tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16988478624728405562024-03-13T08:15:33.392-07:00ChrysalisA collection of random thoughts, poems, pictures, links I like and enjoy. A sharing of mutual likes and interests.Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-76592214928088143772012-11-08T17:59:00.002-08:002012-11-08T17:59:32.406-08:00A must-read<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I just finished reading Elif Shafak's '40 rules of love'. Ms. Shafak's brings together the lives of people from 13th century Turkey and 21st century USA seamlessly, until the reader forgets where one ends and the other starts - and truth be told, it doesn't matter.</div>
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The book begins with exploring the life and beliefs of Ella Rubinstein, a woman who has turned 40 and who has a husband and 3 children and a financially stable life. She believes herself to be happy and at the same time, has started to question herself about her life. What more does she want? Why does she feel this sense of incompleteness? At this crucial juncture, she is given a manuscript to read and give her editorial comments. The manuscript titled 'Sweet Blasphemy' is by an new writer and is about the mystical relationship shared by the 13th century Sufi poet Rumi with his spiritual mentor Shams-i-Tabrizi.</div>
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Ella immediately feels a connect - both to the manuscript and to the writer - and she does something that shocks her: she emails the writer, a man she does not know. And thus, Ella sets off to discover the Rumi within her and in the process also finding her Shams. The book is about this journey - it is about self-discovery, it is about letting go of prejudices and about acceptance. Acceptance of both self and of the world around, for what it is.</div>
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This is truly one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently. Very engaging and powerful in its simplicity. As a Coach and Trainer, I found numerous messages that I can use in my training and coaching. It also drove home very powerfully to me again, the importance of accepting myself for who I am and for being non-judgemental about others. Why is the latter important? Because we are all on a journey and we are all on different stages of our journeys. I am not an authority on the journeys of others and I therefore am not an expert on the stages at which they are. My life's mantra of "Live and let live" has been reinforced.</div>
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Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-27221691820979854122011-05-05T18:26:00.000-07:002011-05-05T18:26:07.486-07:00A creed to live be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others,</b></span></span></i></span></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>It is because we are different that each of us is special.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important,<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Only you know what is best for you. </b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t take for granted the things closest to your heart<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Cling to that as you would your life, for without them life is meaningless.<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></i></span></b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Don’t let your life slip through your fingers by living i</span></i></span></span></i><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">n the past or the future.</span></i></b></span></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"></span></i><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">By living your life one day at a time, you live all the d</span></i><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">ays of your life.</span></i></b></span></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t give up when you still have something to give<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Nothing is really over … until the moment you stop trying.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t be afraid to encounter risks,<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t shut love out of your life by saying it’s impossible to find.<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />The quickest way to receive love is to give love.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t dismiss your Dreams. </b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>To be without dreams is to be without hope.<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />To be without hope is to be without purpose.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Don’t run through life so fast that you forget where you’ve been,<br style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />But also know where you’re going.</b></span></span></i></div><div align="center" class="yiv155949085MsoNormal" style="display: block; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><i style="line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.22em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored every step of the way.</b></span></span></i></div></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-21699913192469137452011-04-17T22:43:00.000-07:002011-04-17T22:43:40.663-07:00Influence - by Joseph Norris<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I came across this poem on 'Influence' written by Joesph Norris the other day. It has fulfilled its mission and influenced me deeply. I hope all of you, my dear readers, feel some empathy with these words too.</span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>Drop a pebble in the water,</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>and its ripples reach out far;</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>and the sunbeams dancing on them</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>may reflect them to a star.</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>Give a smile to someone passing,</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>thereby making his morning glad;</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>it may greet you in the evening</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>when your own heart may be sad.