This one’s for me,you….me and you

Her sister, the mother of this child and your wife could not survive the crash.

Today she looks like a million bucks, the most beautiful woman on this earth. Today she is pious and the most precious with universe in her eyes. But only if she opens them.

The knot was tied and the vows were exchanged to give a new dimension to love as. As years passed by the bond became stronger and the love deepened. We created a life to celebrate our love and leave a footprint on the future. Each day was fun and fulfilling. She smiled, laughed with work life balance. Except for a slight hint of emptiness in her eyes, which was overshadowed by always too much going on.

She today looks as beautiful as she did on the wedding day or as sparkling after the childbirth. But when did I last stop for a moment in the morning by her side to admire her beauty, her young playful heart. Or when was the last time I appreciated her in that dress. Even though she complained I always reminded her that she was always beautiful to me anyways. But today when I notice she denies to listen.

Marriage is a tough institution. Losing track of small moments over those bigger ones is easy and natural. The emotions that brought two hearts together can take a back seat when practicality drives. There is nothing wrong or right when priorities flip, given we live in a materialistic world. But nature restores woman’s emotions despite all odds vs a man’s. She often suffers ignorance for the same but she is a fighter and keeps coming back. With an expectation of few moments as sweet and silly as those early times, from her man when they were young lovers. A common marriage phenomenon of ‘taking each other for granted’ might not have a definition for all. Appreciating or planning surprises might not be every man’s cup of tea.

But it can be as simple as looking at her and appreciating yourself in choosing her for the life. There was a time when a look was enough to say it all and that time was not silly or just immature.

If for a man a woman ‘says it best when she says nothing at all’ it holds true for men too. If words are hard to find; a look or touch is all that it is.

Its Your Birthday ~~~~

We sleep, we eat;

We play, we fight;

Loving you more each day

Is my life.

I can fight times.

As you hold me,

Amongst every tough situation passing by.

I exist until the day arrives,

When my love for you feels satisfied.

Tomorrow is my love's birthday. I wish for him the best of the world today, tomorrow and always.

This day is the most important day of the year for me, and I mean it. More than the day I was proposed or the day we got engaged or the day of our marriage. After all, we were destined for each other. This all would not have been possible without your birthday.

!! OutSourced !!

World is shrinking and customer support is sinking.





I booked tickets online for my parents, for the day after next using this travel services website. In first place, the e-ticket was not issued after I completed the booking although the money was immediately deducted from my account. I booked the ticket on the night of Aug 9 for Aug 11 early morning. On Aug 10, I received an email that due to some errors my booking has been canceled. After waiting for the refund for several hours and trying over a thousand times to reach the customer support, I finally got hold of them.

The very fact that I am writing a post on this would sure illustrate my experience.

CSR: Welcome to “Travel-Cha-Cha”, the best travel booking services in India. How can I help you today?

Me: (Aug 11, 12:30 AM) Hi! I booked 3 tickets online for Aug 11, 6 AM flight from……..

CSR: Yes, Yes. You will get your e-ticket tomorrow.

Me: No it’s not about e-……

CSR: No problem. You will get it tomorrow.

Me:   Listen- It’s not about the e-ticket. And I did the booking more than 24hrs ago. Its 12:30 AM right now and my flight is at 6 AM. If not yet, there is no way I would get an e-ticket from you. Anyways….

CSR: We send e-tickets on the journey date.

Me: After the flight takes off ?????????

CSR: No No Madam! No.

Me: Anyways. I am not calling for the e-ticket. I got an email that my booking has been canceled.

CSR: Ooooooo (the longest ever)

Me: Please look up my ticket status. My booking reference is XXXXX

CSR: Madam! You got a cancelation email naaaaaa (‘naaaa’ is one of those words used to emphasize on a statement. It’s not Hindi, Its not English.) So it is canceled.

Me: Why don’t you jus look it up?

CSR: Oh madam! My server is down. It night “naaaaa”

Me: Awesome. But the money has been deducted from my account.

CSR: No problems

Me: What the heck do you mean?????

