Pittaburgh Notes:(6)
Hi again. Now this seems quite a while since my last note. Life has been happening all the same-no day has gone by unnoticed & without making its presence felt! :)
Father arrived Sunday & now Prahlad is hosting the 2 of us & it sure seems right & good!! Especially the feeling that our son goes to work & we stay at home...wow, that’s when I realise just how fast the years have flown by! Prahlad is busier that ever! When he is not working on his PhD research, he is working as a teaching assistant for Grad. students at CMU & juggling in between, his role as Founder/CEO of Quant MD (Quantitative Medical Diagnostics) & managing the company's affairs, guiding the Interns who work for him, & mentoring students of the CMU Class of CS in their SW engineering studio project....& the list goes on & on! When at home he is working all the time-I actually need permission to have a discussion with him-comprising often, never more than a few words! His father is luckier-so often I resort to the via medium! Then Friday & Saturday nights, he meets up with friends which is more than fine with me-cos he so desperately needs to relax. I therefore have been filling my days, in order that I am secure with being alone, doing my own thing! Now that Narayan is here, things are surely different & I have company!
Sunday nights have been devoted to Lee, Dough & Dara-we have dined the Cheesecake factory, two Thai restaurants, Coriander India grill, Taj Mahal, Tamarind, Mint , Mercurio’s Gelato on Walnut Street & so on! Its been fun. Lunches with friends like Durga, Lee & Jayne…have added to the fun ‘n flavour!
On Saturday, 24th Sept, lunched with friends at the Point Brugge Café Inc., a European Restaurant at Hastings Street, Point Breeze. It was especially nice as there were varieties of Salad & Seafood! I enjoyed every bit of the meal & the company of Malini, Heidi, Doris, her son and fiance-we had a blast! We then went to a unique coffee shop nearby, named, hold your breath-'Make your Mark Art Space & Coffeehouse’ where we saw a Photography Show by a photographer named John Ubinger, who had just travelled to India, from the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim to Calcutta, Delhi, Agra, Benare, & Rajasthan, for months on end. Enjoyed his frames of pictures from dewdrops on leaves magnified, to the sun rise behind the Himalayas & enchanting sunsets , while sipping my favorite Cappuccino, preferred 'not too dry'! A very interesting day-after which I rushed home, dressed appropriately and headed for the Community Centre close to home,to reach in time for the Sai Bhajans, & all ready to sing one too! So you can see, Pittsburgh is getting the best out of me!
Do check out John’s website-ubinger.com; his photography is truly worth a view.
& Guys, don’t forget to check out my pictures of the fall foliages-still my favorite part of my visit this time!
Thursday, 29th Sept.’11
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Of Temples, Trees, Flowers & things...
Pittsburgh Notes: (5)
Visited the Sri Venkateswara temple Sunday, with Prahlad & his colleague. Its hard to describe what I felt as I entered the temple to the chants of familiar shlokhas sung in unison-it would probably suffice to say that it transported me to an entirely different level of consciousness. As I waited for the “Deeparadhna”, standing in prayer before Padmavati Devi’s vigraham & later, while having a beautiful darshan of Lord Venkateswara I felt a strange feeling of peace, a sense of finding your own, I hate to say this, in another man's land. It really transported me back home to the temples I have visited through the years, at Tirupathi, Madhura Meenakshi, Rameshwaram & Guruvayur…. in my country. With tears in my eyes, I prayed fervently that my children be looked after in this foreign land, a prayer that has been on my on my lips for some time now.
We then went to the Udupi restaurant nearby for lunch, following which we returned home. On the way back , I thought thoughts. Unrelated to this beautific experience. But thoughts nevertheless.
