Heart of Silicon Valley- Not made of Silicon !

My life in Silicon Valley has won me so many warm friends and warm moments...Here the Indian community really is there for each other in so many ways. They are like family away from family...They are like home away from home...

We are there for each other through thick and thin as well as in good times and bad times. Friendship and Community holds a different meaning altogether in the hearts of the Silicon Valley Indian Community. We truly inspire and motivate each other personally and professionally every day.

In the community I live in, we share everything. We share our success and failure...We share happiness, smiles and sorrow...We share joy and pain. We support and comfort each other in difficult and challenging times. We have time for each other however busy we may be and our houses are always open to each other specially for Indian food when one is homesick ! I have seen Indian hospitality at it's best here ! People are always inviting each other for tea and meals. People are always ready to take you out shopping and for visits to the temples or shrines. In today's times it is so refreshing to see people engaging with each other so much at the grassroot level without really expecting anything from each other. Life can be so beautiful just by simply being there for each other...    

 We interact with each other freely individually and through our groups as friends and neighbours though some of my neighbours say that I have brought them all together. We share our food and sweets we receive from India and here.

 It is so nice to be able to motivate each other to even cook through texts when one is just not in the mood to cook. I think there is an app. that has started where people share pics. of dishes they have cooked...At times my friend and I even text each other to select the movie of the day on Netflix ! We all try to do a lot of activities together here even without actually invading each other's privacy. We are so involved with each other in our daily lives and yet lead individual lives.  

It is nice to experience the warm hearts of the people of Silicon Valley. My neighbourhood is fantastic in so many ways ! It certainly feels like home !

It is so important to care for each other and look out for each other to build life-long relationships. People have to meet each other half way to initiate such beautiful relationships as we do out here in my neighbourhood in Silicon Valley to make life worthwhile !

Sometimes something so beautiful can be so destructive...
Sometimes something so sweet can be so bitter...

Sometimes something known can be unknown...
Sometimes something so close can be so far...

Life is but a riddle...
Relationship is but a puzzle...

Sometimes...
There are never any answers …

Yet find in your heart all the answers that you seek as the heart it is said is always right...
And you will find the answer to your own question...

Without emotions life would be an empty canvas with no shades... Colours of emotions are needed to  to create a work of art.    

                                                                       -Simrit

 

My friend's little daughter is so dependent on the virtual assistant "Alexa" . Very cutely she commands Alexa to do things for her all the time as if that is her "Genie" ! 🙂 Today's little kids are so influenced by technology and even know how to order things online since as early as two years...
The "tech culture" as I call it has taken over everybody's lives.
I had forgotten that they had Alexa at home & last night when my friend & I were joking around I said that it would be so nice if we could command Alexa to send a custom made date...So I on the spur of the moment said, "Alexa please send me a guy with jet black hair and blues eyes !" And suddenly Alexa says, " I am not sure !" . 😉 🙂 🙂
We burst out laughing as we had not realized that Alexa is in the room & listening to each and everything. No privacy at all with Alexa around !
Makes we wonder how strange and yet curiously interesting creations of technology can be !!! 🙂 But who knows what else Alexa or any other intelligent virtual assistant (IVA) or intelligent personal assistant (IPA) may start granting in the future ! 😉 That would be nice in some ways !
Software agents provide tasks or services for individuals based on commands and questions. But then people would stop making efforts to do something themselves or work for something because virtual assistants will grant all their wishes !
We have been laughing about it since morning today & I am telling my friend that she should tell Alexa to get tea or ask Alexa to remind her husband to get roses !!! 😉 

San Jose

Parts of Downtown Area

Yountville

A view of V MarketPlace  which hosts some stylish & sophisticated shops

A ride in the sky @ Yountville

Tomorrow brings another opportunity

There is nothing lost if one does not clear an interview or a test as there is always a chance to do well next time. One cannot change the result but one can move forward from it and work harder to do better another time. In fact one learns from one's mistakes and experiences. This is what I believe and tell those who lose heart in not having made it at an interview or exam. That is not the end of the world ! There are always other chances. Keep trying ! You have lost the day you give up ! So never lose your heart. Even the most successful people have had a journey of challenges and rejections before they succeeded in what they were pursuing. So draw strength from that and try again and again till you achieve what you hope for ! Think not what you have lost but think what you have gained !