CSR: You booked the ticket so it got deducted Madam

Me: Grrrr….don’t u understand that the booking has been canceled. Why haven’t I got the refund yet?

CSR: You will. You will. 3-4 days. Please wait.

Me: You putting me on hold to talk to your supervisor?

CSR: No. I mean wait for your refund.

Me: Darn! 3 days or 4 days

CSR: Keep checking your account

Me: Huh

CSR: It happens Madam. Don’t worry, you will get it

Me: Great

CSR: Other than money can I help you any more?

Me: When will your server come back up? I can call up again to check on the status.

CSR: It goes down during night for maintenance.

Me: Oh really! I booked the ticket in night and my money too got deducted Was it not down then.

CSR: No No. That was payment server.


So folks, it has been 3 days and I still waiting for the refund.

It Catches Your Heart.......

It’s been long since I stayed away from my blog. And truly it was painful.

I always liked writing but started my blog quite late. But once it got started, I realized it was more than a just a liking. Missing on writing made me feel incomplete. It had got me involved deeply.

But then suddenly life got crazy busy, luckily with all good stuff. The excitement of life let my personal space go ignored. Days became weeks, weeks became months and I kept ignoring it. But somewhere deep down it was hurting. To start it back up looked difficult and I wasn’t sure the amount of effort it would require. But then today I had to shake myself up to just start it back again. The writing followed my thoughts and it wasn’t that difficult.

So how do know about your passion? In plain English, it’s that one thing about which you keep thinking all the time and its absence make you feel incomplete. And pursuing it gives eternal peace.

Everyone has several ‘likes’ but one ‘passion’. But how many truly identify one?

-- Those who do and let it drive become genius.
-- Those who don’t should wake up and think themselves
-- Those who do but don’t follow it are jerks

Passion is strong enough to drive. When it hits you, do not hold back. Getting to flow with the kick is the path to happiness.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins ~ Benjamin Franklin

Performing Weekend

Life is busy and occupied. My in-laws are in house visiting us for a month and am sure busy enjoying with them, I feel bad that my blog is getting a little neglected though :-( its hard to find time to pen down ideas when every day is fun and celebration. So after my in-laws are gone, I sure have a lot to share folks.

But for now, I really really wanted to share these pictures with you all lovely friends. Last Friday, I performed a Indian folk dance in a international festival and trust me we stole all the charm ...yeyyyyy

Our group name was "Garba Essence"

"Garba" is group folk dance, that comes from a north western state of India. Both men and women celebrate the power of the goddess for 9 auspicious days of the year, mostly in September. They dress up and dance on folk songs all night.

Hope you all njoy the pictures!!

Random Travel Incidents

A long commute daily to work, meeting new faces, some wonderful and some frustrating characters. Just thought of scribbling some incidents.

Why do people wear sunglasses even when the train runs underground or in the tunnel??  Well I do too to avoid eye contact with strangers.

So this one day when I was on the train, freaking tired, settling to go to sleep for the next 1.5 hrs. I noticed this lady in the front staring at me like hell. And not once, twice or thrice, her damn eyes were scanning me. As I had my glares on, I could watch her but she couldn’t. Her gaze was making me so conscious that I couldn’t go to sleep. Huh! And the most weird thing, she was staring at my legs…WTF***.

I mean c’mon …why??? Did I not look like a human?? Or I had eight legs like an octopus.

The other weird incident today morning - 

I boarded the train, grabbed a seat.  I noticed this guy sitting in the front(back facing me) was watching p~o~r~n on his laptop. Yes, u heard it right. It gets very crowded in the morning hours so the seat next to me was quickly taken. This man next to me turned all red (not in anger). He had his ipod on and when I requested him to move out as I wanted to change my seat, he didn’t listen. He was BUSY. Well I made him notice my request and I changed my seat.

All my way I was wondering what an idiot and an over desperate was this guy to see such a film on a laptop in between 50 odd people. And he wasn’t any college student. He was a professional, at least from his dressing. Huh! And no words for this another gentleman who took the seat by my side and started enjoying the movie.

