruelty,

Like light and life and wind, they

Do not bow down even in graveyards.
Dreams are letters,

Dreams are illumination,

Dreams are Socrates,
Dreams are Mansur!'

Like dreams the poetry never dies….this is what I believe. His thoughts will linger in our hearts forever

“Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason”. ~Novalis

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value

2008-08-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

Lately, with the posts like independence and friendship how can I forget Music as music is the life …the food…to survive :)

I happened to watch one of the episode of the India program called ‘Koffee with Karan’ in which they had Himesh Reshamiya as guest.

“All television is educational television. The question is: what is it teaching?” ~Nicholas Johnson

It was interesting, as I myself like some of his songs but he is been labeled as a nasal singer. More over he initially came up as a composer, music director and then he took to singing and now acting too.

I remember Sonu Nigam – another great singer who acted in movie but the movie got flop. So he is a successful singer though not an actor.

“The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success”. ~ Bruce Feirstein

When Himesh’s movie promo was going on I thought is he gone crazy!
Believe me I like his some of the songs and let me tell you its awesome and liked by most of them due to the peppiness and it’s different ;)

I remember once, I brought the DVD of his movie and I don’t know I didn’t even reach the half and got to some other work and then forgot to watch and returned the dvd to the store :D

I had the feeling that he is arrogant, full of pride and doesn’t respect anyone. When I saw the ‘Koffeee with Karan’ program he was totally a different person!
He is like I agree what ever people say about me that I am a nasal singer and initially I was trying to defend myself lol!

“Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue” ~ Joseph Addison

I was totally zapped at his statement, but don’t know something has happened that he is trying to show he is down to earth person! But in that show also with my analytical skills ;) I felt that he was accepting the critic that he is a nasal singer but then he said I am accepting this because I am successful today – which clearly meant that he is kind of telling people that yes, I am a nasal singer so what you people like it anyway …lol!

Well, couple of things I liked about him during the interview session where he said- he has no talent and its mere luck and prayers that has made him so successful and secondly that what goes up has to come down (gravity I guess ;) ) so he knows there will be a down fall time too and so seems he has prepared himself for that.

“The depth of your mythology is the extent of your effectiveness”. ~ John C. Maxwell

Of all these, I was amazed to see his co-competitors or should I say other composers and music directors who were asked to comment on Himesh’s success and talent.

I am discussing about Himesh but then I will not loose the opportunity to discuss about others too here :) as you don’t always get one ;)

There were singers and music directors who commented and I have to say I was very happy and glad to hear from these two people who were readily accepting that Himesh has done what they never thought of, such as

Anu Mallik – I think he is a senior and established music director/singer and yet he accepted that Himesh is great in his creativity and he has done something which they have not thought of doing and so the result is that he just came and is climbing the stairs of success.

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something”. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

Similarly, Shaan – the playback singer who said people say its by fluke Himesh’s songs got hit but then how many fluke’s does it happen?
He also accepted that, his kids also always sing the songs that Himesh sing and I think that’s a very honest statement to share with audience and yet honest compliment that Himesh can get one.

I have high respect for these two people even though they are best in their field they are down to earth and ready to accept the truth and I think any artist who is a true artist will be like one of them.

“A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her”. ~ David Brinkley

Now comes the critic part of the other comments that were made.

Kailash Kher : He is a good singer and I like his sufi songs which you can find in my radio-blog too. But the way he was criticizing Himesh saying his songs get hit because he is hammering the lyrics many times :D….so it gets in to people’s mind haha I was laughing at that one….are people so stupid?
Another comment he made was like a certain group or community enjoys Himesh’s songs not the upper class…wow! What a statement to make? In fact in the survey that ‘Koffeee with Karan’ did had all class and all mediums who were mentioning how much they love his songs whether its in the car, pubs or even marriages…in fact Madhuri Dixit said Himesh’s song is family song of there’s :D isn’t that a big compliment and says about the class? :D

Aadesh Srivastav: He is a music director and he was saying yes Himesh is successful in what ever he is doing but its all commercial and I would judge him based on his classical music…! C’mon you can’t accept that you are not there where he reached in a short matter of time?

Udit Narayan : He is a playback singer and was very much smiling when saying that he is happy with Himesh’s success. He didn’t say any negative thing but the way he was saying –more or less it seemed like a sarcastic comment.

