emotions and feely stuff.

ughhh...where is that cigarette smoke smell coming from? it is a windy day. (20th feb 2012)

(18th and 19th feb)

Driving along a long lonely stretch of road, you see a small bus shade; written on it is “build from the fund of rural development by world bank”. You look at the landscape, yellow, golden and brown. It makes you think, how far reaching the things in this world are? How utterly wonderful. You are somewhere in the rural India and still you have a link, to a place which is a conjunction of the world’s customs and it’s people- you are somehow connected, without any phone or connection, still you are connected to the global consciousness. Do you know that feeling? The feeling of being very small against something very very vast and awesome, something so breathtakingly amazing that, though you have always known it, but it always takes your fancy? Do you know that feeling? It is the same one that you get when you look at the sunrise in the mountains, or the blue ocean, or when you look at the milky way – you know that don’t you?

India= the land of the colourful people.

India= the land of the beautiful people.

Why?

You’d know if you visited!

The deserted stretch of road has again became populated, and maddeningly so , as it is apt to do anywhere in the world at times, than you get out again of that town, there is a small bridge, a lone man is walking , a red cloth trimmed with silver is tied on his head,he holds a pole in his hand, orange, red ,yellow and blue flags trimmed with gold are waving gloriously on it in 4 small triangles ,a small backpack almost invisible on his back. You understand with a glance at him that he is a Hindu pilgrim, walking towards his holy destination.

On the same road, you keep on going, and you see a man, with a dark green turban, black cloths almost touching the ground, falling around him like a huge clock. In his hand there is a pole too, from which a green rectangular flag, matching the turban, is fluttering lustily, the wind is moving the long black beard to- here the small sling bag is almost invisible. Here again, you understand with a glance that he is a Muslim pilgrim going towards his holy destination.

a road trip, or any trip for that matter, is always interesting and full of things to observe,question, ponder and store in your memory.

(22nd feb)

This recent trip to Abu, was rather like a little story of disappointed expectations. not that it was not beautiful there. it was like unfulfilled love- in that sweet torturous way. it tantalised and evoked the memories of their taller cousins, though of course Arravallie mountain range is so ancient, compared to the newly formed Himalayas, I remember calling it "an unfulfilled reminder of the Himalayas" when we drove down from there. the bird watching was tolerably diverse but not so much so as it is in summers, we'd have fared batter if I had insisted on following my instinct of going to  the Gujarat wetlands.regrets? no, I steadfastly refuse to have any! ever!

though, there was a lot to learn from this trip too, and yes there was a pretty "interesting" incident.

I do sound like a constantly cheerful person, though, there are some factors, which, when combined, make me feel definitely in low spirits. Like right now, life has been rather confusing and out of control. When one is unsure of things, one starts assuming, and gives so much of time and energy in that futile exercise that, they give a lot less , creatively,to the world and self. it is not good for me, and can something that leads to this be good for me?

I wonder, oh I wonder a lot these days.

so I have decided, to not wonder any longer, after all, isn't it what good ,strong people should do when they are down? I am just going to assume that everything is going the way it is for the best, that all the intentions of this world are good. I am going to forgive, my self and others,unconditionally, and if need be, for the peace of my mind, I will forget too. Because, down is not where I like to be, and I choose not to be there.

I shall not wish or expect,I will love because I am happy when I give people hope. I am always too open, though, it is not my weakness or vulnerability, because that also means that I am prepared that people may make mistakes, just like I do.And because I am open, I shall always be grateful. this wonderful blessed life is going to be cherished, each moment.

so Bring 'em on,fate. I am alright- because I know you do it for a reason.

these thoughts only assail me when I am alone, of course, no time for all the sorry nonsense when with family,my brother or while working in college- working on homework at home is another thing.

but when it gets too much. I close the computer and go sit with my parrot. it is wonderful how the furry and feathery beings can absorb your mind's negative waves and return them sparkling like stars.they are like sponges.

let me leave ,dwelling on how sad I feel is certainly the recipe for attracting more of it. is it some human wickedness , though? because Mark Twain said (and something I also believe) that we all relish feeling sad and sorry, and our minds are deceptive little creepy things that enjoy weaving stories and extending pain in such a way, that it would give more grief. (now, there is only mild confusion and sadness in my case- do not make a big thing out of it)

I just remembered, that I never used to rely on people to feel happy.(apart from family, even so) as a child, a teen and an "almost" woman- I have always found that books are the most faithful companions, just because they are not humans them selves, but a condensation of human life and emotions.I found my self telling me today, that flowers do smile, and the trees are longing to talk to you from a while- they are my guardian angels, so I shall go today, after reacquainting my self with my other friend, the written word.

and sometimes I think that the internet is a terrible thing- that keeps us away too much from our daily world. I have made another resolve, to mend my ways. no opening computers at night, unless it is for education,home work or writing on my personal projects. I am going back to the basics, pen and paper. letters need to be written with more frequency and I should sketch and write more, and no more than one hour a day on facebook, that darned addiction.

