Like any other girl, I have "a thing" for shoes. When in India, I used to think about buying many shoes but never had that many. But in last few years, since I had become the master of my own finances I have completely given to my vice of shoe-shopping. I would spend time online looking up gorgeous shoes and thinking about how would they look on my feet. I would recommend 6pm for finding great deals on shoes. I did buy some of my pairs from this website. I have found that it's cheaper to buy shoes online than in store. One can find similar brands or styles much cheaper online. 6pm has some of the fantastic deals on both men's and women's shoes. If you know your shoe size, then I would suggest you should visit this website and find some killer deals. All the shoes I bought from 6pm fit like a glove.
I have recently ordered a great new pair and can't wait to put them on. This particular pair is very similar to one of the fantastic pairs that Carrie had on during the episode "A Woman's right to shoes". Of course, Carrie's was Manolo Blahniks and I can hardly afford them any time soon. But the pair I bought is equally sleek and beautiful and way cheaper than Manolos. It will be my first pair with pointy heels that are about 3 inches high. As V said, I will be so high up that he would ask me about the weather :P
So the shoes will be home tomorrow and I can put them on and may be go for fancy dinner over the week end. Just can't wait to put them on and just be a little narcissist about beautiful feet in the beautiful shoes :-)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
"Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy"
One of my all time favorite singers is John Denver. I love his songs. I have listened to his songs many times. One of his famous songs is "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy". The song just makes my day bright as sunshine. While living in Tempe, sunshine was abundant so I never thought about this songs the way I thought today. Since we have moved to MI, the weather has been interesting. It rains one day and next day it would be clear skies. Today however, was one of the warmer days since we came here. We took the advantage of sunshine and decided to go out and just walk around in Ann Arbor downtown.
It was bright and warm. Lot of people were walking around, playing on UM lawn, reading or just sitting under the trees. We also took our lattes and sat under a tree. It was so beautiful. A little warm than I thought it would be, but very bright and just sunny! While sitting under the tree I just realized that I was happy sitting there, doing nothing and just enjoying the sunny day. At that moment I thought about Denver's song. Sunshine makes me happy too!
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
if i had a day that i could give you
i'd give to you a day just like today
if i had a song that i could sing for you
i'd sing a song to make you feel this way
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
if i had a tale that i could tell you
i'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
if i had a wish that i could wish for you
i'd make a wish for sunshine all the while
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
sunshine almost al the times makes me high
sunshine, almost always
- John Denver
It was bright and warm. Lot of people were walking around, playing on UM lawn, reading or just sitting under the trees. We also took our lattes and sat under a tree. It was so beautiful. A little warm than I thought it would be, but very bright and just sunny! While sitting under the tree I just realized that I was happy sitting there, doing nothing and just enjoying the sunny day. At that moment I thought about Denver's song. Sunshine makes me happy too!
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
if i had a day that i could give you
i'd give to you a day just like today
if i had a song that i could sing for you
i'd sing a song to make you feel this way
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
if i had a tale that i could tell you
i'd tell a tale sure to make you smile
if i had a wish that i could wish for you
i'd make a wish for sunshine all the while
sunshine, on my shoulders - makes me happy
sunshine, in my eyes - can make me cry
sunshine, on the water - looks so lovely
sunshine, almost always - makes me high
sunshine almost al the times makes me high
sunshine, almost always
- John Denver
Saturday, May 15, 2010
When I was in Junior College I had a wonderful English teacher. She opened the gates to the wonderful world of English literature for me. I used to wait to go to her class even when attending college was not much in fashion :) One day she was discussing the concept of "Solitude" in class. I still remember one of her thoughts that she put well in words "We are too much surrounded by people to be alone". At that time I thought it was some literary way of defining a difficult concept of Solitude. But as grew older and especially when came to US , I found how correct she was. Too many people around us to be alone.
