Promise Or Convenience?

The dictionary defines promise as, 'A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future'

In the days gone by, it was apparently very important to keep one's word, promise or commitment. It was not to be taken lightly. A promise was not to be broken. It was almost a crime to let down those who depend on you.

How important is it in today's world, I wonder. Whether it is the commitment of marriage or a promise to meet a friend. Plans maybe cancelled if someone or something better comes along.

Is it all about convenience?

What's In A Name?

'The sweetest word for anyone is his or her name' - said someone and rightly so.

From when I was a child until recently, I was always a little embarrassed about my name. Why 'Sreedevi', I asked my parents. Couldn't you have come up with something nicer, less-religious sounding name? Always misspelt by everyone, I found myself correcting them.

In school, I was asked if I was named after the film actress. I blushed before saying 'No'. It's not a common name and I definitely didn't like it. Cousins would tease me with film songs that have the word 'Sreedevi' in it. And when I was in college, I dabbled with numerology and concluded that my name is the reason for my apparent bad luck.

My mother told me that it's one of the many names of Goddess Lakshmi, who has 3 forms - Sri, Bhu and Durga representing Sattvik, Rajas and Tamas respectively. Well, my parents did put some thought behind it.

Now, I am ok with it. It's actually a beautiful name when pronounced right. And amateur numerology is not to be taken seriously.

Chak De India

In the light of India's big victory at the World Cup, I think it's appropriate to say 'Chak De India'!!! Watched only the last over of the match.... edge of the seat excitement, would be an understatement! I like the part where Dhoni takes off his shirt and hands it to a young fan ;)

I am not a huge fan of SRK, but I enjoyed watching the film, Chak De India last weekend. Thanks Poornima :)

I'd like to know what 'Chak de' really means.....

Wow!

It's almost as if Bill Watterson read my thoughts and used them here for Calvin :)

I Have My Sarcastic Moments

You Have Your Sarcastic Moments

While you're not sarcastic at all times, you definitely have a cynical edge. In your opinion, not all people are annoying. Some are dead! And although you do have your genuine moments, you can't help getting your zingers in. Some people might be a little hurt by your sarcasm, but it's more likely they think you're hilarious.

How Sarcastic Are You?

I am Not Spoiled...No Surprises Here

You Are 16% Spoiled

You are definitely not spoiled. You've worked hard for what you have. Down to earth and grounded, you don't need a lot to make you happy.

Are You Spoiled?

'Aadadella Olithe Aayithu'

'Aadadella Olithe Ayithu', wrote the Pitamaha of Carnatic Music, Sri PurandaraDasa in Kannada. This was apparently the first among his compositions which number 4,25,000 approx.
This is one of my favourites.

Translated, the first line means, 'All that happened, has happened well'.

Mastermind

I remember playing Mastermind, the board game with my brother when we were much younger. It was one of the several board games we played at home.

The game consists of several large plastic pegs of 6 colors and a board. One player fixes a code of 4 pegs (which is hidden). The objective is for the other player to decode it. There are hints in the form of small black and white pegs placed at the sides. 4 small black pegs means success!

Tired of playing Tetris, I was excited to find the online version of mastermind recently. Have even added to my igoogle. I must say I am good at it :)

Here's one of the many links for playing Mastermind online.

http://www.cyberbee.com/games/mastermind.html

The Best Things Come.....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=N_vssdys8lk&mode=related&search=

Click on the above link to watch a really good ketchup commercial. I like it because- Matt le Blanc is cute and because of the last line of the commercial....

Skill Set

In Chennai, it's common for children to learn something related to Carnatic - singing, playing a musical instrument or Bharatnatyam. I am disappointed at not having learnt any of them nor mastered any of the 'traditional' skills that most girls learn before completing college - like rangoli, embroidery, crafts, cookery etc.

I never saw the rangoli being drawn in front of my house as Mayil (our dear old maid) would draw it at sunrise. I have only learnt one simple pattern in it. Place 6x6 dots, draw lines to make it look like 4 lamps.

Once while travelling by bus, I observed this flower seller who had a bagful of jasmine flowers, knotting and tying them together swiftly to a long thread. In no time, she had made a long garland. I was always fascinated by how they do that. Later, I learnt that from my aunt. But of course, this has little use in everyday life.