Over all I want to say is that an artist can be liked by few, more or everyone but then no matter what If the artist is successful then one shouldn’t deny about their success and accept the fact that there is a difference in creativity thinking.

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves”. ~William Penn

The moment you start giving reasons why another person is successful or let him do this or that and then see if he achieves success then I think that’s more or less a jealous that is talking and jealousy never takes you anywhere.

Music is something I always felt is soothing and the people attached to it are too but when I see all this I feel everything is ultimately business and money :)

“What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“I'd rather have a moment of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special.”

2008-08-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

It was one of the winters when I was flying from Toronto to New Jersey to meet my friend Shika.
It was a long weekend and I had nothing much to do so his timely invitation worked out for me.

I landed on Friday evening and that's when Shika told me that we have to attend a wedding party.
I was totally zapped...a wedding party? who's party? Do I know them? etc..etc..!

Let me tell you about Shika, this guy was and is never serious in life. I guess he was never serious when he proposed me and hence today we are friends’ still but not a couple ...lol! As usual his reaction was so what they all know you.

First I was a bit hesitant as me and Shika we are kind of dare devil in this matter but what about those whom I don't know yet? But then I also thought who cares...am Shika's guest and he is taking me so I was chilling out. I made sure Shika is carrying the gift.
We reached home had coffee and lots of goodies from India as Shika just made a trip to India and so he brought all sorts of unique sweets and snacks from Pune.

Dinner was not a issue as we got dressed up to go for the wedding party. They were Couple met via internet and now they got married - girl is from Kerala and the guy is from Chennai.
The moment I was introduced there after other formalities - the groom asked me where I completed my education and based on the University this guy just got freaked out and said now no one messes up with Dawn as she is from my University and then it was a history that I didn’t know these people.

“Nothing is more exciting and bonding in relationships than creating together” ~ Stephen R. Covey

In that event I met lot of new people - all jokers just like me - meaning carefree and having fun jokes and what not! I met this well built guy Puneet - a handsome charmer - girl’s go crazy for him this is what I heard from him. I don’t know when I was introduced to him and rest is history.
We became so good friends that night when we were leaving he was like - I am throwing a party for Dawn before she leaves to Toronto and he took me and Shika to Ethiopian restaurant - I still remember I loved the food.

That day I got a compliment from Puneet saying - I like your company because with you
there is no formality, one can talk openly and be friend without the thought one is guy and other is a gal.

“It is superstitious to put one's hopes in formalities, but arrogant to refuse to submit to them.” ~ Blaise Pascal

After that, I didn’t get a chance to meet Puneet but we are in touch via emails or a surprise phone call.

Lately, I got busy at work and with my moving etc...I have to admit some of my do's I have been not doing it :) and this friend of mine called me just to remind that :)

“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.”

It was hilarious talking to him and we joked a lot and as usual I pulled his leg and finally he ends up the call by saying - 'I like your company because with you there is no formality :)

He is very sweet - when he didn’t get any greetings for Independence day from me he got worried about me :D
I still feel laughing about this event....but yes, friends do love no matter where you are, whether you are in touch with them on regular basis or not - but they do care which is most important of all

Three cheers to my friend Puneet

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked” ~ Bernard Meltzer

“True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.”

2008-08-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

It’s Independence Day in India and Pakistan and I am sure people are celebrating the moment.
My friend from India was asking me what’s the plan and I was telling him that nothing much as it’s a working day for us.

I just put the question to him and since he is in defense he said he will be having parade, then flag hosting, lunch with other officers and lots of fun!

“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” ~ Buddha

I was thinking and I am letting you too ~ are we really Independent?
What does Independence to a country mean for the people of that country?

Think it’s a thought to ponder and do let me know….

Happy Weekend to all

“When we are happy we are always good, but when we are good we are not always happy.” ~ Oscar Wilde

“Don't buy the house, buy the neighborhood.”

2008-08-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was potluck in the neighborhood and it was a nice way for us to get introduced to everyone in the neighborhood.
What was strange was this was not on any weekend but was on a week day! How stress less people live here and party and have a gala time on any day. Reminded me like a holiday!

