learnings

Time to head back home...different feeling..This balance of life is wonderful..It's also wonderful if one can remain stress free as much as possible during outings/waiting for taxis. I am yet in the learning process i.e. to learn to laugh at myself. I need to take myself more lightly..

It has been a fabulous trip so far...A real family trip!! From the time we started planning this trip it has been taking different turns...It has been an adventure trip so far.. Imagine Leaving for foreign soil without having a hotel or transportation booking.. requires some adventurous tips is it not! But I relied on my son. I had the confidence that we would just make it and we did! We left for Malaysia on the last bus from Singapore.. we were just on time! We had decided, a few hours earlier, that we would visit Penang. We reached Kuala Lumpur  in the wee hours of the morning. To our pleasant surprise we stayed at the same motel we had stayed in a few years earlier. Later in the morning we had a photo stop at Petronas Towers. We hired a Toyota Altis and drove to Penang which is about 3-4 hours from KL. The drive was scenic and we had a lot of catching up to do. Of course we missed the 'gang'! Penang took us by surprise. Instead of a sleepy sea side town, here was a...

It's Xmas time..It's a special feeling....a time to share and care. a time to give and get gifts...lovely time of the year too. Time to reflect on the past days and prepare for the coming year. Time to say thank you. Time to revive relationships..Time to let go of the past.. Time to forge ahead... Merry Xmas..

15th Dec 2010, a memorable day in my life!!! Out of the blue, one wonderful day, my schoolmate called me and we 're-bonded'! Thanks to FB we remain in touch. Once again, on yet another wonderful day my friend called to inform that there is an alumni meet. Oh was I excited!!! After 1983 I stepped into the portal of my Alma Mater.. A tingling feeling ran thro' me.. With a pounding heart and a silly grin I gazed around. So many changes. A concrete jungle had taken over the green!! Amidst shrieks and hugs we re-united, the Ewartian sisters!!! It was amazing to meet our teachers. Some had aged while some remained almost the same. The joy in their faces was truly gratifying. After all we had tortured them so much. I think the torture was mutual. LOL.. Our school stood for DISCIPLINE and I was one of the most mischievous!!! I met one of my math teachers whom I did not really like much in those days. I was bad at Math and I used to hate her for reminding me that. I carried...

I am amazed at how teachers can be so pompous.. What is there to be so pompous about when you agree that your students are not learning!! Are we trying to change our methods of teaching? Are we looking at teaching /learning from the students' point of view? Are we humble enough to acknowledge that we ought to change.. It shocked me when one of my colleagues blatantly said that she 'knows' she is doing her best but students are not learning! And that traditional methods are good enough. She does not wish to experiment. If educators can be so blind what kind of generation are we bringing forth?  Reminds me of the two woodcutters who went to cut wood. Both were using the same quality of  axes and worked the same hours. Yet one was more productive than the other. The reason was that the productive woodcutter took time off to sharpen his axe in between!! Are we taking the time off to sharpen and hone our skills.....

De clutter your house De clutter your life De clutter your mind!!! I de- cluttered my wardrobe and study table. Wow it was a great feeling. Every time I de clutter I wonder why I did not do it earlier! It amazes me  always when  some memorabilia seem so important at one point of time and irrelevant at another!! De cluttering gives immense satisfaction, a sense of lightness and a clean feeling! So I pondered why not de clutter my life too. Of late I wonder why not I let go of some relationships; relationships which are more of a burden and imparting a 'downer' feeling when I am around such people! Even if I cant remove them from my life ,maybe I can sink them to the bottom of my priority list!! De cluttering the mind is for the Saatvik!! Most of us find the first option easy. The second option will be tougher as we are all students of diplomacy. The third option is the toughest. In a few more years as I walk on the chapters of life maybe I shall be on...

This morning as I listened to the radio while driving I heard a female voice singing a jingle in an ad. The tune was that of the very popular song,' rain drops on roses.... these are a few of my favorite things'. I was transported to the movie and also some delving into my own list. A long drive with family listening and braying along! a cosy evening at Le Yogi, a quaint restaurant at Mahabalipuram travel to quaint places with family or friends staring at the rain from my bedroom window having tea and settling down with a book or movie spring cleaning my wardrobe and discovering forgotten treasures. awaiting the weekend sitting up late with a book or movie a holiday by a waterfront lolling in bed day dreaming chit chatting with my baby. These are a few of my favorite things. What are yours?