</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>Do a deed of simple kindness;</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>though its end you may not see,</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>it may reach, like widening ripples</em></strong></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.4em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: navy;"><strong><em>down a long eternity.</em></strong></span></span></div></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-51929878226633421122011-03-14T07:20:00.000-07:002011-03-14T07:20:45.581-07:00Back in Hong Kong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Been back in Hong Kong now for about 8 weeks and dear readers, what can I say! It is awesome! I am seeing an entirely new face of Hong Kong that I had not seen during my previous stay of 3+ years.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hong Kong consists of 3 large areas namely Hong Kong island, Kowloon island and New Territories. The last of these actually is the older part of Hong Kong, but was brought under British administration the last. Hence the name :-)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We live in the district of Sai Kung, which has verdant green hills on one side and the South China Sea on the other. As one comes up the hill, one gets a magnificent view of the sea dotted with boats of all kinds - old fishing junks, modern sail boats... and all this within a 15 minute bus-ride to "civilisation". The crowds, constant throb of traffic and the massive glass-fronted edifices are but a distant vision. Here one can almost believe that one is in a village and why not! Sai Kung is a group of old fishing villages. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my favourite "things to do" is to get into Sai Kung town on the weekend and watch the fishing boats bring in fresh produce. One can stand on the pier and wait for the fishing boats to come in with fresh produce. The buyer than gets to see a sample up close - a fisherman clambers up to the pier with it - and then make their choices. I am not a meat eater - at the same time it is fascinating! There is an array of fresh and dried sea-food on sale. Various sea-food restaurants line the sea front with massive aquariums and tubs of water - all keeping the sea produce alive and kicking. The pier is alive with people taking strolls, walking their dogs, children on roller blades or bikes, ice cream vendors... absolutely gorgeous and so unlike the Hong Kong that is popular in the media - the Hong Kong of fashion, glitter and high finance. This is where the wheelers-dealers come to rest and recuperate. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sai Kung is also perfect for people who like hiking or going on long walks. The country park is amazing with a variety of flora. Snakes apparently abound, though I confess, I am yet to meet one.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So for all those who thought Hong Kong was all about the glitter, the glitz, the glamour and fast life, welcome to Saikung.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Click on these websites to see more of Sai Kung.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.travelinsaikung.org.hk/english/intro/index.aspx">http://www.travelinsaikung.org.hk/english/intro/index.aspx</a></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Kung_Town">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Kung_Town</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Watch this page for more on Sai Kung later, once I get my camera...</span></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-37004901902827248212010-11-03T23:18:00.000-07:002010-11-03T23:18:22.152-07:00Season's Greetings and a Happy Diwali<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is that time of the year - the time to light lamps and drive away darkness. Legend has it that Lord Ram, his wife Sita and his brother Laksman made a triumphant return to their kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and after defeating the evil king Ravan. The people of Ayodhya were happy to see their king after 14 years and celebrated his return by lighting lamps and setting off fire crackers.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Legend also has it that during another era, people rejoiced the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasur. (In reality, it was Krishna's wife Satyabhama who killed Narakasur), but whatever - the essence of Diwali , in summary , is the victory of good over evil. It signifies the victory of positive energy over negative forces. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love the symbolism of Diwali. To my mind, Diwali transcends all religions, as it is truly a festival of fun. Thing about it - by lighting oil lamps, one can drive away the cold and the dark of a November evening. It is the time to drive away the demons of ignorance and acquire knowledge. The time to drive away with hate and bring in love. The time to send sadness packing and bring in the light of joy and happiness. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My memories of Diwali are pretty much similar to those of millions of my generation. Preparations used to start about a week early. My mother used to start making sweets and other savouries at home. We children used to have a ball sampling all the goodies that were being made. We had even more fun eating them behind mum's back, without her knowledge. Then there was the excitement of buying new clothes - all the planning and the dreaming and then the interminable wait to wear them. Dad would meet with fire cracker sellers and we would have a noisy debate about what to buy and in what quantities. And then, on D-day, we would wake up real early and have a nice oil massage before taking a piping hot water bath. We would wear our new clothes, and then hit the streets - bursting crackers, meeting friends and swapping notes on who had what in their fire cracker kitty. The 3 days of Diwali would be spent eating and playing. No home work, no house work, no studying... none of the worries of childhood. Just pure, unadulterated fun! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As an adult, I know that all children do not have access to these simple joys and that makes me sad. It makes me sad that many children in this world will not experience what should be theirs by right. As we all celebrate Diwali this year, let us spare a moment to think of those children and send up a special prayer for them. That is the least we can do.