This year I'm just going to make it no matter what ! Woke up by 3 am and was in Sri Ramalingeshwara temple, Bangsar by 4.30 am.
We're truly blessed to watch Arudra darshan ( Arudra means Tiruvathirai nakshatra = a star in tamil ). This is where Lord Nataraja ( Shiva ) performed his cosmic dance in fire. So, we watched Nataraja swamy abisheka and read Tiruvempa verses. It was almost 2 pm we returned home after having lunch in the temple. My only disappointment was Bee's not around.
Beautiful decoration.
Bangsar , early morning!
Nevertheless, I thank god, I've completed this task for 2012.
Merry Christmas dear readers !! Feliz Navidad! I truly miss the European and American's White Christmas ! But that's alright because next year I'm going to have double the fun! (Positive, positive!). Merry Christmas to all of you ! Here's a good news from my side.
Well................after a real long wait, Malaysian are now free to visit Israel. Yay! The new rule enacted from 25th December 2012 for all Malaysians.
We have no more restrictions on our passports! Truly a Christmas gift for christians by the government. Just wanna share this. My French teacher is a jew and she's an awesome lady. Learnt a bit of this and that about Israel from her. Thank you Mrs.Wanda.
We all have issues with the way we look. Ladies are willing to spend a bomb wasting $$$ to get the best look they want.
We cant blame them but sometimes I keep wondering that it's true that looking good improves on your self esteem. I've been chubby all my life :) and yes I was one of the bully victims at school. However, I learnt that a great health is best wealth of all times ! You dont want to look like Angelina Jolie or Aishwarya Rai and suffer illness. Mom keep giving me ideas and motivate me to lose the fat (most of my fats are accummulated at unwanted place!).
I think I can speak for most women when I say stomach fat is the HARDEST to get rid of! I’m constantly looking for ways to lose fat anywhere, but if I can get rid of belly jelly, I am 100% in!
I'm truly a Dr. Oz fanatic! I just love him !!! He's an amazing , cute dad , husband and most of all , a wonderful person!
Sooo are you ready to know the magic drink that Dr. Oz swears that White Tea literally melts away belly fat It helps metabolize your fat and also helps keep you from storing fat from foods! It’s ability to burn fat is actually so strong that it has been rated one of the most powerful drinks to lose weight! Drinking two cups per day is really all you need and the affects are incredible! Tea Party anyone? I am so trying this NOW!
This happened again, after the Homestead, California ( just a mile away from my home ) and the recent Colorado mass shooting in summer.
I'm restless, not able to sleep right now. Not another one! The recent news is on the brutal mass shooting in Sandy Brook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. 20 children among the 26 dead during a horrific massacre after a gunmen shot his mother and turned the gun on himself.
Whilst America is still mourning the past killings, mostly on the South side, this news broke most of us to tears. 20 innocent children, I can feel the pain of their parents who have not even imagined that they would never see their son/daughter's face again. When the entire nation is busy on Christmas fun at least for the kids, this is just another threat to the entire society.
Blame it on the laws, it's high time America wake up!
Vacation ? Sounds like Greek to me ! I cant remember the last time I took a real vacation. I'm not speaking about visiting parents or go see friends for a weekend, but a real proper check-out from the world !
Vacation should be really happy days out where you need not compromise with someone to have lunch or dinner in the same restaurant ! Well, we've had not so nice experience joining another couple to Utah and Las Vegas. Holidays are best with couples alone or the group should be consisting of like minded people. Anyway it was good enough to see Utah :)
When I was little , it seems that my parents took me out for trips most of the time especially during the school holidays! But these days, especially after getting married.....................hmmmm NOT so much !! Blame it on Bee's IT job or the US economy, or just plain words, technically working on honeymoon is no fun at all ! Of course, like many people, one reason I’m not always flying the coop to some faraway islands is finances. Money’s been tight these past few years (I know I’m not alone there), and until recently I didn’t have the security of a steady income. Bee on the other side might be fearing of the angry bosses ! ha ha !
Yes, we have been talking about managing stress ( for years ) but rejuvenating the honeymoon trip is a weak spot I guess ! Stress, stress , stress, do yoga, go walking , meditate, find a new hobby, I wish there was a magical cure for stress ! So many things to do with so little time in our hands right now.
