From Moors to the Countess of York via the Cliffs & Sis

In addition to my sister in UK well if it was the Moors calling before...It was the Countess of York this time via the Cliffs......calling.

An incredible reminiscence with Sharyn again picking from the railway station to dropping me again....talking and chatting and meeting her daughter.

It was a blessing to see her office as well this time -

Which indeed was quite inspiring;
Wishing her all the best and success in her new venture professionally
in addition to her personal life and with her home which is an art gallery. This time around met both her sisters and their children as well in addition to Ginni.

Missed her father who went fishing, in between the last visit and this one.

We have had some common losses.Though was double minded about going to the cliffs - glad that we finally did it-
A breathtaking view and evening it was.
Mismerising walk toward the light house with cliff on one side and golf court on the other.

Glad that I lived that moment of peace, calmth and serenity.Humming I am the mountain, I am the sea.

It was lovely to hear the Seagulls chirriping and good to see various other animals and birds enroute. Missed the beautiful full moon, like the last time- but had lovely sunset
Next day morning I stood like a tree without leaves - was sad to see this tree had lost its leaves

Finally the reunion - Sharyn, Vanessa, Claire and Me...and dream come true.

Nothing like this for high tea..a combo with classy utensils and location, with a great team. Glad to see Gareth in the office - Rubbish - Not all can be in touch always.

And the good bye once again for a week; but presents with thought full words and directions for the future, and presents for her Indian Mom, sis and family....To meet again soon, we departed.


Thanks to my lovely sis and this beautiful historic country side for calling me, Love you.

Mumbai Here I Come...

Mumbai Mere Jaan...here I come finally on the 21st of August..but just for 3 days..in Kalyan and at School on Friday with my schoolis.With Geeta Mishra from and to Kelkars and Thanks for being the coordinator of my all trip and around airport with Juhi Gupta and Goregon/Malad cousins on Sunday..

Thanks to Geetha for coordinating everything-
Lovely to be Back to School and meet my Schoolies..Holy Cross Khi Kudiyas and our dearest Teachers who have a great role in who we are today...Sad that could not meet all as expected; but am extremely Thankful to those who could make it in coordinating, by their presence and giving us a memorable time. As I could not be part of many of these before; can understand how it feels when you really want to make it and cannot. For those who could not make it; there are at times 'Next Time'. Fingures crossed..let us have a mega one soon and I be able to be part of it. Went with Ritanjali to Shahad Birla Mandir and to meet some teachers, though could not meet all. Stayed at my cousin Jayan Chettans house that night in Kalyan and was off to meet old neighbours and some family friends next day morning, though was continuously sneezing and had a bad headache. Glad to meet Rema aunty and Usha and Raju chettan as well. But missed meeting so many.

Loved to be back to college...Wish I could spend more time with you Geeta Mishra and with your mom and family too.....Am very grateful to you for all that you have been doing for me since last one month.coordinating my visit,shopping and arranging things for me..wish we could spend more time together...so see you soon in Kerala....

So kind of Prasanth and Neha to come and pick me from Thane and take me to Malad on Saturday night, though missed Powai and meeting few of my colleagues, Sunday at Goregon was awesome.Meeting Geetha Aunty is never enough- her talks; achama, Prabha uncle being to both Priya and Prashanth's house,awesome kids - Sloka, Kavya, and Niranth meeting Deedhi, Krupali - her daughter and off couse my Eshan - Still his Maushi lingers in my ears.

Great..I could make a complete valuable use of my vacation.. being time constraint could make it , giving time to all those I love and also those who love me too..this was a commendable one..Mumbai airport was awesome and Prasanth and Suku came to drop me at the airport - did not know how the time just flew away.

Missed meeting so many of my colleagues, hope we have a next time...

London - 2nd Innings - Ich will hier Bleiben!

My Art Beats - Naveen

Could you just skip these paintings? If not, just imagine how the actuals would have been? And could you just say one which is your favourate? For each his own or multiple right...

As the only thing better than singing is more singing, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Truely blessed are the people with special skills to paint, sing, dance, play...And an artist might need appreciation!

