Nishi's A Dream I Dream, Nishi's Pitas and all images, html and layout (c) Nishi Rajan 1998-2006. Written content & images may not be taken without the written & signed consent of Nishi Rajan.
Nishi is an Indian American who is working as an attorney in Manhattan. She is also a singer and songwriter who just finished her demo cd and has begun performing throughout NYC. She dreams of bringing her songs to the world and moving people with her music. Nishi is passionate about foreign policy, international affairs and international human rights.
When she's not busy pursuing music, world peace, or working , you can find her gazing up at the stars or attending archaeological lectures (she's an astronomy and archaeology buff) and when all else fails, she relaxes with Japanese anime and manga. An avid shoujo anime/manga fan, she's a web designer who's designed over 20 domains. Her websites are listed below.
This journal has existed since 2000. It is a place for Nishi to vent, to share, and to catch up with friends. All readers are welcome to read this blog; however, Nishi is not responsible for minors or anyone else who reads this journal and gets offended by the writings and opinions here. If you don't like what you read, then leave.
Name: Nishi
Where: New York
Faith: Christian
Sign: Aquarius
CH-S: Fire Dragon
AIM: SelenityHime
ICQ: 21380169
Email: be83398
The Story Thus Far . . .
Currently, I am working full-time as an Attorney in midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York and working on making a music career and to write and publish my fiction and non-fiction writings and articles.
Jogging, Martial Arts Kickboxing, Dance - currently middle eastern dance & bellydance, Tennis, Singing (of course ;) and working on my songs, Reading & writing about all the things I am interested and passionate about, watching tv and movies, painting, drawing, astronomy, rollerblading (and trying to get better at it and ice skating!), obsessive anime and manga fan and professional web designing, ancient studies / ancient civilizations, history and archaeology, world mythology, politics and world affairs, international law, human rights, studying many languages (have studied and continue to study spanish, mandarin chinese, japanese and hindi).
Books / Stories
King Arthur and all things Arthurian, Merlin, light and dark; The Crystal Cave, The Dark is Rising series, most anything to do with magic, vampires, werewolves; anything fantasy and romance-like: EMMA, Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, Count of Monte Cristo, The Cask of Amontillado; almost anything Shakespeare wrote; The Harry Potter series; my childhood stories - Sweet Valley High, Twins, Kids, Babysitters Club, Boxcar Children, Bobbsey Twins, RAMONA QUIMBY series; SHERLOCK HOLMES, NANCY DREW; all books dealing with things I love from art, mystery, religion, magic, mythical creatures such as "DA VINCI CODE" and "Interview with the Vampire"
Movies
Emma, Contact, Ever After, Farenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, Legally Blonde 2, Princess Diaries, Sweet Home Alabama, Matrix: Reloaded, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Staw Wars: Episode II, TOMBRAIDER I & II
All-time TV Shows
Three's Company, The Nanny, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, FRIENDS, Relic Hunter, Buffy, Xena, Clarissa Explains it All, OUT OF THIS WORLD, Wings, Mad About You, Simpsons, Married with Children, Carol Burnette Show, Anamorphs, Punky Brewster, Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, and the list could go on forever ;)
Musicals
Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, WICKED
Favorite Drinks
In the summer: starbucks' iced caramel macchaito - decaf and nonfat; lychee, boba/bubble tea/pearl milk tea; thai iced tea; lipton lemon and raspberry iced tea
In the winter: hot chocolate and starbucks' white chocolate mocha non-fat
Fave Alcoholic Drinks
Margaritas, amaretto sours, singapore slings, rum & coke and white wine - pinot
Music to relax to:
The slow version of the sailormoon theme song, the theme for Phantom of the Opera, the theme by Mono from Great Expectations and theme from Romeo and Juliet....so many more.....I can't live w/o music.....
A Fan Of:
I'm more a Democrat so I'm a fan of Bill & Hillary Clinton, Madeline Albright, Margaret Thatcher, Lee Iaccoca
Movie Actresses
Drew Barrymore
Kirsten Dunst
Kate Hudson
Nicole Kidman
Demi Moore
Gwyneth Paltrow
Julia Roberts
Reese Witherspoon
Renee Zellweger
Movie Actors
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Matthew Goode
Tom Hanks
Ashton Kutcher
Brad Pitt
Keanu Reeves
Adam Sandler
Robin Williams
Magazines etc.:
Vogue
Cosmopolitan
Jane
Shape
Fitness
Allure
Elle
Marie Claire
Archaeology
Mysteries
Foreign Affairs Journals
The Economist
Discover
Astronomy
Sky & Telescope
National Geographic
New York Times
Commondreams.org
In Style
US Weekly
PEOPLE
Reminders:
Salons in NY to try:
Buff Spa at Bergdorf Goodman: 754 5th Ave $$$
Tiffany Nails: 903 Madison $$
Soho Sanctuary: 119 Mercer $$
Maximus Spa - Massage: 15 Mercer $$
Just Calm Down: 32 W. 22nd $$ - get grape gatsby with Essie Bordeaux polish
Ajune Spa: 1294 Third Ave $$
Frederic Fekkai: 15 E. 57th - Mandarin Supreme Pedicure $$
How incredibly gorgeous was that? That was the moon during the eclipse on August 28, 2007. You had to be up between 4-5:30 a.m. to see the moon turn red like that. As some of you may know, an eclipse of the moon takes place when the moon enters the Earth's shadow. The Earth at that point is right in the middle of the Sun and Moon. On August 28th, the Sun, Earth and Moon were in perfect alignment. The moon doesn't get completely dark however - in this case, it's red because it was reflecting the red light from all the sunsets and sunrises taking place on the edge/silhouette of earth at that time. Eclipses take place twice a year and you can view the next 2 on February 21, 2008 and August 16, 2008.
Interestingly, on this very same night of the full moon and eclipse, the Yankees started having visits from "Lucky" the Squirrel. Since that night, it's appeared on top of the right-field foul pole at Yankee stadium 4 times and is being hailed as a lucky omen because each time it appears, the Yankees win! The "Bronx Bombers", as the Yankees are affectionately called (Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx), have won all 4 games the nights the squirrel appeared. The Daily News says Yankee fans have gone “nutty” for the animal and reports that Johnny Damon told the News he fed the squirrel sunflower seeds before the game against Boston that night, and then hit a home run that sailed over the squirrels head into the upper deck of the stands. The squirrel was then shown on the Jumbo-Trom and, the next day, was featured on NBC’s “Today Show” where the hosts, Ann Curry and Matt Lauer, called the creature “cute.” LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL! :)
The big talk in the city this week is, of course, Fashion Week which began on Wednesday 9/5 and ends next Wednesday 9/12. I got into the city earlier this past weekend and on Wednesday early morning and took pictures of the tents and the park for a book I'm working on that's all about NYC. Three big tents now sit atop the normally beautiful green grass of Bryant Park's Great Lawn, displacing the regular New Yorkers who usually lie on the grass enjoying the midday sun. Apparently, sometime yesterday, Anna Wintour was acosted by PETA activists who wrote her a citation for being a 'fashion felony.' The PETA activists this year are dressing up as sexy cops, scantily clad in pleather and citing anyone who wears fur in this heat. It was 80+ degrees yesterday - pleather gets sweaty. I think the PETA activists may have been the only ones committing fashion felonies yesterday.
Yesterday morning before walking to work, I was sitting on the stone terrrace chairs next to the William Cullen Bryant Memorial and watching the backdoor terrance entrance to the tents and saw this red-haired model enter - tall with her orangey-red hair pulled back into a pony tail. I picked up a copy of today's Daily News and I swear the model on the cover is the same one I think I saw! (Click on that link to see the cover of today's Daily News.)
According to Page Six of the Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007 New York POST (yes, I read both the News & the Post), Ralph Lauren has taken all the models for Saturday's Fashion Show in Central Park. He's "embargoed his models", according to Page Six, and "asked his runway models to sign contracts saying that they wouldn't be in any other shows that day." Apparently, this has angered other designers and fashionistas.
Oh the perils of a high fashion life.
Hand in hand with Fashion Week is the Taxi Cab Strike going on in the city. They're protesting the imposition of GPS systems in their cars and the credit card machine slots for passengers to pay their fares. Their strike, though, didn't stop traffic nor did it cause the city to crawl to a stop, or so Mayor Bloomberg said. I, myself, was at work on Wednesday and either walk or take the subway, so I didn't notice any cessation of cabs. If anything, it probably made the city a lot less polluted and less dangerous for pedestrians. Hey, I can say that because I work as a lawyer for an insurance company that defends taxi companies & their cab drivers for the accidents they get into - I know just
how many accidents occur on the streets of NY from cabs.
In other news today, as the Daily News reported, beloved Pavarotti has died - the opera singer was 71 and died from pancreatic cancer. I loved his voice and only wish I had seen him perform LIVE once in my life. A sad, sad loss. :(
That's it for me today. Hope you're all having a lovely week and night.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Monday, September 3, 2007
07:20 p.m.
Just got back from a day in the city enjoying the Labor Day holiday - saw the Bodies Exhibition at South Street Seaport - that is SUCH an amazing exhibit of real bodies which have been donated to science stripped of the skin and exposing only the muscles and tendons and skeleton and when you walk out of there, you have such appreciation for your body and want to keep it strong and healthy. Even though I ate a lot in the city, when I came home we had to go to a barbeque at a family friend's house and now I've come back completely stuffed.....tomorrow I go back to eating healthy and exercising properly. Am super tired and need to be up early for work tomorrow so I'm going to bed early tonight. My room's a mess - gotta clean it. Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!! See ya'll tomorrow :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Friday, August 31, 2007
04:36 p.m.
composed 2 new songs last night that, once confirmed with my guitarist, I plan to perform in late September and October. I'm looking to find a new producer to work with and record my new songs....I want to get back into the studio soooo bad you have no idea.
Have exciting music-related news. A bunch of my songs and my music profile are now featured on HeadCaseRadio.com and one of my songs, Story has been accepted to be included in a compilation being released (tentative date) September 20, 2007 by GreenOzone.com and finally, a wonderful South Asian woman from Britan, aShanti Omkar, is including my songs in her rotation on DesiHits.com.
All of the above combined with the new writing gig for that new South Asian Living magazine gives me a little bit of encouragement. I was talking with this cabbie Jim the other evening on the cab ride home from the train station and telling him how discouraged I was with the musical industry and he was like "You're a woman full of light and beauty - I *know* you're going to make it one day and you just keep believing it." His words were super-encouraging. :)
we got out of work early today, 3pm, for the Labor Day weekend holiday! Just got home and the sun is shining and I'm going to go outside and sit on the deck and enjoy the sun and breeze. It's only 76 degrees and I'm not gonna miss a moment of the end of summer.
Think I'll go on Slooh later tonight too - Friday night astronomy is always fun :) Came up with a new song last night that I still haven't finished composing - think I'll work on that while I have some dinner now. *HUGS* to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
11:10 p.m.
that is sooo somethng my darling Ricky would do :)
lordy am I full. Papa went fishing on a boat with his friends from the place he goes to exercise every day and caught a bunch of fish which be brought home. Mummy spent the evening cleaning and frying and oh my god were they delicious. That with rice and tomato curry and cadilla - I am one full Nishi.
Got some exciting news :) I'm going to be a writer for a brand new South Asian living magazine focusing on women! I spent the past few nights composing new writing samples and searching my old writings for appropriate pieces to submit to the owner of the magazine. She got back to me today and will be introducing me to my first assignment sometime soon.
It's just a side gig - nothing full-time at all and more like freelance - but I'm excited! To write articles that shall be published regularly in a magazine - totally psyched. My 1st write-up will be on an Indian woman who is a comedienne and whose parents are against her being on stage and being a comedienne.
Just got out of the shower and am relaxing before getting into bed. *BIG HUGS* to all my dear friends out there. Sean thanks for the nudge on livejournal but ya know i never post there ;)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
05:54 p.m.
I didn't do any writing yesterday like I'd planned but I believe I'm making up for it today. I've been writing non-stop for the past 4 hours on my fictional story of an Indian queen. Drank 2 large cups of coffee and I'm going to keep writing and maybe take a break to watch the Teen Choice Awards and then keep writing until I can write no more. I want to stay up all night and write if possible. When the mood hits, I have to keep writing until I can't anymore. Strike while the iron's hot, like they say.
