I know I havent posted in a long long time and I was actually questioned by a few faithful readers of my blog!! ..And I thought I was the only one reading me.So,YAAY.
These last few weeks have been a bit hectic for me,what with getting my VISA to the US and quitting work and all.What do u expect? So, now as you must have gathered,I am going to get back to being a student and start burning the midnight oil.I am off to the University of Maryland,College park.I am excited,sad,apprehensive,tense and a whole range of things.
I will post again tomorrow I promise. Have to run now! oh and I have started shopping! :-) ta.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
The Life of Pi
Initially when I heard of the book, i thought 'The Life Of Pi' would literally have something to do with math,or some kind of a child prodigy. I couldn't have been more wrong.This Booker Prize winning material by Yann Martel is about this teenage boy from Pondicherry who's thrown overboard when the ship he's travelling on with his family sinks. With a male bengal tiger in tow,he manages to survive 277 days at sea on a lifeboat. The kid calls himself 'Pi' which explains the title(anyone would considering he was named Piscine Molitor Patel by his parents!)Speaking of names, why would parents choose names for their offspring that would definately give rise to a good bout of teasing,name calling and the like? I mean,seriously.What about the kid who's name is Fakir?(no prizes for guessing what his nickname at school would be) or Balaji who's always Bajji,Madhav becomes maddie,Nikhil to Nikki, Srikanth to Cheeky,cheeku,so on and so forth...aarrgh.digressing.back to the book.So Pi's dad is a zoo keeper who's immigrating to canada with a veritable menangerie on the ship.Needless to say after the ship sinks,a couple of creatures climb in.A tiger, a zebra and an orangutan. A battle of strength follows and Pi is left with the Tiger.
The book is about survival, which tells us a lot about human nature.He manages to land on an uninhabited island for a few days.The place is filled with these arboreal beings called meerkats. They reminded me so much of those creatues in the movie 'Madagascar'.The ones in the middle of the wild dancing and partying! Im not sure if Martel intended it that way, but hey,its my imagination and its a free world.
I really liked the book.Especially the detail and research that went into it..like the part about the sloth and its habits(no im not talking about my brother here.im referring to the animal.no no...not him.but then again...*grin*) The inital part of the story is of Pi and family's life in Pondicherry and general south indian stuff. Usually when foreigners talk about India, they tend to mix up the facts about the South and the North. Like people's names, and food. Here, there is no mistaking the effort that went into detail. A good, refreshing change. In this same way,in a grotesque manner he goes on to explain bloody fights between the animals and how Pi is forced to eat raw sea food.I almost threw up. But that dint stop me from reading. I guess thats what a good author does.
I am not saying i TOTALLY loved the book. But it was definately much better than above average. I cannot judge if it was a worthy winner of the Booker prize for that year since i'd have to read the other nominations to comment.
Neha's rating :
The Life Of Pi by Yann Martel : 8/10
The next review will be of 'The Home and The World' by Rabindranath Tagore. An english transalation of "Ghare-Baire". But for now, a little chick lit is waiting for me. Oh, and I finally got a copy of Shantharam. A good haul from the library this time. :-)
The book is about survival, which tells us a lot about human nature.He manages to land on an uninhabited island for a few days.The place is filled with these arboreal beings called meerkats. They reminded me so much of those creatues in the movie 'Madagascar'.The ones in the middle of the wild dancing and partying! Im not sure if Martel intended it that way, but hey,its my imagination and its a free world.
I really liked the book.Especially the detail and research that went into it..like the part about the sloth and its habits(no im not talking about my brother here.im referring to the animal.no no...not him.but then again...*grin*) The inital part of the story is of Pi and family's life in Pondicherry and general south indian stuff. Usually when foreigners talk about India, they tend to mix up the facts about the South and the North. Like people's names, and food. Here, there is no mistaking the effort that went into detail. A good, refreshing change. In this same way,in a grotesque manner he goes on to explain bloody fights between the animals and how Pi is forced to eat raw sea food.I almost threw up. But that dint stop me from reading. I guess thats what a good author does.
I am not saying i TOTALLY loved the book. But it was definately much better than above average. I cannot judge if it was a worthy winner of the Booker prize for that year since i'd have to read the other nominations to comment.
Neha's rating :
The Life Of Pi by Yann Martel : 8/10
The next review will be of 'The Home and The World' by Rabindranath Tagore. An english transalation of "Ghare-Baire". But for now, a little chick lit is waiting for me. Oh, and I finally got a copy of Shantharam. A good haul from the library this time. :-)
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
kick ass match
Well, as u just happen to guess, im talking about the awesome,fantabulous,enthralling,exciting India-Pakistan cricket match yesterday.which totally kicked ass.Im not much of a cricket fan.My knowledge of cricket is limited to the rudimentary.What constitues four runs,a six,a catch and a run out.But I just cannot understand for the life of me what an LBW means.Thats when the batsman protects the stump or something right???