One always carries something back  from an interview or a test in terms of learning something new and an inspiration to learn more. I feel one should appear for as many tests and interviews as one can to learn about different subjects and fields. Such experiences and interactions only enhance your knowledge and increase your awareness.  

Life- A Unique Journey

 Life is many things...

Life is a gamble... Life is an adventure...

Most of all Life is a unique journey...

Life is a journey to yourself. It is a path to explore yourself and define yourself through your choices.

Life is a voyage to happiness and heartaches through which you express yourself. Your responses and reactions to the different experiences in the journey of life portray your thoughts and symbolize you as a person. Thus in time through the ups and downs of that journey do you begin to get acquainted with your strengths and deficiencies...some known and some unknown. Through the trials and tribulations , the journey teaches you deep and valuable lessons. You learn every day along the journey.

In the search for yourself do you discover your purpose along the course of your journey. Life gives but mostly takes as it asks for a price for everything. You receive what you invest in that journey along the way. There are returns for everything and through that Life does give you back yourself in the end...It explains what you gained in your loses and what you lost in your gains.

During the journey you play many roles and you experience different things...In the end you find yourself...          

Power of Words

Words make a difference...In fact words make ALL the difference ! That is why it is wise to choose your words wisely.

Words can be comforting and words can be damaging... Words can be inspiring and words can be discouraging... Such is the power of words as we all know. 

Then why don't we measure our words ? Words can be piercing to a deep extent and yet we use words sharply.

Words can influence the world and words can leave long lasting impressions on minds. Words can win people or words can alienate people... Yet we don't weigh our words.

It is so important to realize the power of words...

Feel each word to know every word...   

Words cannot be scattered around carelessly in your personal and professional conversations. A pen cant be mightier than a sword.. Therefore words  that fall from a pen are mightier than a sword  and sharper than a knife. It is very important to concentrate on the correct usage and delivery of your words. 

The power of words need to be truly realized...

Culinary Institute of Napa- The all famous Fork statue

Culinary Institute of America, Napa- Cheers !

Spirit of the Game- A game well played

It is very important to believe in what you stand for and not lose yourself and the standards you have set for yourself even in harshest of  times when you may be presented with challenges, difficulties and problems. This is what my motto has been my entire life in all spheres of my life. And watching the movie " Spirit of the Game" just reinforced that belief.

Life at work or life in a relationship reminds me of that final basketball game in this particular movie. People will  try all it takes to break you and play foul but it is up to you to maintain and protect what you stand for in terms of truth, fairness and integrity.

It is not so important to win but to have played the game well. At times such a stance may seem hopeless and wrong  but do not give into temptation to become like those who use all unfair tactics to outshine you. In life one is always presented with choices and your choices define you as a human being. It is important to enjoy the journey of a life or a game and set a high example of standards for people to follow rather than playing unfairly just to win. Sooner or later one has to answer one's conscience.

There will always be someone or the other who will try their utmost best to hurt you and crush you just to get the better of you but you must always uphold your dignity and principles. You and I might have faced such situations at work sometime or the other . Just don't lose yourself to those who will do anything to defeat you just to make themselves look and feel better against you. Such people are basically intimidated by you. The way you can win is by not becoming like them. That is the test of your life...

In not winning too you will gain ! At the end what matters is the spirit of the game and to have played well in all fairness ! At the end what matters is to have lived well and to have lived your life with grace and honesty.  

Sonoma spots- An afternoon visit to remember !

Thoughts on Books...

Sometimes one has to pen down thoughts that we desire to share about something or someone to quench our thirst for expression or to pay a tribute to something . Today was such a moment...I needed to write something to maybe define my thoughts that were eager to be released on paper. I needed to share my words of appreciation for books...Whatever the reason, I absolutely enjoyed writing today after a long time. It felt like an artist feeling satisfaction and contentment on completion of a painting with the desired shades and hues...While typing I almost lost this page and I felt so disappointed but fortunately I was able to recover the page eventually and it was definitely a moment of a sense of victory that I have not felt in ages. I enjoyed translating my thoughts on something that is close to my heart-   

BOOKS

In books do we find our stories and the stories we relate to...

In books do we find the answers to life...

