I was watching a program on TV regarding the new definition of air travel in COVID-19 times. It was impressive to see how strict measures are being adopted to make our air journeys safe and secure. Some countries have started touch less elevators too at their airports which is good. It goes without saying how drastically our lives have changed in such dangerous times. We are forced to keep distance from each other to protect all's health...
In times of physical and social distancing, we are having limited interactions with people naturally. In times of lockdown we are isolating ourselves as absolutely essential and in a way we are keeping ourselves isolated from each other. It is difficult to stay in touch with each other except on the phone or through Internet. While lockdowns and stay at home practices must be observed, it is making it enormously difficult for some to be there for each other in times of need and illness. What is highly unfortunate is that some are not even able to say their last farewell to a loved one because of ban of travel in certain places.
These are such challenging and difficult times for all in so many ways. People are heavily impacted by professional, personal and financial loses because of this pandemic. Lives are altered and lives are impacted seriously. On top of it , not being able to access each other easily or not being able to stay in touch is making lives increasingly complicated.
We may not be able to stay in touch with each other all the time now but it is absolutely essential all the more to stay in touch with oneself in these times. Stay in touch with your strengths in crisis. One must not feel alone even in isolation. One must not feel weak even when others are not able to be there for you in person to support you during these times. It is important to rely on yourself and your strengths. One must remember not to lock oneself from yourself even in these new times of isolation from others. Find peace within yourself...
In these times of of lockdowns and "touch less interactions" a lot is bound to change but that does not mean you lose touch with yourself. Find connection with yourself even when alone to remain strong. Stay in touch with yourself always! The path may be rough and tough but be strong ! The path may be lonely and devoid of meaningful human interactions but you are not alone as everybody is going through the same experiences. The entire world is united in facing the same challenges and problems at this time. Find solace in the fact that many are there who can relate and understand your struggles at such a time. So in a way we all are in touch with each other in a way as all are facing this together. 

In a time that is so filled with immense suffering worldwide...In a time that is highly challenging health wise we all must come together to protect each other from this deadly coronavirus by strictly maintaining social distancing, wearing masks and obeying the rules concerning lockdowns.
We all need to stand together in this most difficult times to try to save each other by doing what is best for everyone to keep as many safe and healthy. By accepting the norms of lockdown or following the orders of shelter in place in this worldwide health crisis we will also be contributing in saving lives in our own way. Everybody from the doctors to the police as well as other essential workers are doing their best to be there for everyone and so we too must do our bit too by staying at home in this lockdown as advised because as of today another's life really depends on you. By wearing masks we are protecting not only ourselves but others too... We must act responsibly and cautiously in such dark and dangerous times...
At such a time of very tragic losses of life, I have been at a loss for words because I feel nothing can define the pain and suffering so many are enduring around the world...So I have just not been in the mood to write anything concerning corona virus till now...I felt inclined to address this subject today because I feel that so many are defying the rules of lockdown or not observing shelter in place orders which are so required for the sake of safeguarding the health of so many. We all are in this together fighting a common enemy which is taking so many lives and greatly affecting all in many ways. At such a time it is important that we do not lose dignity, kindness, hope and generosity.
These are such trying times that it seems almost impossible to harbour any hopes that things may change for the better immediately. Yet we must have faith...faith in hope.Things will change. Things will get better. This too shall pass but sadly after paying an exorbitant price of losing so many precious lives around the world and that is just so unfair ! Nothing in life is constant...there will be change. Till then particularly we have to learn to be there for each other. We have to think about others and ensure that all precautions are taken to try ensuring that everyone around you remains safe and untouched by this virus and for that we must follow all the protocols of a lockdown. By following the rules regarding lockdown, we will be successful in avoiding or atleast minimizing the spread of this virus in our communities.
It may be difficult for some to give up their lifestyles, outings or daily routines that they all may be accustomed to during the period of lockdowns and shelter in place but this is something we must absolutely sacrifice to effectively battle this disease which has consumed and destroyed so many lives personally, professionally and economically. As said earlier each life is dependant on another at this time. Save lives and save yourselves by acting very responsibly and maturely at this time !
Life is a circle...And we are in a circle today where we each should be holding each other's hands in a way and supporting each other against the deadly force of this disease in order to combat this disease in every way possible and not let it win at all ! This disease has forced our lives to pause and come to a standstill...We must co operate in stopping it from spreading further ! We must stop it from defeating us ! So let's unite in dealing with this worldwide health crisis by maintaining social distancing and hygiene. Let's unite in this time of health crisis by wearing masks as advised and follow the rules of lockdowns and shelter in place. We may feel crushed but we are not defeated ! Our lives may be severely threatened and disrupted by this health crisis but we will need to deal with this in the best way possible. Immediate victory may not be possible but gradually and by moving cautiously even after normal lives resume , we would emerge victorious as long as we strictly observe what is required from us at this time. We shall overcome this...It is our duty to ourselves, others or to our nations to stand together and stand for each other during such challenging times !

