Incorrigible Gamble

Returning after a long break!

2008-09-26T05:55:00.001-05:00

Wahoo..things have been improving at my end and I am more busy than ever. So busy, that I neglected my blog for a while now...I am determined to come back soon and make it big again...

Happy writing!

Peaches Vs Strawberries

2008-05-06T16:42:00.010-05:00

It all began one sunny afternoon in 2006. We were four along with a dog, Cyprus. So? So, it would be the first time for me to go for fruit picking. Off we went and I did not realize it would be so much fun. We went to this farm which had a very good Peach harvest..and obviously to pick Peaches. As I was totally new to this concept, I tried and observed how it all began and ended. Even though farms are not new to any person coming from any country, somehow, this was different. Being given the liberty to attack someone's farm and to pick the fruit of your choice appealed to me a lot. Even though I knew I had to pay in the end, the entire experience was worth the pay!

We were all given containers and were shown to a particular area where we were at our free will to pick, eat and do whatever we could with the peaches. Cyprus, the dog had fun too. But for her, we would probably not have had so much fun. Now, picking Peaches was not an easy task. They grow on tall trees and we had to take help from ladders and reach very far on top to get hold of some ripe peaches. We did find a few ripe ones, and vice-versa after an exhausting hunt. What did we do with the unripe ones? Threw at each other and threw them for Cyprus to pick 'em up. All in all, the scorching sun never affected us, courtesy ample shade from the trees and it turned out to be the best pick up. After we picked our goodies, we paid for them and had some good home made Peach ice-cream in the store...heavenly!!!!!!!!

On the other hand, we went to this Strawberry pick up very recently. And the experience was totally different. Unlike peaches, Strawberries do not grow on big trees..they are just shrub-looking and the fruits grow beneath the shrubs. So, no ladders! Next, the sun. No shade...which makes you weary very soon. You can't make fun under sun neither could you run around such delicately paved murky paths. All in all, it was a very quick, simple and might I add, a boring affair. Go, hunt for good Strawberries and get out. Of course no ice-cream...so we just ate a sandwich and drove back home.

But what did we learn about picking in general? Nothing complex..a few common sense points..

Do not wear light colored clothes. Wear dark clothes and preferably old ones.
Check the timings and avoid afternoons.
Always try to be there in the first week the pick up opens.
Before you purchase huge amounts of fruit, make sure you know what to do with them.
Always go in groups..you will end up having more fun.

Lemme know if you have any suggestions.

Happy picking!!

India Vacation

2008-02-28T18:23:00.003-06:00

I just returned w/all those wonderful feelings which one feels after visiting their family nearly after two years. My trip to India, though hectic, was simply the best. Such sweet moments, such new happenings, and precious moments w/family and frenz, is in itself a wonderful bliss. There is a lot to write, lot to jot ...many feelings to pour....

I hope everyone reading my blog is doing fine. With tons of best wishes to all. I say, all those missing home must go and spend time w/family. You will neither regret your decision nor a single moment back home.

Good luck to all of you.
Three cheers n three smiles:D
:) :) :)

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost

2007-12-03T07:03:00.000-06:00

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Suprabhatam.

2007-10-19T09:25:00.000-05:00

Good Morninnnnng Hyderabad......Good Morninnnng Mumbai.....!!

Isn't it amazing of how time changes things? Gone are the days when people first woke up in the morning and tuned their radio or played a cassette to listen " Kausalya Supraja Rama Poorva.....". One click of Lord Venkatesa Suprabhatam ['Su'-Good; 'Prabhatam'- Morning, in Sanskrit], and you are reminded of everything Indian..The melodious recital by M S Subbalakshmi drags you from a deep slumber into an unknown bliss...

Every time I hear it now, I am reminded of India....the long to go back, and wake up early in the morning in a 'traditional' way(hearing the Suprabhatam being played in a temple) ...and then, when somebody from the household brings you a piping hot chai...(Chai..coming soon on my blog) and you lazily get up, take a shower....and go to the temple (especially, if it is a Saturday)....eat the delicious tamarind rice 'prasadam'...., gets stronger. Wow! Simply the best start on a weekend.

After coming here, things have changed so much that these trivial (yet important) things seem to matter the most. All such wonderful moments are lost....As I was hearing the Suprabhatam this morning, a deep nostalgia flooded me.

Anyway, after all such thoughts, I was just wondering how "Suprabhataaaaam Hyderabad" or "Suprabhataaaaam Mumbai" would sound? :))

My answer to the first vote on my first poll.

2007-10-18T10:17:00.000-05:00

I thank for the first vote and since the first vote is special to me, I responded to it.

Poll effect: Changed the appearance of my blog.

A sweet word..an epitome of love.

2007-10-18T08:57:00.001-05:00

Mother!

Isn't that really sweet ? Now, there really can't be any more words to describe this one word in meaning or in person. It is an established truth that this one person cannot be compared with anyone else.

I can write pages and pages together ....but I rather prefer keeping it simple.

With all my love to my mother.

My new found independence!

2007-10-17T16:38:00.000-05:00

It was a pleasant day outside and much as I wanted to do something special, than came a special permission to venture out - all alone! I solemnly gathered my hidden courage and decided I would make the best of this opportunity. And I did.

[Info: Excited as I just got my driver's license]

Not far from our house, about ten minutes drive is the Mississippi river on Mud Island. One can only experience the serenity of this place, rather than describing it. So I decided my first drive would be to take a good book w/me, drive to the river, sit there and lazily read the book under half slumber. I discussed my plan w/my husband over lunch (he was concerned). ..We finished our lunch and I dropped him at his work (2 minutes from our home), and I set off for my very first drive. I will never regret for choosing to go to Mud Island on my first drive. It was just splendid. The weather was fabulous with cool breeze whiffing by my face. I parked my car, took my things and sat down on a bench lazily for 45 minutes. Time passed by and I savored every moment of my new found independence, until a trickle alerted me of a possible shower. Deciding that its time to leave, I gathered my small belongings and started towards home. It was raining by now. So, my first drive in rain had also happened....the thought was amusing and fantastic. While I was musing, I missed my turn into the right lane...Having circled the area many a times, my instincts told me I could find another way to reach home...and I was right. I reached home with a genuine satisfaction (& a small adventure).