I miss the good old days where we would just walk in the park holding hands. The work pattern changed where when he's free , I'm busy and vice versa. This is never going to end if we dont set our priorities up. Bee listen up , "I'm taking a real-vacation" is going to be my NEW YEAR RESOLUTION ! 2013 , wait for me, I'm hoping you will be the best year of all !!
I can call myself as a big fan of gratitude exercise. Yes, I still remember the gifts from my uncles and friends as a kid. I remember people who've been there during my toughest times. I spend a decent amount of time thinking about what I’m grateful for; I do it almost every day. There are countless documented benefits of such practices, from reducing depression and anxiety to lowering blood pressure and improving your social bonds, according to brand new research. Also, it just feels good.
I do miss the good old days where things were just as it is. Good enough to be called best days. At times, I feel having wishes will only upset me when I dont get them or things done in the way I wanted it to be! What I'm grateful for right this moment..........?
The good morning wake up - whenever Bee's next to me, I'm half asleep , he would wake me up and at times checks my forehead to see I'm fine or not. I know that can be soooo annoying but I'm grateful that my hubby checks me out first thing in the morning. What a beautiful way to start my day. Just like Bee, my mom checks on time to time on how I am and what I do. Done with lunch/dinner etc.
The yoga asana - thought me to appreciate my body, mind and soul. Each movement thought me on my inner self, realizing what I'm made of, the vedic way of seeing the body beyond the outer self.
Food - I know I grab the quick junkfood, the cup cake when I'm down but hey, pampering myself once a while is a good way satisfying hunger cravings. Moderation is the key!
My prayers - I take a good amount of time reading the vedic slokas ( 20 mins ) at least on special days , I'm grateful for that. My ability to connect god in my mind and heart gives me the strength to overcome the toughest hurdle which at times is my weakest point too.
My body - at times I'm super light that I could run around doing things but there are days I feel so bloated and dull. Aging ? Err.... it's time to start back my gym once I'm back to the US. Right now, I appreciate my mood which let me write this down!
2013 , I'm going to change my approach. Instead of pointing out things that I like, I'm going to focus on what I'd like to have in my life. Now or later !
After all the big hoohaas about the world coming to an end (the Mayan calendar), well, we're still surviving with lots of things happening in our interesting, unpredictable life !
The 12.12.12 made really interesting news on our national newspapers about weddings and registration of marriage ( R.o.M ). Yes, one of my cousin sister got registered to her beau. The Home Ministry's Dept @ Jalan Duta was too crowded, and guess what.......... after a span of 6 years met one of good friend who was there for his brother's 12.12.12. R.o.M.
The crowd!!
Sweet roses.
The couple is supposed to be registered @ 2pm but due to the crowd, the ceremony got extended to 4.20pm ! Well, I totally miss Bee for not being able to attend!
5 pm and we had our lunch-a din @ Naga's Brickfields. Overall, a day to remember !
Baba's blessing is all you want during the good and bad times. For your eyes only , took this picture at Sai Baba temple, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. Snapped this pic few weeks ago and it's a must to share!
Never knew the beautiful Lord Shiva temple in Pandan Jaya. It was such a blessing to carry the paal kudam i.e. milk pot. Strangely, it was a freaking hot day. Thank god boy drove us to Cheras. We first stopped at Durga temple and then proceeded walking up to Sri Lingeshwara. We missed Bee so much that I cried out inside cos I missed you like <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<( *^* )>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>. Felt happy that mom, Pma and I was given the 108 shanku tray for abishegam. Sad, I couldnt take pics , my arms were shaking up in pain, it was a heavy tray. Anything for Prabhakaralingam !
One of the most greatest thing being a human being is understanding hearts, appreciating and counting on our blessings and returning the thanks in some other form. I have always thought how the world is still surviving in the midst of evil doings. Evil, no I'm not speaking about the departed souls but the living evil doers. Perhaps, the existence of good people is still balancing out the bad. Do you guys follow the Operation Hope ?? There's something I really want to share.
Operation HOPE is the private banker for the working poor, the underclass and the struggling middle class.HOPE is America's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment.
I'm going to share the story about a boy called Okkhoy.This is the story of a boy who not only survived, but is now the key witness in a trial that has forced Bangladesh to confront the cruel but overlooked practice of forced begging.It is also the story of strangers, half a world away, who set out to show the boy that good exists in equal measure as evil -- and who set off a chain reaction of kindness to make him whole again.