Anyway, my retirement plans are to learn sanskrit, play the veena and some more rangoli patterns. Too bad, cooking can't wait that long :)

'I am Looking For A Girl...' - Part 5

This one is my favorites, a guy who’s scared of commitment himself but advises others to marry soon

"hi, i wish to explore the possibility of a live in relationship [which should ideally frutify into marriage] i feel there is no reverse gear in this [marriage aspect]better be careful before you really take the plunge than feel sorry later.......................................................................i just want to have fun in life and if anyody is capable of convincing to marry me i shall surrender to them completely.............................. wishing you all the best in search [please don’t waste about 5 - 6 years in searching get married soon] wish you all the best"

'I am Looking For A Girl...' - Part 4

"i am looking smart girl for my life parter like u and i am working as a accountant at vidhya nikethan matric hr.sec school,Rasipuram you may be contact me
india is very good country"
(here’s a message personalized for everyone!)

"My partner should be following both traditional as well as should be social also. Should be a graduate (preferred is B.A, B.Com, B.Sc), home living (no job going) and good supporting partner"
(no job going)

"I am working Temple .I am intrested in Chating.i am watching T.v."
(no comments)

"Thanking u for small attention on this profile.Iam from bhramin, working in reputed MNC company posted in andhra(hyderabad).
Iam a simple,friendly,mature,caring,homorous,& fun loving without any bad habits person"
(is this your humor?)

"only son; simple living self; good(self proclaimed) carnatic vocalist; though trained in veena for more than past 12 yrs, yet to realise if I play it or play with it! looking for a WIFE! a friendly, traditional yet cool with willingness to accept an extended family."
(Wow!)

'I am Looking For A Girl...' - Part 3

"i am a good looking man,deecent and handsom.i am software engineer with modern attitude,bearing no bad habits.have good behivour,more language knowing.softheated,beliving indian cultures.good family conditions."
(if only he could learn some english)

"i am b.e. graduate in industrial production. i would like to marry only brahmin girls who must be well qualified & having decent family background. I am very interesting person in life. I want to enjoy each and everything in the life. Atmost i think marriage means not just wedding, it is combination of two different opinions with no objection"
(must be interesting with all the brahmin girls he is going to marry)

"Eating Habits : Non Vegetarian Horoscope Match : Doesn't matter
Smoking habits : Regular Smoker Drinking habits : Light / Social Drinker
Hey !! I am a college dropout.I have been my creative instincts for the last 17 years and have been quite succesfull at acheiving what i intended to. I have been a lighting designer in theatre and a filmaker.i am a na absent minded and am not all that homnest person but commitment and sincerity has been my religion for I dont belive in a god and these two are my religion.
rest when we keep it going
till then bye"
(no comments)

"Hmm more abt me!!! Well....I believe marriges are made heaven. do u? why then this site registration???? well everything in our life is our LUCK and its predetermined. But it doesnot mean we would not do anything, and things will come on ur way as it would be in our luck. Nop, we should also do ur best so that we could get something better than what we could. so this is just my effort to meet my LOVE.
Since i m staying quite far of my parents so i would like to meet someone (LOVE) who will love me as to her life. and i want to be loved by my LOVE like a child, friend,brother, sister..... every realtion whtever c can thnk of. She should be a MUSIC lover. and she should be very jolly, caring and last but not the least Very fair & beautiful in heart. she should touch to my heart. And she should be workiing (doctor or s/w engg, professor....some professional) and very much carrier oriented."
(Again, no comments)

"I come from an educated family background with traditional, but liberal values" (contradiction?)

'I am Looking For A Girl...' - Part 2

"About me
Looking for Gentle Lovable Lifepartner interested in living life without tensions come what may. Should be Broad minded Understanding,Responsible, Respecting elders,& Our Culture and Traditions. Blend of all, modesty,dignity and modernity.
TO BE my wife expect 1) TO MARRY A GUY WITH NOTHING TO OFFER BUT HIS DREAMS, 2)TO BELIEVE IN ME WHATEVER THE MATTER.3)TO JOIN ME IN MY AIMS, GOALS AND STAND BY ME AT ALL TIMES "
(wow!)

"A fun loving guy. Likes driving his car around on holidays and buying branded clothes. Fond of music Owns a car a motor cycle and a flat "
(different from usual responsible, hardworking guys)

"Hello,I like a simple and descent living. Contact for further details"
(contact for a 'descent' living)

"Am Single love to be alone most of the time..with kittens..spend time with my little geni Vaio. chating n cooking my Favorites. I am NOT what they say "Down 2 Earth",no movies, no shoping, no back seater, no long rides. prefer to live on my OWN - n 'am ...I love cooking Thai veggie.(my Fav)."