Everyone was looking forward to the match like there was no tomorrow.E mail forwards, SMS messages were being sent by the dozen and it looked like the whole of chennai left work early to fix their eyes on the TV.I was stuck in traffic for like 35 min when its usually 15 to get home :-|
So i got home and plonked myself infront of the TV.The one in my parents room.aah,a nice 29" with a home theatre sound system and their plush comfy mattress, a bag of crisps. I totally love this whole 20-20 concept. Its not a whole day long,its fast,furious,and loads of fun.The fact that it was India-Paki made it deliciously nail biting.. But one has to admit that the Pakistani team played real good cricket.Their fielding and bowling was just too good.Stealing a single here and there was tough. The fact that India managed to score about 160 odd runs was good for 20 overs but not enough for a comfortabe win. A couple of 4rs and 6s by the pakis would have changed the game completely.Wickets were falling fast and the Pakis were scampering on the pitch for runs. India royally kicked butt.
Amma's telugu commentary was the best. ROFL. It's taking sometime for Nana to adjust to the 20-20 match thing. Especially since he was a part of his school and university cricket team. For them, the old timey concept of a test match is the REAL thing. To accept the one day plays was tough,and now 20-20.Oh My God. whats the world coming to???
But one cant NOT enjoy it.Cricket is so close to the Indian heart that you cant look at it objectively! And this was India-Pakistan. I mean,hello. u have to be insane not to watch it!
Nana, for all your Golf,birdies,pars and putting techniques, cricket is still WITH you. :)
well, for now.Back to the usual rigmarole.Work tomorrow. Dont these people hear of mid week holidays?? well, now take a HINT.
speaking of HINT, we went to that place in bangalore. quite nice i say :)
signing out now.gotta get some shut eye.
For now....toodle!
P.S guys, any idea how long it takes to get an I-20 from schools?? *sigh* seems like FOREVER! and while we're on that topic, any suggestions about Maryland,college park VS Syracuse? any insight would be highly appreciated!! :) now dont u get any ideas,absolutely NO money involved.
Everyone was looking forward to the match like there was no tomorrow.E mail forwards, SMS messages were being sent by the dozen and it looked like the whole of chennai left work early to fix their eyes on the TV.I was stuck in traffic for like 35 min when its usually 15 to get home :-|
So i got home and plonked myself infront of the TV.The one in my parents room.aah,a nice 29" with a home theatre sound system and their plush comfy mattress, a bag of crisps. I totally love this whole 20-20 concept. Its not a whole day long,its fast,furious,and loads of fun.The fact that it was India-Paki made it deliciously nail biting.. But one has to admit that the Pakistani team played real good cricket.Their fielding and bowling was just too good.Stealing a single here and there was tough. The fact that India managed to score about 160 odd runs was good for 20 overs but not enough for a comfortabe win. A couple of 4rs and 6s by the pakis would have changed the game completely.Wickets were falling fast and the Pakis were scampering on the pitch for runs. India royally kicked butt.
Amma's telugu commentary was the best. ROFL. It's taking sometime for Nana to adjust to the 20-20 match thing. Especially since he was a part of his school and university cricket team. For them, the old timey concept of a test match is the REAL thing. To accept the one day plays was tough,and now 20-20.Oh My God. whats the world coming to???
But one cant NOT enjoy it.Cricket is so close to the Indian heart that you cant look at it objectively! And this was India-Pakistan. I mean,hello. u have to be insane not to watch it!
Nana, for all your Golf,birdies,pars and putting techniques, cricket is still WITH you. :)
well, for now.Back to the usual rigmarole.Work tomorrow. Dont these people hear of mid week holidays?? well, now take a HINT.
speaking of HINT, we went to that place in bangalore. quite nice i say :)
signing out now.gotta get some shut eye.
For now....toodle!
P.S guys, any idea how long it takes to get an I-20 from schools?? *sigh* seems like FOREVER! and while we're on that topic, any suggestions about Maryland,college park VS Syracuse? any insight would be highly appreciated!! :) now dont u get any ideas,absolutely NO money involved.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
tee hee
"Thats why you shouldn't have eyes as big as saucers" was the reply when I complained when some dust particles fell into my eye the other day.
now, was that a compliment or WHAT??? *grin*
now, was that a compliment or WHAT??? *grin*
Saturday, September 15, 2007
that time in life
There comes a time in every girls(may I be more specific and say an Indian girl) life when the 'M' word is all she can hear. Needless to say its Marriage.Or wedding.or Nuptials. Or matrimony.Nice boy,good family,27yrs,earning well,tall,fair are all a part of the M word.So thy shall just say M from now and thou shalt figure out the rest.
The interrogator may come in different forms.More often than not,they are female who have an affinity to shiny silk sarees and jasmine flowers. Largely grouped between the age of 42 and above.Exceptions may occur in the form of bored housweives.The male form feels rather awkward with this topic.They tend to shy away and gravitate to the TV. The victim is ALWAYS a girl who has just finished college and is working.The questioning can also start during the final year.
A typical conversation usually tends to go this way.
