Evenings over the frozen lake

Soon after we relocated to Madison in summers, we paid a visit to lake Mendota that was surrounded by lush green flora that time. During our conversation to some residents there, we gathered that in winters this lake freezes and people walk, ski and do ice fishing on it. And then a wait to witness another version of this lake started. Few months later, after watching hues of fall, came winters. I was finally standing over the lake with no drenching and drowning in water, caught up in the merriment of the moment. Belonging from comparatively much hotter region on earth, skepticism of surviving the chills of winters like these, where even lakes freeze, was extremely high.

​View of lake in winters (above), view of lake back in summers from the same point (below)

I looked at some kids playing on one side of the lake with their parents. On another side my gaze followed a group of men, walking to the deepest points (deepest till 83 feet) without any fear or anxiety. I had heard stories about cracking of ice on solid waters, where sometimes people die of hypothermia. So, I instinctively maintained my proximity to the shores.

Post few weeks, our Italian friend, planned a trek to the lake. He took us to the backside of the same lake, which we had not explored yet. As we reached down to it, there was a stunning white floor all around. It was another view of the frozen lake, much more mesmerizing, much more exciting. We continued to walk ahead. I was extremely cautious and alert of the brittle floors in between. Somewhere I was scared that due to my weight floors may crack and I will drown in coldest waters I have ever known. Past some ten minutes of walking, we saw a truck standing in the middle of the lake and two men ice fishing. My heart sensed a warmer feeling with a sudden sense of safety. My body felt lighter. Talking to one of the men there, we found out that this year ice sealing the lake is thinner i.e. from twenty eight inches thickness of previous years to mere fourteen inches. 'Global warming', I sighed thinking.

​From left to right: Our shadows on the lake floor, my husband and our friend walking ahead,
I am standing beside a fishing hole, ice-fishing in action)

Walking over the icy lake was in my immediate bucket list, and I was happy that my wish had been fulfilled. While coming back we saw a splendid sunset leaving its gleam all over the ice. A feeling of gratification was filled in us for our friend. It was because of him we experienced this beautiful day. Soon as we stepped on to the earth from solid water, he teased me saying ‘you are finally safe’ and laughed aloud.

​Sun going down from the time we started our walk to the time we reached back to that point.

Caught in Vicious Trap of Writer’s Block?

“What happened to you? No posts, no blogs, no humor nothing on your blog from a long time? Have you quit writing?”, a friend of mine asked me.

Quit!!! I thought about the word ‘Quit’, never in my life I can think of abandoning my blog forever. “No, this is just a temporary thing. I am going through a writer’s block these days.” I replied with a helplessness and disappointment in me.

“What is that? Last April you were loaded with posts, what happened to you.”

“Not sure, but I don’t get words. I feel a mental blockage these days. I want to write but nothing falls in the right place.”, that was all I could say.

“You will. Keep trying! Remember I am waiting to read something new on your blog!”

I was motivated, remembering that I am being read and appreciated. A while ago another friend of mine asked me the same thing. With all that, my desire to write something turned into desperation. I remembered a time when a twitter follower said to me “I wish you never face a writer’s block. I enjoy reading you. Good luck!”
I sat before my laptop again.

Why do we face writer’s block?
It may be out of sheer laziness or lack of ideas worth putting forward before the world or may be our mind is terribly stressed out and tired or blank we get into vicious trap of writer’s block. These are the times when our blog on which we work all year long tirelessly, post our thoughts on random topics lives in darkness. Our page views fall down and creative side of our brain becomes dormant.
We sit daily before our screen and try to type in something worthwhile but fail to. And then one day we decide to leave it all for some time and plan to start afresh again later. I was struggling through similar phase, when Wednesday Prompt on Write tribe poked me to write about what I can write best at the moment. Every year I suffer from this for some time either due to getting too busy all of a sudden or due to stressful events. This time there is none and I am clueless why I am short of words with a mind like mine (a mind that cannot stop analyzing/thinking/or plotting pranks on people around). Despite my absent-ism from blog I am trying to be active on micro-blogging site twitter.

Ways to Combat the Evil!!!
So it is not about me but about many bloggers out there who tirelessly work on their blogs but sometimes get stuck with a mental block. Things that have worked previously for me to combat this evil may help you, if you are going through the same.
First thing I would want to suggest you is to join a group or a site that can inspire ideas, simulate brain and motivate you. For instance write-tribe seems to be my rescuer for now! winks***

Next thing that has helped me before was reading. Read as much as you can to absorb knowledge, emotions and wisdom from books, newspapers and other blogs. This habit instills ideas in you and work in your favor many times.