After a breakfast of mummy's delicious putih with cadillah and hot chai, and reading the Saturday morning paper, I headed out around noon yesterday to return a pair of overly tight brown leather boots I had bought - I know I can get more comfy brown suede ones come Fall. Saw Waldenbooks then and purchased, instead, coursebooks and CDs on Japanese and Mandarin (money better spent). I begin Mandarin classes again in Chinatown in 2 weeks and want to brush up on my Mandarin before I go to class. Afterwards, hit the post office and CVS and came back home to pull my lounge chair, table and a stack of manga books, magazines and one of the Japanese coursebooks out onto the grass of my backyard. I sat and read for at least 2 or 3 hours beneath the shade of the many sprawling trees that line the dense woods behind my house and its lake. Though it was a very hot and humid day, it was much cooler and comfortable in the shade. Mummy came and joined me out on the grass for a half hour before complaining about the bees and the heat and returning to the A/C inside ;)
Came inside after a while then and watched Disc 3 of A Snow Fairy Sugar (still one more episode on the disc to watch) and after going outside again to the deck to lay down on the sofa swing chair and just stare up at the sky, spent the rest of the night studying Japanese and reading my new issues of Vogue and Bazaar and going through my collection of songs and picking good ones to perform and rehearse. Worked out for 90 minutes too doing an intense incline workout on the treadmill. While I exercise, I love watching the entertainment shows like Access Hollywood, EXTRA and E! News and E!'s Daily 10.
This morning I woke up late around 10 a.m. and had breakfast and read the Sunday paper outside on the deck on the sofa swing chair. I spotted white and yellow butterflies (moths?) flying over the grass. Came inside then and did laundry and washed my bed linens. I love sleeping on fresh crisp cool linen sheets every week. Got into a heated argument with my parents this afternoon about something personal and I've stayed up in my room ever since writing.....I'm calmer and feeling better now (called and talked to my 3 sisters who all understood) and now I'm simply listening to the sound of the crickets. The cicadas (or whatever they are) were so loud all day yesterday and this morning, and now they're completely silent and all I can hear are the crickets.
6 p.m. almost....gotta keep writing. I wonder if I can completely finish this story soon....it's so complex with so many issues and as I write, I find I have to keep researching meanings of Indian names, mythology and history of India and Indian royalty. I've had the same 3 books on Indian history out from the local library for almost 3 months now! ;) I've found that I can't try to keep my story 100% authentic to Indian history and mythology - it's too hard and takes away from the story I'm trying to tell. Much of it is loosely based and loosely derived from what I have learned from reading the Indian history books - I know one day maybe Indian critics will say this and that aren't true in my story about Vedic or Hindu Gods but even the 3 history books I have seem to say different things about the Gods I've chosen to mention in this story so I can't get sidetracked by that.
Hope everyone is well and having a wonderful weekend. *HUGS* to Azure Kaze - how was your 1st day of classes? I used to use the dorm computers and the computers in the engineering building ALL THE TIME during my first few semesters at college! :) I didn't get my first computer until the summer of 1998 and that was when I first designed UsagiandMamoru.com and all my other animanga websites! :) Was Usagi's ring a heart shaped pink diamond with diamonds around it? I wouldn't want a pink diamond I don't think but a heart is definitely more in-line with my personality and with my wish for something different from the usual round and square shapes I see all the time in rings.
Kayla I remember senior pictures - oh gawd those WERE expensive - especially the framed ones....yeah anything to make money off of kids and parents eh? ;) And I'm glad to hear you're better - know that I'm always here for you if you need to talk but I think you've got a great wise head on your shoulders and inherent wisdom. You've handled yourself beautifully and I'm proud of you. *HUGS*
Stephanie Hiiii!! *HUGS* thank you for sending me the weddingbee.com site - I'd heard of it before but never really checked it out in depth - it's awesome! :) How are you doing? I read your journal just now and had to comment back on your entries. Post more!!! :)
Callie thank you :) I hope Ricky gets me a ring just like it! :D
Darlene you need to come hang out in NYC with me soon! :) Next year come to the Indian Day Parade with me and my family! :) How are you otherwise? What's new?
Sarah Beth I'm still waiting for you to tell me what's up! IM me :) *HUGS*
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
10:04 a.m.
it's so foggy this morning.....I woke up and it looked like "steam" outside - hot ahd hazy like...it's going to be a very sweltering humid day with highs in the mid-90's and a chance of thunderstorms later this afternoon.
I came in after seeing the fireflies out on the deck last night and watched the Miss Teen USA pageant on TV and I saw Miss Colorado in the top 10 and KNEW she'd win - she had this elegance and this humbleness and greatfulness at being selected - gave great answers - didn't talk too much and didn't act or walk too bouncy or weird - she behaved just right for the occasion. Very happy when she won!
I need to change out of my night gown and have breakfast and run out on my errands this morning before it rains....this is a perfect day to write.....
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Friday, August 24, 2007
07:35 p.m.
it's back to hot and humid weather this weekend....although I hate humidity, I hate losing the warm weather more so for now I will be greatful for the sweaty heat and go and enjoy it before the cooler days of September arrive.
evening is just descending over my little neck of the woods here in Westchester....the insects that make that constant buzzing noise - I think they're cicadas - keep buzzing loud and then soft non-stop.....the only thing louder are the sounds of the geese flying overhead. My fan is circling slowly and there's a slight breeze....
I love summer.
I'm tidying up my room and want to do laundry and wrap some things up for the post office tomorrow then take a shower and watch tv - the Miss Teen USA pageant is on tonight...actually all I want is to go on my deck right now and relax and do nothing......just watch the stars come out one by one....looks like it'll be a cloudy night though - won't see many stars if it clouds up heavily....
I wish it was July again....a Friday in July where the sun doesn't set until 8:30 ;) i love how the trees are green and how the chipmunks and squirrels come out and race around the plants....I love the smell of freshly mowed grass and the cool spray of the lawn sprinklers.....and lying on our blue and red hammock which we still haven't put back up but by golly I shall put up tomorrow! ;)
I wonder if people fully realize how important living in the moment is....how looking around and appreciating what you have right here, right now is so valuable. We're so distracted with thinking about what we've done or are going to do, what we'll eat and say, do tomorrow that we forget to be still...to silence our thoughts, to just simply BE and witness life as it is without thinking, saying or doing anything.....
That said I think I will go outside and relax for a while. I can always do the other things in the nighttime ;) I'll respond to all messages tomorrow *HUGS* to all!
Updated at 8:25 p.m.
I saw fireflies - the 1st time this summer since I never stayed out after it got dark. I forgot that fireflies only come out during summer nights......before I got up off the sofa swing chair on the deck, I saw a little bit of gold twinkling through the trees and thought it was a plane. When it didn't move I stood up and saw it was a beautiful golden moon. How lucky I was to be out there at that time to see that.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
11:14 p.m.
the ring I want is a heart-shaped diamond one with lots of other tiny diamonds clustered around it.....I found it on Fortunoff and it's $17,000....view the ring here. Breathtaking isn't it?
Azure Kaze I was an english major also (Literature and Rhetoric) and I actually took a lot of sociology classes as well (although I was an Economics concentration). Did you get a laptop? I'm glad you liked the pictures! :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Monday, August 20, 2007
07:22 a.m.
Updated at 11:19 p.m. BELOW
it's a cloudy gray and drizzly morning.....I looked outside and saw the hammock we haven't used all summer yet. It's only 61 degrees. I'm filled with pangs of sadness that summer is nearing its end and I don't want it to end. I had such a wonderful weekend with my family.....I took my mom to the India Day Parade in the city yesterday - I took TONS of pictures and will update tonight with all the photos - I bought her Japanese sweets from the grocery on 41st Street and took her to Bryant Park after showing her the front of the Public Library and the lions....and of course this weekend was spent buying my wedding dress....only Nithi's home right now and she'll be leaving tonight and then I don't see the girls again until....late September but then after that it's October and we'll be in L.A. for my engagement. I wish summer and this time with my family would last forever.....
I might take my mom to the free movie at sunset at Bryant Park this evening if the rain ever clears up.....we had so much fun in the city yesterday - the parade was just GORGEOUS and colorful and it was nice to see so many of our fellow Indians out in saris and salvars....mum and I even ate at a little cafe/eatery on 31st or 30th & Madison.....such good memories....like the Western Union India-Flag Fan she finally got and we went back to Duane Reade to get when I left it there by accident with the free Daily News we were given at the parade :)
I'm off to start my morning. Have a wonderful day all. Will update this entry tonight with the photos and everything and will respond to ALL messages tonight too! :)
Updated at 11:19 p.m.
Pictures of yesterday's parade :)
Azure Kaze thank you so MUCH! And oh my GOD I can't believe ur going to college there! I hope you DO get a laptop. What student in this day and age doesn't get one at college? *HUGGGGGGGG* I hope you have the most amazing time there!! Write me!!
Caroline-chan hahahaha 2.5 hours was long in my dad's eyes ;) LOL! And no - no pictures because I don't want Ricky or anyone to see the dress until it's on me on my wedding day :) How're YOU?
Sarah Beth my dear sweet friend don't worry about a thing. I know how busy you are. And I can't wait to hear what you mean - so mysterious! :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
I bought my wedding dress :D
Saturday, August 18, 2007
07:55 p.m.
Today, my whole family and I went wedding dress shopping - even my dad! He wound up forking over the credit card ;) But I plan to pay him back - the wedding dress is my expense. The very first dress I tried on I thought I was in love, but I tried on another and it was even better than the 1st, and then tried on a bunch more and then found a 3rd. I narrowed it down to 3 and it was such a hard choice but when I finally decided, I felt right about the choice. The dress I bought was within my budget and the price includes the cost of alterations and after haggling with the owner of the store, she threw in the price of a matching veil. It's ivory and strapless and full of lace and beading and just....breathtaking - esp with the veil and tiara....when I saw myself in the mirror in it I just knew that if I walked out of the store without it, I'd be heart broken.
That took all of 2.5 hours :D and then it was off to lunch with the fam to Red Lobster and then on to brides maid dresses but my sisters couldn't find anything that they loved and was within their budgets so that was unsuccessful. Papa bought us Goldups Mango Juices from a local Indian store and now we're home. Saturday has flown by but it's been productive - I bought my wedding dress! YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :D
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
10:41 p.m.
One of the books I've been working on is non-fiction and it's a sort of 'coffee-table' book about NYC and my experiences in the city over the past 6-8 years. It's almost finished but before I make the final manuscript, I have to take pictures of the observations I've written about - that's what makes it a "coffee-table" book - something in hardcover and oversize and very pretty to sit and look through and read.....the observations I write are no longer than a page - sometimes only 3 paragraphs....but they're designed to pull the reader into NYC....I want the reader to feel the way I did when I saw, heard, smelled and experienced the things I did here in the city.
To take the pictures, I went to B&H Photo with my friend Stephanie during lunch and bought my 1st digital camera - yes, I said first. I've always used my dad's whenever I needed to but now I have this little beauty: an Olympus Stylus 760 - it's actually a purplish-pink and not a bright pink as it appears here.
At first, when my friend Steph and I tried it out after work, I was disappointed because it doesn't have auto focus and if I wanted to take a picture very close up within an inch, I can't. It requires 3 inches distance. However, after taking it for a test run through the city this evening and then taking a bunch of pictures now at night and in the lighting in my room - I love it. Pictures I thought may be fuzzy in the LCD screen were actually perfect when I zoomed in on the review screen. The colors and contrast are GORGEOUS.
The camera will suffice for what I want to do and given the fact that there's no way I can afford a fancy photography camera ;) I did try to contact someone who took some gorgeous pictures of the NYC skyline I found on FLICKR.COM but he never got back to me so I've gotta try taking the pictures myself. It should be fun :) Taking the pictures, I found, is something I really enjoy....I already am artistic and love graphics design and visual arts so I shouldn't be surprised that I love photography I guess ;) I just didn't know how MUCH I'd love trying to capture the perfect scene because I want to make sure people see how beautiful the object was I was trying to capture.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Let this be the day
Monday, August 13, 2007
5:55 a.m.
I got up at 4am to see the meteors and found that the sky was completely cloudy. To think that a new moon falls for the 1st time in 8 years during the Perseids and NY's skies are cloudy. Sheesh. I think though, that b/t 11-12 midnight last night, I must have seen some of the flashing lights of the meteors - they were very quick streaks of light - faint and quick which makes me not all certain if I saw them or not. But I got very excited and with my Ricky on the phone, marveled about how amazing it was to witness things like meteor showers. Luckily though tonight is a clear night and the Perseids will still be visible tonight and tomorrow even though the moon will begin to come back, the skies will be mostly dark enough for these 2 days to see. :)
I woke up with a new song in my head called 'Let this be the day' and am half-way done writing it.
Update at 6:42 a.m.
Finished the song (well all except a variation I think). It's such a fun Christian/family friendly kind of song. I feel good having written it.
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Sunday, August 12, 2007
11:07 p.m.
So I held my first Japanese anime/manga meet-up today here in my hometown and it was fun! I met other animanga enthusiasts who lived in Westchester and nearby Connecticut. We had Japanese & Chinese food at a local restaurant I enjoy and afterwards went for green tea frapps at Starbucks across the street. I want to make it more fun though than just a bunch of fans sitting around talking - I need to find a place where we can all watch anime together and order in Sushi and somehow organize some kind of Japanese lesson - that way people get a lot more out of the group event.