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear readers, I wish you all a very Happy Diwali. I wish you have your loved ones with you to share it and I wish you fill up your store of happy memories to take with you throughout your lives. To those of you whose new year begins at this time, wish you a very happy new year. My wish to all is:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>असतोमा सत गमय, तमसोमा ज्योतिर गमय, </b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय </b></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(From untruth to truth , from darkness to light , from mortality to immortality ...)</span>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-90560667860193885392010-10-12T17:08:00.000-07:002010-10-12T17:08:11.009-07:00These are few of my favourite songs...<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Sound of Silence</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> - this classic from Simon & Garfunkel makes my insides go mushy. I love the composition, the lyric and the voices of Simon & Garfunkel. This song was used beautifully in the movie 'The Graduate' starring Dustin Hoffman - sometime in the late 1960s.</span> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLEmyeQlS5M">Listen to it here!</a></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Dancing in the dark</span></b></u> <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">- beautiful number from Bruce Springsteen, The Boss! The video also marked the debut of Courtney Cox, who later became famous as Monica on Friends. When I first heard this song as a 16 year old, I had goosebumps thanks to Springsteen's gravelly voice and his groovy looks. Even today when I hear this song, I go back to that time and feel like a 16 year old all over again. Talk about anchoring! </span></b><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_JxD0l2uPo&ob=av2e">Click here to listen and watch and be transported.</a></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Time of my life</u></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">- "nobody puts baby in a corner", has become a famous line. Girls swooned when this scene came on and this song that followed was a huge chart buster. I love it, for the energy, the romance and the old world feel. It also signifies - to me - that for the first time, Baby is ready to put her trust fully in Johnny. Great dancing, wonderful singing and an overall great frame. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpmILPAcRQo">Listen here!</a></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><u>One Last Breath</u></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">- my friend Tom introduced this song to me and I love it. The energy, the feeling and depth of emotion always sways me. I can't say I have heard anything else from this group called Creed and I am more than happy for listeners / readers of this post to share more.</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2iIbuX12PM">One Last Breath...</a></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">Killing me softly</span></u> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">- this song has become more popular with today's youth, thanks to a remix by The Fugees. I find the Frank Sinatra infinitely more appealing. There is so much emotion in his version and his voice - yummy!</span> </b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvBatzlDR5U"><b>Killing me softly with her song!</b></a></span></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-57867553346753566992010-09-29T02:32:00.000-07:002010-09-29T02:32:22.747-07:00<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Thought of the day:</span></span></u></b><br />
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<blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">We do not progress from error to truth, but from truth to truth.</span></span></b></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Thus we must see that none can be blamed for what they are doing, because they are,</span></span></b></i></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">at this time, doing the best they can. We learn only from experience.</span></span></b></i></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;"> Swami Vivekananda</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__________________________________________________________________</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9 months into 2010, only 3 left to go. I wonder where the time has flown. It seems like yesterday when it was cold and dull and miserable - our first winter in Delhi. Then the heat crept in and before we knew it, we were charred. The rains followed flooding our roads and houses, but the flowers bloomed casting a rich colour and fragrance everywhere. Before I know it, October is upon me and it is time to prepare for another birthday. Life goes on! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And to celebrate this life, here are a few snippets from that all-time great philosopher - Charles M. Schulz speaking through his various characters - Snoopy & Charlie Brown among others.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">__________________________________________________________________</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"As soon as a child is born,</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">he or she should be issued with</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">a dog and a banjo"</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Charlie Brown</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"If you try to be a better dog,</span></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">sometimes you get </span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">an extra cookie"</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Snoopy</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"Never take any advice you can understand.</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">It can't possibly be any good"</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Lucy</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"That's life! People go away</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">and dogs stay home"</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Charlie Brown</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"Never try to lick ice cream</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">off a hot sidewalk"</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Snoopy</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">"You can't believe everything</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">you hear, you know..."