"Nothing in particular to mention would deatil once we meet in person. I belive spoken words reveal more about an indivisual than typing it here."
(please type no further)

'I am Looking For A Girl.....'

These are some ads that I came across in a popular matrimonial website. My comments are in brackets.

"Fun loving person with an infections smile and jest for life. a perfect person for all those who know him."
(probably meant 'infectious' and 'zest')

"Our family bears the distinctness of both traditional , logical and ethical outlook towards life."
(does both mean 3?)

"I am looking for a girl who has committed lead a happy life, And even i am committed for that:). Rest all the things we can communicate/disucss due the course of time to realize our dreams and lead happy life:) "
(lucky girl)

"I AM OPEN MINDED, REQURIED GOOD PATNER WHO CAN TAKE OF MY PARENTS AND MYSELF.SHE SHOULD VERY KINDLY PERSON WITH GOOD NATURE AND SHOULD BELIVE IN LOVE" (Florence Nightingale?)

"i am sincere to offer fun and joy to make my partner and life happy.Mother,father,sisters and me we are all employees.we are well settled with enough financial support.we are happy living.We are traditional as well as modern living."
(happy living...)

"I compleated my BE Mech in 2000 in Hulkoti and an Bramhain and & very strong belife & very much found in my religion and in search of same kind of girl. "
(Spellcheck?)

"I'm a simpleton with lofty ambitions." (How?)

"Pride is important than anything else. Need a partner who has similar passions and values family and love."
(here's a proud person)

"Hello, I am a patient..no..no..i am very patient, fun loving, caring person. I have lot of self confidence and generally face the difficulty with a cool head. "
(poor guy sounds confused)

"i am a descent guy with lots of intentions in my life and i like to be a named person always and everywhere...... "

"My name is Guru
But My friends Call Me as Rahul
Hi TO every cute and Naugthy girls
Be good to urself do harm to any one,
live and let live in this beautiful world and every one as there own life of living love u all bye "
(you are a GURU)

Requirements

My uncle strongly recommended this guy to me. 'He is good looking, works in the Navy and his father is quite rich.' Ok, let me see, I said.
The guy's requirement was, 'See, I expect my wife to be home, when I get back in the evening from work.' Hmm, I thought.
Plus, he gave me free advice, 'You can't marry someone because you like their face.'

Yeah, I know people who have regretted their decisions taken on face value.

Sunday Activity

There was this really cute guy who came to meet us, with his dad and sis. Very practical guy, had ony 1 question to ask me - 'Adige barutha?'. I blushed before mumbling something, thinking of my less than perfect culinary skills.

One of my favorites is meeting this boy's parents at Bangalore as the boy was away in Chennai. After the initial introduction, the couple started 'waxing eloquent' about their 'boy'. They proudly showed his photos, some of them taken at his workplace with his team. 'He is so good at what he does. His manager is very happy with him. He has received performance awards in his organisation. Although he only has a B.Sc degree, even an M.Tech cannot stand in front of him. His knowledge is too good. He is very good person, good at heart, God fearing ............'
Then, his mother, beaming 'His company has given him a laptop, so even during weekends, he is working...............He has been to US twice. Have you been outside the country?', she asked me. I mumbled a 'No'.
This went on for an hour and Iam quoting their actual words.

As I sat there, I was reminded of young parents who ask their little one to maybe recite a poem to their friends. After the 'performance', how proud and happy the parents are !!!!!!

'Is Your Daughter Fair? Is She Slim? How Much Does She Make?'

They are common questions that my mother has got used to answering. Except for the slim part. I am putting on some weight lately :)

This happened about 4 years ago. One lady whom my mother contacted after getting the number from a marriage 'bureau' asked if I was working. My mother replied 'No, but she is searching for a job'. 'Ok, then call me after she gets a job', said the woman.

Earlier, when we were in Chennai, we contacted this person who asked how much does your daughter earn? My mother said she is a trainee at a small organisation and doesn't get paid yet. His reply was 'Then, no thanks!'

There is one eligible bachelor in Bangalore who is listed in most of the 'vara vadhu anveshan kendra'. The requirement column in his profile read '5 lacs p.a'. Usually salary is mentioned in the 'About me' column. I looked again and wondered if 5 lacs was his salary written in the wrong place. Well, no. He apparently makes 14 lacs p.a. and the requirement column stated clearly - "Fair, height above 5'4", working, salary 5 lacs p.a."

No comments.