 Well interesting characters sure make up the interesting journey. Many more to come.

To My Darling Sister

It has been almost two weeks since I wrote a post. Life is super duper busy with too many things going at a time. But today is very special. Its my little baby sis birthday. And miss her and the birthday party ;-) Well so I celebrate it my way. Here it goes ----

!! A very happy birthday to my dear darling baby sister !!

Hey sis - I wrote that in blue your fav color


It has been more than a year since I have seen her and I miss her a lot – my little baby sis..muahh! I am here, working in California and she is back in India, so a lot of distance to be travelled for a weekend trip :-)

She is only 4 yrs younger to me but has been pampered a lot…less by mom dad and more by me. Never mind, you deserve it. Love ya. There is not much we have in common except that we love each other a lot – Unconditional. And that is enough for a lifetime.


You are a river boat when am a thrill ride
You are the catch when am a strike
You are the eye when am the sight
You are love when am life


We fight and argue on our points
As we are two different souls and minds


You are my blood and equally stubborn
But at every intersection
The heart feels the connection
I cherish the journey when you do the destination
You settle for awards when I celebrate nomination


Nothing can set us apart forever
No matter we were born different altogether
Our love is enough for a life
You love life when I make it smile

Follow Me Back Tuesday

I am participating in "Follow Me Back Tuesday" started by  And I'm No Miss. Click HERE for the rules.

It is simple and works great. Follow as many blogs as u like Leave A Comment.

When you leave a comment, I would visit you back and follow you.

I would sure follow you back

!!Welcome to my blog!!

If I Were...

I am tagged by Mitch on this "If I Were..." meme and its great fun to do it.....




If I were a month, I'd be October
If I were a day of the week, I'd be a Friday evening
If I were a time of day, I'd be evening
If I were a planet, I'd be Venus.
If I were an animal, I'd be a squirrel
If I were a direction, I'd be upside
If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be a Tiffany Lamp
If I were a liquid, I'd be a strong coffee
If I were a gemstone, I'd be a diamond
If I were a tree, I'd be a redwood
If I were a tool, I'd be a pen
If I were a flower, I'd be a big carnatians
If I were a kind of weather, I'd be a cool sunny day
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a flute
If I were a color, I'd be orange
If I were an emotion, I'd be happiness
If I were a fruit, I'd be a mango
If I were a sound, I'd be the wind chimes chiming
If I were an element, I'd be the water
If I were a car, I'd be a Lexus
If I were a food, I'd be a anything Italian
If I were a place, I'd be the beach
If I were a material, I'd be a flexible
If I were a taste, I'd be salty
If I were a scent, I'd be citrus
If I were a body part, I'd be a heart
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a boots
If I were a facial expression, I'd be the smile

Thanks a lot Mitch!

As for the tagging part, I tag all my dear friends HERE and everyone who stops by and reads this post. Have fun!!

Rain Rain Go Away

!!Rain rain go away
  Come again another day
  Little Arthur wants to play!!





June is around the corner and it’s wet and cold. Ack!

I know I know….its the El-Nino’ winters and that it happens every 4-5 yrs and blah blah blah. But why in the world do department stores doesn’t remember that. The entire summer collection is full on bright in stores but no weather to wear those dresses and shoes. Huh! Since Nov, I am wearing a trench :-( 

Please God, cancel Mr. Sun’s vacation. It has already been long.

One of my friends updated her FB status, “Where are summers?” Well it’s out there, but only in stores. US economy is already suffering a hard blow. How would it recover if people don’t get out of homes and start spending? So my advice to all lovely stores….recall your summer collection and send in trench coats and rain jackets. Now c’mon, understand the buyers’ sentiments. That awesome summer collection makes us feel helpless.

Here goes my version of the nursery rhyme –

Rain, rain, I ask next when?
The weather report says, every now and then
Five months since Jan
I am still under my trench

Rain, rain don’t check on me
I am fine with you not in scene
White, yellow, blue and green
Let me live the summer dream

New Look! New Music! New Awards!