I'm up late now watching for the Perseid Meteor Shower. I'm sure you've heard of it by now - it's been reported in almost every newspaper and I'm glad of it - maybe it'll get more people into astronomy! :) But in case you don't know, the Perseids are a meteor shower named so because they appear in the sky where the constellation of Perseus is. Perseus - as those of us mythology buffs know - is the hero who defeated Medusa - the creature whose face could turn men into stone - and who rides upon the winged Pegasus one of my favorite mythological beasts.
Tonight happens to be the BEST night to view this meteor shower because it is the night of the new moon - the 1st time since 1999 that a new moon fell during the Perseids. What this means is that that the moon is completely dark making the sky completely dark - this allows us to clearly view the stars and the meteors - making it the best time to watch the skies.
A meteor shower happens when tiny specks of comet debris enter Earth's atmosphere, creating an eye catching light show as they vaporize during a streak through our atmosphere. The Perseid Meteor Shower happens when Earth passes through the debris trail of the Comet Swift-Tuttle as the comet makes its 130-year orbit around the sun. Every flash is a fragment burning at 37 miles per *second* and you can spot 100 of these flashes *per hour* on peak nights August 12th & 13th.
And they are :) I have my blinds open and the lights are off and I'm typing in the dark ;) LOL! :)
I'm gonna be one sleepy Nishi at work tomorrow. :)
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Saturday, August 11, 2007
01:32 p.m.
good morning or afternoon guys and dolls :) I've removed the comment-board/tag-board due to spamming. Instead, I've placed a guestbook link which allows me to approve messages before they post. You'll find the 'leave a comment on this entry' link at the end of all my postings next to Neo Queen Selenity :)
It is the most gorgeous August day - 76 degrees, warm, sunny and just beautiful. The cicadas are being noisy, the lake is shimmering and I have no idea why I'm sitting here inside at my desk instead of outdoors!
Kayla oh my god!!! *HUGGGGGGGGGGG* I've added your nicks to my aim and yahoo and MSN messengers. If you want to talk, I'm here. I'm shooting you an email as well right now.
Sarah Beth holy bejeezus 11 hours AND hour long commutes each way? dear god you poor sweet girl *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* Happy 2nd Anniversary sweetheart!!!!!!!!!! Has it really only been 2 years because I feel like it's been so much longer!!! I can't believe Lydz and I were only at your wedding 2 years ago - I feel like a lifetime has passed since then. *HUGGGGGGGGGGG* I can't wait to get your email.
Sean still haven't gotten the pics. Soon I hope!!!
I am off to drink a cool glass of lemon water and go outside and write and read. *HUGS* to all!
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Thursday, August 9, 2007
8:00 p.m.
I love Slooh - it's so relaxing to me to go stargazing and to view distant galaxies and nebulae in space......these are 2 nebulae I captured just now on Slooh's telescope: the Dark Comet Neubla and the North American Nebula:
Long and productive day at work....came home instead of going to a free screeing of StarDust like I'd originally planned.....the movie opens tomorrow.....papa picked me up and when I came home, I washed the dishes for my mom and had the yummy dinner she'd made: super-soft idily with sambar and sauteed vegetables....I'm munching on Goldfishies now and just came in from sitting out on the deck on the swing chair....it was just 73 degrees and beautiful....a perfect August summer night....it's going to thunderstorm again tonight and tomorrow....I'm going to write tonight...starting now.
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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
07:49 p.m.
I think that of the many places/sites I love in NYC, Rockefeller Center is among my top 5 and may be my #1 destination in the city. Almost every day and night there's something going on there - from performances by today's hottest starts hosted by the Today Show to various pop and international culture shows and events. I watched the U.S. Open once on huge tv screens from stadium seating-like stands right at the center of Rockefeller and another time enjoyed gorgeous song and dance shows by Korean and Japanese artists.
Today at the Rock, the "Today Show" just ended their outdoor tapings of LIVE cooking demonstrations and took apart a HUGE swimming pool that was set up for demonstration swimmers. Right now, there's a lovely Farmer's Market taking place until August 18th. Kinokuniya, by the way, is NOT CLOSING and is actually opening a NEW store at Bryant Park in October 2007!!! :D Thank goodness - I'd be so upset if they closed the store by Rockefeller Center.
Live WebCam from Rockefeller Center <---- this shows the cover of the tents for the Farmer's Market going on right now. To its left, you can see a little of the open-air restaurant that gets converted into an ice rink in the winter (the famous Rockefeller Ice Skating Rink).
I can't believe how many people are out right now in this humid 90+ degree weather....the city...how I love it.
The thunderstorm from this morning wound up causing HUGE traffic problems throughout the city today and was hell for commuters like myself. When I got to the train station this morning, all service on the Metro North trains were suspended until further notice. Torrential rains had caused flooding in the Bronx and impaired the switches and the rails. It also affected the subways and a lot of people could not get to work due to subway trains being unable to run or taking hours. Work wound up closing early today around 4pm and I've been home ever since puttering away online, reading, and now I'm going to start writing.
This Friday at Bryant Park beginning at 7 a.m., Eve and Sean Paul are performing for FREE as part of Good Morning America's summer concert series. You need to get there by 6am apparently. I want to go but not so bad as to get up crazy early ;)
Night is falling and I'm watching the lake and woods get dark. I think after I've written some, I'm going to go on Slooh and do some star gazing.
Azure Kaze LOL :) I wound up actually putting my hair into low pig-tails today and got teased incessently by friends at work who insisted on calling me Pipi LongStalkings or Indian Sqaw or Pocahontas. ;) I was actually just copying the cute low pig-tails of Monica on Friends and of the Japanese models in my Japanese magazines - I love the hairstyle a LOT and I thought it was super fun to do my hair like that today considering how hot and humid it was. Kept the hair out of my face and kept me COOL :) But as to your other question - none of my stories have been published - YET :)
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Wednesday, August 8, 2007
7:01 a.m.
woke up to the sound of a thunderstorm this morning and it was gorgeous. opened the blinds and I felt like writing right away. Reminded me of one of those late October/November mornings because of how dark and stormy it was but then was happy it was still August and not a cold fall morning yet. It's going to be horribly hot though today - 95 degrees and humid beyond measure. Definitely a 'put my hair in a pony tail' day.
I'm reading the last volume of Gals (#10) and don't want the series to enddddd, I'm gonna miss Ran and Aya and Miyu especially their outfits!! :)
My friend Stephanie and I went hanging out in the city after work on Monday and we went to Book-Off by the Manhattan Public Library and they moved their english manga upstairs and the selection is so much wider!! We also found that Kinokuniya is opening a new store (or moving?) on 6th Avenue right across from Bryant Park!!! I hope the one at Rockefeller isn't moving though....I really love that one because of the area and the memories I have meeting friends there, taking my family there too for when they used to serve tea and sandwiches and desserts in the back of the Japanese bookstore. It's where I fell in love with Assam tea ;) Plus MinomotoKitchoan is right next door - a Japanese Wagashi store (gourmet desserts/pastries) - I'll be sad if Kino closes at Rockefeller - I've been going there since I started law school back in 1999.....it has so many memories for me there....
The storm's died down now and it's 2 minutes to 7am and I better start getting ready now for work. Don't you wish that on stormy, rainy days you could just stay home? I would write, write and write. I'm incredibly inspired when it rains and thunderstorms. :)
Sean no pics yet - I don't think Rick's uploaded them from his camera still - now that you reminded me, I'll remind HIM! ;)
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Sunday, August 5, 2007
08:08 a.m.
I got up at 7:30 this morning and opened the windows and blinds and was greeted by the pleasant breeze, warm sunlight, the sounds of birds and the steady streaming song of the cicadas. It's only 68 degrees right now - a marked difference from mornings in the past week when the heat was as high as 82 and the humidity at 100%. There's a gentle wind swaying the low tree limbs and the sun is shining down. It promises to be a beautiful August Sunday. I am going to make some coffee or tea and take my writing pad outside and write for a while. I'm pretty sure the madness of our family party won't start to begin until 10 or 11a.m. so lemme take this time now to enjoy the quiet Sunday morning. *HUGS* to all.
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Saturday, August 4, 2007
12:52 p.m.
"A stone monolith carved with a representation of Tlaltechutli, the Aztec god of the earth, is seen in Mexico City, in this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, file photo. Mexican archaeologists, using ground-penetrating radar, have detected directly below the monolith, underground chambers they believe contain the remains of Emperor Ahuizotl, who ruled the Aztecs when Columbus landed in the New World." Read full story: Aztec Leader's Tomb Found
"No tomb of an Aztec ruler has ever been found, in part because the Spanish conquerors built their own city atop the Aztec's ceremonial center, leaving behind colonial structures too historically valuable to remove for excavations."
"Any artifacts linked to Ahuizotl would bring tremendous pride to Mexico. The country has sought unsuccessfully to recover Aztec artifacts like the feather-adorned "shield of Ahuizotl" and the "Montezuma headdress" from the Ethnology Museum in Vienna, Austria."
Fascinating isn't it?
It is another sweltering hot day today - yesterday was 95 degrees and today promises to hit 90. Right now the sun's gone behind some clouds and is casting a dim shade on the grass. The lake looks totally green from reflecting the trees. I can see no ripples and there isn't a breeze in sight. We are definitely in the "dog days" of summer now and that makes me want to make some cold lemon-water, go out on the deck and write, write, write.
Met with a new guitarist named Ashwini yesterday after work and dude is he awesome! He got the melodies to my songs instantly and was able to play them both in fast and slow versions. It helps that he's Indian too and understands Indian music very well but an equal gem is that he used to be a rocker who played Metallica and Def Lepard! I think he's a very good accompanist for me and will very easily get my music. :)
Last night I finished HARRY POTTER Book 7 - the last book - it was wonderful - the whole entire series makes for one of the most beautiful and well-conceived and excellently written stories I've ever had the pleasure to read, from start to finish. I wish the author had covered more towards the end but it suffices. I plan to buy all the books now in hard-cover and give them a place of honor in my library. One day I shall give the books to my kids to read and hope they get as much enjoyment from it as I did.
The one thing I found ironic while reading it is a spell that protects barriers. One of my faerie fantasy stories I've been working on has a Hindu man protecting the main characters of my story by casting magic that protects the perimeters of their encampment in a clearing in the woods. My character does magical incantations to protect all directions including the sky and the ground. When I got to the part in the Harry Potter Book 7 where a similar security magic was used while the characters too were in the woods, I was amazed and worried - would people think I took that idea from HP book 7? Well no because I wrote all that back in April 2007 and HP 7 came out in late July. It's actually been done before in other fantasy magic books, Japanese manga and cartoons and anime I've watched and is a common and logical thing to do to secure the perimeters.
Today and tomorrow we have family visiting and one of my sisters (Mili) has come home to help my mom cook and prepare for a big family party we're having tomorrow. It's almost 1pm and I need to get working. *HUGS* to all.
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Friday, August 3, 2007
12:32 a.m.
Dear God,
Tonight, I finally learned the one big lesson you have been trying to teach me throughout all my 30 years of life. The one lesson which, although I had sometimes appreciated and tried to practice, never TRULY learned and appreciated the deep meaning and magnitude of it. Until now.
The lesson I finally came to understand: the reasons for why I had seemingly suffered so much hurt often in my life, was to bestow upon me the gifts of compassion, understanding & forgiveness - gifts that meant learning to see into another person's life and humanity and understand who and what they are and why they have hurt me and why I should not hate them but choose to understand, forgive and forget. It meant seeing into someone's human weaknesses & human flaws that cannot be helped and may never change - understanding them and, not only choosing to forgive and forget, but meant learning to NOT wish that they get what they deserve, and instead wish that they change for the better into kinder and better individuals who no longer had those flaws/weaknesses that had hurt me. It meant to wish for their wellness.
This lesson was the toughest lesson of my life and I am so thankful that it took only 30 years. Now that I think, this was a lesson taught in the Bible: pray for your enemies. Your enemies are really just YOU - how you would be if you were them, born into their bodies, with their genes and raised as they were with their families or culture/religion. To understand them and forgive them is the same as hoping someone would understand YOU and forgive you. We are, after all, one and the same - at the heart - at the center of it all.
I feel like now some subtle change has overcome me - like a huge weight has been released. I do not think now things will bother me as they once did. I suddenly feel like I am no longer the girl searching to become the woman she wishes to be - I suddenly feel that I have become her - finally, at last - a woman who is truly knowing, understanding, compassionate and forgiving. I have finally achieved it.
And now, I will achieve everything I have ever hoped to achieve.
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
09:47 p.m.
hello guys and dolls :) top of the evenin' to ya.