(of course! I know I am human too,so I must, sometime or the other, Have annoyed and disappointed.)

“My heart is warm with the friends I make,
And better friends I'll not be knowing,
Yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take,
No matter where it's going.”

— Edna St. Vincent Millay

 be glad-http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-glad-game.html

not something I consciously do, but it is a nice article.

(25th Feb)

so- the interesting episode in Abu was, that I fell, I fell in the whole glory of falling.it has been some time since I had done that one properly :)

let me describe it for you.

there are tent platforms near the camp site, some 30 cm high, and they are square, of 3X3 Mt or so.they were some 1.8 -2m apart.a perfect spot for long jumping, or so Vidur thought.for the record, He is almost 6' ,while I lug behind at 5'5" or 5'6'' (all those miserable tapes,if one would mark me 5'5'' the other is bound to mark 5'6'',so that I am no longer sure- which is of course odd for an architect-but it is just one of those things),and he is simply too sure of his jumping abilities, as he is pretty athletic(Tae kwon do every day-yeah right),which I can not exactly claim.I am just ok, but I can jump as well as he- I knew I couldn't do this one though,he thought otherwise and punctuated his protests with a few more demonstrations of his own jumping abilities, and he can pretty much persuade me to do mostly anything.I landed safely between the two platforms on my first go, being scared I hadn't even tried. so I got annoyed with my self for being a ninny, and proclaimed,"now, if this scares me,how ever am I to do the bungee jumping some time?" - thus motivated, I went back,took a small run and jumped and closed my eyes briefly, my toes touched the ground only 5 cm away from the edge of the other platform, I had almost made it, yey, I thought, but than my other foot continued on it's journey and we all got tangled and I fell and slid, knocking my toe on the edge- and reaching the other side on my side. woosh,went the air out of my lungs as I was thrown face down,after a horrified moment Vidur dragged me in a sitting position,I was gasping but couldn't breath or speak- he was laughing already and rubbing my back- a none too lady like word escaped my mouth as soon as breathing resumed, I just set there breathing and grunting and than laughing my self. my ribs hurt,I was bruised all over and my toe was beginning to bulge.


It hurt me to laugh for a few days,as even my stomach muscles protested as well as my sides.I didn't have time enough to visit the Bone doctor till yesterday, and it is sprained and the tissues need to be mended and he says the bone is hurt too, so I have a sort of plaster.(I went to him after 5 days of this happening).

meanwhile, I also went to college yesterday- they are going to do salsa for the archifest 2012.the whole class was dancing! I felt so happy seeing them all move together.May be I will put up a video in the future.

oh, did I say a well meaning squirrel held my thumb in it's hands and misguidedly thought it food and bit me? it did seem sorry when I screamed though.:) cute thing.

 this video is from that trip to the nature park.we had fun.
http://youtu.be/AKxOfld8TfY
 (when I sleep on a grievance,It simply vanishes , or if I am tense, I go to sleep, it all become more brighter afterwards,does any one else feel this? Sleepy, always be )

while returning home tomorrow in the bus, a college junior friend told me their class's problem, our new principal (though, he is not only "their" problem) - has taken up calling them all cattle, goats and sheep in particular, and sometimes cows.
I couldn't stop laughing till I rolled on to her her seat -I know it is regrettable, but the way she said it was so funny, "he takes the first lecture,we are fresh out of the bus, where we've been sleeping, -you know our early timings- we don't even get time to wash our faces or get tea, so we just sit there pinching each other while he rants on about modular furniture and he usually finished with naming us one of the cattle, saying we don't have minds that work."

it is downright insulting, while we have not been called cattle, we have been called idiots and things which are similarly insulting, things like this at this level of education are highly regrettable, not to say that this makes us not bother about what they say, after all,who'll listen if you say such things everyday? and where is his dignity? it has come to a point where other professors have to go to him and ask him to not stop the things we are doing for the archi fest.to sooth down his ruffled feathers you know. he finds ample things to be annoyed with,with the help of the big screen on his office show all those cameras- in all the classrooms,corridors and library.

