Healthhabits

http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/
I came across this blog that I felt had a realistic approach to weight loss instead of all those fad diets I see people around me enroll for.

Like these :

http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/4-steps-to-developing-health-habits/

http://healthhabits.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/exercise-how-much-is-enough/

Poetry Wednesday - From a Distance

Checking my appearance
Tying imagined Double knots
Around my skippity heart.
Breath steady,  now ready,
With a clop of the heels
I walk past you
Thinking “no thoughts”
As we work Side by side
Like Ants in a Bivouc,
Each day,  knowing theres
Nothing you could do
Even if you knew of
The skipped heartbeats.

We lunch together
As collegues do
Sitting at the table
With those others
Smiling, as we pass the salt
Completely unaware are you
Of the control I exercise
To not reach for your hand
Of the calories spent
Trying not to think of you
The nights spent
In imagined if only’s
Wishing, I didnt wish for you.

I stack the files on your table,
Indicating what needs doing.
Pulling a veil over my eyes,
Hoping to hear my name,
Just so, I have a few more moments,
In your presence.
The moment passes,
With the clop of my heels.
Straightening my back,
With seeming dignity,
I walk through the door,
Doing the only thing I can do,
Love you from afar.

Saunter through to Sans Souci's Poetry Wednesday Tour

Entry for July 29th 2008

Random Rambling - Feminism, terrorism, annoyances etc.

There are some people or situations in life that make me regress into my past.    I studied in an All Girls College.  Most Girls were from very traditional families. Most there for their ticket to marriage.  The Bridegroom market was filled with demanding Men, they want a girl with a degree so that she could work to bring in the extra income, so you had to  make yourself saleable(yeah I am cynical). Its not an unreasonable demand, you could either ask for an unreasonable amount of dowry(no, I am not saying every Man asks for it.. but its a prevailing pattern in our society) where the materials gained would become old fashioned in a decade or you could have a working woman which will bring in a steady trickle of money that will move with the ebb and flow of inflation and never be outdated.

We had a very strict Lecturer for Botany, she was a kind but very Firm teacher, knew her subject well, and she knew her job well, she wouldnt tolerate nonsense from her students.  Submitted work had to be of impeccable quality else we will end up redoing or losing marks. Once after a test, she was really disappointed with the overall performance of our class and she let us know. We got a Verbal Lashing from her. She didnt pick anyone in particular, for which I was glad.  She didnt say anything that wasnt the truth for which I am thankful but(yes, there's always a but in my thoughts) I couldnt agree with her thoughts completely at that time.  I never voiced my opinion for such things werent Done in my time.

She said that we were such a blessed group of girls to have the opportunity to go to college. That we ought to be grateful to our parents for it.  She felt that most of us were there to "pass time" till we get married, that we were wasting the opportunity someone more interested in a career would want.  The competition for a seat in the college was really high.  That in a world where women had to fight for equal rights within careers and families, we were the women who brought their work to naught. That if all we intended was to get married and become mothers, we didnt need to get to college for that.  I agreed with most of her statements but I couldnt agree with the concept of feminism or that getting married and having kids means we dont need an education. I felt even if the girls there didnt make careers out of the subject, having an educated Mother was a blessing for the future generations. For it is a Mother who is a child's first teacher.  I felt any "Ism"  taken to an extreme would bring results that arent conducive to growth, its like watering a plant too much- the roots will rot.  I felt that while feminism was good to a certain degree it did have the not so desirable repercussions.   That it wasnt so much wanting to be equal with a Man(which will never happen given our biological/emotional make up, we will always remain Complementary never Equal) as it was to have the CHOICE of taking paths which lead to our empowerment,  being able to work in the field of our choosing without being discriminated...Just wearing a trouser doesnt make us equal.  What would make us Equal would be-- same pay-scale  for the same jobs(which still doesnt happen in 3/4th of the worlds workforce), being able to take over each others reproductive functions(which could happen given the leaps in technology  but will remain an oddity)  etc.

Why am I writing this? Cause a while ago I had this conversation - "Are you working?"  Me- "No"  them -"Oh! but dont you think its a waste of your education to not be using it to Work and bring in good money?"  Me - "I suppose."  I didnt want to go into the lengthy explanation/defense/justification of why it doesnt work for me within the bounds of what I want for my family.