I've been working on one of my fantasy stories tonight and have reached a road block such that I'm not sure where to take the story next. I'm sitting here revising and making the sentences more perfect instead. I needed a break so this was the perfect time to blog :)
My throat was still bothering me today at work but I think it's getting better now. I ate a ton of grapefruits, oranges, kiwis, plums, apples and blueberries and blackberries for the past 2 days (along with Green Tea) and I think all those super foods helped. I normally hate grapefruits but the ones I bought recently were actually sweet and good (as were ones I had on the cruise to Mexico 2 weeks ago - can't believe it's now 2 weeks ago) so now I've decided I need to start eating a grapefruit every other day.
I think I'll call it a night on writing and move on to a song I started composing on the train this evening - it's a haunting sad song I've titled 'To Stop a Falling Star.'
Thank you to Ramona and Azure Kaze for your well wishes *HUGS* And to Jenny - it's wonderful to see you! And yes busy with wedding plans alright (and many other plans!) :) How're you doing? What's new with you?
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Monday, July 30, 2007
07:06 a.m.
ugh, good morning people. I did come down with something. Got up a little while ago and my throat hurts and my face feels hot and my dad woke up now and he said I felt warm. Called one of my friends from work now & left her a message and think I'll call my boss John a little later. I'm downing some advil and tea now and going to see if I can sleep again.
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Sunday, July 29, 2007
10:21 p.m.
I think I'm coming down with something...last week I was sneezing a lot and this weekend I've got that weird itching in my ear and scratchiness in my throat...not feeling good now....been writing and re-vising for the past hour and a half almost....and I'm mad at myself because I'm getting tired and have to stop....my whole plan had been to get up early this morning and write all day but was thwarted by things I had to do......
Had many loving conversations with my Ricky this weekend....we miss each other a lot - can't believe we were just at the farmer's market last sunday......it thunderstormed and rained gorgeously here today and I watched Disc 2 of A Little Snow Fairy Sugar (a reallllyyy cute and beautiful Japanese anime). My sister Mili stopped by for a little bit today.
Nimisha Fall of the Gods will be finished but it is not on the top of my list as I have other stories which must be finished first. But rest assured - it shall be completed :)
Azure Kaze the questions you ask would take a book to answer ;) but briefly, go to law school and pass your state's bar exam and you can work as a lawyer and as for making a website - you need to learn html or use website builder tools and once you have those, you need a webspace - which is space hosted on a remote server. You can get free webspace most anywhere in exchange for letting them put a banner ad on your site or you can pay for your own domain (register one at dotster.com) and purchase a hosting plan that lets you buy space for your domain name. Then make your webpages and upload them to your domain through your host's servers. Ta da - you have a website :)
Sean looks like you had one awesome party! Nothing as exciting for me ;)
Hemal yup I'm getting married to my sweetheart of 6 years and counting, his name's Ricky.
Sarah Beth we sooooo need to catch up. When's good for you and I'll give u a call :)
Kayla I loveeee the doll maker!!! Here's the one I made below:
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Saturday, July 28, 2007
04:37 p.m.
it's a hot summer day out - 85 degrees and the lawn sprinklers are running and there's a wonderful warm breeze. I just got back home from the post office and the grocery store and am enjoying the delicious fruits I bought: peaches, kiwis and plums. Woke up around 11:30 this morning but I really want a nap now. Thank goodness it's Saturday.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
The Simpsons Movie
Friday, July 27, 2007
11:18 p.m.
Went and saw the Simpson's Movie tonight after work with my friend Steph - it was wonderful - if you see it, make sure you stay through the credits - you'll hear Maggie Speak!!! :) Went to Kwik-E-Mart in Times Square afterwards where I picked up 4 copies of Bart's comic 'Radioactive Man' and the 5 straws commemorating the movies - one of all the Simpsons (save for Maggie who's being held by Marge) & one of Apu :)
Below is the avatar I made at the SimpsonsMovie.com - looks similar to me :)
It's Fridaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yahoooooooooooooooooooooo :D And it's the weekenddddddddddddddddddddddd :D
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I loved, loved, loved Mexico
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
10:01 p.m.
talk about a gorgeous city with wonderful people and that was just Ensenada, Mexico which is located in Baja, Mexico. I went last Friday via JetBlue (enjoying hours of 'What Not To Wear' on it's DirecTV) and landed in Long Beach where my Ricky gave me a big hug and lugged my heavy red suitcase to a beautiful silver PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE!!!! I can't tell you how much even MORE I am in love with convertibles after this. I got props for finding the button that made the top go down ;)
Rick's own car was in the shop because he had gotten rear-ended while he was stopped at a red light a couple weeks ago and so the other driver's insurance company was paying Rick's rental car costs. Rick decided to treat us to the PT convertible and paid more out of his pocket so we could drive down in the cute car to San Diego to visit his friends Seena and Eric.
Friday night we went to this place called Joe's on Abbott Kinney for a romantic dinner and before that, I got to meet his new roomate, Linda, who is a total sweetheart and her 2 adorable dogs - a daschund named Stretch who's really quiet and another dog who's a mixed breed that is golden and is a very happy hyper dog who LOVED me (and I loved it) named Tone!
We got up super early on Saturday and after packing, headed to Whole Foods where we got a huge gift basket and a bottle of wine for Seena and Eric - who've got to be one of the cutest and coolest couples I know - they're so interesting. Seena is a super-creative and beautiful woman who's also malayalee and jacobite like me and she's amazingly talented - her house is the most artful museum-like place I've ever been - every object is like a piece of art with a wonderful story to go with it. I adored them AND their little daughter Quinn who's just the CUTEST GIRL to turn 5 years old!!! She and I had a lot in common: a love for Disney Princesses and Barbies :D Especially Ariel! :) We spent Saturday with Seena and Eric and spent Sunday with them at the beach in San Diego - I ate fish tacos for the first time and boy were they good!
Headed back to L.A. in the evening and once back went to Natalee Thai's - this VERY GOOD thai restaurant and then it was up early again on Monday to run errands before going to our CRUISE SHIP in Long Beach - the ship was located right next to the famous haunted ship - the Queen Mary! Carnival's ship was humongous and it was a fun experience just boarding! Once inside, we found our cabin had a great big window and a great view of the sea. Our first night on the boat was spent meeting some cool people at our dinner table - Lindsay and Chris and Sarah and Micah - both couples were devout Christians with strong spiritual beliefs - I thought they were wonderful people and enjoyed meeting them although early on the conversation wound up getting tense when people started discussing their religious beliefs....politics and religion - never good to get into at the dinner table ;)
Tuesday early morning we woke up to the gorgeous view of Catalina Island - its city of Avalon is just so gorgeous. After getting room service of croissants and delicious breakfast foods (it's insane the amount of amazing food you get on a cruise ship) we headed out to the Island for an Eco Tour of marine life and spotted a bald eagle, bird's nests, seals and learned a lot about the history of the Island and its inhabitants. We spent a lot of time walking around the Island - Rick and I'd been there before and thoroughly explored it already so now we were just having fun - the houses there are just so gorgeous.
Wednesday morning we arrived in Ensenada and off the ship we boarded a cruise tour to a real mexican winery that had won various awards where we learned how wine was made and tasted its white and red wines and samples its olive oil and cheeses. Next we went to La Bufadora (the Blowhole) - an underwater geyser of sorts. I picked up cute little turtles and souvenirs for my friends at work there and then Rick and I got off the bus downtown and escaped the touristy areas and explored Ensenada on our own. We walked down various streets taking in the sights and sounds, ate at local restaurants where we didn't spot any tourists - and it was SO awesome. I spoke in Spanish to everyone I met and in so doing, we found a movie theater where we were able to watch Ocean's 13 in english (with Spanish subtitles) for only $2.50 a person!!! The mexican dollar is 11 mexical dollars to 1 U.S. dollar so everything is MUCH cheaper there. I LOVED IT. We bought pastries after an amazing dinner at this placed called Margarita's and even the pastries came out to only $2 total. I was AMAZED.
The best part of Ensenada was how NICE the people were and NO ONE tried to cheat us or take advantage of us. They were just GOOD people and we loved it. We felt like we were in Kerala (our native land in India) because of all the markets and the people who looked so similar to us.
I was so sad to leave Mexico that night. Especially because the next day, Thursday, was a "day at sea" and the most boring day EVER. I worked out a lot on the cruise ship (took aerobics and pilates and worked the heck out of the elliptical machine) and Rick and I spent Thursday exploring the ship, working out, watching tv, reading our books and magazines and being very bored. We did see a couple shows on board which are like Broadway shows in their talent and numbers (I loved the Hollywood show). The dinners at night were fabulous - I had lobster to molten chocolate cakes and pumpkin bisques and it was definitely 4-star food.
We landed back on shore Friday - happy to be back on land because we'd been so bored at sea - and after running a million errands, unpacked and chilled before catching TRANSFORMERS at the movie theater (lemme tell ya - it is one AWESOME movie!!!!!) and then we came back home and got ready to meet up with Ricky's friend Hirag and Hirag's girlfriend, Bianca. Turns out Hirag and Bianca are getting married next May also (2 weeks before Ricky and I do) and we talked a lot about wedding planning. We went to this awesome Moroccan restaurant which had a bellydancer performing during the dinner - it's name was Cayenne and I had my first taste of delicious moroccan coffee there - it has sediments and is rich! The food was amazing and I loved the Jallab drink (a sweet rose water drink with pine nuts and something else I forget).
Saturday we got up early again to go to Ricky's friends Marie & Flo's house - they're French and gave us a french breakfast of croissants and DELICIOUS coffee. They're very sweet and very chill people with a gorgeous baby boy who's 1 and 1/2 years old. I enjoyed talking to them because they're intelligent and informed me so much on french politics and culture. Afterwards, Rick and I went walking on MELROSE AVENUE where we checked out cute stores and restaurants, had gelato and stopped at this Indian store run by Americans who had gone to India often. I found this beautiful hand-made box carved with sanskrit and the owner told me it was 50% off and I got it along with little jeweled pots of ayurvedic balms that smelled SO DELICIOUS - I also picked up this gorgeous Indian oil tea-pot like vessel as a gift for Ricky's roomate Linda - her aparment is beautifully decorated and she has great shelves which she displays beautiful objects - I thought the vessel would look pretty on it :)
We dished on Japanese food at this place called Yabu's and that night, we met up at Manhattan Beach at Mama D's Italian Restaurant with Rick's other friend, Mike - who is this really cool guy who has done peace corp in Algeria. Rick has wonderful friends and I adored them all.
Sunday we went for breakfast at this trendy place called Urth Cafe and then went to a farmer's market where we got delicious fresh fruits, creamed honey and spent the rest of the day shopping for sunglasses and looking at cars for Ricky to buy - I found the one I want - a beautiful 2007 laser blue Volkswagen Beetle Convertible - it's JUST SO CUTE & ME and I wish I'd taken a picture of it - the image below doesn't do it justice - it's SO MUCH prettier and nicer in person!!
After hitting the beach, we went home where I packed and we went for a late movie showing of Ratatouille - very cute movie - and then it was up super early at 5am Monday morning for the drive back to the airport.
Rick and I miss each other a lot now. I love L.A. but it was nice to come home too to my dad and sister Nithi who picked me up from JFK and when I got home mummy loved the little mexican girl doll I brought back for her (got myself one too) and nith loved the turtle I brought back for her (a little plastic one which I'd also given Rick who put it on his dashboard) and I spent the night unpacking and went to work on Tuesday wishing I was still in Mexico and writing ;)
It's good to be back though and I'm ready and re-charged to work on my music and writing and wedding planning!
I hope all of you have been well!!!! I hope to have pictures from Mexico soon. *HUGS* to everyone!!!! I'm going to take a cool shower (it is hot and humid here right now) and try to do some writing tonight.
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Back from vacation
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
10:23 p.m.
I'm backkkkkkkkkkkkkk and I had the best time. I LOVED Baja, Mexico!!!!!! I'll write much much more tomorrow but right now I'm super-tired and need to sleep.
I want to give big hugs to Sean, Lady, Darlene, Sarah Beth, Millie, Hana, Azure Kaze, Kayla, Callie, Caroline (Caro-channn :D) and Ramona.
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Thursday, July 12, 2007
11:12 p.m.
tomorrow is my 1st day of vacation! :) it's off to sunny Baja, Mexico for me on a 4 to almost 5-day cruise that leaves Monday! :) But first, I fly in to Los Angeles see my boyfriend tomorrow night and we'll be driving to San Diego early Saturday morning to see his friends there before we head back to L.A. to board the ship! :) So excited and I just can't wait! Packed all my favorite hot-weather clothes and almost every bikini and swimsuit I own ;) I'm excited to see Mexico and enjoy a real summer get-a-way! :)
I'm almost done packing 1 huge luggage with everything that I'll check in. I'm really proud that I packed 11 days worth of clothes & shoes and everything else heavy in 1 rolling suitcase :) On the 5-6 hour flight I usually only bring a purse and a small overnight bag which holds my magazines, water, lotions and everything else I could possibly need on the plane ;) I plan to write on the plane so packed my writing pad and print-outs of everything I've written thus far. I'm determined to finish at least 1-3 chapters of each of my stories over vacation.