Books are precious and magical as they hold the stories our hearts continuously search for time and again and the untold stories that hold endless mysteries for us. Some of the stories that the books store  touch and inspire us so deeply in the most beautiful ways while some intimidate us in unpleasant sort of ways. But all the same books are worth reading to experience the known and unknown.

Books stir various emotions in us. It is like having travelled an unknown path without actually  undertaking the journey.

Like many a things books leave long lasting impressions that fuel our thoughts and change our lives in so many ways forever.

Since an early age I loved collecting books mostly on subjects that interested me though our house as well as my grandparents' house always had a huge collection of knowledge on paper (books) on different subjects and topics. In books could I escape for a while and get lost in a most interesting world which would delight me. What I liked the best about books was that it was a separate world of it's own that I could return tot and relive anytime I wanted to. The stories and knowledge stored in them were mine to keep and collect . The stories in those books be it real or fiction could be relived any number of times I wanted by simply reading them over and over again to my heart's content. It was like living so many different lives in one lifetime !

Everybody learns and gains something or the other through books that light our minds in darkness or make us wonder what was, what is or what might be...

I may be just rambling on but this is an interpretation of my thoughts on books. Some may understand it and some not... Having said that I still feel that all will agree that books are so important and they must have a place in our lives and time. It is so important to read. I have been taught that books are very essential and the most prized possessions. Books encompass so many thoughts, experiences, emotions and predictions. Thus they are the best gifts and yet not all appreciate books the way they are meant to be appreciated. Even now I love to possess or collect books instead of replacing them by e-books. E-books fail to charm me the way traditional books do because it is so important for me to actually touch them to connect to them. I just love to turn the pages as the story unravels and feel the crispness of the paper it was written on. The distinctive scent of the books continue to fascinate me and beckon me to read...Such is the magic of books ! I hope you have shared and read the same magic...             

Yountville, Napa

Autumn of Yountville

Humour-A spice perfect 2 add 2 life

"Humour is most needed in trying and difficult times. Humour is the seasoning which may improve the flavour of the not so delicious dishes that life offers you.  It is more needed at times like these where  adding a dash of it to your each day and each moment may enhance the flavour of the most bland situations that life feeds you with..."
                                                                -Simrit

Adversity- An unwanted visitor

In adversity it is important to never lose sight of hope and belief ...Believe that everything will work out on it's own when it is meant to be. It is all about the right timing and your determination and perseverance in waiting for what is called  your time. Things may be rough but have hope that things will turn around eventually. Nothing is constant...
In adversity adopt patience and acceptance...Accept what is happening even though you may not like what is happening around you when your world is crumbling. Prevent yourself from being in a state of denial. In acceptance do we learn to deal with what is happening and find ways around it. Be patient with yourself and do not be harsh on yourself. Sometimes things do not happen the way you want them and sometimes you may reach somewhere you never though you would. But this is life and it cannot always be a bed of roses. Find yourself again and fight back with renewed strength. When the going gets tough, the tough get going !
The road of adversity is not an easy one and is full of challenging twists, thorns of doubts and intimidating turns. But do not lose balance. Remain firm in your beliefs and true to your dreams as at some given time you will reach there no matter what if you truly keep trying without worrying about the results. The good results may not greet you immediately but you cannot be ignored forever and Lady Luck will befriend you soon enough. Just believe in yourself through it all even if others don't. At these times the most important person you can rely on is yourself as you alone can get yourself through this. The bad circumstances may break you and invite insecurity but at times you have to break or fall to form and bloom again.
In adversity never forget gratitude as that will give you peace. Be thankful for all that you have and your blessings. Sometimes life teaches you a lesson to appreciate the things you took for granted and appreciate them even more when you regain them.

Your Dance...

" Respect yourself and others will follow the lead...

             Know yourself and others will know you,

             Love yourself and others will love you too..."

                                                                          -Simrit

Win the hearts of people !

Your behaviour with others is a real reflection of your values and bringing up...People who cannot respect others do not actually respect themselves or are complexed. People who do not respect others and specially parents of others can never ever be truly respectful to theirs because if they really cared about their families and parents they would ensure that the same respect is accorded to others as well.

Many lack empathy and the basic manners as well as courtesy that actually completes an individual. It is easy to care about people close to you but the true test of the character of an individual lies in the way he or she treats others around them. In treatment of others is reflected your true nature... And what you do is learnt by the younger generation.If you teach them to love and respect people around them specially grandparents will they learn to respect you in the long run.