"Architecture Students don't have a social life,they are not supposed to meet any one or attend any social events.you must be working hard enough to make your work presentable,even if you have to forgo your sleep and food, I don't believe you joined this course so that you can sleep at night? nights are for working,we don't have to tell you that after 5 years in architecture,do we? AND Architecture students DON'T fall ill."
right- that is some part of the lecture all we seniors received by our professor yesterday.I am still wondering how a person doesn't fall sick if that person is to follow his instructions?
any how, my jury went rather well. not that they said anything particularly nice,but I was able to reply them all of their odd questions stoutly, and that is enough for me.            

so- which is worse? the above written in blue was a while go. my FB post.

enough of all that, we have been given a farewell party , on this 28th!the cards are hand made and so beautiful, the forth year students are so nice :) while,the dress code is a sari, with a claim that it is the most elegant garment. I do have to get a decent blouse but it will surely be fun. I am going, hurt foot or not. 

http://youtu.be/8SpB8RJxsfg

a few days back,my brother's little friend came in by bedroom,Vidur hot on his heels,where I was reading and said,"Diva didi, I have a surprise for you." well, you couldn't help but be interested than right? so I went, in his home, they made me close my eyes and walked me in their small bedroom, and there sat a smooth pigeon, looking at me. both the boys claimed that it wasn't a good bird as it always dropped faeces when some one picked it up,(this friend found it at his school)- though it didn't do so when I picked it up,which drove the kids to objecting and calling it mischievous and cunning, I just think the poor thing ran out of supplies. so they took another shot at it and positioned it on my head (if you have a younger brother you'd know)- Vidur took his time taking photos of us, but still nothing. lol

 

 I regret to say that the bird died the next day,though it had looked healthy enough to me when I checked, may be some inside injury or a disease? the kids say it had a heart-attack.

images time.

I love men that hug big cats.I'd love to be in his place too!

I believe.

sometimes it is ok not to act as we should.

a collage I made for my amazing girlfriends.

Chillian cherries,red pears,sweet Malaysian tamarind,black plums,figs,gooseberries- I love exotic fruits.Locals too.we had fun buying these,but some were SO expensive.

:)

 

some one new is going to visit,probably,if all goes well.courtesy, my cousin brother-he gave me the news and I am already excited about that.more it is when it happens though.

26th Feb

to add- am also sick today,any how.today I was talking with dad about the custom of hanging photos of deceased people in the house. take for example my great grandmother, well, of course we all knew her and miss her- but I would much rather that a photo of us all together,having fun or just happy, doing something nice, or a photo in which they are looking wonderful, of their youth or atleast good times should be hanged and not a photo of them stationary, sitting in a rather uncertain way,(usually the last photo of the person -while living -is chosen) and adorning it a garland made with paper and wood flowers. I want reform in the way people are remembered through their photographs, hanging them the way we do, is just silly, it is remembering only the bad times,because you instantly associate that photo with the time while you were in deep mourning.(and there are usually no other "family fun" photos in most of the Indian houses) that is not how it should be, I for one would rather that people remembered me in my best time, while I was happy and lively, never mind if old, but with love, surrounded by people that dote on, and no garlands for me thank you, I'd rather fresh flowers for a few days after I was gone to explore the other world, and just fond memories afterwards and the smiles that would undoubtedly blossom on the beloved people's lips as they would accidentally gaze on, on that one wonderful moment captured in time, hanging on their walls.

that is what I shall do too.

dad agreed, but It's going to talk a bit more of my talking to have it changed.

my Aunt gave me the family tree a while back for safekeeping, it is fun to trace back lines down to the year 1310,and back to me and brother and the little cousins. while the first male page is from sometime in the Vedic times (B.C), though one page is missing in between- rendering some years blank.

there is some mention, some where , that us-Kapols- are one of those Phoenician people that descended down here in Gujarat for trade, if it's trade -well than it is still in our jeans, after all- we are the great,big trading race which had powers to make or break a king :) I rather fancy being some how connected like this, in an ancient ,ancient way. who knows,may be this is the reason why I am so very much attracted to Italy.

 The maid is leaving us,and putting in her cousin in her stead, well, it is rather regrettable as we had become rather attached.Her girl is going to be a tailor and she will look after their cows full time now.I will miss us all working together and singing while doing so, such merry people they are. though, my landing the girl books will continue and so will our visiting when something new is cooked. they even understood my quirky ways! while I am not sure what to expect from the new lady, I am sure it will be fine.

ah.....I still had some things to say. I had better kept it till the next time though! this one has gone on long enough.