Why is it so very difficult for people to tell you they care for you, when you as well as they know that they really care? Confused you,have I? Read it again! Well, I have never really ever understood that. Cos I believe if they tell you, then they will never have regrets later in their life, should they never get another chance. Its funny, but I don’t remember regretting not having cared for anyone let alone not letting them know that I cared. I have always done that. Even if I was certain that they did’nt reciprocate my feelings-& that’s putting it gently. Just read in the ‘Tequila & Salt ‘ email Alka just sent me ‘The only reason anyone would ever hate you, is because they want to be just like you!’-now that explains it all ! & like I told you, these are just thoughts. Forget I ever mentioned it. :)
Let me now get onto happy topics. Autumn fast approaches with it beautiful colors of fall foliages- the trees are gradually changing colour into lovely rusts, orange and even red leaves-oooh its beautiful, and its happening! Heard Fall when it happens in toto is actually even more beautiful in Ohio. Am posting some pictures of ‘Temples, Trees, Flowers & things’… Happy viewing! 20th Sept ’11
Visited the Sri Venkateswara temple Sunday, with Prahlad & his colleague. Its hard to describe what I felt as I entered the temple to the chants of familiar shlokhas sung in unison-it would probably suffice to say that it transported me to an entirely different level of consciousness. As I waited for the “Deeparadhna”, standing in prayer before Padmavati Devi’s vigraham & later, while having a beautiful darshan of Lord Venkateswara I felt a strange feeling of peace, a sense of finding your own, I hate to say this, in another man's land. It really transported me back home to the temples I have visited through the years, at Tirupathi, Madhura Meenakshi, Rameshwaram & Guruvayur…. in my country. With tears in my eyes, I prayed fervently that my children be looked after in this foreign land, a prayer that has been on my on my lips for some time now.
We then went to the Udupi restaurant nearby for lunch, following which we returned home. On the way back , I thought thoughts. Unrelated to this beautific experience. But thoughts nevertheless.
Why is it so very difficult for people to tell you they care for you, when you as well as they know that they really care? Confused you,have I? Read it again! Well, I have never really ever understood that. Cos I believe if they tell you, then they will never have regrets later in their life, should they never get another chance. Its funny, but I don’t remember regretting not having cared for anyone let alone not letting them know that I cared. I have always done that. Even if I was certain that they did’nt reciprocate my feelings-& that’s putting it gently. Just read in the ‘Tequila & Salt ‘ email Alka just sent me ‘The only reason anyone would ever hate you, is because they want to be just like you!’-now that explains it all ! & like I told you, these are just thoughts. Forget I ever mentioned it. :)
Let me now get onto happy topics. Autumn fast approaches with it beautiful colors of fall foliages- the trees are gradually changing colour into lovely rusts, orange and even red leaves-oooh its beautiful, and its happening! Heard Fall when it happens in toto is actually even more beautiful in Ohio. Am posting some pictures of ‘Temples, Trees, Flowers & things’… Happy viewing! 20th Sept ’11
Old Friends, New Beginnings...
Pittsburgh Notes: (4)
Hello there! Life hurries by, seasons change and Pittsburgh is still the place for me! Its growing on me-and I am beginning to feel comfortable here. One thing for sure I have this feeling i have been sent here by the higher power up there, in order that I de-stress-so I have to make sure that happens; and what better place to de-stress, I tell myself. I have to admit thought, that I miss waking up to birds chirping at Moksham; I miss seeing colourful birds near the waterfall, I miss sipping my cup of coffee hearing the lazy sound of water unhurriedly trickling down the rocks & stones which make up the waterfall. These wonders in my life, gotta admit, have had a therapeutic effect on me, while at Moksham.
A few weekends ago, I met up with an old schoolmate, C.V.Rameshwari, who was a dear friend during my 7th, 8th & perhaps 9th standards at DPS, Mathura Rd, Delhi, & who is now a Child Psychiatrist here. She invited Prahlad & me over and we met up with her family. It was indeed a very nice experience. She mentioned that I was just the free spirit I was so long ago-and hey presto, that became the title of my next literary 'masterpiece'; yes it got me thinking, analysing-was I really the same? 'Free Spirit' defined -one who is not restrained, as by convention or obligation; a nonconformist ...yea, I guess that's me! :) Except, I realised my obligation to my family goes beyond my free spirit! & so I wrote…
Shortly after landing here, I was wondering how I would go to the Departmental stores to pick up what i need to run a home-and just out of the blue, a wonderful & gracious lady, Lee who I met at the Sai Bhajans, offered to take me shopping. Now, we meet ever so often and Hey Presto! I got around to doing all that I had to for Prahlad & his home.My life has become a lot easier therefore; I realised, surely these are just some of the small miracles in my life!
Friends like the Vijay Sai's, Lee, Durga & Vasu has been God-sent to guide & help Prahlad in the initial 2 years he was here. We will be eternally grateful to them.