While growing up, I do not remember my family was inundated with guests and relatives. We did have family functions and festivals where we got together with relatives and friends and enjoyed the time. But it was never the most important thing on the list. Personal space was always important and even though my parents did not say it directly,after entering college both me and my sister did have right to be alone. I like to be with people but at the same time I value my space immensely. I think that's why I got used to the American way pretty quickly. I like the fact that people do respect your space and boundaries and do not encroach upon your life.
I had few friends who would always have relatives hanging in their houses even though they had exams or their mom was sick. I used to think how come people do that! But I think in India personal space is not a much valued concept. We try to accommodate so many people in our lives that sometimes it's hard to be alone. Of course I am not anti-social or anything. But what I like is to have some alone time when I like to do my own things or sometimes nothing.
By being left alone also includes not asking probing questions about personal life. I just don't understand why do people want to know about your life so much! And not many of those people ask you about your hobbies, career interests or which movies do you enjoy! All they want to know about is your personal life. I have heard so many questions like, when are you getting married? What does your husband do? Where did you meet? When will you have children? How many kids you want? Why did you get married in US? OMG! Just stop. Give me a freaking break. Some of these questions are not to be asked by anyone except parents. Especially about kids! I just don't understand why do people have this immense urge to probe? I recently chatted with a school-mate after about 13 years and she asked me when am I going to have children? What crap!
I think in our society where we value all these relations (I am not sure if all of them are valuable at all), we need to understand or perhaps teach kids since the beginning that it is important to give space to others and have your own. Unless, one is alone one never thinks! Being surrounded by dear ones is great but being alone is necessary to think and analyze about one's life.
I definitely enjoy being alone and I hope others will too understand the importance of solitude.
While growing up, I do not remember my family was inundated with guests and relatives. We did have family functions and festivals where we got together with relatives and friends and enjoyed the time. But it was never the most important thing on the list. Personal space was always important and even though my parents did not say it directly,after entering college both me and my sister did have right to be alone. I like to be with people but at the same time I value my space immensely. I think that's why I got used to the American way pretty quickly. I like the fact that people do respect your space and boundaries and do not encroach upon your life.
I had few friends who would always have relatives hanging in their houses even though they had exams or their mom was sick. I used to think how come people do that! But I think in India personal space is not a much valued concept. We try to accommodate so many people in our lives that sometimes it's hard to be alone. Of course I am not anti-social or anything. But what I like is to have some alone time when I like to do my own things or sometimes nothing.
By being left alone also includes not asking probing questions about personal life. I just don't understand why do people want to know about your life so much! And not many of those people ask you about your hobbies, career interests or which movies do you enjoy! All they want to know about is your personal life. I have heard so many questions like, when are you getting married? What does your husband do? Where did you meet? When will you have children? How many kids you want? Why did you get married in US? OMG! Just stop. Give me a freaking break. Some of these questions are not to be asked by anyone except parents. Especially about kids! I just don't understand why do people have this immense urge to probe? I recently chatted with a school-mate after about 13 years and she asked me when am I going to have children? What crap!
I think in our society where we value all these relations (I am not sure if all of them are valuable at all), we need to understand or perhaps teach kids since the beginning that it is important to give space to others and have your own. Unless, one is alone one never thinks! Being surrounded by dear ones is great but being alone is necessary to think and analyze about one's life.
I definitely enjoy being alone and I hope others will too understand the importance of solitude.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Arizona! A New era of humiliating legislations
I love Bill Maher. Now you know of course I am a liberal who enjoys satirical political humor. Recently, while watching some of "Real Time with Bill Maher" footage on youtube I hear him say "We no longer have political left. In recent years Democrats have moved to center and Republicans have moved to mental institution" (I am not sure if these are the exact word but along the same lines). Recent health care legislation has proved this point to some extent but the recent outrageous legislations in Arizona have proved it to be exactly right. I love my friends in Arizona, but it is the legislature I can not stand. It looks that as soon as Janet Napolitano left for serving Federal government, the state has been completely taken over by complete morons. The recent legislations about buying weapons without permits was the beginning and the most recent about letting police officers checking the legal immigration is the epitome of humiliating, ridiculous legislation in the state's history. I read someone saying that "after not recognizing MLK day as a state holiday, this signing new immigration law is second black day in the state'e entire legislative history".