Anyway, we reached the venue which was right in front of our house and everyone had to put a batch with their name and it was a way to get introduced to everyone. We had taken some chicken marinated for BBQ.
Everyone welcomed us to the neighborhood and congratulated for the new home.

It was quite interesting to see how you have one person who is all enthusiastic in organizing things and making sure as one family everyone is taken care. I loved the concept, something we miss in the down area.
Drinks and food were placed and one could help themselves and eat and talk. That’s the time I met people who have been living there for 40 and 30 years and they all love it even now!

“Come out of the circle of time

And into the circle of love.” ~ Rumi

What I found is people closer to earth were actually down to earth :)
I came to know lot of history about the people out there. There were people from the City officials who came there to meet everyone and introduce how a community can help the city and the cops from doing wrong things.
The jokes that was going on was something I could relate how people in the villages does when they see any government officials come and certain jokes they crack with them.

A total new experience yet a loving one, where I could see people helpful, caring and taking responsibility for their neighbors. It’s a small community which turned to be a joint family.

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” ~ Ryunosuke Satoro

I had a good evening with lots of food and drinks ;)
Welcome to the neighborhood!

Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair

2008-07-31T20:34:00.000-07:00

When you are drowned up to your neck with deliverables, meetings and more meetings- you don’t think of anything that’s around you!

I don’t remember even when I met my friend and how I came to California – its like a history hidden somewhere!
Today when my friend went to LA for some official purpose that’s when I realized how much I miss my friend :)

“Within you I lose myself...
Without you I find myself
Wanting to be lost again.”

Yes, it’s true you realize only when you don’t find them around!
I was with the assumption that since I am so busy probably I will not even miss my friend but I was wrong!!!
I miss my friend and I hope the day goes fast and he comes back soon!

“All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.”~William Shakespeare

I want to tell my blogger friends that sorry I am lately not attending their blogs only because of my busy schedule and settling at the new place.

I love you my dear friends!

“It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.”

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”

2008-07-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

A weekday was busy last week and so does was the weekend.

Moving is very tedious no matter where you move…and so I moved to Niles Canyon, Fremont. Sunday morning was like a dream come true.
Slight breeze, the sunrays was already knocking the door but mountains were hiding the sun. The backyard with lush green lawn and the blue jays on the branches….took me back in my memories when during school vacation I used to go to Kerala – a peaceful morning yet with birds chirping it was music in ears.

“Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift.” ~ Albert Einstein

As I meet people at this place, I get surprised each day and feel at home at the same time. Can you believe some people here have been living for more than 40 years and just like how at back home; they never moved or sold there home.
Everyone knows everyone; everyone greets everyone and makes sure the neighbor and the neighborhood is doing well.
There is lot of scenic view and more hidden history, such as Charlie Chaplin living in Niles and shooting his movies such as Tramp and many more to explore yet for me.

“What is history? An echo of the past in the future; a reflex from the future on the past” ~ Victor Hugo

There is a Niles Canyon Railway – a great history that lies around since 1800’s.
It just reminds me of my childhood. As many of my friends know that I love traveling in the train and when ever I hear this horn of the train, it gives me a nostalgic feeling, with my vacation times and all those scenic views which I used to paint!

“Nature is too thin a screen; the glory of the omnipresent God bursts through everywhere” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yes, just like how vacations get over, this stay is also over until next weekend as week days are so hectic and I feel I live at work rather than at home :)
Some pictures as what is Niles ;)
Its vitamin for your eyes and heart ;) Happy Weekday!

“Adopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one”

2008-07-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

Two people were arguing on the topic ‘stress’ which I guess is not new or strange to anyone: D
Yes, the discussion was work makes one stressful and the other was saying its not the work but the people!

“To be free of destructive stress don't sweat the small stuff and by realizing that all stuff is small.”

Hmm…when I heard that, I started scratching my head and I said, its indeed the people as work you know your work or you will work around to get things done but it’s the people if they don’t make you feel at home, you will be always worried and tensed to first of all to come to work and then the rest of the day- how it takes you through with the help of people ;)

“People love others not for who they are but for how they make them feel” ~ Irwin Federman

Do you agree with it?
I am saying from my personal experience, as with my assignments I am very busy.
I was working at office and also at home. Trying to finish the task as much as possible and get on to the next! But I enjoyed every moment of it.
Work never made me feel stressed or sad! The more work has kept me busy the more I have loved my job…:)

“Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” ~ Buddha

I guess it’s the same for everyone but we are too quick to jump on deciding that it’s the work that is making one stressful :)

C’mon friends, you all are mostly working, even if studying you will be there one day so tell me what you think – what makes more stressful- People or Work ;)

The winner will be hahahah am kidding; it will be a nice polling session to see isn’t it?