I shall end this note with pictures taken with the Vijay Sai’s, CV, Lee & family .Happy viewing! Keep smiling & Hasta mañana!-Sunday, 18th Sept ‘11
“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
-William Shakespeare
Hello there! Life hurries by, seasons change and Pittsburgh is still the place for me! Its growing on me-and I am beginning to feel comfortable here. One thing for sure I have this feeling i have been sent here by the higher power up there, in order that I de-stress-so I have to make sure that happens; and what better place to de-stress, I tell myself. I have to admit thought, that I miss waking up to birds chirping at Moksham; I miss seeing colourful birds near the waterfall, I miss sipping my cup of coffee hearing the lazy sound of water unhurriedly trickling down the rocks & stones which make up the waterfall. These wonders in my life, gotta admit, have had a therapeutic effect on me, while at Moksham.
A few weekends ago, I met up with an old schoolmate, C.V.Rameshwari, who was a dear friend during my 7th, 8th & perhaps 9th standards at DPS, Mathura Rd, Delhi, & who is now a Child Psychiatrist here. She invited Prahlad & me over and we met up with her family. It was indeed a very nice experience. She mentioned that I was just the free spirit I was so long ago-and hey presto, that became the title of my next literary 'masterpiece'; yes it got me thinking, analysing-was I really the same? 'Free Spirit' defined -one who is not restrained, as by convention or obligation; a nonconformist ...yea, I guess that's me! :) Except, I realised my obligation to my family goes beyond my free spirit! & so I wrote…
Shortly after landing here, I was wondering how I would go to the Departmental stores to pick up what i need to run a home-and just out of the blue, a wonderful & gracious lady, Lee who I met at the Sai Bhajans, offered to take me shopping. Now, we meet ever so often and Hey Presto! I got around to doing all that I had to for Prahlad & his home.My life has become a lot easier therefore; I realised, surely these are just some of the small miracles in my life!
Friends like the Vijay Sai's, Lee, Durga & Vasu has been God-sent to guide & help Prahlad in the initial 2 years he was here. We will be eternally grateful to them.
I shall end this note with pictures taken with the Vijay Sai’s, CV, Lee & family .Happy viewing! Keep smiling & Hasta mañana!-Sunday, 18th Sept ‘11
“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”
-William Shakespeare
Weather problems!
Pittsburgh Moments...
Pittsburgh Notes: (3)
Yet another ‘crazy weather’ day in Pittsburgh. Just yesterday it was a nice, warm, 20 degrees C or, as they say here 68 degrees F. And early this morning it was cold - just 6 degrees C (44 deg Farenheit )!! I remember the fluctuation in temperature was the same in April/May this year & last year, when we were here! Tell me this is not a new happening and but don’t give me that one on natural calamities & weather tantrums being caused due to global warming, ozone depletion, environmental freak outs or forest fires cos I ain’t gonna buy that! Whatever,am not prepared to listen.This is positively wierd. 0 degrees one minute and the next minute a freaking 15 degrees - & yes I am talking Centigrade this time-& no,no conversion again, do it yourself buddy! :)))
But then again, I wonder why am I complaining. I love the cold. And as long it does'nt get the miserably hot 35 degrees (yes Centigrade!) it was the Saturday before last, its fine with me. But then if it gets sub zero, I would have to worry about my reumatoid arthritis flaring up. Lets worry about it then , right? Yes. Lets take each minute for what its worth-hot or cold! Lifes pretty much like that anyway!
Watched Baseball last Saturday at the PMC Park , Florida Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates, PMC Park- okay, okay Pittsburgh lost, but then Baseball is a new game for one such as I & hence an experience. No hard feelings! Attatched are some random pictures. Enjoy. Do note the sleeveless t-shirt which turned into a leather jacket in a matter of hours! - Friday, 16th Sept ’11
Pittsburgh Notes: (3)
Yet another ‘crazy weather’ day in Pittsburgh. Just yesterday it was a nice, warm, 20 degrees C or, as they say here 68 degrees F. And early this morning it was cold - just 6 degrees C (44 deg Farenheit )!! I remember the fluctuation in temperature was the same in April/May this year & last year, when we were here! Tell me this is not a new happening and but don’t give me that one on natural calamities & weather tantrums being caused due to global warming, ozone depletion, environmental freak outs or forest fires cos I ain’t gonna buy that! Whatever,am not prepared to listen.This is positively wierd. 0 degrees one minute and the next minute a freaking 15 degrees - & yes I am talking Centigrade this time-& no,no conversion again, do it yourself buddy! :)))
But then again, I wonder why am I complaining. I love the cold. And as long it does'nt get the miserably hot 35 degrees (yes Centigrade!) it was the Saturday before last, its fine with me. But then if it gets sub zero, I would have to worry about my reumatoid arthritis flaring up. Lets worry about it then , right? Yes. Lets take each minute for what its worth-hot or cold! Lifes pretty much like that anyway!