Weekend Tour

Iam looking forward to the weekend. 'Cos I get to go to my favorite place with my favorite people. Going to Tirupati with my mum and brother tomorrow. Read in the papers that there was a record collection in the Tirumala temple hundi on one day- 2.36 crore INR!!!!

It's going to be our first visit to Kalahasti. Somehow we never went there inspite of visiting Tirupati so often.

There are few things I like more than visiting ancient temples. They are all so beautiful and there are always interesting stories about it.

Inside the Tirumala temple, there are statues of Krishnadevaraya and his consorts. I imagine how the place would have been in those times. What kind of clothes would people wear those days and most of all, how few people would have been there for darshan :)

I like the temple in Belur for its architectural beauty. The guide said that in front of the Chennakeshava statue where there is a large circular stage like thing, the queen would dance (nrityaseva) for the Lord. I so want to see that but too late!

And of course, the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. So huge and hoary......The Parthasarathy in Chennai, The Shiva temple at Arunachalam built by one of the Chola kings....the temple complex is so huge and the actual Shivalinga is so small!

My Temples Wishlist: Udupi, Dharmasthala, Kumbhakonam, Srirangam, Ahobilam, Guruvayur, Badari.......

Till Death Did Us Part - Miss You Pa

Oh, how I miss my father :(
On some days more than ever. Especially when I have to take an important decision or I want to share an incident, I wonder who will take his place in my life.

Sadly, no one can. Who will care for a person like a parent? Who else will use their wisdom and forethought to give the best advice?
Sometimes, I am terrified of making mistakes. I would postpone taking a decision for the fear of taking the wrong one. If was there, he would tell me what is right and wrong.

It has been 5 years now, I have learnt to live without him. It's hard but then I think there are some others who are worse off than I am.

Krishna Janmashtami

Lord Krishna is beyond birth and death. He is present at all times, at all places, within and without all beings, living and non living.

Krishna Janmashtami or Gokula Ashtami as it is also known, marks the day that He revealed his form to those on earth. Krishna avtar's purpose during the Dwaapara Yuga was to show that He is devoted to his true devotees and that He would destroy those who tread the path of adharma.

Krishna is the 8th avtar among the Dashavtar of Vishnu.

He is the 8th son born to Devaki and Vasudev.

He was born on the 8th day in the month of Shraavan.

He was 8 years old when He killed his evil uncle Kamsa and released His parents from prison.

He had 8 wives known as 'Ashta Mahishi' which included Rukmini, Satyabhama, Mitravinda and others.

Other than them he married 16100 women whom he released from an evil king's captivity. 1+6+1+0+0 adds up to 8 again!

Madhwacharya, during his avtar in Kaliyuga consecrated the Krishna's beautiful idol at Udupi and created 8 Mathas to perform pooja to Krishna in turns.

From what I heard, there are more '8's associated with the Krishna avtar but I can only recollect these many.

Interestingly, my father was named after Krishna as he was the 8th born child to his parents! Now, naming the 8th child...... That's something we may not see in our generation :)

'Ittange Iruveno Hariye'

My maternal grandmother was widowed at 38 with 4 school going children and a pension of twenty rupees a month.
When she succumbed to her 2nd heart attack last year, she was 80.

She had suffered poverty, pain, humiliation, separation at various stages of her life.
What I find remarkable in her is not one day did she say 'Why me?!' or 'If only!'
She did not cry over her fate nor curse the stars.
'Itt hange Iruvenu Hariye' was her favourite phrase. That's the first line of a song in kannada which means "Lord, I will accept what you have given and be satisfied".

She could accept life as it came and was stronger for it. Instead of brooding over the past, she would live in the present moment. I find that my mother is very similar to her. She was 17 when she took on the role of a breadwinner. I find the same kind of strength in her that was in her mother. Acceptance, courage, wisdom, patience and hardwork.

I end up wishing I am at least 10% of what my grandmother was and my mother is.

Buy, No-Buy?

I heard this a few months back,
' Earlier, when we were asked to buy few things, we would forget one or two on the list. But now the super-stores open up all their stuff for us in attractive display counters. So, we end up buying more than what we wanted to in the first place'

That's so true.
According to a major retailer the chances of a person wanting to buy only a loaf of bread and coming out of the store with ONLY that, is like one in a billion.

I thought I was immune to this consumerist culture because I am quite thrifty and don't use credit cards. But I have, quite a few times 'bought stuff that I really didn't need or use'. Must be careful the next time:)