Expectation

Love-something we cannot ignore
then why so much expectation
from the people we love the most?

For with love comes
tolerance, acceptance and
without us knowing,
a great deal of
wisdom!

Come on, lets start again
Lets bridge the wall we form
each time we expect of
each other

Let us heal this
world , so full of unhappiness
with cheer & compassion
Let us begin to love again.
-Nimo N.Menon

Happy Birthday to our precious Prahlad...

A very happy Birthday,
to my Son,
my Elder one.
Am so proud of you
Proud of the high standards
you set for yourself
proud of what you have achieved
in all of your 23 years!

As you step into the 24th,
I must remind you
to go easy my son
there is a
lifetime to live
A lifetime to achieve
what you have set
eyes on!
Live life day by day
take time off
for that stroll
through a garden
with a dear friend,
for the hike you
never got round to do,
for those lyrics you
put off composing,
& for that tune
you never got to strum.

Find time to lend a helping
hand to the needy
Speak a word of kindness to the
old & weary
& extend tolerance to those
who know less
than you.
Live, Love & Laugh
My son,
For you deserve that
most of all!
& be patient.
The best is yet to
come
Love you so much
your,
Mom


Finally, something I read:
'Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets
So love the people who treat you right
& forget about the ones who don't.
And believe that everything happens for a reason...
If you get a chance-take it;
If it changes your life- let it.
Nobody said it would be easy
They just promised it would be
worth it!'
love you lots!!
Amma

Happy Birthday to our precious Prahlad,
We wish you success, happiness-for if anyone deserves it, its surely you!
God Bless,
Lots of love,
Achan & Amma

Abey’s Abode…Tampa, Florida:

Note 10:
We arrived at the warm, sunny state of Tampa in the west coast of Florida on the 16th of October. The day was sunny enough but seeing the rail clouds hovering at a distance, I knew we were in for rainy days. Day 2 & 3 turned out to be wet-with incessant rains, yet with the sun popping out every once in a while to assert its position! We were quite happy to stay indoors-at Abey’s Abode-gorging on the wonderful food she had made for us. The delicious Cuppa (tapioca) & Meen (fish) curry & Malabar Chicken biryani took us all the way back home- to God’s own country.
Amidst her hectic work schedules, Abey took us to the Madeira Beach, described on net, as lying ‘on the gulf of Mexico, an island 2 miles long and a smile wide’! Such a perfect description!
So though we never went for any Bay Dinner Cruises or visited any Contemorary Art , History or Science Museums that Tampa is famous for, we were comfortable & felt well cared for ; and carried with us the memory of our visit to the comprehensive Salvador Dali Museum during out previous two visits!
Thank you Abey, Thomas & Christian for being as warm & welcoming as ever! We left for Pittsburgh feeling well rested & rejuvenated!
-24th Oct.’11

And the gusty winds whistled on… Michigan Ann Arbor-with Sid!

Note 9:
Wow! Listening to the whistling winds I sit beside the closed window at the hotel room, while Sid & his father sleep away a cold and rainy Saturday morning! Strong but pleasant sounds of whistling winds along with the rustling of leaves fill my senses Yes, the feeling is good!
We arrived in Michigan Ann Arbor on Wednesday, 12th Oct. The day was beautiful & sunny. The next two days were partly cloudy, partly sunny; the Fall leaves still clung on to the trees in brilliantly blazing shades of coppers, burnt siennas, reds & yellows. On Saturday however, dark clouds filled the skies and rain fell softly-lazily all day long. And the gusty winds whistled on; cold winds which blew gently at times, & fiercely at others. And the leaves began to fall. I actually captured this on lens-a tree with its naked crown-bereft of all its grandeur on the top and brilliant below! I wished then that Autumn would stay on just a little longer!
Read a very apt verse last night-it’s a must share, so here goes:
"October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came-The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name, The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind, the band.”-George Cooper.

Michigan Ann Arbor is a larger University Township than Pittsburgh, with wider roads, and many parts of it reminded me of Delhi, where I spent my childhood and school years. Sid and his roommate have a lovely little home in Northwood. Done up just sufficiently, so that they do not get totally distracted from the very purpose of their stay in Ann Arbor! They cooked their meals together, and shared the chores. I left for Florida with a feeling of peace - and prayed to God to look after my sons, to bless them and guide them through all their future endeavors.
Finally, here's a meaningful quote to mull over:

‘…the winds will blow their own freshness into you, the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves…’ - John Muir, the Scottish-born American naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States.)

So, until the next time friends, it’s Adios & Vaya con Dios, from me!
-18th Oct.'11

Cathedral of Learning,Nationality Rooms ,Dining out, Luncheons...

Pittsburgh Notes: (8)
Cathedral of Learning, Nationality Rooms , Dining out, Luncheons & beautiful Autumn Leaves…
Last Thursday, we were up early as Malini Rao had offered to take us to the Cathedral of Learning, a dramatic Gothic Revival Tower with its Internationally renowned Nationality Class Rooms ; It was really wonderful to know that this was a major exercise to integrate the Nations of the world, a long, long time ago. It was built between 1926 & 1937, during the peak of the Depression, with contribution from the children of Pittsburgh & people, the world over. A historic landmark,it is the second-tallest education building in the world—42 stories and 535 feet tall. It is also the geographic and traditional heart of the campus. We went into to some of the 27 Nationality Classrooms but missed the Indian & Russian rooms where classes were being conducted. However we saw all the rooms very clearly in the beautiful Audio visual presentation,close to the exit.The vast garden surroundings of the Cathedral of Learning was very beautiful too.
With our new found friends, Veerendra Rao & Malini, we went for a delectable, absolutely scrumptious meal at Saturday night to Nakama Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar-a hip, trendy, upscale dining place at South Side.Their knife wielding chefs are reputed to make the best tasting hibachi grilled chicken & seafood this side of Pennsylvania-& whats most surprising, within minutes! A treat from Prahlad, hence we relished it all the more!
For Sunday lunch we met up with Murli & Rameshwari at the recently re-vamped Taj Mahal restaurant-a very nice experience indeed.
Enjoy the pictures, & à bientôt mes amis!
12th Oct.'11