I probably won't write from there so bon voyage everyone :) *HUGS* and see ya'll when I get back!
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Tuesday, July 10, 2007
11:04 p.m.
I finished compiling every salon that has 3 or more of the 5 designers of the dresses I want - after I get back from my vacation I'll be heading to a ton of bridal salons in NYC, Westchester and Long Island - and that's for the wedding gowns. The hardest thing is the dress shopping! Both for myself and for my bridesmaids. My possible designers will be San Patrick, La Sposa, Pronovias, Priscilla of Boston and Melissa Sweet. I decided I had to give up on the Elie Saab unless by some miracle I became rich between now and the wedding. Hah. :)
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Monday, July 9, 2007
10:56 p.m.
how come Stonehenge isn't one of the 7 wonders of the world? For that matter - why only 7? why not 10 or 12? I've compiled about 18-20 and these are simply man-made wonders of the world:
My list:
Pyramids of Giza
Taj Mahal
Great Wall of China
Stonehenge
Eiffel Tower
Statue of Liberty
Roman Colosseum
Parthenon & Acropolis of Greece
The Leaning Tower of Pisa
Machu Pichu
Aztec temples of Mexico
Big Ben in London
Christ the Redeemer Statue of Brazil
Angkor Wat's temple
Easter Island
Red Square & St. Basil's Cathedral in Russia
Sydney Opera House
Petra of Jordan (can't forget that!)
The Terra-Cotta Warriors of China
And if you don't know one of those listed above, do a little on-line research - you'll be surprised by how amazing these structures and sites are.
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Sunday, July 8, 2007
9:14 a.m.
I'm having breakfast with Wimbledon. I'm cheering Rafael Nadal on. He's so sweet and humble when he talks about how no one's ever won both the French and Wimbledon back to back in like forever and ever and just humbly says he's going to try his best and then asks Roger Federer, who's the current champion of Wimbledon, if he'd like to go first out on the court. That kind of humble sweetness is what wins me over. I hope he wins today.
Update at 9:55 a.m.
OH MY GOD this game is so freakin' intense. It's tied now 6-6!!!!!!!! Now they have to play tie-break!!!!!! ARGGGHHHHHHHHH!! Every time they go for a long volley I feel crushed if Rafa loses the volley cause they played so long and tough - and SO BEAUTIFULLY! They truly are the BEST players in tennis right now!
Update at 1:21 p.m.
Well sweet Rafa lost but not before taking Roger into a 5th set and putting up an AMAZING show of tennis skill winning the 2nd and 4th sets 6-2 and 6-4 and forcing Roger into super long 7-6/7-6 sets complete with tie-breaks in each. By the 5th set however Rafa had hurt his knee and his body language didn't look too good. I kept yelling at the tv 'Keep Fighting Rafa!' but I could tell he was spent - too many errors. This championship game was absolutely riveting and amazing and when Rafa had to give his runner-up speech, he was the sweetest most humblest guy....next year Rafa - ur gonna win next year! :)
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Thursday, July 5, 2007
11:14 p.m.
This morning I decided to walk the mile worth of blocks and avenues to work and, in so doing, witnessed the sobering morning activity of stores opening.
For those who have never seen the sun rise with shopkeepers opening their cafes, bakeries, groceries and those tiny little convenience "delis" on street corners selling coffee and lottery tickets, the experience is slightly surreal and exotic.
The men often have cigarettes in their mouths, and some are Indian, Hispanic or Chinese. Sometimes I can hear Hindi music playing from within the Indian stores or catch some recognizable phrases in Spanish, Mandarin or Cantonese from the groceries and cafes.
I take all of this in with the steady beat of my feet on the sidewalk, slowing down only a second to marvel at these things in life that so many of us ignore or fail to notice.
Many of the stores on New York City's streets are shuttered at night with solid metal gates, some of which have age-old graffiti written upon them. When the stores open in the morning, however, with the clanging sounds of their metallic grates and chains, revealed are beautiful boutiques of wholesalers who sell designer brands of gorgeous dresses, gowns and tops to bigger retailers. Some of these will allow a customer off the street to purchase their clothing but you probably won't get the wholesale price.
As I walked by a few of these on the west side of 37th Street, I made a mental note to walk back this way after work so I could see the shops in their full display and glory. New York, New York, I love this city.
I'm off to bed. Will respond to msgs tomorrow night or this weekend. *HUGS* to all!
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Happy 4th of July 2007!
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
08:16 p.m.
What a fun and productive 4th! Woke up around 8am but lay in bed snoozing until 9am at which point I turned on Regis & Kelly and was happy they were still LIVE for the 4th of July :) Then got out of bed and went and made a healthy breakfast of a fruit salad of sliced kiwis, oranges and bananas, with coffee with very vanilla soy milk and a boiled egg. My sisters then all arrived home and after hanging out we started making our outdoor barbeque. Mekha got my mom new kebob skewers and the steak, bell pepper and tomato kebobs we made were SOOOOO delicious. I ate so much with hot dogs and hamburgers and corn - the outdoor barbeque on our deck was awesome :) Afterwards, we all played Papa's new Bingo game (lost $3 in the process) and I went upstairs and spent a lot of time designing and finding what will be my wedding cake, floral decorations, cake toppers and my wedding invitations. I'm surprised how much I got decided and done,
I made a very special dessert for my family today which I've decided to call "Nishi's Peach Vanilla Delight Dessert" - here's the recipe:
Nishi's Peach Vanilla Delight Dessert
Take 4 ripe peaches, 24 blackberries, and 24 blueberries and wash all well and set aside
Pit 3 of the peaches and slice them in half and set aside in a bowl (you should have 6 halves now)
Also remove the pit from the 4th peach but simply slice that one up into small chunks - about 12 pieces if possible
Set stove to medium-high heat and in a large pan, melt 2 tablespoons of soft butter or margarine
Once melted, add in 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract and stir
Then add 1/4 cup of molasses (whatever brand or type you like)
Make sure all are mixed and melted together
Then place the peaches into the pan (halved-sides face-down) and the chunks, as well, all in, and cover the pan and let cook for 6-8 minutes
Then flip the halved-peaches over and cover again for another 4 minutes)
After this, switch the stove off and remove the pan from the hear and place each of halves into 6 bowls
Take Vanilla Ice Cream and put a small scoop into the center of each half (where the pit used to be)
Put 2 chunks of peaches on either side of the peach-halves in each bowl
Then from the pan, take the peach-molasses-vanilla syrup and pour a little of it over the top of the ice cream and the peaches
Finally, put 4 blackberries and 4 blueberries in each bowl decoratively around the peaches and serve immediately
I made that dessert up with whatever was available in our kitchen and it was a hit! :) The peaches were warm and the vanilla ice cream cold and the whole thing wasn't like overly sweet or anything - it was just right.
The girls have left now to go back to their apartments and I'm going to watch Macy's Fireworks special on tv with my folks.
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Monday, July 2, 2007
09:47 p.m.
ahhhh I feel so refreshed! Just took a long shower after jogging 4 1/2 miles and doing a ton of strengthening and toning exercises and a grueling ab workout - I'm gonna have abs of steel - and I better - I just bought 2 new super-pretty bikinis from Victoria's Secret for the Cruise to Baja, Mexico I'm going on in 2 weeks! One's purple and the other is tribal - perfect for Mexico huh? ;)
My friend Jose's wedding was beautiful! His bride, Mayra, looked GORGEOUS. My friends Mark and his girlfriend Marie were there as was my friend Alexi and Kerry from work. I danced and had yummy food and drove all the way to Baldwin myself without getting lost! Huge accomplishment! Below are pictures from the wedding.
And those were taken with my camera phone! :) I look like a floating head next to my friend Mark and his girlfriend Marie ;)
After Jose and Mayra's wedding, I went upstate to my cousin Kripa's birthday party! Was a lot of fun and little Kripa turned 4 and is the cutest girl but she can be a cute holy terror! And I say this with love! :) We didn't leave there until waaaaaaaaay late and got home super late and somehow I survived today by drinking 2 cups of coffee! :)
Came home and went straight out and jogged until 8pm and now I'm going to eat a yummy dinner and settle in for a night of writing.
Worked on my wedding song I wrote back in 2002 or 2003 when Rick and I were in our 2nd or 3rd year together - I'm going to make both the slow version which will play (and that I may be singing) as I walk down the aisle and a dance/re-mix version and compile both on a beautiful CD to give out at Ricky and my wedding next May as our wedding favor. I don't like the idea of giving out spoons or glasses or candles or anything like that - the favor should be something to remember our wedding and what better than a song I wrote for Ricky for our wedding day that's been recorded and produced for the guests? :) The re-mix version I think will be the wedding song we dance to :) I can't WAIT to record and produce it next fall or winter! :)
Azure Kaze you're right - it is! :) I just love the SM news it's got! :) Thank you for sharing the link :) Desi aww well thank you very much :) I'll definitely put up pictures next year of my final choice :) Sean there's drama with any and every job :) I just smile and let it pass :) and thank you for understanding about the comment - comments left on there can actually be found on google. lady aww thank you!!! :) *HUGS* how're you doing? What's new with you? Kayla you really did great in your classes! Congrats! FIDM? haven't heard of it but I'll ask my Ricky :) Aura thanks for sharing that link. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE Hatshepsut - she's one of my most favorite queens and one I featured on my Woman of Legend Quiz back in 2003 and 2004! :) How was your dad's surprise retirement party? Tell me about that! :) Darlene yessss we definitely need to meet up SOON! Congrats about your job offers!!! That is so exciting!! And I SOOOO wish I could take a summer off and go to the gym and relax! Luckyyy! :) Enjoy!! :) Ramona *HUGGGGGGGGGG* how're you doing now? How's your family? I prayed for your gran and your family and you :)
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Sunday, July 1, 2007
09:08 a.m.
happy sunday morning :) it is such a breezy and cool summer morning - and after it was so warm yesterday and sooooooooo sticky humid hot last week! ugh! Actually, I liked the warmth of yesterday.
Saturday was such a busy day! Nithi and Papa and I put out the patio furniture and the hammock and swing chair and spent the evening washing the cars. Nith and I had already been out for a few hours shopping for groceries and driving from Home Goods (got a big new ottomon for my dresser that I can also put my little decorative pillows in at night) to Home Depot where I bought Nith a new patio set for her new condo. Our other sister, Mili, and I had agreed to buy a 3-piece patio set for Nith as a present and split the cost and the set only came to $160 so Mil and I only had to pay $80 a piece. Charged it and brought it home and we were both happy :)
Last night, someone from behind the lake behind my house did fireworks! I watched from my bedroom windows. with all the lights off and curtains all open, for at least half an hour as a gorgeous fireworks display of reds, greens, blues and golds went up.
I'm having such a nice weekend because Nith has been home - she and Papa are going to close on her new condo Monday at noon. On Friday, after I got home, she and I went walking for an hour after dinner and I showed her the gorgeous victorian-style homes in this little area about half a mile from our house and then we showered and got dressed up and went to Larchmont to this outdoor restaurant for drinks and appetizers. Got back early at only 11:30 (that's early cause we thought we'd be out til' like at least midnight ;)). The place had yummy crab cakes and next time, I wanna try their sangria and their saketini! :)
Today my friend Jose is getting married to his love, Mayra, and the wedding's all the way out in Baldwin in Long Island! I was going to take a train into the city and then another train out from there into Long Island but it's such a long trip and I have to run by train schedules and - hello - I'm a girl in a beautiful dress with HEELS - I am *NOT* walking around. Hell no. So hopefully papa will let me drive one of the cars to Long Island - ha ha ha :) Hopefully.
After the wedding, I have to high tail it home because tonight is my little cousin Kripa's birthday in upstate New York. So it's another long drive up to Dutchess County. But I love chances to see my family - everyone is so all over the place, from India, to Texas to all over the East Coast here that these few family gatherings are worth making the time to go.
Ok almost 9:30 and Nith told me she'd take me to breakfast today. I'm gonna wake her up - ha ha ha :D
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photossssss :)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
10:55 p.m.
at long last, the photos!!! :D
These are from our fishing trip out to Montauk last Saturday :)
My dad and I in front of the Lazy Bones dock at Montauk - I'm standing on my tippy toes because I didn't know Nithi was taking a full-length pic and thought I could make the camera think I was taller and closer to my dad's height than I really am. Hah. :) Wishful thinking ;)
Pictures of my parents, sisters and I all on the boat
We all caught fish (total of 8, me 2) but Nithi was the only one who caught one big enough to pass the standards for us to keep! :) Had to be a certain number of inches. Here she is with her catch.