And I felt specially blessed when an artist - Naveen painted for me three sketches and 10 beautiful paintings in a short span of around 10 days...

Words fail to describe them....

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Naveen for these..

There could not have been more personalised gifts than these!

These are done by my colleague at Williams Lea...I am privelaged to be his first customer.

Look out for his Face book page - 'My Art Beats'..

The Ra of Me....

Ah! Never realised this!

So many Ra's of Me...

Indeed so my name!!!

The name and numerology book say - our name and Date of Birth has a great impact on our life.

So may be some consider naming children based on the timing of birth and corresponding alphabet.

Once there was a Me..

And this me now has always Ra's...

My name meaning say:

Me - Is a word of Hebrew Origin Meaning -FAITHFUL &
Era- Is a word of Hebrew Origin Meaning - Protecterness

Life must go on

We are busy making plans, but God has something planned for us.

A humble request - please keep the handful of people I really have in my life happy and healthy. I am tired of being tired; and seeing my dears unhealthy.

Why is it that since I have read and really appreciated that - Health is the first of life - we are all unhealthy and untill then all were healthy?

Inspite of all this Life is going on, and must go on. Unbeliveably old I have become in last two years both physically and metally - Keeping a smile on my face - No matter the time or effort - To the best of my ability - Yet with lot of negative feedbacks.

Indeed it is so consoling and motivating to hear positive feedbacks at time when one is alive - Very true we need to keep aside our ego in order to do that!

"It's so weird how we start thinking, reading, wondering, about a person when he is gone forever. We start looking to know about them more when they are no more!! Sad but true!!It's rightly said " don't take things for granted because they might not be there tomorrow" - Ritu Chopra in FB.

From the bottom of my heart - my humble request - My dear God! Please no more deaths & Losses for some time now; or I would really break down!

How beautifully has the 9th standard girl written - Ishitha - My Schoolie Preetha's daughter, and this has brought tears in my eyes:

He's not dead,
No, he is not,
Only the body left the world,
The soul will always stay in our heart...

He wasthe devottee of science,
He the missile man,
I don't know about others,
But every Indian is surely his fan.

He was the best president,
With only one vision,
To make India eminant,
And he worked hard for his mission.

He saw vision 2020,
We will surely complete his desire,
He is our role model,
The person who gave us 'Wings on fire'

We know you are no more,
But we will keep your thoughts alive,
And as being the new Youth,
To live upto your vision we will strive.

For right now, everyone is mute,
Sir- to you, we all give a ground salute!

This is the only real truth of life - Everything that is born, has to die!

DIGITAL DETOX

Thanks to technology...for all the good things that it has done to mankind...Guess it is how we use it that matter...Balance is the need of the hour; true we need trees to live and not wi-fi's ...

Reading a post of a friend in Facebook made me look into interent on more regarding this topic and courtesy technology this is the view:

Our ability to stay balanced in this time of exponential technological growth, and create healthy relationships with our digital devices is the need of the hour.

Everywhere you see people are all looking at their phones,texting,e-mails, taking pictures etc. This world can be a better place by communicating with the person beside you. I have been hurt many a times, when I have wanted to talk to people but they have been busy with their technology devices, so also I have hurt many of them - My Mother the most.

May I disagree with those who say no or criticise the technology devises, in a gentle way? I understand the sentiments expressed, there can be no substitute for living, breathing humanity. A real hug in real life from a real friend is worth more than a million 'likes' on facebook. But as long as we use social media to enhance real friendships I think it can be a power for good. I am talking to you right now, through this media, it doesn't mean I can't have friends in real life, it means we can keep in touch with each other, share our thoughts, our dreams, our photos, and where appropriate, our news, when we are apart. We can support each other in times of need. I see the photos of cousins and friends at the other side of the world, and I can share their lives in a way that was impossible before. Used properly, facebook, Whats app,Skype,you tube, twitter etc are a power for good. It's not the medium that matters, it's the people who use it.