Most everything in life has a pattern.   I guess having a pattern makes it easy, to get through our day.  I am fine with most patterns, but there are patterns that make me really annoyed. One of them is the way India deals with terrorism.  There isnt any pro-active system in place to check terrorists inspite of wallowing in the problem for 61 years.

I came back from a vacation to news about a series of Bomb Blasts in Bangalore, the place of my birth and at Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, killing about 45 people and wounding about 161. Ok, this isnt the first time this has happened, its not the first time a minuscule amount is killed(sarcasm intended). Amazing! they dont have an exact count of anything do they, the counts are prefixed with "about".   I was apathetically annoyed as usual, until I read the name of the group that claimed responsibility for the 16 serial blasts in Ahmedabad and 7 in Bangalore called themselves INDIAN Mujahideen. Yes, in this particular instance, I stand in objection, I was appalled at the word "Indian" associated with "Mujahideen".. How can anyone who wants to destroy their own home be part of the same family.. NO WAY!!  If you call yourself Indian then you would work FOR India not Against her.  In a Macro-view when you say you are a particular National then it is same as saying you belong to a particular family, in the micro-view.  Just like how you wouldnt work to destroy your Home and Hearth, you wouldnt want to destroy the building of your Nation with Bomb Blasts aimed at terrorizing the population and destroying what already Stands and works for you. Definitely, there are other ways to get what you want without the mayhem and killing sprees. Call yourselves what ever you wish but DO NOT associate yourselves with the word INDIAN cause what you are doing is totally against the very Idea of Indian.  You arent Indians. You can never grasp the essence of what INDIAN is.   Yes, I do take it upon myself to define what an Indian is for its a privilege I have been bestowed at my birth.   In my definition an Indian most always, is associated with the concept of putting the Nation above religious ties, Live and let Live and of Non-violence.  We wouldnt have had a Working Democracy if it wasnt for those principles. hmm.. did I go overboard with my emotions? 

Yes, I am angry. No, scratch that,  Actually  I am sad, that the place where I was born is being smeared with such nonsense. I fear that its being transformed into something I may not recognize when I go back(I know thats such a selfish wish), that I will  probably become a stranger in my own home.  I have seen it peaceful, calm and hospitable,  as a garden city, as a place for families to live, grow and be happy.  I also feel hopeless, cause I know that terrorism cant be solved unless we as a people take a route that is against our principle of Live and Let Live.  We might in the future, have to stop praising India as a Secular Nation, cause you cant have Secularism when every deed and law within the nation revolves around the religious affiliation of its people, either to appease the Minority for votes or get the money of the majority for the running of the government.  

This is long, will stop for now.

Retreating back to my quiet corner
Rashmi.

The Update

 

Hello dear friends,

Hope you guys have been well.  Will be dropping in on you soon, now that I am back. We made a trip to Disney-world, Anaheim, California. 

The kids had bouts of fun interspersed with bouts of crankiness due to the heat and the Long Lines for most any ride.  I felt my age and wished "oh if only I was a Kid" feeling and then  felt guilty for feeling envious of kids.  All in all it was Fun, tiring fun.   The heat was tolerable but the walking around to activities and standing in long queues to get our turn was tiring.  Every night I slept like a log, totally dead to the world into a dreamless sleep. 

The highlight of the visit- the roller coaster- california screaming, the rafting- in a round raft and hurtling down a steep waterfall,  The bobsled through a cave, the space mountain, which is a roller coaster ride in the darkness hurtling through what feels like Space.  Meeting the Cartoon Characters, errr costumed characters was something the kids enjoyed the most.  The rides would not have the attraction or "thrill" effect if it wasnt for the screaming people and the Special effect music and voices.   It would feel like watching a horror movie with the Mute ON.

There were many first times for the kids.  First time- on a ship, on a raft, on a roller-coaster, on their own in the airplane's toilet, staying in a Hotel(we used to make day trips for the most part), on the Monorail, watching 3 D movies and a Musical. There was a fireworks show every night.  Although it was WOW!! it felt like such indulgence. 