Watched Baseball last Saturday at the PMC Park , Florida Marlins vs Pittsburgh Pirates, PMC Park- okay, okay Pittsburgh lost, but then Baseball is a new game for one such as I & hence an experience. No hard feelings! Attatched are some random pictures. Enjoy. Do note the sleeveless t-shirt which turned into a leather jacket in a matter of hours! - Friday, 16th Sept ’11
Its Coffee time Folks!
Pittsburgh Notes: (2)
Now for some Coffee. Yes , my daily fix craves attention & why not?! 4.30 pm is just the time to take that short walk to Starbucks at Craig Street. My usual walk for an honorable cause! Along with me comes the latest book I am reading (my little one does’nt believe me when I tell him that my speed of reading increases a hundredfold when I am out of Moksham!) & my new ipad Narayan presented me on my birthday-just so that I keep my brains running-trying hard to use this yet-another new contraption and also cos he is tired of me lugging my laptop and paraphenalia around!
My favorite coffee shops in Pittsburgh include besides Starbucks of course, The Coffee Tree Roasters, at Walnut Street, a very upmarket & happening area of Shadyside. Prahlad’s home is in Shadyside-an area I find among the best livable in Pittsburgh, with trees, and lots of greenery. Then there is that Kiva Han Coffee shop across the road from Starbucks on Craig Street but kinda intimidated by the flower power generation which haunt the café-feel safer across the road! So that’s enough proof about the limitations in my free spirit! I also visit the Starbucks at the Barnes & Nobles store (Waterfront) where, given an opportunity, I love to browse through books.
Best of all, did you know that coffee is the average American’s prime source of anti-oxidants which prevent cell damage. Coffee in moderation (2 cups a day) is good-& best of all it stimulates creativity as it speeds up the body’s functioning ; and in addition to this creative boost it also provides the mental & emotional clarity you need.
So guys, fix yourself that cuppa coffee & get that all emcompassing fix! Right no
-Thursday, 15th Sept '11
Now for some Coffee. Yes , my daily fix craves attention & why not?! 4.30 pm is just the time to take that short walk to Starbucks at Craig Street. My usual walk for an honorable cause! Along with me comes the latest book I am reading (my little one does’nt believe me when I tell him that my speed of reading increases a hundredfold when I am out of Moksham!) & my new ipad Narayan presented me on my birthday-just so that I keep my brains running-trying hard to use this yet-another new contraption and also cos he is tired of me lugging my laptop and paraphenalia around!
My favorite coffee shops in Pittsburgh include besides Starbucks of course, The Coffee Tree Roasters, at Walnut Street, a very upmarket & happening area of Shadyside. Prahlad’s home is in Shadyside-an area I find among the best livable in Pittsburgh, with trees, and lots of greenery. Then there is that Kiva Han Coffee shop across the road from Starbucks on Craig Street but kinda intimidated by the flower power generation which haunt the café-feel safer across the road! So that’s enough proof about the limitations in my free spirit! I also visit the Starbucks at the Barnes & Nobles store (Waterfront) where, given an opportunity, I love to browse through books.
Best of all, did you know that coffee is the average American’s prime source of anti-oxidants which prevent cell damage. Coffee in moderation (2 cups a day) is good-& best of all it stimulates creativity as it speeds up the body’s functioning ; and in addition to this creative boost it also provides the mental & emotional clarity you need.