Yes, technology has helped us in many ways, made our job easier, everything easier but the easier it becomes the more we forget how much struggle we had to do before technology. But what really bothers me is the future of the kids today, they barely go out anymore, they stay indoors and would rather play games on the tab. What will be their childhood? All they can remember is those silly games, which you just tap and tap and I realize we'll be the last generation to go outdoors, get all sweaty, get your knees scraped, get sunburns and laugh like it's the best time of our life. And I don't want us to be the last, I want it to go on and on and on. Technology has many uses and it was made for us, but I guess we've crossed the line and are depended on it too much...

Developing a new code of ethics around technologies, creating social etiquette, setting positive cultural norms, and raising awareness around harmful habits while sharing the importance of mindfulness is urgent.

"These social networks will not "miss us" or "shed a tear" " - Agree- But we do not know who exactly our friend in need would turn out to be, this helps us to be connected. Indeed primarily we need to be focused on our important job - but for growth, it is important that we are connected. And in this age, where the world has shrunk to such a great extend, where we do not know, who is where next hour, what better way to be connected?

All said and done I really liked these statement of 'Rajesh Krishna' in Face book - Which I could read- Again Thanks to Technology.

"So, my friends on social media...

I dont want to know where you eat everyday, but do call me and tell me what food you love and what we can eat together....

I dont want to know where you went with your girlfriend, but definitely let me know over a call if she accepted your proposal and included you in her life....

I dont want to know how much you like someone or like something over the social media, but please let me know when you would like to get together to talk about the good times and the good deeds we would commit together....."

Sometimes doing all this in person is not feasible...and Technology would definitely help us do it...

Simplicity

Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan and SS Rajamouli's Baahubali: The Beginning have a unique connection and that's KV Vijayendra Prasad, who penned the story of both the films. Baahubali has epic violence and Bajrangi Bhaijaan is a sweet story promoting non-violence.

Have not seen both, but I am in between the two...Various teams have gone for one movie or the other, and it is at the cost of my sleep. Does anyone realise that? Own office team - my second home to the former, and personal home team from office to the first, at this mid night hour. And how they make me do...By saying Chechi, chechi...

I am reminded of Chechi from Circus serial during my school days...Yes, the same one in doordarshan with Shahrukh Khan as Shekharan, a Malayalee / Keralite Circus person. There was a chechi in that. Today I am a chechi in my office of most of them....So is my office a circus?

No wonder, there are lot many similarities. We do have the ring master, the monkeys, the treasurer, the hard work, the pay checks, the tigers, the elephants, the owls and ha..the Joker...But mind you, I am not a joker.


There is one thing common in both the movies, as in me - simplicity. Now I am not boosting. A shere fact.

Don't dare to play with it. I love me, and don't want me hurt and broken like that of a joker....

Malayalam Movies - Time for Pride

There is a time for everything, and everything has its own time.

Though was not quite interested with Malayalam films for sometime - say after Chitram, Kilukam, Saragam times - guess there are good directors and movies on the horizon. Malayalam industry is back to the right track with the help of the makers like Anwer Rasheed, Vineeth Srinivasan, Anjali Menon, Roshan Andrews, Alphonse Puthren, Jeethu Joseph etc…Musics simply amazing in all front - lyrics, music, cinematography.. It is a matter of great pride to see many of them being remade in other languages as well:

Notably many; but few to mention:
1. Drishyam -Jeethu Joseph’s enduring masterpiece is a captivating story of a family coming out of a trouble that is far above than them. Drishyam is released in Tamil with Kamal Haasan and Gouthami in 'Papanasam'!The Hindi remake of Drishyam, starring Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran, Tabu in leading roles too releases towards the end of the month on July 31.- This move has been one of its kind - and thought provoking - with climax even spell bound. You keep wondering - if not for the hero - was it right what they have done? Is it right to take law in hand? What else could be done? - How to hide a lie, situation is created - Drishyam - by an ordinary man - whose interest was watching movies - to save his daughter from - police and her son.

2. How Old are you- - Manju's film after a 14-year sabbatical gave her and the movie a much needed applause. Manju Warrier plays the character of Nirupama Rajeev, a UD clerk in Revenue department.The film was remade in Tamil as 36 Vayadhinile with Jyothika in the lead also making her comeback. In this movie Rajeev copes with the everyday situations with which a woman approaching 40 might deal.

