A Parallel Universe

There's nothing more i want to do just now, than delve into the imaginary, fantastic, beautiful world of a book. Throughout my life, i've always let the books i read define me, define who i am. I was always much more inspired by the fictitious charaters in story books, than the people around. Strange, yes i know. I let the books take me to another place, a place i enjoyed being in infinitesimally more than my reality. i let the mystery, suspense, fantasy of it overwhelm me and completely take over my senses. It's a feeling that makes me so incredulously happy! When reality weighed down on me, i always found my comfort zone, my personal haven or refuge in my favourite novels. If only i could still escape the annoying troubles of life even today and just lose myself in the alternate reality of a book! If only i could get back those 2 month long summer holidays when i was a kid, which without my famous fives, five findouters and malory towers to name a few, would have been an absolute nightmare! I remember pretending to be one of the famous five when no one was around. My poor mum - how much i tried convincing her to send me to boarding school after reading malory towers! Then came my Harry potter phase, although i hate calling it a phase since it'll always be the only book that i feel has changed my life i many ways! i could read it even today, even 20 yrs later. With harry potter i began my craze for fantasy fiction novels. The world it transported me to was so much more spectacular, fun and exciting than my boring world full of complicated humans who could not stop misunderstanding me! I cannot begin to explain how terrible the urge to leave my studies and start a new series is just now! But i as much as i love reading fantasy, i love reading non fiction and classics as well. pride and prejudice, jane eyre, little women will always be books that i adore. i cried like a baby while reading marley and me - it's one of my favourite books.
You're probably wondering why i can't slip into my alternate reality now. Well, because my present reality refuses to let me do so. The ever- increasing burden of exams and academics gives me so little time to spare! I'm learning that now as i'm growing older, i can't always get addicted a novel; i have to take into consideration my responsiblities and duties. But i know one thing for sure, whenever i'm free of all the pressure, whenever i get the time, i'll always slip right into the alternate reality that a book creates- and delve right into a parallel universe.

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!