So guys, fix yourself that cuppa coffee & get that all emcompassing fix! Right no
-Thursday, 15th Sept '11
Friday, September 16, 2011
'Smile & the world smiles with you...'-S.G.West
Pittsburgh Notes: (1)
Hi! The mood is good. Love the way life moves forward while at Pittsburgh. It could be because there is no stress. Well no major stress ie., :) People here sure look preoccupied in their own thoughts, their own world, but one thing for sure. Most of them don't need to swear, no matter what. They often have a tolerant, understanding smile if something goes wrong for someone, or if someone happens to goof up, while on their path. People pass each other and smile, straight from their heart. Believe me there so much in life worth smiling about. So often, you find people just smiling at themselves, at their own thoughts perhaps. Yes,surely, the mood is good here. Wednesday, 14th Sept.'11
Hi! The mood is good. Love the way life moves forward while at Pittsburgh. It could be because there is no stress. Well no major stress ie., :) People here sure look preoccupied in their own thoughts, their own world, but one thing for sure. Most of them don't need to swear, no matter what. They often have a tolerant, understanding smile if something goes wrong for someone, or if someone happens to goof up, while on their path. People pass each other and smile, straight from their heart. Believe me there so much in life worth smiling about. So often, you find people just smiling at themselves, at their own thoughts perhaps. Yes,surely, the mood is good here. Wednesday, 14th Sept.'11
Monday, September 12, 2011
The Free Spirit
Despising controls, she stands tall
Free as a bird
Her vision becomes reality
With not a care in the world
Save for her children,
her family, their home.
She loves every minute
of her freedom
Be damned those who don't approve
Conventions suffocate her
Controls take away from
the beauty of existence
A non-conformist
She sets her limits
Not to be questioned
Doing all that she loves
Her passions set aflame
In the brightest of colours
She lives life to the fullest
& thrives on her free will.
And yes, she is wise
Her obligation to her children
Transcends her free spirit
She sacrifices
She gives in
She triumphs
She strives with
Single minded focus
She emerges the winner!
She lives through her children
All what she could not do
All what she could not be
She has her own aspirations
all drawn out well
& her dreams materialise
She guides her children
to set their goals
on their road to glory
Yes,she is that
truly free woman
Free as a bird
Her vision becomes reality
With not a care in the world
Save for her children,
her family, their home.
She loves every minute
of her freedom
Be damned those who don't approve
Conventions suffocate her
Controls take away from
the beauty of existence
A non-conformist
She sets her limits
Not to be questioned
Doing all that she loves
Her passions set aflame
In the brightest of colours
She lives life to the fullest
& thrives on her free will.
And yes, she is wise
Her obligation to her children
Transcends her free spirit
She sacrifices
She gives in
She triumphs
She strives with
Single minded focus
She emerges the winner!
She lives through her children
All what she could not do
All what she could not be
She has her own aspirations
all drawn out well
& her dreams materialise
She guides her children
to set their goals
on their road to glory
Yes,she is that
truly free woman
Sunday, September 11, 2011
My son, My little one…
My son,
My little one…
on your birthday
this is to tell you
look forward to tomorrow
never look back,
regretful of what may have
slipped you by
along the way
The long road before you
may be steep
strewn with rocks & stone
along the way
We have never a doubt
you have in you
the strength, patience
& perseverance
you need to reach
your highest aspirations.
And remember,
your parents have never
ever underestimated
what we have in you
your talent, your music,
your song
your habit of reading
the gentle strength you lend us
your ability to love
your compassion for the
lost & downtrodden
& your kind, considerate nature
I am often sorry
that we have expected
so much from you
wisdom
far beyond your years
which, in all honesty
even we do not possess
For that we can
only say
we are sorry,
bear with us
my little one,
for you are one
incredible son!
My little one…
on your birthday
this is to tell you
look forward to tomorrow
never look back,
regretful of what may have
slipped you by
along the way
The long road before you
may be steep
strewn with rocks & stone
along the way
We have never a doubt
you have in you
the strength, patience
& perseverance
you need to reach
your highest aspirations.
And remember,
your parents have never
ever underestimated
what we have in you
your talent, your music,
your song
your habit of reading
the gentle strength you lend us
your ability to love
your compassion for the
lost & downtrodden
& your kind, considerate nature
I am often sorry
that we have expected
so much from you
wisdom
far beyond your years
which, in all honesty
even we do not possess
For that we can
only say
we are sorry,
bear with us
my little one,
for you are one
incredible son!
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