Mutilated by gang who set out to maim him so he'd earn more as a beggar. The story of this 7 year old boy is too common in Bangladesh and India.
Four men had surrounded the 7-year-old boy, bound his hands and feet and cracked open his head with a brick. They held him down and took a switchblade to his throat. They sliced his chest and belly in an upside down cross and in a final brutal act, they hacked him sideways, chopping off his penis and his right testicle.
I had tears watching this boy talking in CNN's Operation Hope. It's a sad fact that no amount of humanitarian aid will prevent this type of crime from happening. It will take an extended and massive "police action" by military forces. Eradicate hunger campaigns and the like, are all warm and fuzzy but have proven to be very inefficient and ineffective. All we can do is pray for victims like this boy faraway and I truly wish that I could contribute something direct or indirectly for a worthy cause, drawing a smile on someone's face. I can feel their hearts. By the way, the accused (scums that cannot even be compared to animals! ) are set free on bail by the Bangladeshi judicial system.
In midst of this absolute horror and evil from one human towards another there is the equally gripping warmth and compassion of the total opposite. Maybe all is not lost when the the actions of the heartless can be mended by those who ask for nothing in return. I believe that the world is surviving with the help of god in the form of human beings. Thank you to the doctors who've treated this boy with great hearts! I smiled when this boy said he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up so that he could treat poor people like him! I pray the almighty god gives strength and speedy recovery for this little child.
I can't believe I made it to Ramalingeshwara temple today for Kala Ashtami. Had good darshan and gave our lil L too :) Well, well............... missing someone you love is very painful. People say love is beautiful, love is torture cos you end up losing your mind and heart thinking of someone faraway. I love you, come home soon. I was always judged by all, loved by two. :)
Well , the title in itself speaks that being a daughter in law is the toughest role as constantly the daughter in law will be compared to own daughter.
The rule is simple , if you treat your in laws as your own parents, then it is all easy after. However this rule does not work with everyone , sadly ! I have come across real nice daughters in law who have monsters as their mother in law and vice versa.
I just cant stand ladies who keep on complaining about their mother and father in law. Give it a break darling , they are not going to live or stick with you for the next 50 years of their life. I do understand that being a daughter in law in India is a challenge because the war between the in laws existed centuries ago. This will never end because in laws do see the difference between their own daughter and daughter in law.
I feel so sorry for girls who suffer in silence , who don't even speak against their in laws but they are being punished for things they don't deserve. Well , sometimes you can take it as no point talking to people who cant think good or appreciate you. It's good to move on with your lives.
Why the in laws relationship gets all same and strained in Indian families ? Lack of respect - mother in law don't respect the rights of a daughter in law and daughter in law sees mother in law as an unwanted person.
These drama episodes never end unless we give importance for what we want in our lives. It's good to be balanced and least expect to get treated well by in laws. Poor guys, it's the husbands suffer most when they are answerable to their parents and wife. The family and world would be a better place if we stop envying or dominating each other.
It was a total, last minute unplanned visit to Ganesha temple......... I never knew the surprise awaiting for us :) Astro vanavil recording on Tirukarthikai Deepam. Mom was asked to explain the reason behind tirukarthikai and yes, we will be featured in the tv. I'm so proud of my mom. All I ask God is to bless her with great health , happiness and peace. I felt happy to be in KL this year, for a change after all that routine US style. Can't wait to visit Tiruvannamalai again!! Bala Murugan looked beautiful. I will certainly miss my Malaysian life terribly when I return back to US!
This year's been full of dynamics , challenging and yes for all those who said world is going to end in 2012.......we're almost bidding good bye to November. Today went on fine except that we ran to catch the Skybus to LCCT. It's only few hours and I'm already missing you :(
It's gonna be our thala deepavali teeheee.... but not by years ! Brickfields is a wrong planning by a group of wrong people ! From where did such crowd turned up ? Okay , as usual we had our very last minute shopping , glad that we bought good stuffs and watching the fireworks was a lot fun ! Murukku muchings and pleasant evening spent visiting Ramalingeswara temple. Deepavali this year was the best compared to last 4 years back in US. Ended up playing firecrackers with the neighbour kids :)
Bee's back in KL, as usual the midnight flight is very tiring. It was almost 2.30 am by the time I picked up Bee from Sentral and we had to rush to the embassy row again by 9 am ! Certainly a date to remember to lifetime , beautiful morning seeing our Ganesha and then by 10.30 am we had our flight booked......oh must I say the Austin Chase coffee @ The Intermark was the stress relieving tonic !