 It is is so important to value others specially senior citizens. I have been living in a small town where the community is so kind and giving to each other .This is what enriches one's life.   I often see most parents around here reminding their children to greet and thank others. Such parents are teaching their children to be courteous, kind and respectful to others which is so important. In our town senior citizens are valued and have an important place in the community. It is so important to teach good values and good manners to your children as they need to have a good foundation to become better human beings. It is our responsibility at home and in schools to give good values to our younger generation. Raise your children to be sensitive and caring...

Win people with love, empathy, warmth and kindness and in that lies the true essence of life ! 

Love the moment

Live life as if there is not another day ! We hear that so often but we forget that and miss out on life in the daily demands of our routine...
Live life as if today is the only day you have ! We often need to think like that to cherish the precious moments of life and interactions with people. Just be content living in the moment because that moment will be lost to you forever. Find joy in simple things be it in nature or weather. Find contentment in simple habits like having tea or visiting the library.
Appreciate every moment !

A beautiful day to remember in Yountville

Autumn leaves-An attractive contrast to the cloudy sky

The Town of Yountville - A town so picturesque and serene

The different shades of a town...

A night of riddles

Life sure is a riddle...
Sometimes in gains do we find losses and in losses do we find gains...It seems that gains and losses are closely related as if two sides of a coin. Actually these are the two opposite laws of nature.
Life is a series of losses and gains...
One leads to another as if a person is riding a merry-go-round. Nothing is constant and everything changes...
Some may think that I find delight in writing a lot about life and how I enjoy playing around with words to search the answers to the puzzle of life. But through these words do I find answers and through these words do I discover the hidden meaning of life. Through these words do I find solace and through these words do I find peace. Defining my thoughts in words and learning from others' words of wisdom do I get closer to life.
We all have the right to seek the truth of life and we all can find the answers to life in our own way sometime or the other. Words are comforting and so write or read daily to unveil the answers and purpose of your life...
Words are powerful and thus meaningful and effective when translated by your thoughts wisely. And so through words do I interpret life in many ways in various situations.
The meaning of life is not discovered through masking your thoughts but by revealing them in words that people could share and be inspired from in deep ways.
It is an entertaining night of riddles and questions and words are keeping me company. I hope that some of you who are reading this may write some words of your own too to translate your feelings about any given situation in life and therefore approach the puzzle of life in this interesting way to arrive at some deep answer if not a suitable answer. But it is definite it would make you feel light and satisfied to have this conversation with yourself  in the shape of written words. You could read a book as well too pertaining to the subject in your life 

Such is life !

Life takes fees for lessons learnt as it's lessons never come free. But then Asi Es la Vida !
Such is life !
There is always a price to pay for everything. We actually consider the gains and losses in all the choices we make in life because our choices determine the paths we undertake. And our journeys in life shape us and define us. Hence life is a huge investment ! There is a price to pay in all that we invest in our decisions and relationships.
Life is conditional and so it can never give freely. It will always take something from you while giving. And yet life is giving too. It will always give you back something in return when it takes something from you. So what is life and where is life ? Is life in the choices we make or is life in the sacrifices we make ? Do you find the truth of life in all that we lose or in all that we gain ? The answer lies within you and is different for everyone.
Life is truly a riddle...a riddle that many have tried to solve and many have embraced. Some have escaped the truth of life in many ways and some have accepted it. Such is life !
Life romances everybody differently. It gives hope to some and disappointment to others. The beauty of life can be found in success but even in struggle. It is always there around us and within us. Life always seeks us even if we think we are ignoring it. That is why life makes it's own decisions when we run away from it or take it for granted.

In life you win some battles and lose some...Sometimes to win a war you have to loose battles. If you are at a place where you feel everything is lost or you are lost to everything- Breathe ! Pause ! Think !
This may not be your time. But the time will definitely change some day ! You just have to wait a little or wait more but things never remain the same as that is the law of life...But do not let the situation or person get the better of you. Keep standing firm. Or even if you fall, stand back again ! Be adamant about not giving up even though you are allowed to lament a little while savouring a bucket of  your favorite ice- cream !