 I think...
 I wonder why there is so much intolerance prevalent in this world...

Now you would think that I am speaking about "religious intolerance" but I am not thinking about that entirely. You see intolerance comes in so many forms. Intolerance for each other could thrive amongst people even within the same community or family. Today there is more intolerance for each other than before within the same community or in a working environment for that matter. People are not willing to adapt to each other that easily and accept each other with differences in thoughts, beliefs and culture. People are not willing to accept those who speak a different language or dress differently.

I always believe that it is so important to embrace each other with all our differences and that is how uniquely beautiful and deep relationships and interactions should be. It costs nothing to be kind ! It costs nothing to be empathetic ! It costs nothing to be sensitive and generous to each other !

You can be different in every way from each other and yet you could embrace each other ! For me that is truly when the process of cultural exchange and the exchange of knowledge happens. We learn and grow much in the journey of each others' differences. Through respectful and appreciative exploration of each other can we discover and learn. Such explorations can make us better people. And yet people do not understand the value of communication and interaction to discover each other to resolve differences. People fear the unknown and something that is different and in that fear deprive themselves of gaining knowledge of each other.    

I wish the world was a perfect place and I'm not the only one...
"You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one..." This song by John Lennon speaks volumes.
There are many like us who still believe that this world could be a better place if we wanted it to be. There are many like us who have faith that this world is good. There are many like us who are still giving this world and people around us chances to become good. Some may call such people idealists or philosophical ! But so be it ! Such people truly still see goodness and kindness in this world at a time where it is so needed when we are living in the difficult and dark times of great intolerance towards each other which brews resentment, conflicts and riots. There is endless discrimination, racism and hatred which stems from basic intolerance of each other. If people could just be tolerant of each other...

Amidst such thoughts I came across a movie on Netflix which echoed so many of my long time thoughts and I connected so deeply with some of the emotions, thoughts and expressions in this movie. The name of the movie is " A Billion Colour Story". It is a very brilliant and thought provoking movie. Stories of intolerance for differences in faiths, differences in lifestyles and differences in thoughts are so skillfully portrayed and at such a level where one could relate to it closely as one may have experienced that at one time or another in life or one may have seen it happening around us.

 Like life this story has different colours both bright and dark. Yet this movie weaves a beautiful, sensitive and heartwarming story around a child of idealistic interfaith parents in the challenging setting of an intolerant and insensitive world. This child's interpretation of it all adds more depth to the story. In fact it could be at times a question of identity for a child brought up by parents of two religions even though his parents give him the best of two cultures and allow him to be who he wants to be. Yet it is sometimes the two families on either sides or mostly the world that makes him feel that he is different. I too have two religions and I celebrate Christmas too having studied in a Christian school. I am Hindu and a Sikh. My parents as well as grand parents also brought us up in a way where we were taught to celebrate and respect different identities and faiths. In fact religion was never ever an issue  at our house. I was allowed to be who I wanted to be and yet sometimes at one time or the other it were the people around us who questioned my identity specially since like the child in this movie my first name and surname would attract curiosity in the most hilarious manner. I could relate to some of the situations this child experienced when some of his relatives on either sides oddly viewed him because he was culturally different from each side or how protective he would become about his parents which was far more than other children whose parents may share the same religion.        

The movie shows how the intolerance at various levels can complicate our daily lives be it in simply finding a home to live or in differences of lifestyles. One actor rightly says in this movie that today everyone is against everyone and is not just limited to religion. I believe that as well that today basically there is intolerance between people to people.  