Jealousy is simply and clearly the fear that you do not have value. Jealousy
scans for evidence to prove the point - that others will be preferred and
rewarded more than you. There is only one alternative - self-value. If you
cannot love yourself, you will not believe that you are loved. You will always
think it's a mistake or luck. Take your eyes off others and turn the scanner
within. Find the seeds of your jealousy, clear the old voices and experiences.
Put all the energy into building your personal and emotional security. Then you
will be the one others envy, and you can remember the pain and reach out to
them. ~Jennifer James
It's such a blessing to meet the famous Pandhanallur guru Smt.Indira Rajan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An amazing experience, dance is like an ocean, the more we learn , we feel so little as there's a lot to be explored. Truly an eye opening night at the Global Indian School, Brickfields.
We had lots of fun with one to one talk and there's really so much for me to learn. I have no idea how I can accomplish this but definitely will try!
My bum's glued to the tv, just like any other person , the world is watching debate of the year. Yes, it's Obama - Romney talk time! I fell off laughing and I seriously think that Romney's fans are paid!
I'm concerned the direction that America has been taking in the last 4 years.What kind of America do you want? Romney does not have a clue about middle class or poor Americans. So, how can he make a change? We've seen an engineer who lost his job,foreclosed his home and currently working as a cook in a restaurant. Romney should stop joking, you've not seen the painful winter scene of a beautiful 5 year old child in front of Macy's door - selling chocolates for a $1 from Walmart to feed her family!
We need a change. Yes, I do understand the shout out on the immigrants in the US, just like the brain drain happened in the past and it's still happening. Wake up America, the economy is at an alarming rate.
I totally agree with Barbara Boxer's status update in FB - Mitt Romney wants to go back to the future, offering America the same old disastrous trickle-down path that we cannot afford to take again !
Now, this is what I call a leader !
There has been a serious brain drain from Malaysia. Major pull factors have included better career opportunities abroad and compensation while major push factors included corruption, social inequality, and educational opportunities, and the government's Bumiputeraaffirmative action policies. As of 2011, Bernama has reported that there are a million talented Malaysians working overseas.Recently the brain drain has increased in pace: 305,000 Malaysians migrated overseas between March 2008 and August 2009 compared to 140,000 in 2007. Non-Bumiputeras particularly Malaysian Indian and Malaysian Chinese were over-represented in these statistics. Popular destinations included Singapore, Australia, the USA and the UK. This has caused Malaysia's economic growth rate to fall to an average of 4.6% per annum in the 2000s compared to 7.2% in the 1990s. A huge country like the United States require real talents. You need to have a better system to keep the right people. How Romney is going to justify the increased crime rates of illegal immigrants and assylum seekers in the country ? Do you think you make a fairer system but slashing out talented and skilled people out of America ? Raise your standards in immigration, set a qualification test to see the standard of your tax payers. It's totally unfair to neck out people out who've been paying higher taxes and made direct contribution to the SSN. America should abolish their H1 visa rules , stop the lottery system. Fake H1's and fake experience people should be sent out. Dont throw your jobs offshore to pay less salary, stop cutting cost on education, without education where is the future going ???HMO's are killing people by rejecting the sick ones. Oh............I've been there , paid $2000 for a wisdom tooth extraction, imagine the middle class or poor Americans. Speak out for them, speak out for genuine immigrants and rights of women. Unless things are done, all the debate points will only remain as mere words.Talents play important roles in helping a country develop. The economy of a country that has a large number of world-class scientists and technicians can be more innovative than the others that don't.The more serious thing to happen is the brain waste! I've seen many IT guys from India who got their work permit end up working in the UK's postal departments!!! Not having a proper check and balance and a loop in the immigration system is not the fault of people. Today the UK wanted to neck out immigrants is ridiculous thing to do! Why did they allow the railway workers to settle down in the UK circa 1970's itself ?? You should have send them back then. Why do the government UKBA grants every fraud person to step in as a student through bogus colleges ? See..... people committed crime because you gave them the space to do so! Fortunately, my vote will go in the 47% of Barack Obama. Dear President, we want a better place and better life to live. We need a better America. Go Obama !!!