You may feel that you are losing in life but actually you are a winner if you keep on at it to live life and answer life with a smile however sarcastic. Let people know you are here to stay whatever they may bring your way. Take a break or hibernate as long as you want but get back on the saddle of life as that's the only choice you have. This is what is called truly living your life- to lose but have a winning attitude to recover all that you have lost material or personal through preserving precious moments in the present  and honouring them.

But times change as my brother believes too. If problems come together, they end too either together or one at a time.If things seem entangled , know that it may require some patience and time to disentangle it. We get so caught up and stuck in the webs of life that sometimes we have to even wait for fate to free us from it as we are not able to. There is choice but to persevere. Be a warrior and fight the difficulties and problems throws your way ! The only choice you have is to face your problems with determination and courage. If you run away from your problems, they will only catch you. You just have to deal with them however intimidating.

Lessons of Life

Lessons of Life are expensive in Life...

Lessons cost us dearly. You lose some and you gain some. But lessons are never easy. A difficult lesson is taught to you at a price ! One pays a heavy price or a heavy loss is incurred that makes you wonder as to why you had to learn this way...the hard way. It makes you wonder why you had to learn such a lesson in the first place and what purpose did it serve...

But then life offers us the toughest lessons of life after all ! There is a price attached to wisdom. You sacrifice something greatly to gain from it some way. Is it so ? What do you think ? Are the hardest lessons that of life or what we receive in school ? Sooner or later in any case you will have to have the slice of life...

Landscape

Drive from Lake Tahoe to Napa

Music- Language of the Soul

Music is the language of the soul it is said. Music in any language does not really require any interpretation. The emotions behind the lyrics can be easily understood if music is an important part of your life and resides in your soul.
As Indians music is also our language...the language of the heart. We are surrounded by music in our lives in joy and sorrow. Music defines us and our culture beautifully. To understand us you have to understand our music and specially the beautiful lyrics of the " Golden era". The songs of the 50s, 60s and 70s are still so close to our hearts as those songs express our emotions so accurately in every situation of life. We have been blessed with great musicians, wonderful singers and poetic lyricists.
Music cannot be separated from us. We listen to music everywhere and as much as we can day and night.
We have songs to represent us in every mood and know exactly which one to choose to voice our thoughts. Through music do we define ourselves...Through music do we live...
Through music do we express happiness and through music do we lift our spirits in difficult times. Through music do we inspire ourselves and through music do we motivate ourselves. Music supports in adversity...
We have to define every moment of our lives through songs and lyrics from songs find their place in our daily conversations with friends and family. My brother, parents and extended family just love singing when going on long drives or at home over tea. We communicate through songs when at loss for words. Every time when family or friends get together music and dance are mostly part of those interactions. "Antakshari" is a favourite game of songs amongst us and in fact in the entire region in that part of the world. As kids and now, it has always been our favourite game and past time under many a starlit nights in summers and around a bonfire in winters. Music connects people and unites souls.
Our songs specially from our movies are famous all around the world. Even in States many times when people from Pakistan and India meet at work or in their personal lives, they relate well to each other through common songs. Late nights when work would be slow my Pakistani friend and I would discuss lyrics of our favourite songs while working or to describe our lives.
In fact in most States girls are taught to sing and learn classical dance from an early age. A man expresses his love through music. In many arranged marriage meetings in some states of India, a girl demonstrates her talent in classical music and dance. Most Indians know all the songs of all the eras by heart as we listen to radio all the time as we grow up at home and outside.
There is music everywhere in our culture. There is music in bells of ladies' anklets and there is music in the numerous bangles we wear. We find music everywhere around us. We find music in the rains and we find music in the wind that caresses the fields. We hear music in the rustling of the leaves... As Indians we are very poetic and find solace in music all the time. Music is balm to the aching heart and peace to tired spirit. For us music is a way of life...We feel curbed if we can't express ourselves through music and dance.

PINK

The True Princess of her times

Sometimes one life is meant to touch millions of lives and not be touched by "the one" in the true sense.

She had so much to give in terms of love and compassion to the world. She touched so many lives and made a great difference in this world through her dedication to causes that she stood up for and firmly believed in.

She had abundance of love as the entire world loved her. But on the other hand , the one kind of love that she was really seeking for endlessly only escaped her every time as soon as she found it. The one and only true love that defines a woman the most was never hers to stay with her or meant to be owned in the life she lived. It is very tragic that a lady who was admired by so many could not be favoured much by destiny which did not give her most of all what she really hoped for and wanted.