"A Billion Colour Story" is actually a story of the hearts of billions who still have faith in goodness despite the negativity of some. The story moved me greatly ! And the child's role played by the talented young man Dhruva Padmakumar is breathtakingly brilliant ! I don't think anyone else could have played the role as perfect as him. I have become his die-hard fan ! He complemented the role in ever way possible and translated the emotions of the character beautifully and blended it with such fine expressions.

In fact all the actors were wonderful and the credit naturally goes to the director and the writer too. I was so touched by the way the relationship of father and son was depicted. The never ending path of difficulties they faced through financial crisis and intolerance strengthened their relationship even more and brought them only closer. What was impressive was that their identities and beliefs never shook even when provoked or challenged by people or circumstances. The father never gave up faith that the world is good. The son's love, thoughtfulness and sensitivity resounds till the end of the movie and after that in our hearts. My interpretation of the movie is that despite tragedies and bad happenings a billion people out there are still very much coloured in the shades of goodness even if they have different identities. There were still a billion people out there who were willing to restore the family's faith in goodness. Intolerance exists in many parts of the world but there are still people out there who support each other and are empathetic to each other...There is still hope for the world that it would survive the worst ! And if all children could be raised to be as thoughtful and sensitive as the child in this story, they would grow up to positively contribute and give so much to this world. Lessons begin at home and children must be taught to be adapt to others who may be different from them. Then only can we stand united even in differences...                               

CHOOSE 2 B HAPPY EACH DAY !

Happiness is a choice...


Happiness is a choice you make to enhance your life and surround it with positivity. And I try my best to make that choice everyday. You can choose to be happy and contented by finding joy in simple things.


Simple things like listening to music, singing aloud, dancing, cooking, nature walks, reading,  interactions with people specially babies or simply enjoying a cup of piping hot chocolate with marshmallow floating in it as I am doing right now as I write can bring such joy and surround you with serenity.


We have forgotten to notice small things in our day to day lives as the world has become so fast paced and demanding. And so all the more we have to set aside some alone time however short it may be to spend with oneself to enjoy and do all the things that we like.


Life may continue to be moody and life may continue to challenge you but it cannot crush you or defeat you unless you allow it to. Let life do what it is known for. Let life be unpredictable and ruthless...But you should not be hard on yourself. Give yourself a break to feel nice and give yourself some time to do things that you enjoy doing to feel good about yourself and everything ! Your living room could be a fancy restaurant or your living room could be a karaoke place. What I mean is that you don't have to really spend money to be happy. You can have what you want or where you want to be where you are by just creating that mood. In such things one can really take inspiration from kids as to how contented they are and how they create a beautiful world of their own with their innocence and belief. One can also be inspired by actors as to how they immerse themselves in the role they are portraying to make it look real. In the sense fake it till you make it...Even if you are not happy fake it till you believe it and you will actually start becoming happy gradually in due course of time. In other words on those not so good days pretend to be happy if you have to just so that gradually you ease into the role of being happy. As someone important once told me that gradually you ease into everything however unknown and strange it may seem at first. But it definitely takes some time and work.


You can be who you want to be ! You can be who you would like to be ! You can go places and you can go to places !  It is just a matter of time.  You just have to give it time...At the end of it, it is your choices for yourself that matters the most...You have to be fair on yourself and treat yourself right. You have to be there for yourself when others aren't. Rely on yourself and believe in hope and your strengths. Don't let life wear you down.


Life may give you enough reasons to be unhappy. Life may try you and test you but do not let it get to you. You hold the power...you hold the power to overcome anything. You hold the power to heal yourself . You have the choice to heal yourself however broken you may be even though that could take long and may not be easy. But still you can do all these things for yourself instead of giving in to being bullied by circumstances and situations in life. As I always believe that when the going gets tough the tough get going !