"How strange and wonderful is our home, our earth, with its swirling vaporous atmosphere, its flowing and frozen liquids, its trembling plants, its creeping, crawling, climbing creatures, the croaking things with wings that hang on rocks and soar through fog, the furry grass, the scaly seas. To see our world as a space traveler might see it, for the first time, through Venusian eyes or Martian antennae, how utterly rich and wild it would seem, how far beyond the power of the craziest, spaced-out, acid-headed imagination, even a god's, even God's, to conjure up from nothing.

Yet some among us have the nerve, the insolence, the brass, the gall to whine about the limitations of our earthbound fate and yearn for some more perfect world beyond the sky. We are none of us good enough for the sweet earth we have, and yet we dream of heaven."
- Edward Abbey
Appalachian Wilderness
(from Whiskey River)

 

this I read in today's paper- nice one and I think I can fully agree (and remember)

 http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/O-zone/entry/why-can-t-a-man-be-more-like-a-man

Request

Hi Dear people,
a little note to remind you- that if you vote on one of the first three options, in reply to my question, you do need to write to me, chances are - we are great friends and you know how to tell me :) (if you just stumbled up on my blog and enjoyed what you read, add comment on this one please)
you see, it is not at all comfortable to not know what some one voted :) I had just presumed that I would know by default the identity of the voter.
happy day every one
love and light
Diva

the year that was.

Dear Reader,
first of all, I want to thank you for being with me during the last year. your taking the time and interest to read my words is greatly appreciated, and the feedback, is , of course, highly valued.

now, let me get down to business.
this post is about the last year, it's events and accomplishments, a summary of my good days and bad and awesome times-but most of all, it is about the things i did for the first time ever, that is the whole point, to count the blessings :). while i do not have a daily journal to remind me, i will try and be right about the sequence, though, it shouldn't matter much.


1) this year Started off with my joining my training with an architect's office. A constructive experience of working life. I am no longer afraid of giving interviews or joining a new work force, having a friendly work place as your first always helps.
(wow it's been a year! since i gave my first interview and started this blog. :) here is a little selfish link to that particular post-http://magicaldiva.blogspot.com/2010/12/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html )

2) it's been more than year since i participated in any kind of census or counting or volunteering :( i am not happy about that.

3) I am happy to report some progress in my knowledge of photography, though , of course, there is so much more to learn still, and always will be. I await the adventures to come, and I can not wait to see what the clicks through out 2012 will be like.i hope to be better.
 ( another link to a wonderful artist's interview- see the video, http://hq.deviantart.com/journal/Cathedral-Of-Nature-276674304)
DA is a wonderful community of artists.

4) i went to Mumbai for the first time, and visited new people.
and than i went to see BRYAN ADAMS - LIVE!!it was my first real concert too! it was 3 first times, altogether,which, of course, included all the delights of visiting a huge city for the first time, with your mom. shopping eating and gasping and giggling, you get it.

5) i Flew, for the first time!! and than i flew three more times! :D (went to Mumbai again during the same year)

6) went to the himalayas twice in the same year.

7)travelled with a Karate group and my lil brother, twice. as an official photographer for two national tournaments :P saw some extremely horrid places and so forth. though, had a lot of fun too! it is fun to bond with a huge group of happy, frolicsome young people (yea, i am not THAT old but they were all teens) (this included seeing "Ratzillas" for the first time- and learning a LOT about over extended public travelling and spending time and nights on footpaths and bus stations)

8)Went to my very first classical music concert.heard Flute played live and took autographs.

9)gave a second TV interview-but this one was shown on the TV repeatedly so this one must count at my first tv appearance :D

10)saw a sloth bear from less than a meter.it could sniff my nose if it wanted to.

11) saw a Monal pheasant,Khakhar deer,himalayah Tahrs, Khalij Pheasants and lots of new plants- on my second trip.... now, you must realise , each trip will include their own list of "first times".

12)climbed to the half hight of Everest . reached Tungnath peak. the highest temple in the world. stayed for the first time in a below 0C temperature and loved it.(not when my face froze over though)

13)I know more birds now. dad's been at teaching us on each trip.

14)made a wonderful wonderful new friend.

15)designed a very eco friendly high rise.

16) worked on my first official commercial project, the local temple door, with wood carving and tainted glass.

(forget the time sequence)

17)was asked thrice-for my phone number by guys who i didn't actually know-no co-workers or classmates or friends. that's a first timer alright.