After fishing we all went out for dinner at this mediterranean restaurant.
I love the pictures :)
Had rehearsal with Rob, my guitarist, Monday and Tuesday - and it was awesome! Felt so good to sing my songs and they're coming along great with his accompaniment.
One of my friends, Jose, left the firm today and is moving to Florida after his wedding this Sunday. I'll be attending the wedding and am looking fwd to it! :)
Nith came home yesterday and we've been spending these nights planning wedding details (for my wedding to Ricky next May 2008). Spent tonight lining up a new selection of churches to check out this weekend.
I'm super tired and off to bed :) *HUGS* to all :)
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gone fishin'
Sunday, June 24, 2007
11:09 a.m.
Updated at 8:22 p.m. below
So on Saturday, my parents, sisters Nithi and Mekha, and I all got up early at 6 a.m. to get ready and drive out to our other sister Mili's place in Long Island. We were celebrating Father's Day by taking Papa out to Montauk to board a fishing boat and it was a total surprise to him! :) He was in Florida last weekend putting up the hurricane shutters on our Florida home so we couldn't celebrate all together. Well, last night pop said he had the best Father's day :) And we had the BEST time - we caught fish! Tons and tons of bass! Except we had to throw out a lot of the fish because they have to be a certain number of inches in order to keep them. We got 1 keeper. I managed to catch 2! :)
Montauk is BEAUTIFUL. It was a very long drive but the scenery was so pretty - I can now say I've been through Suffolk County and the Hamptons. Montauk had a beautiful little downtown area with lots of cafes and cute shops, and beach shops like any beach community (reminded me a bit of Laguna Beach in California) and it had a ton of Antique fairs going on and we even stopped by a strawberry farm to buy strawberries on the way back. Montauk also has like a million flag poles and even though we tried to follow the directions the fishing boat docks website had, we couldn't find Village Green's restaurant - does it even exist anymore? :)
We boarded the Lazy Bones Fishing Boat with I think 20 or so other people and after 2 hours or so and catching 2 fish, I got queasy. I think it was the hot cocoa I had when I got on the boat - never eat or drink before you get on a rocky boat! :) We saw Paul Simon's house and Andy Warhol's mansion out on this huge stretch of land reaching out to the ocean there. I met some interesting people out at Montauk - there was this guy Lenny DeFina who owned Lenny's On the Docks and turns out he's a musician too and met Billy Joel! :) He was really cool and sweet.
Nithi took a TON of pictures and when we go back home today, I'll upload everything and post it on here. We're still in Long Island right now and Mil and Nith made us all breakfast and we're watching E! News on tv :) On Friday night, Mekha was home so she picked me up from the train station after work and we went and saw EVAN ALMIGHTY and it was sooooooooooooo good! Hysterically funny and just heart-warming good. I'm going to actually BUY the movie when it comes out and even wanna pay to take my parents to see it cause I thought it was that nice a movie :) Steve Carrell is just awesome. If you watch it - make sure to stay and watching the closing credits. The entire crew of the movie does a music video spoof :)
Nimisha thank you for writing :) Fall of the Gods was semi-completed back in 2004 when UM.com's server crashed. And when I was recording and producing my demo and working full-time, I didn't have time to finish the story and write. But now I have plenty of time. I managed to save all my fanfiction I'd written and definitely shall complete the story. I have plans to make it into a non-sailormoon fanfic and just make it a God/Goddess mythic epic. :) I'll email you the finished story as soon as it's done :)
Sean LOL! Duuudeeee do you know one of my interns, Rob (who's straight), was felt up by a gay guy on the street last week and Rob's like 6'5" and was ready to the beat the hell out of the guy ;) Be careful which straight guys you try to feel up ;) by the way, leave out any...um...graphic comments with words like..um..orifice etc...? ;) public comment box ya know? so had to delete that ;)
It's after 11am now and I'm going to read and relax before we get back in the car for the drive home. Hopefully I can jog my 4 or 5 miles this evening and still play some tennis. It is the most gorgeous summer day outside.
Updated at 8:22 p.m.
I narrowed down my wedding dressed from 9 to 4 :) Here're the winners so far:
I'm back home now, writing new music, working on my stories, and witnessing a breathtaking sunset....the sky is all violet....
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
11:54 p.m.
I just looked at the time and realized I had to stop writing. Been working on the Indian story all night and it's going super slowly because I have to stop and do research on Gods and certain things I want to mention which must have a symbolic meaning and usefulness as related to the ancient Vedic Gods of the north.
I had written this story, about an Indian Princess, way back in the late-1990's while in college as a story about Jahanara - the daughter of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal - of course I hadn't known much about her other than what I'd found online about her being a writer, poet and how she would not favor her younger brother who usurped the throne from their father and how she exiled herself to prison with her father until he died. I wound up writing a tale of tragic love loss and revised it a bit back during law school and then when I decided to try and work on it again this past Spring, did a lil more research on Jahanara and found that a BUNCH of historical fictional stories based on her life had been written since the late '90's and that at least 1 or 2 were all-encompassing and had great reviews and one of them, I read somewhere, they were thinking of making into a movie in Bollywood!!
So I was CRUSHED cause I was like 'now I can't write about Jahanra?' I talked to my friend Sanoj who said I could still write the story because it was my unique version and take and it was still fiction. But I decided to re-work the story and not make it about her and instead make this a Hindu Princess and keep all the tragic love elements and some other controversial elements that hadn't existed in Jahanara's life but which I made up (historical fiction it was supposed to be) and that way, I'd have the basic story I wanted to tell about an Indian Princess. Besides, when I realized how much research I'd have to do on Jahanara's architectural knowledge and the history of Shah Jahan et al, it was such a daunting task that I realized the books published by others were the best and my story - a story of love, loss and strength and womanly empowerment - needed to convey those specific elements and not get lost within the history of a woman who actually existed in India. It's best to keep it a fictional hindu princess so the message of the story comes across and the beauty of this princess - who I think is an amazing role model for women everywhere - comes across.
But now it is time for sleep. :)
Ramona oh my godddddddd *HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG* sweetheart I am so sorry :( You have my prayers and I shall pray for your grandmother tonight. I am so so sorry for your loss :( *BIG HUGS*
Sean I use google-earth all the time :) But what's Vlada? Kayla that was very poetic :) Good luck on your finals!!! :) Azure Kaze thank you babe! Hope you're doing well! ML it is a lot of stories but I find it refreshing, when I get tired of focusing on writing one particular story for too long, to change to the next story - it helps me write better :)
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Tuesday, June 19, 2007
07:20 a.m.
good early morning. God it's so peaceful here. I had to take a day off from work yesterday & stayed home with my mom and between 7:30 to 9am, I took the phone so it wouldn't wake and bother her & while I let her sleep, I put the lounge chair outside on our front patio (it wraps around and is covered with gorgeous stone flooring) and sat and watched the traffic go by. School buses passed by and kids came out to start their last week of school I think. I saw chipmunks and a brown robin . . . my dad had pruned the rose bushes right by the patio and he overdid it cause now nothing's blooming! :) I loved seeing the little birds and chipmunks of nature coming out so closely to my house.....I love being close to nature.
I took my writing pad with me and wrote a lot . . . spent the rest of the morning on my computer working a little on 3 of my stories - felt good to immerse myself in writing. It was hot yesterday (hit 90) and today it's supposed to hit 92. Picked up a bunch of books on India from the library to work on another 4th story about an Indian Princess I'm working on. It's surprising how much of Indian history and Indian contributions to the world I knew so little of - from the number 0 to 10 and so much else.....
Looking out upon the lake now, it's so calm and beautiful, reflecting the lush trees. This morning is loud with the sounds of, it seems like, a hundred birds - all calling differently. I wish I could stay home again and just write but must get out to work and make money to pay bills and make a living :) One day, soon, I hope my writings and my songs can make a living for me on their own. I love my job and the people I work with, but it doesn't make me feel the way I do when I'm writing stories and composing songs and singing them....I feel fulfilled when I do those things...rewarded in and of itself.
Anywayz, I'm off to get ready for work. My dad's waitin and if we don't leave in 20 minutes he starts getting anxious about traffic ;) He came home last night from Florida tanned and rested and showed us pictures of the hurricane shutters he put up on our Florida home. We all sat out on the deck for a while chatting away into the evening. W
I think my darling Ricky was working late last night till past midnight. Poor sweetheart. If you see this babe *MWAH* love you!
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Happy Father's Day! :)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
12:54 p.m.
My dad's in Florida right now - he went last Thursday with his friend Mario to put up the hurricane shutters on our Florida home but next weekend, my mom and my 3 sisters and I are all taking him out to Montauk out on Long Island to board a private boat and take him fishing! He looovvveesss to fish! We'll have lunch aboard the boat and then have dinner out on one of those restaurants along the shore. We all called him this morning and wished him a Happy Father's day. He's out with his friend Mario on a casino-cruise boat right now ;) I wish I was at our Florida home right now - it's so peaceful and relaxing there.
The twins came home yesterday for a while, bringing Mekha's friend Jasmine with them, because they went to A.R. Rahman's concert out at Nassau Colosseum. A.R. Rahman is a huge musical director in India - almost every major movie has music directed by him. They just came back home this morning and mum and I had made a lovely breakfast of blueberry pancakes (with fresh organic blueberries I bought yesterday) and with bananas, strawberries and cantaloupes on the side, along with Orange Juisce and coffee. It's 1pm and I'm still stuffed ;)
Read the Sunday newspaper and there was another article about sunken treasure found. Lately, there's been so much in the news about sunken ships and adventure companies finding treasures and the ensuing struggles of countries and various adventure groups claiming rights. On Friday, salvagers discovered thousands of pearls in a small lead box they found while searching for the wreckage of a 17th Century Spanish galleon - the Santa Margarita - which sank in a hurricane in 1622 off the coast of Key West, Florida. Divers from the Blue Water Ventures of Key West said they found the sealed box along with a gold bar, 8 gold chains and hundreds of artifacts last week. The pearls they found number in the several thousands and are worth upwards of a million dollars.
Similarly, the Odyssey Marine Exploration group, based in Tampa, found what could be the richest sunken treasure ever discovered: hundreds of thousands of colonial-era silver and gold coins worth an estimated $500-MILLION from a shipwreck in the Atlantic Ocean. They believe the coins came from the wreck of a 17th Century merchant ship found off southwestern England. The site where the coins were found is beyond the territorial waters or legal jurisdiction of any country. The salvage operation was dubbed a secret name: The Black Swan.
Another Spanish galleon, the San Jose, which had sunk back on June 8, 1708 while trying to outrun a fleet of British warships off Columbia's coast, was discovered in 1982 with its treasure of gold, silver and emeralds worth $2-BILLION dollars!!! However, this treasure is caught in a bitter legal war between the Columbian government and a group of U.S. investors. Jack Harbeston of the Cayman Islands salvage company - the Sea Search Armada - found the ship back in 1982. It was resting 700 feet below the water's surface, a few miles from the historic Caribbean port of Cartagena. Under maritime law, whoever locates a shipwreck gets the rights to recover it, in a finders-keepers arrangement meant to offset the costs of speculative exploration. Jack Harbeston claims he and a group of 100 U.S. investors invested $12-MILLION since a deal was signed with Columbia in 1979 giving Sea Search exclusive rights to search for the San Jose and 50% of whatever it finds. However, the deal changed in 1984 when then-Columbian President Belisario Betancur signed a decree reducing Sea Search's share from 50% to a mere 5% finder's fee! Read the Full Story of the San Jose Treasure here. The Columbian Supreme Court was expected to rule and issue a decision back on June 6, 2007 but I can't find news about the decision anywhere. If anyone finds it, please post a link :)
I'm off to clean the house and do laundry. Ciao and Happy Father's Day to all!
Updated at 2:22 p.m.
I just got a call from my dad. He won at the machines on the casino cruise for the first time ever! He called all happy and excited! It was so cute! :) I love my dad :)
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Fordham Law School's Panel on Torture in the War on Terrorism
Thursday, June 14, 2007
11:37 p.m.
evenin' guys and dolls :) got home again after 10pm tonight because I attended a special human rights lecture at Fordham Law School on Expert Views on the United States' Use of Secrecy, Detention and Interrogations in the War on Terrorism. Panelists included Col. Janis Karpinski - U.S. Army Colonel, Fmr. Commanding General at Abu Ghraib Prison, Jumana Musa - Advocacy Director for Domestic Human Rights and International Justice, Amnesty International, Tara McKelvey - author, Monstering: Inside America's Policy of Secret Interrogations and Torture in the Terror War and contributor to Marie Claire Magazine, Josh Rushing -
Correspondent, Al-Jazeera English; Fmr. Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Moderator was Errol Louis a columnist for the New York Daily News.