I completely agree with the issue of illegal immigration in Arizona. With border fencing in CA and NM, AZ has become the channel for illegal immigrants to walk through. No one is in denial of that. But as far as I know, immigration is the Federal issue. The recent legislation in AZ challenges the Federal authority saying that if Feds won't do it, we will. This is might a good calling for Feds to intervene and push a comprehensive immigration reform which is much needed. However, the point is not that. The point is is the police force eligible to understand the issue of immigration? The state is saying that the police will be trained to understand this issue. I have few points for them.
1. Isn't the police force already burdened with the duty of maintaining law and order and looking for extremely serious offenses such as robbery, homicides, sex crimes, property crimes?
2. Isn't there a department called Homeland Security and Border Safety who works on immigrations issues?
3. How is the training going to help the police to understand the immigration? First of all there are tons of documents and procedures that are involved in the immigration process. If someone is on work permit or student visa and is in process of obtaining new visa or extension or permanent residency, getting new documentation can take months. So if police catches someone who is in between in statuses, will they be able to comprehend the situation?
4. Another problem is the notion of "reasonable doubt". How do you define that? How does an illegal immigrant look? It means that the police is going to look for certain races and ethnicities even thought governor denies it. There are Caucasians who are not citizens and non Caucasians who are citizens and any one can easily understand who will be asked for papers.
5. This is going to increase mistrust of police department. For the safety of any city the harmonious relations between police force and residents is much needed. If one can not trust police then who can they trust?
6. Arizona has many vehicle thefts. Now, if someone keeps the immigrations documents in the car and it is stolen, will the police take the responsibility of getting new documentation to the person?
7. With the new gun law it is easy to get guns in this state now. So I am afraid there might be increase violence against police force.
All and all this is a completely ridiculous piece of legislations which I hope will not stand in the court. There will be lot of petitions and I really hope the constitutional test will prove the illegitimacy of this law. Hoe funny is that the Constitution is violated by the ones who always cite the holiness of it.
Given the current situation in the state I am very happy that I will be in blue state soon. Those of who don't understand the importance of being in a blue state just know this, in a blue state legislature not in an asylum!
I completely agree with the issue of illegal immigration in Arizona. With border fencing in CA and NM, AZ has become the channel for illegal immigrants to walk through. No one is in denial of that. But as far as I know, immigration is the Federal issue. The recent legislation in AZ challenges the Federal authority saying that if Feds won't do it, we will. This is might a good calling for Feds to intervene and push a comprehensive immigration reform which is much needed. However, the point is not that. The point is is the police force eligible to understand the issue of immigration? The state is saying that the police will be trained to understand this issue. I have few points for them.
1. Isn't the police force already burdened with the duty of maintaining law and order and looking for extremely serious offenses such as robbery, homicides, sex crimes, property crimes?
2. Isn't there a department called Homeland Security and Border Safety who works on immigrations issues?
3. How is the training going to help the police to understand the immigration? First of all there are tons of documents and procedures that are involved in the immigration process. If someone is on work permit or student visa and is in process of obtaining new visa or extension or permanent residency, getting new documentation can take months. So if police catches someone who is in between in statuses, will they be able to comprehend the situation?
4. Another problem is the notion of "reasonable doubt". How do you define that? How does an illegal immigrant look? It means that the police is going to look for certain races and ethnicities even thought governor denies it. There are Caucasians who are not citizens and non Caucasians who are citizens and any one can easily understand who will be asked for papers.
5. This is going to increase mistrust of police department. For the safety of any city the harmonious relations between police force and residents is much needed. If one can not trust police then who can they trust?
6. Arizona has many vehicle thefts. Now, if someone keeps the immigrations documents in the car and it is stolen, will the police take the responsibility of getting new documentation to the person?
7. With the new gun law it is easy to get guns in this state now. So I am afraid there might be increase violence against police force.