There will be heartbreaks, disappointments and losses. Life will not treat you royally all the time. But you must take care of yourself through those rough and difficult times when all is lost instead of giving up. Feel and process your emotions however deep...cry if you feel like but don't give up. It was very sad to read about some celebrities tragically ending their lives as they could not handle the pressures and burdens of lives . I wonder what could have brought them to that edge of life's cliff...Unfortunately at that time for some odd reason this may have appeared to be the only choice for them but this is definitely not the right choice at all ! Tragically such lives ended because of wrong reasons taken under pressure. It is sad that those wonderful lives could not be saved and they crumbled under the weight of their problems . It is so tragic to hear that often lives are threatened as they cannot bear the harsh expectations of society . But always remember that famous line "Tomorrow is another Day ! ".  Live to try again ! Live to fight another battle of life however hard it may be. Your life is very precious ! One always has a choice to start over, to turn over...Even in your difficulties and troubles save a smile or two for yourself and others ! One has a choice to be happy if one actually pursues it and tries to believe in it ... You just have to work at it and continuously motivate yourself to feel positive.


Nobody can save you but you ! Know that power is within you and you will have the strength to survive and persevere...Your determination to continue walking in the face of difficulties and challenges should not fade at all...Your determination to maintain your balance in the storm of trials and tribulations should not waver...  

Napa Valley

For Here or To Go ?

For Here or To Go !? We all have experienced that sometime in life...
Experiencing it up close and personal in the heart of Silicon Valley ! So many I know here are going through that uncertainty. Fortunately I don't have visa problems but in many ways I am now able to relate to them as I am now immersed in the Silicon Valley Culture. I think I am getting influenced by them !

I will always remember my time here ! The Indian crowd here have their own culture, style, fashion and lifestyle...which is so different from Indians in other States out here.
My journey from Napa Valley to Silicon Valley has so many interesting stories & adventures...Culturally so different !

Seems now I am adapting to the ways and dressing of the tech. crowd I live amongst here ! Where you live can affect you in so many different ways culturally...

I watched the movie " For Here or To Go " when I was in Napa. At that time I did not know that I would experience the Silicon Valley culture. It is a nice movie that I watched on Netflix. The movie says it all !

https://www.netflix.com/title/80176707

It is nice when people within the community form a study group for group learning, reading or teaching. This certainly helps in getting focus back 2 studies or training ! Luckily we have think tanks on the property we live on where free conference rooms are available for group studies or projects. In Silicon Valley I see so many people studying there in a group with their laptops, snacks and coffee ! It reminds me of boarding school when we had the " Prep time" in which we did our homework or prepared for exams. 

Some of my "techie friends" as I fondly call them check into hotels when they are preparing for exams so that they can study for hours without the hassles of housework and other disturbances ! Now that is something strangely interesting I have got to know about the Silicon Valley culture ! They make huge investment in training too that make them eligible for 250K jobs according to them. And some of them don't even mind checking into good hotels just so that they can put in intensive preparation without any interruptions.  Now that is really playing it big ! This place is definitely different from Napa Valley culturally ! 

SMILES that SHARING of SWEETS brings

Smiles that sharing of sweets and good times with family and friends brings is so valuable ! This past week there have been so many days of sharing of sweets and good times !  I have spent many wonderful moments with family and friends this festive season through sharing food and sweets . "Dil maange more !" The Heart wants more !

 Sharing is Caring ! It is nice to share the"mithai" ( Indian sweets) boxes I received from my parents and brother with all  my friends & neighbours ! Many must be doing that out here but in my neighbourhood I am setting my own traditions to bring together neighbours and friends through tea and sweets every now and then. That is the best way to interact culturally too. We may be from the same country but we all still have so much to learn from each other as we come from different States.
As Indians we believe in sharing sweets with everyone as it is considered auspicious...Through the sharing of sweets one spreads happiness and sweetness in everyone's lives...And specially in my neighbourhood in Silicon Valley we share so many things specially sweets brought all the way from India . Many friends came over to collect mithai from me this week. Everybody wants a share in it however small and feel honoured to be included.  

"Mithai" brings everyone together ! 🙂 Receiving and giving sweets is considered good in most countries specially Japan and India ! I remember that in Japan my colleagues would also always share sweets as gifts (omiyage) with family, friends and colleagues. In Asian culture giving and receiving sweets is important as it symbolizes moments of happiness and marks auspicious events.

It was so SWEET of  my brother to give me so many boxes of sweets to share with others...
Life is SWEET when you SHARE SWEETS ...:)

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 !