Lucknow!

And the fast continues, leaving me more baffled than ever!

A few months ago, when this man called anna hazare started going on fasts, I thought it was a really cool thing. Someone at last, in this ignorant country wanted to do something meaningful, something good for the peoples’ benefit and for once, not their own! But I guess it takes some time to formulate opinions, to look beyond what’s in front of you. When you look deeper into the issue of corruption that he’s addressing, the problems that come along with it would seem too complicated to solve by fasting or a mere bill! How on earth can a bill solve the problems that have risen in the world over so many years! I may be considered a lay person and I definitely fail to understand the present economic crisis very clearly and i doubt everyone going on those protests do. The magnitude of the problem is monumental! They say that it’s only the rich politicians who are the corrupt ones, and yes I most definitely agree with that; however corruption is also ever-present amongst the poor, isn’t it? Everyone in this country is trying to earn a living and survive, and maybe the only plausible solution they see at times, is using corrupt means! So, if the bill does get eventually get passed, we put them behind bars? At that rate half the population would be in jail! i fail to understand how in any possibly way, this bill will help us, and eventually solve the economic crisis! The rich will keep getting richer and due to their increasing greed will not stop being corrupt; the poor will keep getting poorer and will be compelled to give in to using corrupt means in order to survive. the problem remains unsolved. However, i do admire Mr hazare for trying to make a difference! I’ve managed to confuse myself more than before I think! It leaves me utterly baffled!

A pleasant surprise!

This was a brilliant! i was really lucky! i looked at my window one day and i see this barbet, a sparrow and another tiny bird that i haven't been able to identify, all perched on the grill! i ran for the camera and got the shot :D

This beautiful coppersmith barbet comes every day, right outside my window, sits there for about five minutes, peeks into my room with eyes that seem to be so full of curiousity! the first time i saw it, i literally couldn't believe my eyes! Who would have thought birds as striking as this one actually exist in the city i live in! Wow.

Not such a creepy crawlie!

This lil' fellow was hanging around in my bathroom some days ago! Gave me a huge fright in the beginning! but then i started looking more closely ..and he actually looked like he was dancing around and having a jolly good time! Very amusing!

Learning to never lose hope

Just a few days ago while surfing, I saw this picture with the quote. It made me reflect upon a few things I witness every day.
We all live our separate lives, and in its course become different people. Some of us are ambitious, while some of us just aren’t and are happy living a quiet, peaceful family life. But there is always a want of more from life, isn’t there? When are we truly and completely satisfied? Even after we have what we’re looking for we still want more! It’s in our human nature I guess…and the word’s called greed. And it somehow seems to me that our own greed for more will eventually destroy us all, however ridiculous it may sound. The balance in the world is no more there…I look around me every day and I see so many different kinds of people. Some who live on top of the world and have everything they ever want or need; some who have what they need, but wish they had more and keep working towards being on the top; and some people who only just want a roof over their heads, clothes to wear, and food. And still the people dripping with money turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the earnest pleas of the poor. It makes me sick. I see slums, and of course right behind the slums I see the tallest of skyscrapers. But I don’t see a plausible solution and there’s nothing I can possibly do about it at present so I should probably stop being a hypocrite.
There are so many people out there today, like the bird in the picture, maybe without a hand or a leg, or with no money and no family in the world, but yet they survive, they continue their journey of life, they deal with what’s in store for them, adapt and move on, always continuing to hope for a life better than their present one. It gives me inspiration and teaches me to hope, that someday this world might be a better place. Most of all it inspires me to always work harder and strive for a better tomorrow so that I can help the people who need it. Basically – make a difference.

For all the Potter fans like me!

Butterbeer! It warms you up AND tastes great. Now in take-away form from The Three Broomsticks.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup (8 oz) club soda or cream soda
• ½ cup (4 oz) butterscotch syrup (ice cream topping)
• ½ tablespoon butter

Directions:Step 1: Measure butterscotch and butter into a 2 cup (16 oz) glass. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes, or until syrup is bubbly and butter is completely incorporated.

Step 2: Stir and cool for 30 seconds, then slowly mix in club soda. Mixture will fizz quite a bit.

Step 3: Serve in two coffee mugs or small glasses; a perfectly warm Hogwarts treat for two!