“In times of stress and strain, people will vote”

I will say enjoy work and just leave the rest on people …lol!

“If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut.” ~ Albert Einstein

“I think in art, but especially in films, people are trying to confirm their own existences.”

2008-07-17T20:12:00.000-07:00

As I said in my last post…things are settling slowly, got my laptop though had couple of issues but can’t complain :)!

I have been watching lot of movies these days and guess what – one thing I have realized having your office near your home is not a good thing: D!

I am sure lot of them would be surprised to read this, but believe me the closer your work place is to your home the more lazy one gets, as you know it will only take few minutes :D!

Hence my late nights are still up ;) these days!
I happened to watch many movies – Hindi and English of which I may not write about all but yes few which I am sure my friends would enjoy will be mentioned here :)

I saw this movie ‘Mississippi Burning’ - Two FBI agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of some civil rights activists.

Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe have done a great job I must say and besides the whole crime drama made me hate those times as what was happening in 60’s.
I am sure any one will as one see the injustice and the torture that one had to go through.

Over all Alan Parker the director of this movie has done a tremendous job and one can see all the awards that this movie has got.

“Abhorrence of apartheid is a moral attitude, not a policy.” ~ Edward Heath

This movie made me quite emotional about the whole thing.

Then I saw my friend Aamir’s movie I mean to say another produced movie for his nephew Imran Khan – JT Ya JN for short form ;).
It is actually typical Hindi movie – nothing new story or so but presented in a different way and I am sure everyone will enjoy! Well, the success of the movie itself tells that :D
I liked the acting of Imran Khan – though a lot his style resembled his uncle Aamir, may be coz I know him so well … lol!

“Life's like a play; it's not the length but the excellence of the acting that matters” ~ Seneca

I loved AR Rehman’s music and I loved the song ‘Kabhi kabhi yoon bhi Aditi’….
Over all good entertaining movie with good star casting such as Ratna Pathak-Shah and Naseerudin Shah, Jayant Kriplani and Anuradha Patel and Paresh Rawal which was a surprise to me !!!

“Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music”~ Sergei Rachmaninov

But this movie ‘Vintage Point’ was something breathe taking. I mean you will have to hold on to your breath each time they show the story from 8 different angles! It was interesting with the star casts are amazing, why say more just watch it and you will love it ;)

Hope you guys enjoy too!
Happy Friday Friends

“Happiness is a wine of the rarest vintage, and seems insipid to a vulgar taste.” ~ Logan Pearsall Smith

“Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.”

2008-07-08T17:56:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been in transition mode with job. Coming back to Cisco is like bringing back my initial times of US, when I was a bit sad for leaving Canada and that’s when I found friends at work…!
Now I am back there and searching for those friends :), I know they are there it’s just that I am not able to connect without my laptop! Yes, you take a week or more to get a laptop in Cisco ;) ~ like they say ~ in big company’s things take a bit time!!

“Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology” ~ John Tudor

So, what am I doing in Cisco without laptop (as mostly one seems to not working at all without the laptop ;) ), I am reading stack of documents, making my days long and sleepy!

Hey exciting news which really is exciting for me... Loll! I got a call in the morning saying – one of my Hindi poem has been selected by a kido (shweet one of 6-7 yr old), we call her ‘Zhansi Ki Rani’ (I guess the world’s first woman who fought in the battle in India to save her Zhansi!!!).

This Kido - Niharika decided to recite one of my poems in school for her poem reciting competition…I am so thrilled to hear this, all I could wish was ‘Good Luck’.

I don’t know what the result would be but I feel very honored when a child selected my poetry to recite of all others :)

“Mine honor is my life; both grow in one; Take honor from me and my life is done.” ~ William Shakespeare

My day started with excitement and I still feel the breeze of it ;), even though without laptop this technology has made me feel like handicap!!