(Aunty comes home for pooja/dinner/lunch for a good gossip.)
Aunty : so tell me ma,what are u doing these days??
victim : im working in infy/cts/tcs/whatever.
Aunty : so what plans do u have now?
victim : ermm, nothing much really. Thinking of writing GRE/GMAT/CAT (she adds warily, knowing whats coming next,desperately trying to ward off the next question but in vain.)
aunty : ayyo.You girls these days.im telling you.This is the right age.how old are you??
victim: uh, 22. actually i JUST turned 22. so you can say 21. TOO early aunty!
aunty : nonsense. you get married to a nice boy. And then you study. whats wrong???so may girls are doing it these days. (now looking at the victim's mother)So have any nice proposals come for her lately?
Mother : well. yes, but she is saying no.It seems she wants to study furthur.what can we say?
aunty : see.i told you.if u want study.no ones stopping you. Do u want to study in the US? ok.we'll find a nice boy there for you.Or Europe?? that can also be done.(looking at mother again). In the US also,where ever she wants to study you can find someone close by.There are SOOOO many indians there.
Victim : heh. hmmm. uhh. let me write the exam first. Would you like some juice aunty?
Aunty(sensing change of topic) : No thanks.i have bad throat.Just went to the doctor that day.Actually, my doctor's sister's friend was my classmate in school. I heard her cousin and wife are in california.Looking out for their son I believe.He should be 26,working somwhere in Silicon Valley.I can find out if you want.
Victim : California?? i would love to get into Berkely! (starts dreaming)
Mother : So what is your sister's daughter doing? the one who studied in ASD college?
Aunty : You mean Kavitha? she is married. Has a baby now.2 yrs old.
Victim: ok.So she has a baby. but what is she DOING???
Aunty : err,she's married.
Victim: i know that. But what does she DO?
Aunty : i think she's planning to work. Her husband earns around 10 lacs per year.so.. u know..
Victim : no i dont.
(ding dong.doorbell rings)Mother opens the door.
Mother : look,its a courier.A wedding invitation. Your friend Meena is getting married on the 23rd of next month.
Victm : good for her. Im ecstatic?????
Mother : see..i told you..if your friends.............
Victim : *sigh*
....and thus it continues..
The interrogator may come in different forms.More often than not,they are female who have an affinity to shiny silk sarees and jasmine flowers. Largely grouped between the age of 42 and above.Exceptions may occur in the form of bored housweives.The male form feels rather awkward with this topic.They tend to shy away and gravitate to the TV. The victim is ALWAYS a girl who has just finished college and is working.The questioning can also start during the final year.
A typical conversation usually tends to go this way.
(Aunty comes home for pooja/dinner/lunch for a good gossip.)
Aunty : so tell me ma,what are u doing these days??
victim : im working in infy/cts/tcs/whatever.
Aunty : so what plans do u have now?
victim : ermm, nothing much really. Thinking of writing GRE/GMAT/CAT (she adds warily, knowing whats coming next,desperately trying to ward off the next question but in vain.)
aunty : ayyo.You girls these days.im telling you.This is the right age.how old are you??
victim: uh, 22. actually i JUST turned 22. so you can say 21. TOO early aunty!
aunty : nonsense. you get married to a nice boy. And then you study. whats wrong???so may girls are doing it these days. (now looking at the victim's mother)So have any nice proposals come for her lately?
Mother : well. yes, but she is saying no.It seems she wants to study furthur.what can we say?
aunty : see.i told you.if u want study.no ones stopping you. Do u want to study in the US? ok.we'll find a nice boy there for you.Or Europe?? that can also be done.(looking at mother again). In the US also,where ever she wants to study you can find someone close by.There are SOOOO many indians there.
Victim : heh. hmmm. uhh. let me write the exam first. Would you like some juice aunty?
Aunty(sensing change of topic) : No thanks.i have bad throat.Just went to the doctor that day.Actually, my doctor's sister's friend was my classmate in school. I heard her cousin and wife are in california.Looking out for their son I believe.He should be 26,working somwhere in Silicon Valley.I can find out if you want.
Victim : California?? i would love to get into Berkely! (starts dreaming)
Mother : So what is your sister's daughter doing? the one who studied in ASD college?
Aunty : You mean Kavitha? she is married. Has a baby now.2 yrs old.
Victim: ok.So she has a baby. but what is she DOING???
Aunty : err,she's married.
Victim: i know that. But what does she DO?
Aunty : i think she's planning to work. Her husband earns around 10 lacs per year.so.. u know..
Victim : no i dont.
(ding dong.doorbell rings)Mother opens the door.
Mother : look,its a courier.A wedding invitation. Your friend Meena is getting married on the 23rd of next month.
Victm : good for her. Im ecstatic?????
Mother : see..i told you..if your friends.............
Victim : *sigh*
....and thus it continues..
Monday, September 3, 2007
yes? or no?
Should I? Or shoudn't I? But what if I do? what will they say??? On the other hand if I don't,what will I say? ....And it goes on. and on. and on.
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