 Love is complex...Love as they say has it's own destiny. Some find it forever and for some it finds them only to be lost forever. This is my interpretation of whatever little I saw of the second half of the  movie "Diana" the story of the most famous, loving and graceful lady or true princess of her times, Princess Diana.

She won so many hearts and yet her heart searched forever...Her story as portrayed by this movie stirred many emotions within me and one has to say that love even though the most beautiful emotion in this world can be powerful enough to destroy you as well and being loved by so many can even make you feel so alone.

"Sometimes the best teachers are those who are still learning the lessons of life as they know the cost of not following lessons learnt and the price they are paying for it..."

Words of motivation...

Sometimes in a new environment one needs to find things or writings to motivate you to start a meaningful journey in your new phase of life. You need all the inspiration to make the beginning meaningful and worthwhile. I was just scanning the Horoscope section ( Predictions by Peter Watson)  in an old edition of the Indian magazine "Bazaar Fashion" and I stumbled across some really wise and ever inspiring mottos.These mottos caught by attention and stood out in that page as if calling for my attention particularly at a time when I most needed it. The ones I really connected with are-

"Write kindnesses in stone but injuries in sand"

"Courtesy is the oil that lubricates the daily grind"

I am so glad to have come across these words. When you start out in a new world away from your home,it is the first lot of people who enter your lives then who make the most difference to your new journey as they leave behind deep impressions good or bad that connects you to the new place or alienates you from it. 

Bonsai-The Lives of certain Women(Beautiful yet stunted...)

The past week I have been watching numerous movies and documentaries on women from different cultures around the world. It was not that much of a surprise to discover that many women from different religions and countries share the same fate.  In certain regions, religions or cultures in the east as well as west where orthodox way of life is still prevalent in regard to women, some with emerging times may have risen to find some amount of independence and freedom to express themselves but that too is within limits.

Today women from many such places may have found an independent definition of living their lives or so it appears. In fact many such women it seems may be living their choices and dreams in life but actually those so called choices too are dictated by their families and those around them in their conservative society.

These women may be allowed to grow individually only to a certain extent by their society just so as to keep pace with modernity for the sake of appearances but in the end the decisions of their families prevail. Their dreams are still ruled by others.   Their families decide everything for them from the direction of their education to the choice of career  and from deciding their way of life to the choice of a suitable husband.

These women may be allowed to pursue careers but their ambitions are controlled by others with limited thoughts. They may be allowed to grow but only in moderation. These women remind me somewhat of " bonsai" trees that are not allowed to grow to their fullest potential and their roots are stunted.  As beautiful as their lives may appear like that of a bonsai, such restrictions curb their true identity and hinders their growth in the real sense.  Their world is shrunk in the miniature pots of age-old rigid beliefs surrounding women. These women may have finally found a voice but they still are not allowed to truly express their needs and wants. Their lives are expected to  still revolve solely around fulfilling the desires of others but themselves even in that so called independent journeys they may have been permitted to take.

Everybody has the right to live their choices and not those made by others. Everybody has a right to decide what they want in life as it is their journeys to travel and not that of others. As I say in living your choices does one truly live your life and find a path meant for you. That does not mean that one cannot live a life based on the decision of others but only if it is well within the boundaries of peace, contentment and joy. The day living the dreams of others does not provide contentment, that day life could be burdened with regrets and endless disappointment and pain. There are many modern and highly educated women from conservative backgrounds who may have found an independent path but are still lost in finding the true journey that they could actually live to enjoy.

" Beauty is not found in a place but in the memories you gather there...A beautiful place holds no value if it does not hold good memories for you. "

                                                                                                         -Simrit

A poet's introduction...