“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road.” ~ Stewart Brand

Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.

2008-07-01T18:16:00.001-07:00

Happy Canada Day!
I miss my days in Canada and always cherish my sweet memories of there.
When I say so, it speaks not only about the place, the nature and geographic part of it but also the people out there.

I love Canadians and love to say that as a newbie in my initial days, Canadians have helped me a lot in becoming a part of them

“There are no limits to the majestic future which lies before the mighty expanse of Canada with its verile, aspiring, cultured, and generous-hearted people.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill

God Bless Canada

“The world will little note nor long remember what we say here.”

2008-06-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I want to thank you all for your continuous support. I feel so happy to say my friend ‘Shiva’ who has surprised me with his highest orders and the great thing about it is that my book will be the inspiration for him to understand Hindi :D

Yes, I was so surprised when I came to know that he can read Hindi because its taught in school but doesn’t understand well…but he ordered 15 books and more in the process…!

Shiva, I personally owe you a lot …as you are helping the good cause behind this and I really salute for that.

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” ~ Boris Pasternak

I also want to let you all know when I added my book to sell on eBay here in US – I accidentally added to the auction format and it went for bidding. I couldn’t withdraw as I can not do that. One of my friend 'Nissidhi' and “surprise, stranger" called ‘Save on Books’ they both were bidding and finally ‘Save on Books’ bought the book for $24.50.

Again, this came as a surprise to me, as I was trying to find out who is this :D?
Yes, I have often seen my dears give me surprises and this was another one ;)

Thank you to all my dears and yes, the book is on sale for people in India on eBay India.
You can buy from here straight, check out: http://cgi.ebay.in/KHAWABON-KI-ZAMEEN_W0QQitemZ320265846082QQihZ011QQcategoryZ92412QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ~ Albert Pike

Your support and encouraging words have given me strength to work on my next book.
This time its not poetry and this will be in English ;) but my love for Hindi language will definitely translate this too.

Please be on my side….

“We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it

2008-06-15T10:07:00.000-07:00

Today is Father’s day and I can write a book on my father – yes, as I have learnt things in life looking at him, learning from his actions and yes I am known as ‘I am like my dad’ and I feel proud about it.

“One father is more than a hundred Schoolemasters.” ~George Herbert

But today I am here to share something which always will remain in my heart as other things remain still in my heart about my dad :D

I remember the day I got my first copy of my book “Khawabon Ki Zameen” to edit and everyone at home was fighting to grab it and feel it :D….I could only hold to it and just run the pages ….but my dad…when he got it he just sat there with it and read till 20 pages at one sitting :D….I think I saw my fan….my inspiration there!!!!

Yes, my dad always did this and that’s why I am where I am because of him.

This morning I got this mail saying my blog has won the "Blog of the Day Award", which I would like to dedicate to my Dad :)

“A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.” ~Enid Bagnold

I love you dad, I always do.

I have sent my released book as a gift to my dad for father’s day :)

Happy Father’s Day to every dad….

“Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name.” ~William Wordsworth

How beautiful a day can be, When kindness touches it!

2008-06-12T20:17:00.000-07:00

When one is in need whom do we call? Probably, God!

Yes, I also called and in the form of my friends, the blessings were showered and my prayers were heard.

I would like to thank you all for all the support and the help that you are doing to make me sell this book and help the kids who are in need.

“One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.” ~Malayan Proverb

I have received many queries related to buying this book.
I want to tell my friends, I am taking baby steps :). My books currently where ever you are in India, we will make sure you receive it at the earliest. My counterpart in India is managing everything very well.

As I have given the emails addresses (fizadawn@gmail.com , sajubashir@gmail.com and sajubashir@yahoo.com ) to order the books.

We will need your mailing address and your phone number as well as for courier purposes this is one of the aspects that are required by the courier companies.

I have decided to give frequent updates about the book here such that my friends who are helping me and supporting me will also know where we stand together!!!

For convenience purpose, I am making this book available through eBay such that payment of the book is handled by itself. The book has been published and I am waiting for my consignment to arrive in US.

For my friends in US, I will say please give me some time as I will be making those deliveries for the orders that you have made.

The response is very good and I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.

eBay Store: http://stores.ebay.com/fizadawn_W0QQssPageNameZl2QQtZkm

“I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.”