</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: right;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">Schroeder</span></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">_____________________________________________________</span>________________</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since the theme - without me consciously choosing to do so - became a commentary of life, here is a beautiful song - one of my all time favourites. Funnily enough, this one is not sung by Md. Rafi, but by Manna De. Written by Yogesh and composed by Salil Chowdhury. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vgDb4TQneA&ob=av3e">'ज़िन्दगी कैसी है पहेली हाय'</a> from the movie 'आनंद'</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TKMGssm4v4I/AAAAAAAALOQ/8h08sHqV7iI/s1600/DSC00980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TKMGssm4v4I/AAAAAAAALOQ/8h08sHqV7iI/s320/DSC00980.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-76781028906534131582010-09-23T21:26:00.000-07:002010-09-23T21:26:30.357-07:00Good morning, Shubh din, Bon jour, Buenas dias!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b>Thought of the day: </b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b><br />
</b></span></span><br />
<blockquote style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b>Though they may take various roads, all are on the way</b></span></span></i></blockquote><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><b>Swami Vivekananda</b></span></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do you ever associate a song or a poem strongly with something else? On a misty, cloudy day - and especially if I am in the vicinity of the hills - I am reminded of a song from the movie 'Dulhan ek raat ki', which goes 'Ek haseen shaam ko dil mera kho gaya'. Sung by my favourite Md. Rafi and set to music by Madan Mohan, it is a slow, dreamy number picturised on an equally dreamy Dharmendra. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Listen to the song </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ6HpFjYWTo"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. The lyrics are down below. Have a great day and an even greater weekend. :-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TB9BF39w-XI/AAAAAAAAK40/ww1DM8bM2HA/s1600/IMG_2664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TB9BF39w-XI/AAAAAAAAK40/ww1DM8bM2HA/s320/IMG_2664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">एक हसीं शाम को दिल मेरा खो गया</div><div style="text-align: center;">पहले अपना हुआ करता था अब किसी का हो गया</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">मुद्दतों से आरज़ू थी, ज़िन्दगी में कोई आये</div><div style="text-align: center;">सूनी-सूनी ज़िन्दगी में कोई शम्मा झिलमिलाये</div><div style="text-align: center;">वोह जो आये तो रोशन</div><div style="text-align: center;">ज़माना हो गया</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">मेरे दिल के कारवां को ले चला है आज कोई</div><div style="text-align: center;">शबनमी सी जिसकी आँखें थोड़ी जागी थोड़ी सोयी</div><div style="text-align: center;">उनको देखा तो रोशन</div><div style="text-align: center;">ज़माना हो गया</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span></span></div>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1698847862472840556.post-73089624342237599482010-09-23T02:24:00.000-07:002010-09-23T02:29:49.104-07:00In memory of Oscar Wilde<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TJsdEjh4FfI/AAAAAAAALNE/RI0hpnz6V8I/s1600/oscar-wilde-pic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2VbJXN-2C6c/TJsdEjh4FfI/AAAAAAAALNE/RI0hpnz6V8I/s200/oscar-wilde-pic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520037732366685682" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Photograph courtesy of: www.poetseers.org)</span></i><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>It is 110 years since Oscar Wilde passed into the wilderness of eternity. His wit remains though - as relevant and irrevarant. I love Oscar Wilde's plays and his quotes leave me with a HUGE smile. Here are a few quotes - guaranteed to bring a smile to the reader's face :-D</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>35 is a very attractive age: London society is full of women who have of their own free choice, remained 35 for years</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>________________________</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I like men who have a future</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>and women who have a past</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>_________________________</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b></b></span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>If a man is a gentleman,</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>he knows quite enough, and</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>if he is not a gentleman,</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>whatever he knows is likely</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>to be bad for him</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>__________________________</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I sometimes think</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>that God, in creating man,</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>rather over estimated</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>His ability.</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>__________________________</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>A little sincerity is</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>a dangerous thing,</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>and a great deal of it is</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>absolutely fatal</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>___________________________</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>Work is</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>the curse of</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>the drinking</b></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>classes.</b></span></span></span></i></div></blockquote>Ashahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15180859044315867592noreply@blogger.com2