Image Credits: Google

Talk, discuss, debate, question and analyze. Our blogs are more or less inspired by our lives and life around us or the things we see. People who read us are sometimes people who motivate our blogs. Discuss random topics with your friends, family and colleagues. You can find one thing in your talks which can provoke ideas for many different topics.

Keep yourself motivated. To come out of the black- hole we are in, we have to keep ourselves motivated. Constant efforts to push ourselves out of this mental block will certainly help our way out one day. Hence never lose that motivation.

Image Credits: Google

Never stop making notes. Even an irrelevant thought that strikes today can be a thought that can inspire a blog post tomorrow. Always jot down things that come in your mind either in a word pad on your laptop; or in notes on your mobile; or in pages of your diary.

Don't keep yourself too busy or too idle. In a day take out sometime for yourself. I fondly call it ‘me-time’. Creativity comes best when we spend time with ourselves and get lost in the romance with words.

Lastly another way I have found is writing here and there, reviewing random things online helps in maintaining a rhythm. It may do the trick to get those words back on track.

There is a sigh of relief after writing down this post. I hope a comeback after this one. Thanks Corrine and Vidya for coming up with this topic.

People & Puzzles

Have you ever wondered that we might be like various blocks of a puzzle and our world when united  is one solved puzzle as a whole? It just happened to me a while ago during my fits of contemplation. Read on and see if you agree.

We are like the pieces of a puzzle. Neither perfect nor complete. So there is one block that completes either one or multiple others. There are some people who complete us or many others at once. Sometimes we are the middle piece of that puzzle requiring many people to complete the space and meeting the requirements of them too and sometimes we are the side blocks requiring the support from just a few other incomplete pieces. Here by completing the requirements I mean any sort of interdependence viz. emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual, financial or any other. 

So we live in a world where we need each other to attain a perfection and a great life  for sure.  Our weakness is covered by their strength and our strength is enhanced by their efforts and vice-versa. Just then we look at our creator and smile back and say now we know why He did not make us that perfect- appreciating this socially dependent life.

Author's Note: Do you feel so too? If yes, your feedback  is welcome. If no, I want to know that perfect and isolated happy block that is not the part of this puzzle!

Burnt Toast

 POST SCRIPT:

The Tag!

Few days back, a fellow blogger Ritvik tagged me with some questions. I would like to answer them here. I am sorry Ritwik for not being able to answer them before. Here I go:

1.  Would you rather go to an urban place or a deserted place for a vacation?
   Answer: I would rather go to a deserted place, an escape from the Urban area I already am living in.
2. One thing which you think is most unique to you?
   Answer: My DNA & finger prints.
   
3. Blogspot or Wordpress?
   Answer: Blogspot, I have become comfortable with it now. Wordpress would mean starting it from the scratch.
4. One thing which India needs urgently.
   Answer: Loyalty & empathy of Indians to fellow Indians. (it includes loyalty and empathy of politicians to Aam-Janta as well)
5. Do you believe that Anna Hazare's lokpal bill is the ultimate solution to corruption?
   Answer: Can't Comment. But it has to start from somewhere.
6. What is God for you? Do you believe in idols?
   Answer: I believe in everything that is not harming me or any other living being. I do believe in God and my belief makes me fight the adversities, if any, and keep me Positive.
   Again I have my own theory of worshiping the idols. We sometimes need to give structure to our thoughts and a place to meditate. Positive auras of people in temple make it a pleasant place. Though I worship Him in either way. (Did I over-answer it?)
7. What kind of blogs do you like to read?
   Answer: I pick blogs randomly. Fictions, poems, life previews, cartoon strips, social issues anything. They just  need to feed me with a good time, while reading them. Good ones of course win my Loyalty.
8. One word that would describe you?
   Answer: Random!
9. Your favorite movie. And why?
   Answer: Pinjar. It finely portrays the struggle (social/physical/mental) of a girl before and at the time of partition. (Such mishappenings and struggles can be observed during any disaster).
10. Person you admire the most?
    Answer: My parents (I see them as a single entity)
11. Will you follow me? ;-)
    Answer: LOL. I already am!!!!
    