ALWAYS FLYING HIGH

FINDING MY PLACE

People say ups and downs are always going to be part of our life…We just have to deal with them, and it’s how we deal with them that defines who we are or will be… well; I guess I’m finally beginning to understand this statement.
Life was very different as a kid - always great, always minus the troubles, always fun. I didn’t quite know the meaning of the words pressure, stress, unhappiness or loneliness. Gone are the days when school was just about being with friends, the days when I used to go down and just spend two hours playing with other children, when grandparents told me to have a good time and sleep early and be a good kid, instead of telling me to study hard and saying that they “are anxiously waiting for my good result”. Today my life is a whole new ball game, one that I’m presently not at all enjoying! I guess adolescence or the so called transition phase isn’t supposed to be that much fun anyway! It’s so hard to go on, when you don’t know where you’re going at all; to work but not know what you’re working for. Indecision has become integral part of my life now! Nothing is certain. I don’t know who I want to be. I don’t know who I am. I don’t know what I want to do with my life. It’s extremely unnerving and frightening.
It’s strange when you see everyone changing before your eyes…everyone adapting, adjusting, and eventually forgetting and losing who they really are. It’s like you never knew them at all… Some say that people don’t really change; we just like to hope they do… I wonder if that’s true. Sometimes, i think that i should change too, and just go with the flow of the big bad world; but then I feel, maybe I’m probably just not meant to. Maybe my life is the way it is, for a reason…since everything happens for a reason, right? Maybe my life will turn around and not be as lonely and stressful as it is today...Maybe someday, I will change too, and adapt like everyone else does and let the barrier that’s always been there between me and most of the people around me, finally melt. Maybe, I will one day understand where all this is leading me, where me life is taking me, what my role in this fast paced world is and also find and be at peace with the person I’m meant to be. One thing i've learnt in the last few months is that change is something that will happen, no matter what; and is something we just have to come to terms with.
Bob Marley said, “Everyone is going to hurt you, you’ve just got to figure out who’s worth it”. I find this very difficult to grasp today, but someday I will. I will deal with everything I’m facing. Giving up just isn’t something I’m wired to do or something I’ve ever done.

Get Involved | Greenpeace India

These are people sincerely trying to make a difference..we should all pitch in and support them and atleast volunteer; try to do our bit..
we all know how adverse the consequences of our 'i don't care' attitude can be..we know what's happening to our world, global warming or deforestation are all very much talked about these days. yes there are people who don't considering a large part is illiterate; but the underlying fact is that even those who do know, just simply don't care. why? i wish i could answer that question.
But we think it's too late, because whatever is meant to happen, will happen. we all know that this attitude can take us nowhere.
it's time we all started caring. Because we can make a difference together, that too is an undeniable fact, a fact most of us choose to ignore.

Get Involved | Greenpeace India

THE BOY WHO LIVED, LIVES ON

Life for me, without harry potter would be incomplete.
It may seem strange to some people when i say the books have been my faithful companions and a source of comfort for me, for the last 8 yrs of my life.
In the beginning it was probably just like any other book i was reading..but they soon grew to become books that i never got bored of reading, time and again..and adore reading it each time. the hogwart's world became my favourite world, and whenever i grew tired of the one i lived in, it would always welcome me in..when i was sick, or fighting with my mom, or just upset with the world, all i ever wanted to do was sit in a corner with a harry potter in my hand..and it would transfer me to a whole new place, a place i loved to be in, a place i felt happy, elated and comfortable in (ironically!), more than anything!
A world where there were brave, kind and wonderful characters..people who showed such incredible loyalty and courage..things that we can only hope to see in the real world, i guess.
The depth of each and every character that j.k created has always amazed me! So much so that, now that the series has ended, i feel like i know harry, hermione and ron in reality!
That's how close you get to the books and characters once you've read hp..it becomes part of your life, and nothing or no one can take that from you.
So let's not cry over the series ending, with the last movie realeasing tomorrow.. yes, there won't be any more of the frantically counting days for the movies or books to release and the crazy eager anticipation for the next one..but harry potter series will never really end within us.
Whenever we want to be at hogwarts or sit for a dark arts class rather than a chemistry lecture in school or college, all we have to do is open our book and enter!
The amount of people the series has reached out to is unbelievable..from kids to teenagers or adults alike have such a strong attachment to the books and the movies!
i think it is one series in which the movies have always lived up to the expectations of the books!
The series may be ending tomorrow..but one thing's for sure -- harry potter will never stop amazing me, and will never cease to be part of my life!

MUSICALLY SOUND!

This song has always inspired me. Definitely one of the greatest songs ever written!
Outlived generations!
Wish some of the artists today would put some thought into the lyrics of their songs..their music is brilliant, but the lyrics are meaningless.. The meaning of music to people changes through the generations..today it's something we listen to when we're bored or gymming or just for a good beat to dance to! No one cares about what the artist is singing, as long as they have something to tap their feet to!
artists earlier sang for so many reasons..sometimes a cause, to bring about a change..to express themselves, as tributes..
for example the beatles sang for peace..If we listen to the music of the previous generations even today, we can probably connect to it, something you can't do with the R&B and hip hop of today!
I'm not saying i don't like the music we hear today, some of them are absolutely brilliant! And who doesn't love a fun upbeat song to listen to?!
It's just that i can't help but wonder what lady gaga or katy perry or many others are trying to say through their songs!