The Most "Happy Event" of the trip for me was meeting a Friend of mine, face to face after 7 years...We met only for about 2 hours yet there was so much catching up to do.  Lordy!! how much we have changed in appearance and attitudes. It was nice to see how we viewed each other and how we are now.  We are no more the typical skinny, impulsive, razor tongued, devil may care attitude- teenagers we were once.. Life does take its toll. *sigh* I missed my youth for a little while.

What did I think of the trip.. Hmmm..1. Total Admiration for the founder who literally started from nothing, he had a vision that he Implemented with much finesse. 2. Missed being on the puter 3. Nice way to make money 4. Missed being able to cook for myself. 5. Nice way to entertain people. 6. Missed talking to the few people I talk over the net. 7. A good place for a change of scene from the usual monotonous everyday grind.  But did I think it was the "Happiest Place on earth"... thats an Emphatic NO!!! Its definitely the Noisiest place, maybe a little less than a factory where lathe machines run but it is NOISY.  Glad we didn't make this trip 4 years earlier, it would have been a waste of money to have gone there with kids in a stroller.. its good for kids between the ages of 6 to 20, the kind that understand the different disney cartoon characters and the fun rides.

That's the Update folks.

Resting from the Vacation, the weirdly tired

Rashmi.

Pictures to Words - Age of Peace

 

With toes that look like peas in a pod

Your little fingers holding strong

Eyes of Innocence dreaming dreams

Your wholeness of being, Glows

Your tiny-ness exudes -

 

Promises of a better tomorrow

Excellence, brought through intentions

Adoration, for all that IS

Celebration, of Life

Existence in its Perfection.

 

You my little one are an embodiment of PEACE.

Picture to Words tour starts here

Poetry Wednesday - Sohrab and Rustam

I have read very few stories that moved me to tears.   The story of Rustam and Sohrab is one of them.  This is from the Shah Nameh written by the Poet Ferdowsi.  

The Shah Nameh is an epic poem of over 60,000 couplets, is based mainly on a prose work of the same name compiled in the poet's earlier life in his native Tus. This prose Shahnameh was in turn and for the most part the translation of a Pahlavi work, a compilation of the history of the kings and heroes of Iran from mythical times down to the reign of Khosrau II (590-628), but it also contains additional material continuing the story to the overthrow of the Sassanids by the Arabs in the middle of the 7th century. The first to undertake the versification of this chronicle of pre-Islamic and legendary Persia was Daqīqī-e Balkhī, a poet at the court of the Samanids, who came to a violent end after completing only 1000 verses. These verses, which deal with the rise of the prophet Zoroaster, were afterward incorporated by Ferdowsi, with due acknowledgments, in his own poem.

The Shahnameh itself was written in Pahlavi Persian, which at the time was losing importance. Persia during the time of Ferdowsi was making way for Islamic assimilation and Arabic.  Prior to Islam, Iranians followed the religion of Zorastrainism and spoke Pehlavi, which is said to be similar to present day Farsi- the language of the People of Iran. Persia during his time included all of present day Iran, Parts of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, parts of Pakistan, India and China.

Source : Wikipedia, Sacred-texts.com 

This is my redition of the story.  I did take some liberties with respect to how Tehminah would have felt or behaved and did omit some parts of the story for brevity.  Nothing to beat the Master Ferdowsi, its just an attempt at using my lazy brain cells.  This is a little too long. I had to condense some 1,000 or so couplets into this. No, I dont know Pehlvi, I depend on the trusty translated versions. Have fun reading.

The Horse-napping

Along the forests bordering Turan
And the lands of Samengan
Hunted Rustom, the Hero of Iran.
Sated with the hunt,
He lay down to rest
Tethered nearby
His beloved horse Rakush.
Upon this scene
Came the seven knights of Turan
They saw the Magnificient Being,
Ears upright, shining Mane, snorting
As they stealthily approached
"What use is a horse to a sleeping man?
We could use  it to unburden our tired limbs."

Rustom awoke alone,
Fury building like lightening
A hero without a horse?
What an Indignity.
Hoofmarks lead him to Samengan
The King of Samengan welcomes the Hero
Promising to find his horse,
Until then - "My Palace is your home"
At the Palace,
Princess Tahmineh's joy is unbound
The Love of her life is within her reach.