Stomach flu isn't fun. Can't really remember what really went wrong in my food intake last night but for sure I'm not going to sit and let my mind go blank! Something to think of, I'm already feeling better mentally! :)
When I think of the word "Yoga" , I could only visualize my MIND and BODY. Yoga is an ancient Indian art of well being derived from Yoga Sutra ( Patanjali ). Yoga is a form of mind, body and spiritual discipline. Many people tend to think that yoga is a form of meditation, yes, in my opinion I believe my body and mind need to meditate to combat daily stress and keep me focused.
The joy of yoga is undescribable. One should experience the positive side and feel the flow of oxygen in our blood streams. I just love the simple yoga stretches which helps to strengthen the entire body. After all , we certainly want to rejuvenate our body doing wanted and unwanted chores in our daily life meeting all sorts of people!
I had the chance of re-starting my yoga routine after a couple of years of break in the US. I know I'm not good in managing my time back in US but I'm still going to try out how to manage my time and being well. I guess I'm lucky to talk to my yoga guru and I came to know about the yoga theraphy for cancer patients and survivors. The yoga theraphy also helps to stimulate the anti-cancer immune functions.
You can pass on the secrets of yoga theraphy to your loved ones and anyone who are called the warriors of life.
1. Alternative nostril breathing. Sit in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and be aware of breath flowing through your nostrils. Place your right index and middle finger at the eyebrow centre. Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril. Close your left nostril with your ring finger , release your thumb now and exhale through your right nostril Vice versa, repeat this upto 4 times on each side. Not only that this helps to prevent sinus congestions but this pranayama definitely helps to balance your mind and soothe anxiety.
2. Ardha chakrasana.This is called the half moon pose. This is done standing straight with feets slightly apart. Bend the body behind making it a perfect C - curve.
3. Pada Hastasana. Standing and bending forward knees.
4. Shashankasana. Shashank in itself is made up of two words, ‘shash’ meaning ‘hare’ and ‘ank’ meaning ‘lap’. The Shashankasana Pose is said to benefit the practitioner by helping in calming the nerves and providing a feeling of tranquility.
5. Ushtrasana. The camel pose - kneeling position where hands are taken on heels. One of the best asana for asthma patients.
6. Vajrasana. Sitting position with knees bent and palms on thighs , mainly the pranayama position.
Precaution
The people having
stiff joints and whose movements have become difficult, should practice this
Asana with a lot of care. Such persons should practice this Asana after getting
the joints free and relaxed. If you have any doubts, consult your gp for clarity especially if you have low or high blood pressure, heart problems and asthma.
I got up so early , last night I slept off when the clock ticked off 3 am. I was exhausted after the shopping @ Little India. Speak about the crowd, I truly miss my childhood place , the people and the decent environment. Cissy helped me to carry the stuffs and by 10 pm we've reached home. Somehow I had the energy to clean up the altar and sort things out.
My second Ganesha
Today morning was quite challenging as cooking naivedhyams took all my time. By 10.35 am I started Ganesha and completed my 2nd Mangala Gauri vratham. I was just tired by noon.
The day's gonna be super hectic later as mom , boy , Sheg mams and myself went to Masjid India :) Within half and hour boy dropped us off home and rushed for an interview By the time I came home, my first Ganesha wasn't in the right shape :( No, I'm going to make another one. The white Ganesha , everyone at home just loved him as he looked more of Bala Ganapathi.
Our head priest Ganesh on chariot, he missed Bee as he wanted Bee to sit on this chariot, Bee you've missed your golden chance! Hope we fulfill this another time soon.
My astonishingly beautiful Pillaiyar.
The evening scenario was - yes, he was offered job in Astro and then Neelacca came, I successfully gave the planned tamboolams and everyone including mom went to Ganesha temple.The final one, okay I am going to temple ( 9 ish then )....... I gave Sarada's mom! Temple was so crowded and I received a cute yellow garland. Karpaga Pillayar looked astonishingly beautiful, grand. I cant stop admiring his beauty. Since the chariot left at 7.30 pm, I walked all by myself to meet mom at MGS school junction. To my surprise I met my schoolmate Kumoo family, Moorthy aunty and the whole bunch of known faces. We were too tired then. By 11.30 we came home and gosh...........I could feel my bones. End of the day, I'm happy that my vratham completed successfully....the joy of seeing Ganesha in KL, that's like after 5 years....the last chathurthi in 2006 , the day I stepped out of home recovering the viral fever, only to see Ganesha:)
The day is over, here I am writing up reminiscing good old memories of growing pains in Kuala Lumpur , the bitter sweet memories and the glorious days. I first danced at Pillaiyar temple when I was 5 ! We still have the right of first kids of the temple! Bee just passed on a good news from Phoenix, Az.....:)) Well, lot more good things I'm awaiting for, the recent one is the farewell party of a green monster and yes, I will be bidding her a safe good bye! Thank you Pillaiyar, you've printed a bag of memories this year. Bless us for successful years ahead. Happy Birthday Ganapathi!!!