3.Bangalore Days – Its success launched the career of Anwer Rasheed as producer and Anjali Menon as director. Anjali Menon can be called as the cinematic poet for her amazing scripts like Ustaad Hotel, Manjadikuru and now the Bangalore Days. Bangalore Days’ is one of the most playful Malayalam movies, full of next-door characters and incidents, with memorable set pieces. The chemistry between the actors (Dulquer Salman, Nivin Pauly, Fahad Fazil and Nazriya) is simply outstanding and something which cannot be recreated by any means.

Here are the three last movie which I saw with my father @ home - which marked the beginning of a better trend:

1.Diamond Necklace – The stark portrait of a young man’s lavish life and uncontrolled life, represented the new generation who is disillusioned of many things. Iqbal Kuttipuram’s excellent script and Fahad Fazil’s performance makes it a must watch. Diamond Necklace is one of the Lal Jose’s most engaging movies, loaded with well-developed characters, unexpected twists and heartbreaking moments. It is one of the starters of the wave.

2.Pranchiyettan & the Saint - A 2010 Malayalam satirical comedy film written, directed, and produced by Ranjith.[1] The film centres on the fictitious conversation between the Thrissur based rice merchant C.E. Francis aka Pranchiyettan (Mammootty) and St. Francis of Assisi (Jesse Fox Allen). A malayalam movie which we from office team watched in the theater after a decade - because system was down.

3. Pranayam - A 2011 Malayalam romantic drama film written and directed by Blessy. The film revolves around the love bound between the characters of Mathews (Mohanlal), Grace (Jaya Prada) and Achutha Menon (Anupam Kher). Not sure why, but this again had tears in my fathers eyes...and the last one I wathched with my Hero.


And finally now we have:
Premam – A very entertaining homage to our memories and yesteryears’ Malayalam classic romantic movies. This movie relatable and connects viewers in one way or another, with absolute zero doubt. (Though I had a dose in the first half);music is mismerising. Watching this film - listening to its music will give you a feel of being in love, and will make you wanting for love. Especially the song Malare Ninne Kanathirunnal ......(Is this why, I had been writing of Love these days?)

Indeed one persons Joy is another persons sorrow and wise versa. Here is Neil who would only like to listen to Scene contra and Kaalam Keely Poyi, his father would want to listen to Kallipu... while grand mother would want to listen to Malare Ninne Kanathirunnal

Which type of drunk you are?

Kerala with large many number of drinkers, you find just a handful of guys here who do not drink - well this is not a state or country like west, where beer is like water. On a lighter note, it is said that how christianity came to Kerala is because of promised wine - and that all could drink and there is nothing wrong in it.

Psychologists have found that people turn into one of four character types when drunk.Do you know which type of drunk you are — a menacing Mr Hyde or a friendly Mary Poppins?

These include the Ernest Hemingway who is barely affected by excessive alcohol; the Mary Poppins who is friendly and compassionate and the Nutty Professor who is transformed from a quiet type to a confident extrovert.

Worst of all is the menacing and hostile Mr Hyde, researchers said, adding that most people who fall into the last category were women.

Psychologists at the University of Missouri-Columbia asked more than 360 men and women to complete a personality test: once when they were sober and once when they were under the influence of alcohol.

The results showed that the largest group of drunks were the Hemingways, who changed very little. Hemingways were almost exactly as reliable, organised and prompt intoxicated as when they were sober, and they had very little trouble with their intellects, imaginations and abstract ideas.

The menacing Mr Hyde drunks, however, should be avoided at all costs.

Love

Questions don't have to provide answers. Questions can springboard into new thoughts, ideas and interpretations. There are no right answers.

Sometimes you just need to be silent. Because no words can explain what is going on in your head, mind and heart. This brought me into another reading-



I know it is our interdependence that makes our independence possible. .. and I love my freedom. Was so happy to be single, without bonds and cares..Remember Gareth's words - and it is echoing in my head 'Never say Never'. It is so true:



Aankhen khuli ho ya ho band,Deedar unka hota hai,Kaise kahoon main o yaara yeh pyaar kaise hota .. This too is an awesome feeling..