    These were interesting questions. No need to say, your views on the above are welcome. :)
    
    This time I would like to tag all my visitors/fellow-bloggers here. If you can Answer these ten questions, please do:
    a.  "Forget and forgive" or "Remember and plot your revenge"?
    b. Greatest thing that has happened to you till now?
    c. Do you really laugh/smile, when you write lol/haha/rofl on chat?
    
    d. Do you believe in Life after death?
    e. Hollywood or Bollywood or any other -wood?
    f. Whom do you trust more with your secrets- Family/Friend/Stranger?
    g. Your views on Gay marriages- can you accept it in your family or in case of your son/daughter?
    h. One of the most interesting things about you?
    i. How important is money? "Live today" or save for the "D-day"?
    j. Mind over heart or heart over mind?
    
    P.s. If you feel like answering these in your blog, do that. Post it's link here!

Square face!

 

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Pride

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P.s. Feel free to pour in your views!

Morning Walks-II

I Don't know the name of this insect! Hit it during morning walk in the park before my home!

Name it, if you know!!!

P.S.: Special thanks to Deepanshu, a buddy cum bro from the neighbourhood who added greenary & thus added beauty to the whole composition!!! :)

Morning Walks...

-Lazy Lady Bird...

Self- Awareness

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Strange patriotic Indians!

In India winters are the season for loads of marriages, the year ends or starts with loads of oaths and promises for future, grand celebrations with flood of glitter and glamour. The other day I was curiously discussing about a strange thing with my dad that many of us must have noticed or thought about.

Me: Papa, why do they play all kinds of strange patriotic songs in Baraat (Marriage procession) when the groom is sitting on Ghodi(mare)?

My father had a big smile on his face!

Image courtesy: Google

I continued, “Isn’t it strange, they play songs like ‘ye desh hai veer jawaano ka, albelo ka mastano ka’, or ‘mere desh ki dharti sona ugle, ugle heere moti’. Is the Guy going on a war front or he has a future like that of a martyr?”

Now my father was laughing, he added, “ Kar Chale hum fida, jaano tan sathiyon, Ab tumhare hawale watan sathiyo.” Further describing the relevance of these words, “The guy has no more to offer to the world, leaving all duties and responsibilities on his friends. In Short, one becomes futile.”

I was amazed, “ And what about girls?”
He was smiling; I guess I knew the answer.
**Sigh!!**
We are encouraged to Rule The One!!!

Happy Deepawali

Wishing everyone a happy Belated Deepawali.

I am a freak when it comes to celebrations. And being an Indian the feasts and festivals never end. So from cleaning home, to decorating entrance and small corners with marigold garlands, diyas, loads of lighting and making Rangoli was all a wonderful part of deepawali celebrations. Also meeting relatives, friends, gifts and some more laughs made everything merrier. This time, I was extra-Happy with the rangoli that I made with the help of my Sister and Brother (Blowing my own Trumpet). But in reality it was far better than the previous ones! I am sharing below its picture.

P.S. Thanx Shine for reminding about deepawali update here.

P.P.S.
I have recently created a facebook Page for this blog. If you like anything about this blog, do join me on facebook as well.
Click Here or below to join me on FB!

The Ascetic

We were going to Uttarakhand (a state in North India) by car. The journey was long. Those were the winter days. The route was green and beautiful. Roads were topsy turvy and the journey was getting more tiring with the passing time. We decided to take a halt for some time. It was a chilly afternoon and the strong winds were making it worse. While we were enjoying the scenic beauty around, our eyes suddenly rested on an old man with dark complexion whose bone structure was visible from everywhere underneath his wrinkled skin that was covered by almost nothing. Apparently he looked like an ascetic or could be an ordinary beggar. He had some wheat flour, probably someone living down the hill might have given to him. He took it out and made dough out of it. He then collected some dry wood from around and created fire by rubbing two stone pieces (like in the stories from stone age) and cooked a chapati with it. We were amazed to see that, how a man at such a low temperature wearing almost nothing living in the wilderness arranged a meal for himself! And as he was eating it, he was crying out of joy, saying "Thank you God, for giving me food to eat, fire to be warm even in this place where there is nothing to survive. I am grateful to you, its because of you i am enjoying my fill with whatever i am having, I need nothing else thank you God for all the kindness you have bestowed upon me." And the tears of joy were constantly flowing out of his eyes..."

This was the real life story, told by my maternal uncle.
Contentment, a state of being in peace with whatever one has. I shared this story here with a hope that it will inspire us all to be happy about this life and we would work to attain that higher state of perfection of soul and true happiness and peace, the ultimate goal behind this life.