This is another awesome, divine temple of Ambaa Mookambiga. I've always wanted to take Bee to this temple and today is the day after 5 years of wait. It was a last minute decision to just visit the temple and do some shopping in Carrefour.
I could only remember the day I made abishegam for ambaal on October 31 , 2003 and the day I spent at Kollur Mookambiga temple. The land of Adi Shankaracharya and the power felt within, I still get goosebumps!
It's Pradosham today, as usual we're just busy with the local stuff here and to my surprise finally......................received a reply from Neil Phillips, oh thank you God, I was eagerly looking forward his e-mail :) Almost 5 ish when I checked my mail. Bee and I went to Ramalingeshwara temple in Bangsar, guess what........... after 9 years I met MK in the temple. Just brought back the funny memories of dancing as a kid. As usual , it started to rain and we're caught in temple and forced to complete the artha jama pooja and we came back with lots of vilvams and garlands. Okay then...what about dinner ???
Bangsar ! The parking was horrible and my Bee made me wait 15 mins before he circumbulated the Bangsar village. Oh...my what a day! We ended up having good dinner at Devi's corner. That was like having a dinner @ Devi's after a decade..... fond memories of Boris and Jessica. Those were the days!
Fun night out, Bee was totally stunned by KL City's beauty as he thinks living in KL is like living abroad in western countries. I know exactly how I used to feel a decade ago, right now we no longer have the great feeling as we see a lot........thousands of new faces in the KL City. Of course, the country requires foreign work force and labourers as part of the human resources but with this has also contributed towards social illness and threats in our country. I truly hope that Malaysia remained as how it was 20 years ago. Oh....what fun ! Childhood memories playing near Dayabumi, the happiness we had going to McDonalds just to purchase the toys :)) The good ol' days!
I just remembered how much I used to think of working in the Sultan Abdul Samad building (former center of colonial administration - High Court of Malaysia) The passion I had towards practising law.......! I have never imagined that I would be married and living in the United States. Today I cannot believe that once upon a time my favourite place in KL is no longer the place of justice. Putrajaya stole the entire KL beauty, memories and the rest are history!
Petronas Twin Towers
Driving up to KLCC where a decade ago the hang out place was so popular for us. My besties and I used to sit in Dome and by the lake....:) I still remember the day Bee bought me a delicious waffle cuppa Haagen Dazs back in 2007. Kuala Lumpur holds a lot of bitter sweet memories......something I would cherish and share it with my kids! Can you imagine the happiness you tell your kids "this is where momma studied" :)))
We ended up having good dinner at the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Bhavan, Leboh Ampang before proceeding to KLCC. We had quite a bit of fun snapping pics around and it started raining at 11pm. Time to drive back home and the challenge was not knowing the way back, somehow I managed driving around the Bukit Bintang and Maharajalela Road. Phewwwww.........what a night to remember !!
Driving to PJ, snapped this when boy drove us to the hospital.
The current KL Sentral, totally new look in my eyes....the crowd I mean!
It's been a long time we've postponed the eye check up for Amma. This time because Bee pushed, we decided to get her checked asap. The cab is freaking costly in the traffic jam. We had fun returning home in the LRT as we got down in the KL Sentral and had lunch at Gopala's - with my gaura tau foo.Fingers crossed, hope all's well!
Batu Caves revisited after a decade.It was an amazing experience to see how things have changed over the last 10 years. I remembered how we used to keep awake and walk along the chariot procession and the pain of the heat in February. The new temples and the golden Murugan statue is a total brilliant idea on enhancing the beauty of the caves and the divine temple.