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
By: Henry W. Baker

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spredst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.


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We live life only once, we need to live it right with dignity. Experience all and see all that we can, in the one life that we have. Glad that you let me know this as well:

What this love is like, falling in love I will see
Lost in thoughts, I have decorated dreams
Asleep by myself, I have made you mine
Oh friend, one in love
How can I say, oh friend, what this love is like



And then there is the love of siblings...

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Well it could be for material or abstract things as well...

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Anything more wonderful than the love of God...who guides us, protects us...

Whatever - No one can tell you what love is, you will simply know it when you feel it.

@ Home Finally...

A house is build by hands, but a home is build by heart.


We do not earn to pay builders and interior designers, caterers and decorators..Nor do we earn to give it off as rent, and when we have no earnings, have no place to go.

It is wise to have an investment for peaceful retirement. Also as long as we live, we need to have an address for everything.

20 years ago, this day, we had moved to Kerala and were staying in a rented house. A house under construction, both of us studying...

And now, here we are - three of us from the family - with one having a three member family - with three houses - See am back to three. Did I not say everything in life is three?





A chawl,hut, banglow, building, individual house, besides water front, above the mountain, in a hill station - where ever- a home is where the heart is.

So much of hard work, and involvement goes behind its construction - materils, labour - setting, arranging. Some promises kept, some unkept, a lot of delay and follow up. Feeling sad that even when the house is ready, the follow up for the flat continues. This again show, it is always good to be independent. At the end what matters is harmony among the people staying there and God's blessing for a healthy, happy Life.

Yes, I mean it. Just about 4 years since return from US, 4 death - Both Fathers, one mother, and one grandmother...With the home being a dream for two of them....and as Sangs said - they would have collapsed with joy on the move, and have constantly called and informed everyone.

When people are around, and do it, we scold them - and when they are not around, we miss them. So indeed what matters is harmony among the people staying there and God's blessing for a healthy, happy Life. With Prayers for Happiness & Health Humesha!

Death Speaks...

A great loss for my mom and me. I did update this in our family blog but for some reason, without my ammukutty, this space appears to be incomplete.

Had been wondering if the death was timely or untimely; and happen to read this:
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There was a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling and said, Master, just now when I was in the market - place I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture; now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there death will not find me. The merchent lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the hosrse could gallop he went. Then the merchant went down to the market place and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said, Why did you make a threatening gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.

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As soon as you die, your identity becomes a 'body'. People use phrases like 'bring the body';lower the body in the grave, people don't even call you by the name...Death is not the greates loss in life. Loss is when life dies inside you when you are alive. Celebrate the event called life.

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If we remember everyday that we could lose someone at any moment, we would love them more fiercely and freely, and without fear- not because there is nothing to lose, but because everything can always be lost.

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Death is a one way ticket, nobody can bring back the dead. This journey had begun on the 27th of December 2014; nobody living; really knew when the final time to bid good bye was; it could have been in a week, a month or a year.

I have never been an ardent follower of rituals, and have always belived that we need to serve people when alive. But wanted to do this; a last attempt - of every mother to see their children together. Wish it would have happened when alive but unfortunately not even after death...Who can bring them together?

Believe in signs : So has been said - by our ancestors, tradition and even the modern day scholors - and what do signs say? Always keep in touch.

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Is it true, when we offer balipindam, the dead come as birds? This reminded me of Ammuma & Muttachan,with the escort......


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When I'll be dead,
Your tears will flow,
But I won't know,
Cry for me now instead!

You will send flowers,
But I won't see,
Sent them now instead!

You will say words of praise,
But I won't hear,
Praise me now instead!

You'll forget my faults,
But I won't know,
Forget them now, instead!

You'll miss me then,
But I won't feel,
Miss me now, instead!

You'll want to say Love you,
But I won't be able to hear,
Say it now instead!

You'll wish you could
have spent more time with me,
Spend it now instead!

Spend time with every person around you,
Your families, friends, acquainted,
Make them feel special,

B'Cause you never know,
When time will take them away from you forever.
Life is too short,

Love all & Forgive all.