NOTE:  My first LONG post; courtesy Gnetch Awards. Let me know honestly if you managed to read it all

24 hrs of patient searching, googling, you tubing, RSS feed and blah blah blah……I finally gave my blog its first makeover..ta da!

I downloaded some 20 odd templates, tried then on and shucks! Just wasn’t getting it right. So the geek inside me knocked and I edited the html myself. M a software engineer afterall ;-) couldn’t stop tweaking around. And guess what yesterday was "Happy Geek Pride Day". I came to know of it reading another amazing blog from Eline @ RPG Called Life

Still a lot to do but here is its first look.

I was dead for almost the entire week and came back to life after reading some of my favs blogs. And she did it again :-) Yes Naughty Gnetch tagged me for A-W-A-R-D-S

Award 1.
A photo meme where I have to post the 8th picture from the 8th folder in My Pictures. So here it is.

Maymere Falls

This is when I was in Seattle. I and my hubby visited the Olympic National park, Washington. Seattle has been one of my best memories so far with regards to natural beauty. I am in love with the place.
  
Award 2.

Thanks Gnetch! I can be a brag now ;-)

7 facts about me 

• I am a human :-D
• I love music and can’t imagine myself without dance in my life
• I have only read two books in my life so far. The first one was enough to bowl me over and I failed to love reading. Though I did read Harry Potter
• The Hard Life by Charles Dickens
• Harry Potter series
• I am a chatterbox. Probably nothing new for being a girl. But when I am quite people around me know for sure I am not fine
• I am an independent person and responsible enough not to blame anyone for what happens in my life. Afterall it’s my life and I make my decisions. So why crib
• My first crush in high school was Leonardo Dicaprio. Yes Titanic. But I was crazy to an extent that I totally believed I was Rose in my last birth (I am rolling)
• I love making friends and am really good at it

Ain't it lovely when people let you talk about yourself :-p

Love Life

I have a long commute to work everyday on train. At least once a month, a suicide or an attempt delays the service and leaves me thinking what makes people do so.


Life is the ticket to the biggest show on earth.


Nine months in a mother’s womb, dark and congested is what it takes for the first glance of the world. The world out there, putting together the best show on earth is beautiful and ugly, happy and sad, simple and complex. Every life on earth is an important element of this masterpiece. No one ever said life is going to be easy. But it’s always interesting - happy or sad, but always exciting.


Being born was not our choice. How do we get the right to make death a choice? Closing the book of life at a sad chapter is like leaving the book incomplete. And incomplete is never satisfying. Life can be very stressful and painful and it’s easy to have devastating thoughts. But the winner stands strong and the loser falls to fail. The bad thing about good times is it passes by fast. But the good thing about bad times is that it too passes by.


One life one world! Love and respect this great creation to live it to fullest.

Mama Tink's Twilight LinkUp Party

Its Friday and its happy. What makes it happier is that I joined the fun by linking up with Mama Tink’s Twilight Thursday LinkUp Party. Party time folks with the most handsome, beautiful and powerful characters…yeyyyy!


I know Mama Tink said Thursday and I am writing this up on Friday. Sorry Mama Tink but from what I have been reading about you are really cool and forgive this delay on my part…hehehehhehe

So abiding by the other rules, I need to link this post to Mama Tink’s Twilight Thursday Linkup Party. For more rules check her out @


Mama Tink's Twilight Thursday LinkUp Party

And now…on with the party!


Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team Switzerland (you just can’t pick one)?
For once and for all, Team Edward. No exceptions. I like cats but not wolves..woo wooo

Besides Edward, who is your favorite Cullen?
One and only one, ALICE. She is nice, caring and loving. She oozes positivity.

Have you seen the movies, and if so, did you like them/think they did the books justice, etc?
I have seen all the movies and really like The New Moon. I haven’t read the books so not sure if they did justice.

How did you find out about Twilight and what made you decide to read the books?
I am crazy for movies. I checked out Twilight in the theater just like any other movie and aww fell in love with it. I have not read the books. Not a book person. But now that I have seen the movies, I can put faces to the characters (all I care for is Alice and Edward…lol) and enjoy reading SOMEDAY

What was your favorite part of the series?
In the movie series: Everytime Edward steps back from making Bella one of them. So considerate.