We had a great walking trip as the KTM komuter costed only RM1 to go to Batu Caves from KL Sentral and another RM2 to return back home. Bee was amazed looking at the trains in Malaysia and the super clean seats. Of course , I enjoyed my McD's sundae cup on our way to the temple.
We first saw the Hanuman statue. Figured this way that way out to get photographed :P , the Venkatachalapathi temple was BEAUTIFULLY built and the weather was just kind enough to let us walk around without disturbances.
Seeing Murugan on tophill is no easy task as we had to climb the stairs and encounter little monkeys who were super human friendly. We minute I completed the stairs on tophill , I was speechless to see Murugan again. It was my dream of 5 years to show Bee the magical temple.
We had good darshan and kind blessings from the priest. We returned back home by 10pm. Zzzz....totally got strained but the happiness - PRICELESS!
That's almost 100 days, the longest ever duration being faraway, finally Bee's back to KL. It's been a hectic week and getting ready to fetch him by 3am at KL Sentral is no easy job.
Next time you go to boil some rice, you might want to think twice before you toss it! Rice is rich in minerals and vitamins that make it fantastic for cleansing the skin and hair!
It not only makes skin radiant, but also helps add tremendous shine to hair! No wonder all those women in Asia have such gorgeous shiny hair (ok, it might also be in their DNA)!
All you have to do is boil some rice (I recommend using distilled water and organic rice (or pesticide-free rice) and just boil until rice is cooked! Then remove the water and store in a jar! Once cooled, use as a rinse after you wash your hair, or as a toner on your skin for GORGEOUS shiny hair and beautiful glowing skin!
This is grandma recipe followed in some parts of India , specifically by the South Indians.
The best thing about writing a diary is to keep your heart and mind healthy ! I find myself to be more organized when I had my diary with me. I so miss those days :)
I grew up watching Keeping Up Appearances , Mr.Bean on my Brit blood side :) The evergreen 80's kids can never forget the era where we've started getting Americanised in Malaysia. I'm talking about "The Mission Impossible" , "The A Team" , "McGyver" , "The FullHouse" and the ever famous "Beverly Hills 90210". I had huge crush on Brandon ( Jason Priestly ) then *sigh*.
Do you guys remember "The Growing Pains" ? How I wish I could turn back the clock and go back to my childhood! Ugggh..... I cant believe I've always wanted to grow up when I was young......what the........... was I thinking ?
After all these series of Americano.... as a teenager I was so hooked to FRIENDS :) Who will not love David Schwimmer *screams*. Those were the days I say!
Uncle Onslow in gray suit and Lady Bucket in the pink hat :)
Uncle Onslow ( Geoffrey Hughes) is such an awesome guy......... I've just remembered the bitter sweet memories of London life back in 2004/2005. I was back to my childhood routine of watching him in Keeping Up Appearances. The Buckets never fail to make us laugh bursting out our lungs!
Certainly the world is going to miss you. RIP Geoffrey Hughes.
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation...…a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen................. – Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Came across the simplicity of this statement.Typically.......I just want to extend this !
This year I am blessed with a chance of performing the Varalakshmi Vratham at my mom's place ( July 27th 2012 ). Total marathon of running around the KL and Brickfields , I should thank my Bee for gifting me with a precious piece of long garland :) You know what I mean and yes , we took great effort to decorate ambaal in our altar. Overall, I wouldn't say it's a grand day but we managed completing the pooja traditionally, that what matters above all! Thanks to Amma for being there and guiding me.Here , some feast to the eye!
No one can deny that we're living in a fast moving life where image plays an important role. Women of today is faced with challenges of handling too many things at once Human beings, we're all different and unique as god's creation.
As we've completed the first decade of this millenium, being an Asian (that too of Indian ancestry) SKIN colour is of the "main" attraction people see in the society. Well, this conception existed centuries ago. Light skinned ladies are seen as beautiful people.
Indians Asians are very much obsessed with the skin colour and fairness creams. 10 years ago when I was the bride's maid of a relative, I wore an electric blue saree (which my mom chose and she think's I look good in it! ), the story started when the guests at the wedding started complementing me saying that they were not able to differentiate the bride and the bride's maid because we looked equally good. One of my aunt commented saying that I'm brown and the bride is light skinned :)
15 years ago ( I was in school then ) I played hockey and netball for the school team. Well, I'm naturally born brown and I get tanned and dark very easily exposing myself to the sun. We never bothered about sunscreens and facials. My grandma used to comment on saying that I'm dark and I dont care about my skin. I overheard her conversation with my aunt "dont she know girls should not be long under the sun, these days it's tough to get groom for light skinned girls and she's dark".