The Wedding

The Bold Tahmineh prepares to meet her love.
Confident was she of her womanhood
Luxuriating in a warm asses milk.
Her handmaids wash her long flowing hair
Bathed in waters, petaled of rose and jasmine.
Smoking Frankincense and Myrrh
Gently dry her tender skin.
Her hair half braided,
Gently sway across her hips
She slips delicately,
Into a Gown of  fine Muslin.
Eyes darkened with Kohl,
Peep through her see through veil.
With the musky scent surrounding her
She was the Siren, No man could deny.

She walks into his bedchamber unannounced
Rustom awakens, Lightfooted as she was,
Wonders if he is dreaming, then he hears her voice
"I am Tehmineh, the daughter of the King of Samengan
I have Loved you all my short life, I would be much obliged
If you could grant me one wish - to be your wife."
Rustom though smitten by her boldness, her beauty
Was an honourable man, he bid her go back to her chambers
Until he obtained her hand in marriage.
The Next morning, the King of Samengan was the Happiest Man
When Rustam asked for Tehmineh's hand
Without much ado, they were married.
Happy were the Lovebirds for a week or two.

One morning, Rakush was found
Happy was Rustam, to see his long lost friend
Soon, he missed Zabulistan
The warrior's restlessness came over him
That evening, after passion spent
He removed his amulet from his arm
Handing it to Tehmineh he said
"Use this to clasp the hair, should we have a girl
Use it as an amulet, should we have a boy, Always
Either way, it will protect them from the ways of Ahriman"
Then he bid farewell to a tearful Tehmineh and  went his way.

Sohrab's birth

Nine Moons passed
From Tehmineh's womb
Came forth Sohrab, the shining one
A spitting image of his father Rustam
Joy became sadness as Tehmineh pondered
Should Rustam know about Sohrab,
He would want to take him to Zabulistan
So she sends word to Rustam
"A beautiful Daughter you have"
Incognito, Sohrab grows into a Man
Becoming a Warrior par exellence
He asks his mother who his father is
Tehmineh, knowing that dreaded time has come
Tells him of his father, the Hero of Iran, Rustam.
Sohrab swells with pride with the knowledge
Decides that Iran should have a new king- Rustam
So he gathers his grandfather's army to invade Iran
Hearing this news, Afrasyab the King of Turan,
Twice defeated in battle by Rustam, plots a wily plan
He sends his huge battalion to join Sohrab's army
If Sohrab kills Rustam and defeats the King of Iran
Then Afrasyab could Conquer Iran
If Rustam Kills Sohrab, then Rustam would know of his son
Regret would impose a self-exile on Rustam
Either way, Rustam would be out of Afrasyab's way.

Sohrab's Death

The two side engage in a fierce battle
Sohrab's army overwhelms the Shah's troops
Negotiating, Sohrab sends word of a solution
"Send your greatest hero to duel with me,
The one standing gets Iran"
Unanimously was Rustam selected
For none felt confident to face Sohrab.

In the land between the two armies
Rustam meets his unknown son for the first time
He feels affection flow for this unknown youth
Through the armour the eyes look back
Like a Mirror of Rustam's years gone by
Sohrab Feels Compassion for the old Man
A feeling of familiarity, Is that blood recognizing blood?
He asks "Pray Sir, Who are you? Do tell me the truth, Oh Hero,
My heart would rejoice if you are Rustam"
Rustam quietly thinks- to put fear into the youth's heart
I must make him think that Iran has many more heroes
And replies "I am but a slave, not the great Rustam"
Sohrab was visibly disappointed
Yet readied for combat.
They fought until the day was done
Using every weapon in their arsenal
Yet there was no winner,
So equally matched were they
A truely befitting son of Rustam, Sohrab was.
On the second day
The agreed to wrestle
The first bout, saw Rustam land on the ground
But Sohrab hesitates to plunge his dagger
And Rustam recovers his stand
The second bout commences
Rustam throws Sohrab to the ground
And doesnt hesitate to plunge his dagger in.

Blood flowed from Sohrab's wound
Soaking the earth beneath him
As life ebbed out, he made a request
"Let the armies of Samengan and Turan return
For they fought not to gain Iran
But to help me Hunt the Face of Rustam, My Father"
Rustam feels his feet buckle under him
As he turned to face Sohrab and Says
"Rustam had no son, just a girl"
Sohrab replies "A dying man speaks not untruth"
Rustam asks for proof and sees the Amulet
His grief grew heavy as the universe
"Oh what have I done" He lamented
Holding on to Sohrab like a mad man.
So did fate play its Dirty Trick
What father would wish to kill his son?
Yet the shining one smiled as he left
For he got his wish, he did meet his father.
The one person that meant the world to him.