What, if anything, did you dislike about the series?
I agree with Mama Tink. I too found Bella extremely annoying. She is clueless, confused and after New Moon I feel she is selfish and also an attention seeker

Who was the most interesting villain?
Aro, great powers.

If you could choose one character to know more about, who would it be and why?
Carlisle & Esme Cullen – they are so good, loving and make a great family. Also Alice in her human life.

Tell me about your most embarrassing “Twilight” moment…cause we all have one!
Hmmm….this is interesting. I got into a romantic mood talking about Edward and Bella and how he shows her places in Forks the vampire way. I was going on and on and on. And my friends, who isn’t a vampire fan, had no clue who Edward and Bella was.

Ok now its your turn...Link Up

A Bag Full of Goodies

It has been over a week since I wrote my next post. And I know how much I was missing blogging all these days. I was missing my mom on the Mothers’ Day as she is back in India. I spent most of the afternoon reading my bloggers friends’ posts. Some of them were touching, some happy, some sad. But they shared one thing in common – immense love and respect for moms. And as I was reading Mitch’s blog I found an award for me :-):-):-) The Master of Karate and Friendship Award!

Though I do not know Karate et’ all…hehehe

Thanks so much Mitch!

I love your blog and look forward to reading every next post. Glad I found you. Talking about that, friends please don’t miss reading Mitch’s latest post “My Heaven on Earth” – a beautiful post supporting a beautiful school organization.

And here is another one from Mitch again. She is amazing and truly deserves this award! This is my 4th award in two months and I am on cloud 9.

Following the rules of this award I need to pass it on to seven friends and write about 7 things about myself.

  

7 things about myself

• I am a positive person in love with life…no complaints
• I feel blessed to be have married the one I love
• I can’t imagine my life without dancing
• I love cooking
• I am opinionated and feel probably I should not be
• I am a chatterbox ;-) and make friends easily
• I am proud of my parents for shaping me up

 7 friends I would pass on this award

Eatomanic :) yummy blog with lots of vegeterian receips

Neeti -- my dear friend. we had lot of good times when she was in US. A recent blogger but doing a great job

Jennifer Marie - Her Blog brings a smile to my face everytime

Mary - a Hawaiian blog

Vivian L - a cool blog

Rihanaa - the style blog

Ria - The serious shiny blogger

Tiffany - a lovely stylish blog

Don't Talk To Aliens

"To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like." – Stephen Hawking



For those who are not updated with this documentary, please refer to this article. The scientist and physicist said: “If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans.”.


Stephen Hawking is a great scientist. Words from such great people do weigh in a lot and should be taken seriously. Many examples could be quoted where great discoveries were not taken seriously though became the pillars of modern science later. Even Galileo’s discovery was treated as a joke first. Many might not take Stephen Hawking’s words seriously but no one has seen the future.

He also said, “Do not expect them to look like Marilyn Monroe”. Hmm..I personally quite did not understand this part. Probably the number crunching mathematician did not get a chance to watch Hollywood alien movies. When did humans ever imagine extra terrestrials beautiful? Though I wish they did. As the only thing I thought while watching any alien movie was – “can the writer/director for once not portray them to be better looking?”

The curious human minds have made many amazing discoveries and someday if finding the extra terrestrials gets added to the list, I would not wonder. As if it can be earth why not any other planet!

But why do we humans always consider them ugly, non cooperative, violent and dangerous? For something which we do not even know if exists, is it not a rude thought? We have always considered them as enemies. And now the thought is supported by Hawking. But why?


Well probably because deep down we know how have we treated the other species on earth. Our greed has led to extinction of many species. Hundreds of other species are on either the edge of extinction or having tough survival issues. All this is due to the greed of mankind. The negativity is us makes us believe that this unexplored species would treat us the same way as we did others.

I personally believe if we start loving and respecting every form of life on our planet, we would probably search those out in universe with positivity. If we have brain, the others forms too are potential owners. They can not be mindless to hunt down us humans who are looking for them for knowledge, love and respect for various life forms.