The panel was amazing and ran from 7pm to 8:30 and I stayed afterwards and spoke with each of the panelists and let them know I was interested in doing pro bono work for them and volunteering to help write anything. I went with my friend Erdal from work and I'm going to see if he wants to sign up for any of the pro bono stuff too! We had sushi at Norimaki after work before heading up to Lincoln Center at 6-ish....I love Lincoln Center - the fountain and the Opera house....I need to see another Opera there very, very soon - or a ballet - never seen a ballet there.
Just took a relaxing hot shower and gave myself a mini-facial. Tomorrow after work I'm going for a manicure and pedicure cause lord almighty do I need one. I wore these super pretty white high heels I got from newport-news.com but they hurt like hell! You know - the kind that're only good to be pictured wearing or standing in for a while but which you shouldn't be caught walking in and you won't know until you try wearing them? Yeah, those. I had bandaids on my heels and little toes. Stupid painful pretty shoes.
I'm waiting for my Ricky to call and then heading straight to bed.
Ramona *HUGGGGGGGGGG* thank you for understanding me and being so caring. I really *REALLY* loved your words. How are you otherwise? What's new in your world? How has your week been?
Azure Kaze LOL! Thanks! :) And congrats on both your permit AND graduation!!!! That's huge news!!! :) And yes I saw that Naoko interview a long time ago and isn't it the best? I wish she'd write something new but every time she starts, the stories just fizzle out and no new chapters come.
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Wednesday, June 13, 2007
11:24 p.m.
Rob and I rehearsed 2 of my songs tonight: 'Let Him Go' and 'If Only' - the first is an Indian dance song which sounds AMAZING with guitar accompaniment and the second is a soulful and spiritual song which is kinda folksy-rock I think ;) Stayed late at work to do a threshold motion and then rehearsed with Rob from 6:30 to 8. Good productive day. Didn't get home till after 10pm and my mom had delicious squash curry and chicken curry and chappati ready for me with fresh cherries for dessert :) YUM :) Mummy and Papa were up as usual watching these funny malayalam programs on AsiaNet and my dad told me that he wants to do another film and commercial - great, another fun family filming time like last summer ;) It really is fun actually :) I showed friends at work the blanket and the hat I got at the Yankees game and showed them the pictures I took below with my cell phone :) Right now, I'm soooo exhausted and just want to curl up in bed but first a warm shower :)
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I think I love baseball! My first Yankees game!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
11:41 p.m.
so up until 2 days ago, I had never seen a baseball game *LIVE* - ever. I went to my friend's minor league game on Sunday for like an hour or so because he was playing at a local park which was 5 minutes from where I live so I had no excuse not to go!
Well today, one of the women who is in charge of the intern program at my law firm came up to me and asked if I'd like to take the interns to a Yankees game tonight (I've been an assigned buddy/mentor for a buddy each year since the program started 4 summers ago) and I was like 'HELL YEAH!' :) LOL! :) I explained how I'd never seen a baseball game before Sunday and hadn't known much about it and would love to go. 3 of the interns (Diana, Megan and Rob) and I headed out after work super-excited. Me because I was going to finally see a REAL LIVE PRO-BASEBALL game - and not just ANY game - a YANKEES game!
I got cotton candy, and a hot dog, and Rob got a Yankees blanket by signing up for a card he gave to me AND we got free Yankees HATS! :D We were seated up way back in the stands for most of the game but it was such great viewing! My friend Carol was right - not a bad seat in the house. By the way - Derek Jeter is CUTE. During the 7th Inning Stretch they did YMCA and "take me out to the ballgame" - and then when we left after the 7th inning, Rob took us all down to the grass-level where we saw the game right off the field and sat in super amazing seats (for like 5-10 minutes) but so worth it! They ain't kiddin' about those baseball players lookin' good in their uniforms.... ;) LOL! :) I can't tell you how much fun I had - I took pictures below :)
On the left is what we saw when we went to the field-level at the end of the 7th inning and got to see baseballs land in the box-seat right next to us and on the right is the view from where we sat (although it was MUCH MUCH CLOSER - the cellphone doesn't do a good job of distance) - and the last picture is a large one of the beginning of the game when the tarp still covered the baseball mound because it was thunderstorming and pouring rain delaying the game for over an hour! But thank goodness it cleared up! :)
I had an AWESOME night and loved every minute of it :)
Ramona you are such a sweetheart - thank you, I appreciate your message and your sweet words and thoughtfulness. I hope you understand that, as a writer, it helps me to write (quite often) about the most darkest emotions and sadness we as humans go through frequently - writing is a form of therapy and I never write to seek advice. Indeed, I have written extensively on the same emotions in previous months and years, about the discouragements faced in pursuing your dreams, and how it is better to have tried and never succeeded, to aim for the moon because even if you fail, you will still be among the stars. I still believe all that, however, when faced with low moments in your life, you need to give in to such sad emotions in order to keep growing and remain motivated and refine things that may not be working. I often re-hash the same emotional dilemmas even though I know the answers (and even though I know I'll feel 180 degrees differently in another day or so). I'm 30 years old and have lived and experienced a lot, both bad and good, joyful times and times of sheer heartbreak, anger and sadness - I have learned a lot and shall always have faith :) Just sometimes, it wavers but that is all part of the process. Thank you again - I do appreciate your comment. *HUGS*
Lorie thank you babe! :) Date was selected months ago :) May 24, 2008 is when I get married. I get engaged this October 7, 2007 :) How're your wedding plans coming along? What're your wedding colors, flowers? I still haven't gone dress shopping yet! Did you choose a dress?
Just got home and I know I'm going to be exhausted tomorrow ;) Time for a quick light dinner and sleep. Good night everyone :)
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Monday, June 11, 2007
10:17 p.m.
She wanted a release. A release from what her life had become: a 9-5 grind with no profitable and fulfilling end in sight. Even if she left in a year, and got married, what would change? She would still have to find a job somewhere else to pay off her debts, her loans, and to live her life. But what she wanted so much, so desperately, however, was to have her talents and abilities work for her. She had the ability to write and the ability to sing. She was passionate, introspective and creative and channeled these qualities, when time permitted, into song, prose and poetry, and when the muse struck, could write pages and pages of fiction. She was a child at heart, an idealist who wanted to work for a better world, a dreamer who wished day and night, every hour of every second of every day, that one day God would answer her prayers, that He would magically touch her head and instantly fame and riches would stand before her - all her dreams fulfilled. She fears some times that she lacks enough talent, which isn’t the case at all - it is that she some times lacks the discipline necessary to cultivate and forge her latent abilities into something incredible. But when she does discipline herself, she is a beautiful force to behold. Even as she writes this, tears fall from her eyes like rivers, because she is so terrified that all her work, her hopes, all her dreams will come to nothing. That perhaps she will not achieve that which she hopes so desperately to achieve in this lifetime. One hears many, many times: “Believe in your dreams” or “Never give up on your dreams.” It instills in you the hope that if you simply never give up, if you simply keep believing, that what you want will come true. But what if it doesn’t? You could keep believing until the day you die, and your words, your songs, your stories will crumble with you. She goes to work each day and wishes that she were out in the world instead, experiencing its wonders and having the time to write and share it with others. She writes fantasy, of winged faeries, and children who explore and have adventures, of people gifted with magical powers who battle forces of darkness and undertake mythological-like quests, of queens who rule with dignity, beauty and grace, and are all-knowing, wise and powerful. If only her life were a fantasy that came true, how happy she would be. If only dreams, her dreams, would come true.
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Monday, June 11, 2007
09:24 p.m.
it was taco night at the Rajan household tonight :) Bought yummy tacos from the store with Ortega salsa and sour-cream and diced up lettuce and tomatoes and cooked extra-lean ground turkey on the stove to make it super healthy :) I think my parents thought it was ok but appreciated that I actually cooked something! :) LOL! :) We had fresh purple grapes for dessert.
It got all thunderstormy and poured as I got off the train this evening. Got into a cab driven by one of my favorite cab drivers named Jim - he's a creative soul like me and we always bond :) Now it's all pretty outside - crickets are chirping out in the grass and I can hear some critters going through the woods.....I'm going to write for an hour and then take a hot shower, read a magazine and go to sleep. I think my Ricky will be working late tonight.
ML LOL! we wound up having tacos tonight instead of last night, as you can see ;) Glad to hear you're feeling better. :) *HUGS* Sean YAHOOOOOOOOO! I am so happy for you!!! Did the urinalysis go well? ;) Darlene good luck on the interview next week! Remember you still need to visit NYC! :)
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RAFA WINS THE FRENCH OPEN!!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
03:47 p.m.
my boy did it! :) Rafael Nadal - my current favorite tennis player - won once again at the French Open making this his 3rd consecutive year as champion, and it was against Federer. Nadal's #2 and Federer's #1 - their matches against each other are always so much fun to watch. I was practically glued to NBC this morning as I watched the Men's final of the French Open. I played tennis in high school and love the sport like crazy.
After a late brunch of eggs, toast and coffee, and after spending the morning with the Sunday paper and tennis, and gabbing with our parents after they returned from church, my sister, Nithi, and I headed out to see one of my friends play baseball at a local park. This was my first time actually seeing a baseball game *LIVE* and Nith's friends are very into baseball so she taught me a lot about the game. I have to say it was actually a lot of fun to watch a game live. I had tried to watch baseball games on tv but it was so boring and long. Live baseball is 10-times better :) My friend was really good and it was fun to cheer him on!
Now Nith is getting ready to head back to Connecticut and I've got vocal exercises and song rehearsals to do and a ton of writing and reading to do and wanna get it all done before the Tony Awards tonight - ya'll know how much I love award shows ;) Think I'll try to convince my folks to make it a taco night and pick up the stuff from the grocery store.
Daniel aww well thank you very much! :) It's been a while since I talked to you! How's Eddy doing? How are YOU doing? :) Sean well at least you pick up the viola still, I played the violin since I was 8 and haven't picked it up in years except for an occasional whim here and there to hear the strings again. I'd love to dedicate more time to brushing up my skills again but time is what I have little of. At least one of us should keep up with our stringed instruments - should be you! :) Kayla and ML I hope you're both feeling better now! Darlene how's the job hunt going?
I'm off to begin my work - maybe I can squeeze in an hour of jogging tonight...we'll see. Ciao peoples! Have a great Sunday!
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Saturday, June 9, 2007
04:21 p.m.
a little after 4 in the afternoon on this breezy Saturday in June....just made some hot chocolate and am going to settle in for an evening of non-stop writing . . . this one book I am writing is based on the woods I live near, its streams, rocks and hills and the secret areas you only find by exploring it on foot....it's a book about faeries and Kingdoms, magic, nature and love.
as I sit here with the 4 windows of my bedroom all thrown open, I can hear the call of the wild geese and the sound of the wind as it shakes the long leaves and branches of the trees by the lake....its reflection is awash in ripples....I think it will thunderstorm tonight....the million sounds of nature.....I wish I knew the names of the birds that live here...
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Friday, June 8, 2007
08:59 p.m.
this is an update to the entry below. I think I just realized again, but for the first time in a very long, long time, how much singing is ingrained in to who I am as a human being.
I finished dinner and was up here now puttering away online with the night falling and my bedroom encased in darkness and I started humming. I was scared to try singing because after a very long cold with a painful sore throat and fever, you have to rest the vocal chords so as not to damage them by exerting pressure trying to sing.
I turned the lights on, closed the blinds, shut the door, started letting my vocal chords warm up, did my vocal exercises and then melodies just started pouring out of me. My voice is weak from the cold and I'm not gonna push it but the feeling that just overtook me when I was finally able to sing again after a long time of not singing was....overjoyous. It's a powerful sensation and made me feel so very, very alive.
One thought ran through my head: I was born to sing.
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Let the weekend begin my friends :D
Friday, June 8, 2007
07:38 p.m.
hello people :) i went back to work on Tuesday even though I still felt really sick but I no longer had a fever so it was ok :) Right now, I am still congested but that's about it and hope I can kick this cold by the end of this weekend.
I met our firm's new interns and they're such a fun and cool bunch! :) As per tradition for the past 3 summers, this 4th one was no different - I took them to get drunk last night at Bryant Park's outdoor bar! :) we had an awesome time! Today during lunch my friends at work and I went to this rooftop restaurant called Locale to treat our colleague whose 12 weeks pregnant - had this yummy chilled avocado soup and a turkey club :) speaking of, I'm so hungry - my mom has delicious mango and shrimp curry in the fridge! Think I'll have that while I watch a little anime tonight :)
One of my sisters should be home this weekend with me - maybe she'll want to see a baseball game with me on Sunday - a guy I know on the train plays minor league baseball and turns out he has a game on Sunday at the City Park which is 5 minutes from my home. I've actually never seen a baseball game live. The last time I was anywhere near baseball was when I was in middle school playing it in gym. Our company actually does this thing every summer where they buy seats for a New York Mets game - this year they have August 25th against the Dodgers and I signed up for it. I totally wanna see Shea Stadium for the first time!