18) sold a photography-print, for the first time! :D

19)made a cocktail dress my self.it is probably going to be my birthday dress for this year.

i also learn a lot of new things,about my self,about my loved people,and this world.  Indeed, i thought it would be easy to list out all the new things one has done in a year, it is not. there are just too many wonderful instances,people.things,books and experiences. it is impossible to be able to note them all down. so.... these are the most exciting events of the last year (and  i must still be forgetting something-s).


alright- this had been written for quite a while now and i had meant to finish and post it before January was out,at the latest, but I kept feeling that there was more potential in this post than just counting of accomplishments, how odiously self centred that is? 

I of course, always ask my self "would I help people if I didn't derive such pleasure from the feeling of having helped?"
may be we are never fully selfless.
or sometimes we are.
yes we are. remember those instances when you let go, not because you wanted to but because that would be good for the other person, and were always wishing you hadn't had to.
yeah something like that.

any how- life is lovely. I have not been lacking inspiration, I've been lacking the will to finish this. I have One regret , I was gardening one morning and a wonderful, and true quote was created in my head, but before I could write it down, it had vanished, I was cooking when I remembered that I had forgotten it.

it is still alluding me "grimace"

the Vacation time had found me thinking, about those moments in life which can not be improved upon, those infinitely long, idyllic days which are full of those terribly sweet small pleasures which make you break out with a small,slow smile. when you simply sigh and are happy.

I walked to granny's, humming and skipping. she was sitting outside, in the sunshine, knitting a sweater. so I sat too and sewed my dress. we were talking of what had been cooked that day and of after life and literature. (my whole family is like that- including me) and while tiny ripples of wonder and excitement were going down my spine as I sew (that would happen if some one was talking about a Ghost writer and a book by that particular ghost on afterlife) two kittens appeared out of no where, and curled up a little away from our feet, the same ones mentioned before in this same blog.
all in all we had a wonderful time.

I met some sheep and than I met my brother and his friend, feeding those tiny puppies of the area stray. such little beings, they chew on your fingers with their harmless little teeth.

those days when you are a child again. those happy days, devoid of confusion or pain or even ambitions. I sometimes wonder if I shall be a very childish old woman someday.

I rather hope so.

girls around my age- that live near by me, think me to be a little not right in the head, as I am always playing with dogs and children or keep my own counsel- as none of them get the idea of talking with trees or even reading old tomes , and seem to disapprove of my rather different dressing and bold colours , though, it is a sore point, I'd love to have a friend living just near by.

and I simply can not get around to gossiping for the life of me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
my, it's been long since I started this one.
let me just list out the pleasant things in this world.

old black and white songs. I LOVE those. the lyrics, the music, the sounds...both Hindi and English.
 http://youtu.be/9VXFSM2BdGY

I have named the little brown pup of the semi stray "tumtums" and the world seems brighter when I get out site and call it a loud , "tu....mm....tu...mm..s.s...." and he comes tumbling out from where ever he is and starts falling over it's feet on mine, as he seems to think that licking my toes does him some good.

doing experiments with the kids. my brother and his friends did successfully launch a home made rocket.

dancing, of course.

and jumping and skipping and running, of course.

holidays.

little children.

first edition books.(William carries on,1942)

backing bread and making amazing things to eat.

reading. (the Anne series, I love that girl)

trying out new fruits for the first time fills me with excitement.

wise words- like the ones above.

and this,

and that.

and drop dead gorgeous guys like these.

ummm-- upps?
I wonder which of them is going to make the first move. :D

making silly songs.

early mornings.

trees.

friends.

postman.

brown packages.

ribbons and bows.being with my brother.(the list has no order -you know)

Himalayas.

being a kid- always.

dreaming that some day I shall see the whole of the world, that I will be an explorer and do lots and lots of adventures.

two ponytails and writing.




skirts,colours,stones and flowers,shoes and lions,different mushrooms and chesses.


under the Tuscan sun,dogs, cats, polka dots, red silk , hand glows,red lip colour, letters to Juliet, and dreaming about that one man, somewhere.

and fairy infested places, and magic, and wizards.

and some more things. that make me smile. (the ocean, and the colour turquoise -amazing)
do you know why? :)

( I do not own the copy right to any of these images)

and here is an author friend's profile , on good reads, check out her cover images, http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5226644.Sarah_Baethge

I will end this by wishing, that this year will be more amazing,more breathtaking, more filled with love and joy and understanding, silliness and enlightenment, times of bonding and sharing.

I look forward to exploring you 2012. let us begin some new sagas this time, let's make some amazing memories, which will stay with us when we are away from our loved ones, let me love with an open heart, and let me be forgiving and kind. pray for me and I shall pray for you.

be beautiful, Humans,
stay beautiful O' world.