It is important to have a heart of a poet to understand the language of poetry. Poets find love in misery...Poets find inspiration in adversity...
Poets find hope in struggle and in weakness they find strength, resolve and determination to survive.
Poets translate the deeper meaning of life by drawing the essence of life through sensitivity and perception which not all can possess.
In happiness poets finds sadness and in sadness joy because they know that everything is not as it appears to be. Life is a fleeting moment for them and so they experience and cherish lives far more deeply than others.
A poet romances life and death in the deepest form. A poignant story of two poets stirred so many emotions in me tonight that I took to writing after so long.
From the time I have had a change of environment in my life, I have just not had the time to write much because of the new demands of life though poetic thoughts come to my mind all the time. But tonight is different ! After watching the tragically beautiful Turkish drama (The Butterfly's Dream as interpreted in English), emotions come live in me again. I feel that you can write anywhere if one wants to and one should never renounce deep expressions in life.
It is such great sensitivity towards life and others that makes you so appreciative of all that is around you. And poetry is a source of strength and can be relied upon to provide solace in facing some of life's battles. Such is the power of poetry ! Such is the miracle and power of deep expression and words.
Poetry is the dance between emotions and words where one always requires the other to complete the dance.

Kenzo Napa - Kaiseki Tasting Menu

Kenzo Napa

Last night I had the honor of being invited to Kenzo restaurant in Napa which has been introduced to the Wine country by Kenzo Estate winery founders. It was an evening to remember ! Their generous hospitality in addition to their truly traditional and fine Japanese cuisine contributed in making the evening very special. In all the ambience, delicious food and conversations with their wonderful Manager as well as experienced Chefs gave us a very pleasant and enriching dining experience. And also it deepened our knowledge of Kaiseki dining.The colour combination and taste of wines from the Kenzo Estate Winery beautifully complemented and matched the taste and artistic combination of the sushis from the Chef's selection.
 I loved the sushis prepared by the Chef and more so because I could use my hand to eat them which is allowed in Kaiseki dining. The Kagoshima Yellowfish marinated in vinegar was delightfully delicious when paired with egg omelet. The sushi course consisted of  Flounder, Hallibut, Stripped Jack, Toro ( fatty underbelly of Blufin Tuna), Needle fish and Negitoro maki ( Toro & Chive roll) as explained by their wonderful Manager James. The matcha ice cream with a drizzle of the right amount of condensed milk paired with green tea was the perfect ending to a uniquely wonderful dining.
The evening also ended  with yet another pleasant surprise of receiving autographs of the famous Chefs which is a great  honour and a tradition of fine restaurants in Japan. I shall always treasure the autographs of Chef Eiji Onoyama and Chef Atsushi Okawara on the rice paper Kaiseki Tasting Menu. 

Sacramento

Washington D.C

One does not need to give up one's identity and roots to adapt to a new culture or country. What is needed is to embrace the new with all that is in you and not without it as then in the true sense will that will mark a true journey in your life . A journey of growth begins not with over adapting but with adapting and yet retaining what you already have.
You don't have to give up yourself or lose yourself to embrace the new. You can accept the new environment with an open mind and yet treasure the old. Finding something new in your life does not mean giving up the old. Embrace the new but also retain the old !

This too shall pass ! Tomorrow is another day ! These are golden words for all who are going through phases of transition or phases of sadness in their lives. It is true that each moment is another moment...And nothing remains forever...

There is a season for everything. Time has seasons too...There is a season for happiness and there is a season for sadness. Time is constantly changing ! So however many roadblocks, problems and challenges you may face in your everyday lives at home or away from home they can be overcome in time through patience, belief and hope.  Nothing lasts forever.

 There will be lots of moments of sadness and difficulty in your lives but remain as determined as ever  and hopeful of embracing better moments in times to come. When you do not find answers to all that you are questioning or searching in life, life answers them for you through it's decisions in it's own time. In due course of time you will find the purpose of your life visible. Fate is stronger than your wants and dreams most times. And you just have no choice but to accept what comes your way ! Life has it's own wants from you and if you truly fulfill your destiny by accepting what is meant to be , you will find peace and happiness. But you would say to yourself that all this is easier said than done. Who says it would be easy !? But belief works miracles and your belief and determination to succeed in battling all the difficulties in your life may bring you much closer to your destination. What cannot  kill you will  not destroy you...

Cultural Interactions are a two way process where both sides have to participate or become involved in being culturally sensitive to each other to make it a pleasant interaction. I always believe that give what you expect ! Give and you will receive... If you want people to be sensitive to your beliefs, thoughts and way of life then you too must offer them the same sensitivity. I often find people too rigid in their approach in accepting others' cultural beliefs and yet they want others to readily accept what they want out of them without a doubt or question. That is a completely selfish and inconsiderate approach. We must meet each other half way if we want any interactions to be successful in life . 

