Being productive in areas other than the kitchen!

As a kid I remember an elderly person once said to me that I should try to learn something new everyday. Even my parents always taught us kids that whatever you study can never get wasted. Even if you don’t use it now, do not regret, because it will certainly help you later on. At that time they were mostly referring to course books and urged us to read textbooks that were a level higher. I no longer have to study course books but I should still follow what they taught me. Elders are right most of the time and teach you things that are for your benefit (believe it or not):)

Sitting at my desk in the office, it just dawned to me that I should follow the same thing even now. The last book that I read was almost 5 months ago! I vowed that I will not let any day just be a normal day. I will try and learn something new on most days (Note:- I didn’t write "everyday" because ..well you know.. you always have to take into account various risk factors :d ). Something "new" can range from music, literature, dance, arts, world history, evolution, science, different cultures etc etc.

So,I went to the library after gym and picked out books that looked interesting. I went there 30 minutes before closing and I picked and checked out books in a jiffy. I was determined to accomplish my task of learning something new and I couldn’t let my tardiness diminish my newfound desire and ruin my excitement! So, I had to make quick choices. With so many books that I wanted to explore, it only made my choices harder. I had a short time constraint to fulfill the task at hand. Nonetheless, my mission was accomplished and I picked out two technical books and one fiction. It’s a good balance - that’s what I said to myself and felt proud. [I am so exhausted after the gym workout today but I will still read at least a chapter before I sleep.] I worked out longer than usual today because we went to a Chinese place for lunch which didn't turn out to be that good. And afterwards we ate ice-cream - shame on me for succumbing to such forbidden pleasures! The only way I could feel less guilty was to workout extra and so I did:D

Ok, I am very happy about my progress so far and hopefully my drive to enrich my life by learning won’t subside:D

So, as I am writing this I just heard an explosion-like sound that came from my kitchen. My roommate is not at home and I was too scared to go and check what just happened. What could it be? - An intruder with a gun? a thief? a ghost? I gathered my guts and went outside to check. I turned on the lights and after I could make sense of what had just happened I laughed out loud! I had left an egg to boil about an hour ago. The water had all evaporated and the egg bursted because of too much heat! The bottom of my nonstick pan was charred, egg shells were all over the floor and the yolk landed on the top of the stove. Oh my gosh I am having such a good laugh right now. How will I eat my dinner now? My dinner just exploded!! Hahaha!

Good morning Sunshine

It's such a pretty day outside!!! It's bright and colorful. I am going to go outside and enjoy the sun without having to worry about chilly winds and frigid cold at last!

Cynicism

I have been told that my posts have been too pessimistic and cynical. I think it's because I write only when I feel very strongly about the subject. It's quite easy to be critical about something. It's harder to see the positive sides of things. However, sometimes cynicism also helps to not believe in things blindly. So, measured cynicism should be okay? It is bad only if cynicism turns into strong pessimism. I doubt that I am a pessismist. I do try to see the brighter side of most things.

I was watching Oprah the other day --- OK OK, I confess that I watch "Oprah" whenever I can. I admire her for her philanthropy and a kind heart. She is a powerful woman, (She is one good example of making good use of the media) , and I think it's great that she takes an initiative to help other people. She indeed "becomes" the change she wants to see in the world. Some people only talk about changes they want to see, but she on the other hand really acts on it.

Anyway, so there was a show about "Secret of happiness" and they talked about how you can really perceive to be happy in the dire of circumstances. The secret to happiness lies in your perception. It's how you perceive happiness - keyword being perceive. You constantly perceive things and it's your perception that gathers the evidence to make your beliefs right. For example, a pessimist will be unhappy of certain things that have happened in his life because he will only perceive the bad things that have led to his unhappiness. He can't perceive the good things that have happened to him due to the changes in his life. This unhappiness maybe because of poor choices that he made early on or things that have happened to him and he has feelings of a sense of regret, sadness and depression. How can this person be happy because of the what he has lost? Well, the pessismist can be an optimist if he realizes that he doesn't need to make things "right" to be happy. He needs to realize that he indeed is happy and should look forward to make things better for him. He should turn the negative into positive. He should throw the negative out and invite the positive in. He needs to surround himself with positive people. He should not "chase" happiness or look for it in the future. He needs to realize he is happy as he is.

Can you trust the Media?

Media is synonymous to the word propaganda. Just like the "sleep-learning" method employed in Huxley's Brave new World, media is effective in hypnotizing you to a world of propaganda where nothing is as it is portrayed and you are brainwashed into believing things.

Aishwarya Abhishek Vs Virginia tech

Rediff has been posting news covering every detail of the "Abhiwarya" wedding on their page everyday as headlines. The Virginia tech shootings are next on their list after a few listings. But the "Abhiwarya" wedding is more visible on their page and easy to navigate.

If you want to know what Aishwarya Rai wore, who came to their wedding, who was standing outside their house stalking them, who was invited and who wasn't etc. then rediff is the perfect site for you. I couldn't help but laugh that even BBC couldn't resist and posted a news item that Bollywood "superstars" were getting married. I have heard from relatives back in India that some television channels have been covering the wedding non-stop. I guess it's more important to know how they got married rather than what is going on in other parts of the world.

A week well spent

I spent a wonderful week back in Colorado and it was a very relaxing experience. I met up with all my friends and had an AWESOME time and here is how one of my friends described the time we went out accurately:

S: Back to Kansas?
Me: yeah:(
S: aw...
S: I had a lot of fun at the dinner
Me: yeah it was fun
Me: especially after the dinner :D
S: hahaha, yes, "We made the waiter repeat the dessert menu multiple times in the same order; we got lessons on psychology in a bookstore on the point of closing; learned Bharatnatyam in a parking lot to help you digest your food easier - Tested and proven to work with the added bonus of stomach hurting laughter."
Me:Hahahaha, Fun times!
Me: nicely worded!
S: your welcome - advertisement a copyright of the "Insane Gang"