Anywayz, I just got out of a LONG hot shower and am starving. Time for dinner, cold lemon-water and ANIME! Let the weekend begin my friends :D
*BIG HUGS* to Sean, Sarah Beth, ML, Kayla, Ramona, Hana, Darlene, Millie and SereneDiamond thank you ALL for your well wishes :) I hope you've each been well.
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Sunday, June 3, 2007
09:07 p.m.
my mom felt my head just now and yelled 'you still have a fever!' and promptly made me eat raagi (this fiber liquid thing I mixed with soy milk and sugar). That explains why I'm so damn weak and tired. Now in addition to congestion and the sore throat, I have a horrible cough. I'm hackin' away here. my eyes hurt. I need sleep again. I don't know what to do about work tomorrow. I'll see how I feel in the morning. We have new interns starting tomorrow and one of them is my assigned buddy. I don't wanna miss her first day! :( right now, I just need sleep and more tylenol.
Sean: I knew it would have a genetic explanation. How are you? Did you see the new UK article that came out last Wednesday? Link is below in the May 30th entry. Darlene thank you :) and i hope your wedding planning is going well! Sarah Beth thank you my darling friend *HUG*
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Saturday, June 2, 2007
08:19 p.m.
I am so completely miserable - I have the flu, didn't sleep a wink last night, stayed in bed again today, came home early after court yesterday after calling into work saying I wouldn't head back because I was sick. My throat is sore, my head and nose congested, I have a pounding headache and my whole body aches from my thighs to my arms to my buttocks. When you add in the fact that I tossed and turned in bed last night - the entire night - I woke up in tears because I was so miserable from no sleep - I am one sick and miserable chica. My eyes are so sore from lack of sleep. God I hope I sleep tonight. I've eaten a small helping of pasta with tomato and artichoke sauce, 2 oranges and drank lots of water. I have very little appetite.
On a good note, I've got awesome news! I've been contacted by the BBC Asian Network Radio - they want to do an in-depth feature interview with me on their show on June 15th, 18th or the 20th. The interview, once confirmed, will be trailed heavily - not only on their national UK station, but across the BBC. I don't have to fly to London or anything, if it's confirmed I can do the interview over the phone or go to the BBC studios here in NY. How amazing is that! That made my day! :)
I slept 5 hours today from 9:30 to 2:30....I tried unsuccessfully to return to sleep but nada. God I hope I get rest tonight. Tomorrow is Japan Day in Central Park. If I'm not better by tomorrow morning, there's no way I can go :( This sucks. Why in the hell did I get sick! >_<
*BIG HUGS* to ML, Kayla, Ramona, SereneDiamond, Millie, Diana and Sarah Beth - I saw all ur msgs. Will respond in full when I feel better.
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New article in the UK
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
10:07 p.m.
I just found out from my friend Raoul in Canada that the Eastern Eye - the UK's biggest south asian newspaper - published a 2-page article on me due to come out June 1, 2007! :) The article covers me both as a lawyer working full-time and pursuing a music career at the same time.
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wedding dresses
Monday, May 28, 2007
10:54 p.m.
I've narrowed down my wedding dress choices.....to 8....you can view them by clicking on the thumbnails below.
you can tell I love strapless sheaths and strapless mermaid gowns ;) I know I can go to any bridal salon and find a strapless style like those but the difference between them all is in the fabric - the french lace is so pretty but then the embroidered tulle or the silk charmeuse are so pretty too! Then there's the strapless A-line by Elie Saab and the strapless ball gown by Amalia Carrara - both are soooooo expensive but so stunningly unique and gorgeous....the Amalia Carrara would fit in well with the fact I'm Indian....
I'm going to go wedding dress shopping in 2 weekends with my sisters and am calling up a bunch of salons this week to make appointments and find out which salons have these dresses in the store for me to try on. Hopefully before June is over, I'll know which dress I'll wear and have ordered it.
Sarah Beth LOL! thanks babe :) tell me more about your project? Plus, do me a fave and send me your mailing address? Kayla i loved the email you sent! thank you! I agreed with it 100%. Callie thank you very much sweetie :)
I had a very nice 3-day memorial weekend holiday. I spent time both Sunday and today lounging outside reading magazines and sipping lemon water - so important to make time to just chill. Jogged six miles on Sunday - was so proud of myself! :) After jogging, my sister Nithi came home and surprised me while I did my crunches and after catching up, we got ready & went with our parents to our church's family festival in which my dad was acting in a stage comedy. The show was terrific and hysterically funny :) Afterwards, Nith and I went to go see a late 11pm showing of Pirates of the Caribbean 3 - End of the World and ya know what? I thought the ending SUCKED. I don't think it should've ended like that. Orlando Bloom - goodness is he gorgeous.
Woke up around 10:30 this morning and spent some time with my 2 other sisters Mekha and Mili who came home after a weekend spent with their friend who's getting married - the girls are bridesmaids in their friend's wedding :) We were supposed to do a barbeque today but didn't happen - instead we wound up spending the afternoon looking at bridesmaids' dresses and couldn't agree on anything. It's gonna be so hard shopping.
Almost 11pm now and the weekend's over. I guess I'm ready to go back to work . . . I miss my sisters though - everybody went back to their apartments and I won't see them for another 3 weeks . . . I didn't write as much as I meant to this week.... ah well, I'll write tomorrow night :)
I'm keeping track of the French Open....my fave tennis player - Rafael Nadal - is the defending champion of the French Open....I want him to win again! He plays tomorrow in the 1st round. I'm hoping I can find a local sports bar during lunch tomorrow that'll air the game....or maybe my friend Mark at work can get the game live on his computer........... :D
ok I'm off to get ready for bed and talk to my Ricky. Good night everyone! :)
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Saturday, May 26, 2007
08:44 p.m.
yahoooooooooo rick and I are going on a 4-day cruise to the Caribbean!!! :) Ricky has all these points from Marriott which he's redeemed for a 4-day cruise for 2 to the Western Caribbean - Calica specifically! The best thing is, from Calica I can go see the Mayan ruins at Tulum!!!! Some of you know that I've been in love with the Mayan and Incan cultures since I was 6! So to be able to see those ancient ruins will be thrilling - not to mention very helpful for that series I've been writing since I was 14 ;) We're also going to go snorkeling in the Cenotes and biking to the caverns - I'll actually get to see stalactites and stalagmites up close and personal! :) yaaaaaaaaay :D so excited :)
I love these new products I'm using from Lumene. As some of you know, I'm very, VERY into skin care and believe in taking good care of your body from head to toe. I recently bought Lumene's Radiant C-Energy Eye Serum - it comes as a roll on stick - for use under the eyes (I use it also on eye lids and sides and brows as well) and also bought Lumene's Energy Cocktail - it's a pump of 'pamperng drops' of cloudberry and cranberry - super antioxidants. With just 1 day use and 2 night uses my skin SHINED and was supple and beautiful. Totally worth it.
Just made a cup of decaf coffee and a small bowl of blackberries and blueberries. I'm settling in for a night of reading and writing. It's so HOT. It was near 90 degrees today.
ML LOL! dude you're such a trip! Your messages are always funny :) Thank you! You're very sweet :) Kayla Happy 1 year to you my friend :) and yes, I love bubble tea :) Been drinking it since probably 1999 or 2000? Used to go down to chinatown all the time for it back when I was in law school and then when I visited L.A. in 2001 Rick took me to the best place there which made every flavor I could imagine! :) Almond milk tea is my fave but I also love chocolate milk tea with the tapioca balls. If you ever come to NYC, I'll take you to a brand new place that opened in chinatown which also has like a million and one flavors for you to try :)
Sarah Beth how are you darling? Did you do the crafts project? How were the cookies? Bake me someeeeeeeeeeeeee :D Ramona dude I've barely thought about wedding dress shopping. All I know is I want it to be by Melissa Sweet. I love her strapless dresses.
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Thursday, May 24, 2007
09:50 p.m.
I can't believe how hot it is right now - 75 degrees on this gorgeous May night :) One year from now, on May 24, 2008, I'll be getting married! Good lord that's such an unbelievable thing for me to say ;)
Rick and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary this past Sunday (May 20) - we didn't do anything special - just talked as usual and were amazed at turning 6 ;) I took ice skating lessons on Sunday and had a blast! But boy did the skates hurt.
Jogged Sunday and Monday and on Tuesday picked my parents up from JFK from their return from Florida-vacation :) Stayed late at work past couple days (including today) and am SO LOOKING FWD TO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!! :D We get out of work early tomorrow at 3pm but I think I still need to stay back and work.....sisters will be home this weekend and I think we're doing a barbeque on Monday. But on sunday we're going to some church function at which my dad is going to be performing on stage in a comedy. That will be fun to watch :)
During our lunch hour today, my friend Stephanie and I went to Koreatown to this awesome dessert place called PINKBERRY! We each got medium yogurt dishes with 3 toppings (mine was a green tea yogurt with kiwi, strawberry & blueberries and her's had RICE CAKES that were SO YUMMY!!) and it was the perfect summer treat! The line was out the door and it's apparently a very trendy place. Who knew! But I love the dessert!! :)
I'm starving now, just finished taking a long shower and wanna do nothing but eat dinner, read my newest issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine and go to sleep! I SO need a mani/pedi...think I'll go after staying late at work tomorrow for an evening manicure and pedicure! :) Gotta look good for the 3 day weekend ;)
*HUGS* to Lady, Sarah Beth, Miyu, ML, Millie, Sean, Ramona, Kayla, Darlene, Lorie and Callie - hope you guys are all well! I'll write more to each of you this weekend.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Since 1998, I have been designing websites. The following are almost every main site I have ever made.
A Dream I Dream
My personal page with pictures of me and everything I love!
TooyaandAya.com
Devoted to Touya/Tooya and Aya of Ayashi no Ceres!
UsagiandMamoru.com My favorite and best couple ever! Sailor Moon's Usagi and Mamoru (Serena and Darien)
MiakaandTamahome.com My tribute to Fushigi Yuugi's main couple who always have my heart, Miaka and Tamahome!
Kare Kano Love
A Miyazwa and Arima ML - discuss everything Kare Kano here!
Favorite Manga and Anime most everything in Ribon and Nakayoshi!
Alice 19th
Anatolia Story a.k.a. Red River
Ayashi no Ceres/Ceres Celestial Legend
Basara
B.B. Explosion
Call Me Princess
Catcher in the Horoscope or ZODIAC P.I.
Crescent Moon
Cyber Idol MINK
Delicious! (Yui Ayumi)
Dream Saga
Fruits Basket
Fushigi Yuugi
Gals / Super Gals!
Hana Kimi
Hot Gimmick
IMADOKI
Instant Teen (Otona Ni Nuts or Just Add Nuts)
Juvenile Orion
Kaikan Phrase or SENSUAL PHRASE
Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne
Kanata Kara a.k.a. From Far Away
Kare Kano
Kodomo no Omocha
Magic Knights Rayearth
Maria (Naoko Takeuchi)
Marmalade Boy
Max Lovely
Mint No Bokura
Miracle Girls
MODEL
More Starlight to Your Heart
Mouryou Kiden
Neck and Neck
One
Ororon
Othello
Otona Ni Nuts 0r INSTANT TEEN - JUST ADD NUTS
(the) Queen's Knight
Psychic Academy
Random Walk
SailorMoon
Saint Tail / St. Tail
Saiyuki
Sweet & Sensitive
Tokyo Mew Mew
Ultra Maniac
Vampire Game
Wild Act
Words I live by:
Man is never so tall as when he kneels before God - never so great as when he humbles himself before God. And the man who kneels to God can stand up to anything. -Louis H. Evans
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt
"All human wisdom is contained in these two words: wait and hope." - The Count of Monte Cristo
"The winds of God are always blowing but it is up to you to set the sails." - UNKNOWN
"The only dream worth having, I told her, is to dream that you will live while you're alive and die only when you're dead. [Which means:] To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget." - Arundhati Roy
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." -
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jogging, Martial Arts Kickboxing, Dance - currently middle eastern dance & bellydance, Tennis, Singing (of course ;) and working on my songs, Reading & writing about all the things I am interested and passionate about, watching tv and movies, painting, drawing, astronomy, rollerblading (and trying to get better at it and ice skating!), obsessive anime and manga fan and professional web designing, ancient studies / ancient civilizations, history and archaeology, world mythology, politics and world affairs, international law, human rights, studying many languages (have studied and continue to study spanish, mandarin chinese, japanese and hindi).