Rustam sent word to Tehmineh
Upon which she died from grief
Sohrab was buried in Zabulistan
In the land of his Father
So he  might look upon Rustam
Beyond Death's doors.

Poetry Wednesday Tour starts here

Creative Challenge 9 : A moment in Time

Leafing through the Album
Eyes scan the Photos,
Black and white and colour
The  smiles and frowns
The stiff and candid
Cherished memories
Though twas a moment in time.

The whispered nothing
The Cheeks blushing
The shyly held hands
At love's beginning
The coyness in the eye
Cherished youth
Though twas a moment in time.

The silent words mouthed
Behind an elder's back
Beneath the Mango tree
The stolen kisses
At our parents home
Cherished moments
Though twas a moment in time.

The joyful re-union with friends back home
The teasing and affection bestowed
The crash around the bend in the road
Taking you away from me
Twas also a moment in time
Yet, the pain and grief lasted Long
Until, I remembered
All those moments in time
We cherished together
Knowing, you left me
Stronger than I ever was
Now thankful I walk, Holding on
To those precious moments in time.

Waltz through here for Creative Challenge Entries

Happy Independence Day! to all you folks in the USA

While you celebrate freedom, remember to stay safe and have fun.

Remember your ancestors and the Work they did so that you may be here.

Remember also where this country started and how far its come. 

Remember the different people that make up this Nation and their Contributions, even those who werent a class that recieved any honour for it. 

Remember your mistakes so you can learn from them. 

Celebrate your successes with Humility. 

All in all.. Think about How big your Nation is and in its Bigness the things it can do to make our world a better place.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Panchatantra - Tales for kids(and adults)

http://panchatantra.org/

Buddhist Tales - Jataka Stories - Volume 2

http://www.buddhanet.net/bt_conts.htm

Lotus Sutra

http://www.buddhistdoor.com/oldweb/resources/sutras/lotus/sources/contents.htm

Obsession

The light that shines on you
In your blinded hour
The breeze that cools you
On the hottest day
The firmest rock
In your moment of weakness
The comfortable shoulder
That soaks your tears
The person
who makes you smile
The one who warms you
On the coldest night
The chest that holds
The Jewel that you are
Your preciousness
Makes me breathe
So I may Be by your side
Being Obsessed by you
Is my only Obsession.

Pictures to Words - Age of Regret

I am a great-grand-mother, to my own dismay.  I did not think I would live to see 3 generations ahead of me.  Life has been what Life is- a few mountains to climb, clear waters to enjoy the swim, thorns along the way and lots of learning everyday.  I  have been in awe and  in disgust of the changes that have happened during this time.   Yes, times have changed and change is good. 

I look on  in quiet disapproval of the lazy, ungrateful generation. I understand I am past the age of Resistance, yet I wonder if somehow it was an error in our generation to try and make life easy for our kids.  We tried to make them work less and now most shun work and have what they call the "Monday Morning blues".  Shouldn't we be glad for the work?  What would we achieve if all we wanted was Eternal Vacation?  We tried to provide for their "wants" so that they wouldn't feel the disappointment we did when we were kids, but now they have no distinction between a want and a need.   We made sure they had the opportunity in learning to read, write and think so that they live balanced lives but today they think all the time instead of getting things done, they call it "Planning". When we talked of family- it included our parents, siblings, our children and their children, but today these have become "Extended families" each wanting to be "Nuclear". 

I understand I don't have a long walk to the door of death and that I should have no regrets, yet against all my will to be positive, I regret that I have not been able to pass on the wisdom of all the generations until Me. I wish I had done things differently with respect to the kids. Maybe I still have time enough to teach my great-grand-children the virtues of  good speech, of listening more than talking, of appropriate behaviour, of consideration for others around them, of being able to think about  "we and ours" more instead of "I and Mine", of taking care of the earth and of the peace and confidence earned from Hard Work. 

Willing Myself the Power to Make them Listen, I rest in quietude.

The Pictures to Words tour - for more entries.