It wasn’t the first time I'm forced to listen to comments about my skin , the topic has come up in my extended family several times, usually in relation to beauty, marriage, and the tan I get each time I step out for game. But their exchange also served as a reminder that, despite the backlash in progressive Indian circles, the color of someone’s skin continues to be an age-old point of contention dating back at least to British colonization, and perhaps even to ancient times.
I'm lucky that I've come across many open minded people and like I've mentioned in my earlier write ups, I've been showered in complements. I still remember the day I was out with Bee to the Japanese Garden in San Francisco. My darling Bee does all sorts of comical stuff trying to snap my pic, I was smiling out from ear to ear and a passer by walked in to say that I'm beautiful :D Well, I believe Bee's quite used to this scenario in the restaurants, shopping malls and at places of interest. My point is, not to speak that I receive complements but the point that we all hang on beauty matter.
Beauty is skin deep. We must be thankful that God blessed us with a capability to lead our lives. Just see a girl who is deaf and dumb, see a boy who cant walk on his own. See a family in America hit by economy crisis and jobless. See the hunger of helpless kids in Somalia. Have you seen the suffering of a cancer patient on the bed on death ? My heart goes out for all of them.
The outrage in Indian social media reached it's peak - FAIR & LOVELY the reigning fairness cream and Indian ad campaigns that try to dispel the myth that the most beautiful women from the subcontinent are the ones who could pass as Westerners.
But then, our obsession with skin color in the U.S. is equally alive, just in the opposite direction. The indoor tanning industry worth billions, surpassing that of China and India combined, and about 70 percent of young and middle-aged Caucasian women use products to make their skin darker. One of my close friend is willing to take the pain of burns to get her sexy tanned look ! For Americans, a tan is associated with being healthy and athletic; the need to have some “color” in your cheeks, arms, or cleavage has become the norm. In a way, it’s comparing apples to oranges—the social implications of fairness cream in India can be vastly different than tanning in the U.S. But the truth is, such distinctions don't amount to much when people's health and positive self-image in both countries are under threat.
I'm just shocked to see an Indian ad, Clean and Dry Intimate Wash to lighten up the private parts ! How ridiculous is that ? I'm just speechless as this looked like a real comedy stuff to me as I've seen the good and the bad side of India. Instead of improving on life aspects , the social media is manipulating the people to make billions in the cosmetic industry. I just wonder what Mahatma Gandhi thought when he stood by his principles to form India !!
The experience I've gained meeting desi ladies in the US, they'd always bragged about how California changed their rosy complexion to brown :)) Skin colour was the first thing run in their mind to look good. What can I say, the place and culture we grew up certainly influence and makes part of our personality. This inferiority complex or always nagging about self image is a kind of illness. The thing would constantly hit their mind and make them depressed. It's ridiculous how Freda Pinto was pointed out to be very dark to represent an Indian beauty :)
People, because they think and they have memory, are born to discrimnate for one reaason or another. It's not only lack of beauty, it could be race, religion, intelligence, sexual preference, caste, or whatever. If everyone on earth were of same heritage or looked beautiful, we would invent preferences to differentiate one another. While we try to eradicate discrimination for all reasons, we should keep in mind, it's human nature.
We can never change people's thinking but we can choose what we want to be and how we want to be happy. I'm thankful for what I am today and yes, I'm dark and I'm loving it! Here's the lovely Anu Hasan speaking for the rest of brown beauties!
I grew up in this place. I've gained my very first education here , only if I could turn the clock as I carry many beautiful and funny memories as a child. Buddhist Maha Vihara is a special place as I ended up teaching in the school where I studied :)
I've always wanted to show Bee this place, we never found the right time and I must say this that April 30, 2012...........we had an awesome night walking inside this temple. Of course, the structure and facilities have changed over the time but I could clearly remember the lotus fountain and the chikku tree spot (it's no longer there,the tree was removed almost 20 years ago I guess).
The main temple.
The main entrance lotus fountain....we made a wish and threw coins in it!!
Inside temple.
The lamp lighting!
We'd received blessings from the Reverend (Buddhist monk) and I'm happy that Bee felt the place is divine.