All and all this is a completely ridiculous piece of legislations which I hope will not stand in the court. There will be lot of petitions and I really hope the constitutional test will prove the illegitimacy of this law. Hoe funny is that the Constitution is violated by the ones who always cite the holiness of it.
Given the current situation in the state I am very happy that I will be in blue state soon. Those of who don't understand the importance of being in a blue state just know this, in a blue state legislature not in an asylum!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Ode to Tempe!
What makes a house a home? The people who live in it make it a home. And same is true for a city I call my second home after Pune, my love, Tempe. It's a little hard to believe that this city where I moved only to be with V has become so close to my heart that I am all emotional of the the thought of moving to MI. In last four years, Tempe has become a home where I have met all the loved ones. What started as a convenience , soon became the most valued love affair with the hep city of Tempe.
I met the most amazing people, made most caring friends, went to most amazing graduate school and lived in the most amazing city.
The sun never sets in Tempe. Almost 320 days of beautiful bright sunlight make it the destination for those who enjoy being in the sun. With the youthful crowd of ASU students the city never stops being "young at heart". Tempe is a place where I found best of both worlds. All the perks on being in Phoenix metro area and still a close community feeling. The parks and the roads and the transportation just made it a place I somehow feel, I always knew.
I worked, I played and I made a life in this city. The mill avenue, Tempe Center for the Arts, my favorite place - Tempe public library and Tempe town lake are the jewels of this vibrant city. The food, the weather, the NBA games and partying with friends, it all comes to me when I think of the time I spent it Tempe.
Many of my friends who are not from Arizona look at the state as a desert full of cacti. But what they don't know is that in this desert the cacti bloom with beautiful flowers in Spring and in winter one can still walk around the lake with just a nice jacket on. Ohhh!! Tempe! I will miss you.
When I moved to Arizona, I never knew that the state will keep its mark on me! But it did. Sometimes one has to live it to know it. Grand Canyon is the wonder of the state but another wonder is the people who make this state. My friends and colleagues and the public servants who are an integral part of my experience in Tempe are another wonder of Arizona whom I will miss because they are my family.
I love this city and the life it offers. I know I will come over and visit and it doesn't matter how far I will be since I will read AZ Republic just to be in touch with my family :)
Being in Tempe has been fulfilling and amazing. Tempe, no way this is a "good-bye" but just a "thank you" for making my stay most memorable. I love you and will always think of you as my home in US!
I met the most amazing people, made most caring friends, went to most amazing graduate school and lived in the most amazing city.
The sun never sets in Tempe. Almost 320 days of beautiful bright sunlight make it the destination for those who enjoy being in the sun. With the youthful crowd of ASU students the city never stops being "young at heart". Tempe is a place where I found best of both worlds. All the perks on being in Phoenix metro area and still a close community feeling. The parks and the roads and the transportation just made it a place I somehow feel, I always knew.
I worked, I played and I made a life in this city. The mill avenue, Tempe Center for the Arts, my favorite place - Tempe public library and Tempe town lake are the jewels of this vibrant city. The food, the weather, the NBA games and partying with friends, it all comes to me when I think of the time I spent it Tempe.
Many of my friends who are not from Arizona look at the state as a desert full of cacti. But what they don't know is that in this desert the cacti bloom with beautiful flowers in Spring and in winter one can still walk around the lake with just a nice jacket on. Ohhh!! Tempe! I will miss you.
When I moved to Arizona, I never knew that the state will keep its mark on me! But it did. Sometimes one has to live it to know it. Grand Canyon is the wonder of the state but another wonder is the people who make this state. My friends and colleagues and the public servants who are an integral part of my experience in Tempe are another wonder of Arizona whom I will miss because they are my family.
I love this city and the life it offers. I know I will come over and visit and it doesn't matter how far I will be since I will read AZ Republic just to be in touch with my family :)
Being in Tempe has been fulfilling and amazing. Tempe, no way this is a "good-bye" but just a "thank you" for making my stay most memorable. I love you and will always think of you as my home in US!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Hans Christian Andersen!