Appreciation Matters

Here comes another award for me from my amazing friend Gnetch. And I love to show it off on my blog. Don’t forget to check her at Thank Goodness for Good Ones. I just love her blog spirit. I have read her latest blog thrice so far and it brings a smile on my face.

Thanks Gnetch.

This is my second award and it feels great to receive it. Appreciation Matters! Keeping that in mind I pass it on to my other great blogger friends –

Ratz - What Can I Say : ur posts about sister is what I really loved. Great writing.
Aly -   My Solace : amazing music with her posts
Ria -   Serious Stuff About Life...ooo Shiny thoughtful blog
Mitch - Upside Down  great blog
Tiffany - Stylish ChatterBoxing the name says it all
Kinsey - I dont know why

That's How Things Are Done Around Here .....

Today I want to share a story with you all.

5 monkeys were placed in a cage with a ladder in between. On top the ladder were kept some bananas. Every time a monkey went up the ladder, a cold shower was turned to soak the other monkeys. After a while, any monkey that went up the ladder was beaten by other monkeys. After some time no monkey dared to go up the ladder regardless of the temptation.

Now, one of the monkey was substituted. The new monkey tried to go up the ladder and the other monkeys started beating him. After several beatings, the new member learned not to climb up without knowing why.

A 2nd monkey was substituted and when this new member tried to climb up, the 1st substituted monkey participated in its beating. The 3^rd monkey was substituted and the same got repeated ; beating and both 1^st and 2^nd monkey participated. Slowly all 5 monkeys were replaced. So this new group of monkeys even though never soaked in cold shower, continued to beat up any monkey who tried to climb up the ladder.

When asked why did they beat any monkey who tried to go up the ladder to grab a banana. They said

“I DON'T KNOW – THAT'S HOW THINGS ARE DONE AROUND HERE”

Does this sound familiar?

There are many who ask themselves why we continue doing what we are doing if there is a different way out there. And more who don't.

Next time exploit the power of reasoning human are blessed with.

“Two things are infinite: Universe and human stupidity. And I am not so sure about the former” - Albert Einstein

!! Tagged Tuesday !!

Between loads and loads of work and numerous meetings, I opened up my personal mail and saw a blog update from Janjan. I had like 10 min between my meetings and decided to have my lunch reading her blog and it brought a smile on my face :-)

I got tagged! Yeyyyy! 






Thanks much Janjan. It really made my day.


Janjan is my new friend through Google friend connector and a 20sb member. I haven’t met her yet but her comments encourage me writing and loving the entire idea about blogging. Now c’mon who on earth doesn’t get inspired being appreciated.


As I have recently become active on 20sb, I first wasn’t sure why she had put my name in her post. But just seeing my name made me so excited that cheating on the meeting I started finding links to understand what does “Tagged” means…hehehe. I just want to make sure I don’t ever share my blog with my boss ;-)

Navigating I reached to Gnetch blog, which no doubt is in my fav list, to understand what does tagging and getting an award means. To find the rules click here


Rule 1: Thanks again Janjan. You are awesome:-)

Rule 2: List the things that make me happy

• Getting back home everyday in the evening after work to a lovely husband -->
• I was in a travelling job earlier and used to get back home only on weekends. Seriously, I used to hate going back to my hotel room after work. Call me home-sick.
• Cooking -->
• I work long hrs and the only stress reliever for me is cooking.
• Shopping -->
• For some reason I am never have the right dress for any occasion. I buy a new every time. Even if the occasion are on the same weekend ..lol
• When someone leaves me a comment -->
• Feedback plays a key role in keeping things going well.
• Seeing my blog followers list grow -->
• It gives me a feeling people like reading me and I should not disappoint them.
• Music -->
• Music is the food of my life.
• My friend Jaya -->
• We commute together to work everyday. I met her early 2008. Have been together since then. She is an amazing personality. Very talented, down to earth and the go-to person. Thanks for being such a good friend Jaya.
• My work -->
• My work is my passion. I cant remember when did I took a day off as probably never felt the need. I love my job.