“Friends are angels sent down to earth to make good days and help us find our way.”

2008-06-08T15:34:00.000-07:00

Friends I feel very happy to say today that finally my Hindi poetry book “Khawabon Ki Zameen” (Land of dreams), is ready and you can order this book by sending mail to me: fizadawn@gmail.com or to my Manager (my dear friend): sajubashir@gmail.com / sajubashir@yahoo.com

Check out @eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260249870441

This book will be costing only Rs. 85/- and shipping charges for people in India and for people outside of India will cost for $ 9.00 US.

As I have said this is my dream and publishing this book not only gives me an opportunity to give some thing back to the community but also fulfills my dream to help children.

“Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.” ~ Jonathan Swift

It was my childhood dream to sponsor a kid and each time I looked for an opportunity, either the kid stopped going to school or the money was used for some other purpose.

I think for any country’s future the children have the biggest responsibility as they are the future and this book gives me that opportunity to fulfill my wish by helping kids.

Yes 20% of the amount that I get from this book will be given to an Orphanage “International Child Welfare Service” in Chennai, India. They have many programs and one of them is called as “Dawn and Dusk Home, A Home for the HIV+ children”, - those kids who were born with it not because of their fault.

You can read about this at this website: http://www.dawnanddusk.org/

As always your support and prayers I need the most to fulfill my dream.
Please also tell your friends and family who can read Hindi to support and also people who would love to read Hindi- can also support this book :) and the kids.

“One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of car I drive,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank
Nor what my clothes looked like.

One hundred years from now
It will not matter
What kind of school I attended,
What kind of typewriter I used,
How large or small my church,
But the world may be
…a little better because…
I was important in the
Life of a child.” ~ ICWS

“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future” ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Books open your mind, broaden your mind, and strengthen you as nothing else can”

2008-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Jyotsana and I liked it because its about books :)
Getting an opportunity to read a book is really I feel a blessing as its very busy schedule these days where I am not able to specifically dedicate any time for books but passion for reading always finds it – isn’t it?

The name of the book is “The Worldly Philosophers” by Robert L. Heilbroner.

On page 123 the 6th line onwards is as:

“But no one would shirk work, for each would do what he best liked. Thus the problem of dirty work was solved by asking who liked to do dirty work. The children, of course. So there would be Little Hordes who would go off gaily to the slaughterhouses or to mend the roads and have the time of their lives. And for the minority of children who shrank from dirty work, there would be Little Bands who would tend the flowers and correct their parents’ bad pronunciation.”

Okay friends so the tag is about the book that you might be reading – go to the page 123 and skip the first five lines and please quote on your post from the 6th line onwards.

“Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.” ~ Mark Twain

I felt this tag is good in a way where after reading few lines it might generate the curiosity in reader’s mind and probably they will grab that book to read …;)
Nice way to make one read isn’t it?

Friends who are reading books can join this tag…;)

Enjoy the weekend friends

“We shouldn't teach great books; we should teach a love of reading.” ~ B.F. Skinner

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.”

2008-06-03T15:57:00.001-07:00

Its still not time – another month to wait for me to take off for my vacation but the soothing feeling of it makes more enjoyable and pleasant – just like the moment when you are in love with someone ;)

Yes, the moment I think of travelling to different places (one of my passion) and the friends that I will meet – it’s just a very rejuvenating and a nostalgic feeling too with all the memories.

Learning from my past experience that I would make sure I will not repeat is ~ not to spend unnecessarily …lol!
Can you stick to that? I guess if one has the will power one can isn’t it?

Of all I am lately more focused on fulfilling my dreams – when I say dreams it’s not only about my book but about my motor riding passion too ;)
Yes, I know when people hear this they think – bike riding gals are bad…don’t know why but that’s a strange feeling for me as places where people can’t afford cars they go by two-wheelers and I understand it’s a luxury at this part of the world but that shouldn’t stop me with my love for bikes – isn’t it?

“Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.”

At the end of my life all I want to remember is where all I travelled and what all I did ~ cherishing those moments and in the rocking chair in front of my house with mountains and lovely nature view where the sun might be near to set and I would say lets wait for Dawn until then….its dream time ;)

“There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the passion of life.” ~ Federico Fellini