A Child's Right to Expression

Communication, Acknowledgement as an individual and the Right to Expression are some of the words or phrases that come to my mind when I think of children in the school or home environment. We cannot curb their right to express themselves as their expression would be an insight into their way of thought which if negative can be transformed and channelised into something positive while there is still time.

 We lose out on really knowing the children around us if we do not encourage them to talk, interact or discuss. Silence or lack of communication can alienate children from us. We must try to understand their wants and dreams instead of forcing them to accept ours all the time. Also we should welcome differences in thoughts.

We can tactfully motivate them but not force them. We can give them options and alternatives but not choose for them. Children need to be accepted as individuals too. Children should have the freedom to think and question and good parenting would be to be as honest as possible with your children. Of course all this has to be encouraged within boundaries of course as they are still learning the ways of life and we cannot afford to have them lose track because of unlimited freedom. Nothing in excess is good.

 So freedom of expression and the right to being an individual must be given but within the right boundaries by guiding them in the right way in the right direction through examples and discussions. Allow them to form their own opinions even if at times it may clash with yours. For instance your child may relate better to a grandparent, relative or friend that you may not get along with and you should be able to accept that without reservations. To be a good role model and guide to your children, one has to first free oneself from all negativity and one has to refrain from being judgemental. Always be accessible and reachable to your child in every way every time specially emotionally. In this stressful modern environment children are faced with stress, questions and life changing decisions every day more than our times and we should be sensitive to all that they are going through. 

Interaction with other cultures- Embrace it !

Embrace other cultures wholeheartedly ! Welcome and accept other cultures without reservations. As I always say embrace others with their differences however challenging that may seem at times. In being rigid in your approach to various cultures, you may be robbing yourself the pleasure of absolutely wonderful experiences in store for you. In not developing an interest in other cultures is in a way denying yourself interesting interactions with many people near you at the grassroots level and limiting a lifetime possibility of exciting adventures in exploring far away places. With the introduction of different cuisines from all around the world around you and cultural events brought to your country from outside , you may think that you are already immersed in other cultures but you are not really experiencing cultures upclose and personal till you actually include other nationalities in your lives through personal or work interactions. So always have a place for people different than you in your life as according to me  "opposites attract" knowledge ! And more knowledge about a way of life of others is always very interesting !

 Before embarking on a long journey to distant places, one must remember to brighten and awaken one's passion for travelling and leaving behind your comfort zone to start with. Once on the "journey away from home or at home to meet new cultures",  do not forget to sharpen your cultural sensitivity and flexibility to open yourself to new discovery of customs, beliefs and ways of life different than yours. Be prepared to deal with cultural shock too however well prepared you may be in your knowledge about that culture. However well versed you may be with different ways of life in various cultures, you are always in for a surprise in dealing with people of other nationalities as new interactions between culturally different strangers can be quite complex sometimes. Last of all clear communication is important in any interaction specially concerning people with cultural differences and as long as genuine communications flow from the heart one can never go wrong even if one is not fluent in a foreign language.

"Through travel do you learn about yourself and discover what you are searching for to define your existence completely."

            - Simrit Kapila

Such is Life !

 Transition is just not a mere word but a way of life and process to grow as an individual. Through transition do you actually connect to your deeper self as you discover a new side to yourself that you thought never existed in that phase in how you adapt to change and accept things you cannot change. Life is but change...
Life changes everyday...Relationships and people change every day for better or worse. In each moment of our lives we are experiencing change. Life changes for good and bad and in that we find our journey of  happiness, disappointments, heartbreaks and peace.
Transition may involve breaking of hearts and pain but such experiences truly define you in the long run because of the way you react to those situations. But change is not bad all the time. A relationship for instance matures beautifully when it changes with time when subjected to different experiences, conditions and environment.
 Transition does not mean that something has to break or be destroyed every time as it can also mean enhancement of your life and birth of something wonderfully new ! Yet we are mostly intimidated by the concept of change as to many it means loss of something valuable or loss of someone precious in that time and that is very painful. And sadly we cannot resist change or transition however unexpectedly unpleasant it may be. But we also have to remember that pain and joy are two sides of the coin of transition and one gives way to the other in time. Transition is never easy but it still has to be accepted and lived...Such is life ! Asi es la vida !