After Thoughts : Are we happy with what we have? Should we be unhappy about what we do not have? What is peace and satisfaction? What is ultimate Goal of our lives? Are we in the same state even after having everything that one needs and not desperately searching for what we do not have? I feel this instance gives depth to our thoughts and another perspective to see the world and our own lives..

tête-à-tête

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Looking back

It rained on me, i was hoping for a rainbow and it never came. It rained on me again, i was hoping for a rainbow and it didn't come. It rained again, i looked up again for the rainbow and it didn't come.. I looked back, and saw i enjoyed the rain and a bright new sun every time it rained..

Tree of Prosperity

There was an gardener in a village somewhere in the north region. He was not financially in a good condition and his work wasn't contributing any hike in his bank account. He had a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters. All day long he used to pray to God to give him some inspiration or source to earn some more for his family and to make their lives better. He was wise in all respects. One day on a regular summer evening he was going back to his home, when he saw something strange. A small, unusual sapling. he took it up. It had silver colored stem and golden colored leaves. Amazed and amused on his luck he rushed to home. After reaching home, he took his books out and started researching about that plant. Excited to find about it, he discovered it was the sapling of the Tree of Prosperity.

Further he dig out some more details. He went to the market and bought a book. He had heard big stories about tree of prosperity from his granny when he was a kid, but never thought it can exist in reality. The tree of prosperity brings the prosperity to the whole village and the nearby villages where its being planted. Once planted, it grows within 4 days. It never sheds it's leaves and if someone plucks the leaves, they become white in color.

Hence now after talking to his wife and daughters, he decided to put that sapling on sale, and to sell it to the person who will bid the highest. Many people came to see the plant. Some wishing to purchase it and some who couldn't purchase it came to just see it.

A landlord from a village in south made the highest bid. The gardener settled the deal with him. He went to his village to plant the tree.

After reaching there he noticed the soil is not favorable for the tree and if the tree will be planted there, it will not grow and will die. He told the landlord about the problem, after hearing which he became angry. How can that be possible. He thought the gardener has become greedy and now he is cheating on him. gardener tried hard to make him understand but all in vain.

Landlord called Panchayat to tell people about how the gardener had cheated him, and that he doesn't want his money back but the gardener should be punished and should plant the sapling in his village for the good of rest of the village. The Landlord had a son, who had traveled more than anybody else in the village. For all his decisions he used to refer to his son. So the elderly asked the Son of the landlord about his views on the same.

Son said calmly : " i have been to many places. In such a small age, i have met variety of people, gathered their views, seen variety of trees. All i know is that i plant needs sunlight, water and soil to grow into a tree. And by refusing to plant this tree, the gardener is not just cheating us but also insulting our village and our soil."

The gardener got the gist of the matter. He understood whatever he will say here, no one is going to trust him. Illiteracy is bane but partial education is more devastating. People would have trusted him, if the son of the landlord was also illiterate. But his words of wisdom have convinced everybody in the village that the type of the soil doesn't matter. He suggested that the plant can be grown in some neighboring village as it still will have its impact on their village. People thought hard and asked gardener which will be the suitable village to which he replied the north of that village there is a village that supports the vegetation. Again the people from the south neighborhood started shouting "the gardener is making fool of all us, and he doesn't want the village to prosper and he must have taken some additional money from that village, he is insulting our place and our village has other trees also, how this tree will not bud here. He is only insulting us"

gardener decided to fool the illiterate people. He knew neither they will let other village prosper and hence there is just one way i.e. plant the tree. But since it was the only one of it's kind he thought to trick them in a way that the sapling will be saved and he can also manage to get out of this village. Once he is out he will be saved! He handed a small stem with two tiny leaves to the landlord and asked him to plant it near a well, keeping the root and the main stem with himself. landlord planted the tree. Everyone rejoiced. The feast was given. The landlord's son was praised for his extra-ordinary wisdom. And the gardener managed to get out of that place.

After reaching home, he asked his wife and daughters to pack their bags and sold the sapling to a nearby villager and ran off. After a day when landlord saw that the plant was dead, he cursed the gardener and accused him of cheating. He sent his men to bring back the gardener to him, but they returned empty handed! The landlord and his village continued to live like before.

On the other hand the villager who got the sapling, planted it which turned into a beautiful tree after four days. The village became famous and there were the crowds of visitors to see the unique tree, which increased the income and sale of domestic products of the village. Along with the development of the village the nearby villages also became prosperous.

THE END.

Happy New Year

Another year has ended. A Happy New Year to everyone.
More resolutions taken implies more resolutions broken. Hence, no resolutions for me this year.