Today is hand Christian Andersen's 205th birthday. For his fans it is surely a reason to celebrate. I don't remember at what age I was introduced to his works but I got so much mesmerized by the stories that I still can not get over them. Who can ever forget "Thumbelina", "Princess and the Pea", "Little Mermaid" and all those other captivating beautiful stories? When I first read his works I read the Marathi translations. As I grew up I read them in English. Unfortunately, I do not read Danish but it would be treat to learn the language just to read Andersen.
In winter 2009, when we drove up in California we visited a small Danish village "Solvang". On the central street they have Hans Christian Andersen's bust. I was so excited to see it that I almost shouted his name out :) Solvang has a very small museum that is dedicated to Andersen. It contains some of his famous works in original Danish print. Many of books are there those got published in different countries. It was a wonderful moment to be in that small place and read about his life and think about his work.
Andersen is alive forever, like all the other great creators are. I love him and I now own a big fat book that collects all his stories. Whenever I feel a little lonely or upset I just open any page of Andersen's story book and start reading. It makes me smile and enjoy every single moment of it. He has such a power over me and millions others who have been reading his books since they were toddlers!
I love you, Hans Christian Andersen and I am sure all of us will keep reading your books and enjoying knowing how Thumeblina finally married the prince!
In winter 2009, when we drove up in California we visited a small Danish village "Solvang". On the central street they have Hans Christian Andersen's bust. I was so excited to see it that I almost shouted his name out :) Solvang has a very small museum that is dedicated to Andersen. It contains some of his famous works in original Danish print. Many of books are there those got published in different countries. It was a wonderful moment to be in that small place and read about his life and think about his work.
Andersen is alive forever, like all the other great creators are. I love him and I now own a big fat book that collects all his stories. Whenever I feel a little lonely or upset I just open any page of Andersen's story book and start reading. It makes me smile and enjoy every single moment of it. He has such a power over me and millions others who have been reading his books since they were toddlers!
I love you, Hans Christian Andersen and I am sure all of us will keep reading your books and enjoying knowing how Thumeblina finally married the prince!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Thank God!
Day before yesterday night, V was out playing his favorite game and I was at home reading. So I decided to watch the movie I had not watched but really wanted to "Bruce Almighty". It's never to late to catch a Jim Carry film. And of course I loved the movie. Everyone has done a great job and Morgan Freeman as God is very convincing. The man is born philosopher :) But what I enjoyed the most about the ,movie is the thought of answering the prayers. There are millions of people including me who ask God every day perhaps many times a day to fulfill certain wish they have. Give me a job, a house, a car, a promotion or help to get over the health problem and so on and so forth. Like in the movie, if God answers all the prayers then every one will win a lottery but every one will just receive $17. What's the point in winning a lottery then?
The movie made me think about all the things we ask God to do for us or get for us. How funny is that we think if we ask he is grant the wish as if he is "Make a wish foundation". Prayer is powerful and it is important that only after testing the will and integrity of the person praying it gets answered. I am so glad God did not grant each of my wish or else I would think I don't need one. I am glad that God makes it hard for us to achieve our goals or mission or whatever we wish in our lives or else no one would remain humble and understand and think about what he/she really wants in life. One of my teachers once said that, "it's good that God makes you wait to get anything in life and he does not answer all you wishes or else he will be working round the clock as if he was servant not God".
So I am happy that God makes it hard of us to reach the destination but I am more happy that he gives the strength to stay on the right path.
The movie made me think about all the things we ask God to do for us or get for us. How funny is that we think if we ask he is grant the wish as if he is "Make a wish foundation". Prayer is powerful and it is important that only after testing the will and integrity of the person praying it gets answered. I am so glad God did not grant each of my wish or else I would think I don't need one. I am glad that God makes it hard for us to achieve our goals or mission or whatever we wish in our lives or else no one would remain humble and understand and think about what he/she really wants in life. One of my teachers once said that, "it's good that God makes you wait to get anything in life and he does not answer all you wishes or else he will be working round the clock as if he was servant not God".
So I am happy that God makes it hard of us to reach the destination but I am more happy that he gives the strength to stay on the right path.
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