Well I am happy soul. I make my own choices and hold myself responsible for results. So I have no complaints from life. So this list could be never ending. Before it eats up my writing space, I better switch to the last rule.


Rule 3 : Hey friends, I tag you all -:

• Audacious Tori
• Working Girl Two
• Megan K

Is Sharing So Difficult

A co-worker ready to roll off was asked to conduct some knowledge sharing sessions for the entire team in the last week. In the very first meeting, he said – “I did not sign up for this.”

Feeling off board for few minutes, the colleagues asked the reason and he said – “I do not feel comfortable sharing my knowledge. Its mine.” That said he hung up the call.

Is sharing that difficult? Is knowledge limited to an individual?

Our minds capabilities are immeasurable. However, if we exhaust all our energy keeping it close and safe from opening up for others, it would be rusted. School always taught us - Sharing knowledge helps gain more and learning is a life long process. Is it so easy to forget all good things we learned as we grow up?

The one thing that took me aback in this story was the thought of an individual having absolute knowledge. I tried to get into his shoes and understand the perspective, but unfortunately could not. Calling the knowledge “mine” sounds quite disappointing and insecure. No knowledge is absolute. Its all relative. Sharing it doesn't take it away from you. And there is always to learn something in return.

So there are three kinds of givers -- the flint, the sponge and the honeycomb. To get anything out of a flint you must hammer it. And then you get only chips and sparks. To get water out of a sponge you must squeeze it, and the more you use pressure, the more you will get. But the honeycomb just overflows with its own sweetness. Which kind of giver would you want to be?

El Niño Weekend Getaway - North Tahoe

The El Niño has stretched 2010 winter and it doesn’t feel like spring even in mid April. Fortunate enough, I could squeeze in a trip to North Lake Tahoe with my great friends. North Tahoe has been getting a lot of sow in the late season too this year. Though the wet winter of Bay Area - courtesy El Niño, is never exciting, the snow all around us in Tahoe was.

I visited South Lake for the first time last year in May 2009 and it was one of the most beautiful 3 days weekend. The spectacular hues of blue of the lake were heavenly. I researched a little on why is the lake water so blue. It is because of its purity and great depth, and the clarity of the atmosphere, all colors of the sky and landscape are reflected in Lake Tahoe. So it is called the "Lake of the Sky", with its brilliant shades of blues and greens. The first thing that caught my attention this year was the difference in the color of the water between North Lake v/s South Lake. The North Lake water did not exhibit the same splendor as south. This indeed left me puzzled and I am still trying to research whether it’s the ecology or pollution. It would be really sad to know if the reason is pollution as it would add one more beautiful nature's wonder to the list of human exploitation.

We checked-in our beautiful Indian inspired resort condo by the lake on Sat morning and enjoyed rest of the day sledging and snowshoeing. The weather was pretty warm for the weekend. We were moving around happily in a jeans and a snow jacket on the Snow Mountains.

Later in the evening we soaked our tired bodies in the hot Jacuzzi by the lake surrounded by snow Peak Mountains. This was probably the best feature of the trip. Kudos to all the efforts of finding a great place to stay. Well this wasn’t the end of the day. In the night we headed towards north to test our luck gambling in Reno. And as usual :) lost all my bets. I better read some techniques of winning ;)

The next day was a usual lazy Sunday morning and instead of eating breakfast somewhere out, we all opted to arrange on our own in the lovely kitchen of our weekend condo. All lazy bums :-D ! But no second thoughts, arranging the breakfast with minimum stuff available was fun.
All set to check-out we started for the home and captured some great pictures on our way back. The exciting weekend was over after 5 hrs; our driving time to home.

Great friends, great weather and a great getaway made a great weekend trip..Yayyy!

Thanks to my great friends Raman, Rohini and Rahul! And it’s never enough to thank my better half who makes my each day special.

City I stayed in: Kings Beach, CA map

Hotel I stayed in: Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge, Kings Beach, CA

Nearby cities visited: Reno, Truckee, Northstar Village