2009
Achievements :
1. Written some more posts :D
2. My entry into poetry after a long time. I guess this time I make more and better sense.
3. Entry into a new language and upgrading rather expanding my knowledge area.
4. Beautiful comeback of my childhood friends.
5. I am the owner of a big farm and leader of a mafia gang, traveled new York, Cuba and Moscow and soon leaving for ‘Bangkok’ (As soon as my passport arrives)*

So it was a very different year. An eventful year. Good or bad?? The upcoming years will decide about it. But an year of growth I would say. Just like the waves of sea, which when leave, make us realize whether they have gifted us anything or taken away something from us.

Special Thanks :
A big thanks to all my blog readers for reading my posts and commenting here patiently without any complains. :D
Love all my friends and family for being with me and making one more year beautiful.
Big thanks and a big chunk of heart to my childhood friends for reuniting after 15 years through facebook and orkut. I was really overwhelmed with your efforts and love. Wonderful to have you back.
*Glad facebook and its games are always there for me.

31st celebration
Since we are not party people, so the arrival of the year had to be celebrated decently at home. But shouldn’t there be something different to make the celebrations special? Thus, with my sister I made small cards with caricatures of each family member. At 12 midnight we all welcomed the new year with these funny little cards along with small bunches of flowers, which did the magic and a big smile rushed on each face.

Welcome 2010

I am very hopeful with this year. The year has started nicely. Morning was welcomed late, followed by a few small decorations. An evening spent shopping and hopping in the market with my sister and her friend. We three stuffed our stomachs with Mexican food. And afterwards ice cream in chilly weather gave warmth to our hearts. After coming home, our new car welcomed us at home. And next day went more eventful at our mama’s place with an overnight stay, laughing and scoffing on pakodas.

I hope this year will be a great fun for all. Happy Twenty Ten to all.

2012 -Lets discuss it for fun!!

2012.. 2012.. 2012.. Believe it or not kinda story.. Some people are really trusting the prediction, as it has been backed by Nostradamus. So?? There can be a big tsunami somewhere, and some other planet can change its orbit and hit the earth, next world war is awaited, might happen as things are somewhere becoming tensed between the nations, some epidemic disease can hit the masses, sun can burst out ....BOOoom!! Trust me i am not creating any panic.. just discussing it like that.. :P Anything or may be nothing will happen.. Human mind mostly trust on facts rather than predictions..

"Oh if its gonna happen, should i stop working for my future and enjoy the life, but what if nothing happens.. may be i will be doomed in true sense.." :D

I don't believe it.. if its going to be so, it will be so for everybody and not just me.. and so how i am living, this is exactly how i wanted to live.. no additions or subtractions.. no grudges.. i have everyone around me.. Of course i don't want to be the only person in the fourth world without my near and dear ones.. I don't mind living some more, if its going to end anyway ;) .... When i ask it to myself, what would i want to do if i get to know the world will end in another two years, i try to answer it this way.. lemme keep my count till 10.

1. I Would like to meet all my near and dear ones.. may be even those who made my life special at one pt. of time, even though they are not a part of it now to thank them.. :)
2. A nice decent family get-together.
3. travel travel travel
4. Will find my soulmate n marry may be!! :P :P
5. some more daily blogs to get updated on how and what others are doing :)) I may get some more ideas to enjoyyyy!!
6. no more books... :P i would like to travel some more
7. Shopping.. :)) =)) can't help my greed!!
8. Panic.. (that's natural, of course) :P
9. just most of the time i would like to spend with my family and my loved ones, that means some group travel too.. yipppieee :D
10. Last i would like to make something and write something to gift everyone i love, to tell them they are important and to ensure if they'll be there without me, they have a memento with them to live a further. :), ofcourse will get some gift from them too.. (its not so good to be loved always.. lol )

A question for you now:
How would you want to live your life exactly, if you get to know that your world is going to end in just 2 years???

i say..wtsay?

Living a Life Happily and Peacefully is a Challenge.. Just DO IT!! ;-)

Understanding Love

What is love? Some one has said "Love is something that distinguishes a man from an animal." Love is something that makes us humans. Still love sometimes compells us doing worst to ourselves and to the people around us. More deaths take place because of love than hatred. Love makes us strong yet it makes us weak. It makes us human yet it at times reveal hidden demon inside us. It contributes to our success yet at times it pushes us to our destruction. So in a nutshell love is something that brings out real me or real you. Our hidden selves. Love is the most powerful emotion that can make or break us.