We had two 'rain holidays' after a long break. I revel in such breaks. I had plenty to do and yet I did not really 'do' much. All I did was I finished a novel and watched a few movies! I was not bored at all. So I was surprised when my friends said that they were bored.. The difference is, I realized, I have increasingly begun to like my own company! I am very happy to be home and pottering around with my books or laptop!!!

Why do people compare? When an apple is not an orange An orange is not a mango... Why do people compare? When a rose is not a lily When lily is not a lotus? Why do people compare? When cheese is not cream When cream is not butter.. Why do people compare? Is it because man is never satisfied.. Is he in the quest for perfection For the greener grass For Utopia?? Parents compare Teachers compare Siblings compare Spouses compare Too many choices. too little time to love Is it so hard to love. To treasure and cherish What or whom you love??

How I love my Sunday morns.. The crisp newspapers await me languidly The golden brown toast invites me Melting hot Assam tea beckons me The TV drones.. The bed slumbers on.. My laptop clinks My cell sings.. The whole world lies there mesmerizing But I lie still Allowing the moments to pass This is my day.... My time..

The dusty roads led me to enchantment I stood bewildered and captivated For I was transported to another era.. An era of courtesans, kings and warriors! I felt trapped within my soul Which longed to unleash the dancer in me. As I gazed with amazement At the magic of sculpture in front of my eyes! Mesmerized I let my fingers roam on the carvings Feeling the sweat of the sculptor Pour onto the filigree, trellis and detail! She gazed into the mirror, he fought valiantly She carried the babe, she played the drums He stood stoic still... So many stories wrought upon soap-stone Which gleamed and glinted in the rain-washed splendor!! This is dedicated to my recent visit to the Belur ( http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/belur ) and Halebid ( http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/halebidu ) temples built by the Hoysalas.. It took about 103 years to build the temples.

My heart cried aloud As I watched yet another Movie based on this paradise.. Manipulation of children Manipulation of the masses Manipulation of power.. Blood, bullets and burns. Snow capped mountains Shadow this valley of death! The Jhelum cannot wash the stains Of fear, greed and murder The Dal lies still and mute To the silent whimper and loud bellows. Man, woman and child Are mere puppets In the manic hand of the Rupee!!!!

I sleep with my head to the south.. I pray even in the shower.. I do not care if my door faces north.. I do not worry about the cat Crossing my path!! I wake up to see my own face I do not worry about any Particular caste/community.. I do not worry about tasting a recipe Zodiac is mere past time.. Rituals are mere fun.. If I build a house I shall Not be dominated by Vaasthu!! Feng-shui can be in the background! Black is my favourite color Thirteen does not bother me.. Cleanliness of the mind and heart is my forte.. Clean home, clean thoughts are my jewels.. Be humane is my motto For the Lord shall tread with me What more do i need???????????

If the world is right Or am I? If I go out is not alright But if he goes out its alright! If he streaks its ok But not if I! If I am sozzled, its criminal If he is ,it's normal If I drop names it's 'bad' If he drops names he is a stud!! If I get jealous I am a nag.. If he gets jealous he is loving!! If I order I am not brought up well If he orders he is in control!! Is it that I am perfect in a wrong world Or is it that the I am wrong in the perfect world?? I may be dubbed crazy, may be weird.. But then who makes the rules.. I am unperturbed For It's bliss in what I believe... Or is it..... I wrote this because often we go thro' conflicting emotions, don't we? It surprises me how we adapt, change according to situations.. This poem is not an opinion. It's merely a sharing of thoughts. Why is it that humans are so hypocrites?Or are we not? Are we behind a mask or are we not? Is it because we are blessed with immense intelligence? Or is it because we are s...

Mother India bows her head in shame today, Decades have gone past since we gained freedom Yet her daughters lie in bondage everywhere.. Babies crushed at conception Infants murdered brutally Young brides still being burnt Wives tortured and abused.. Sisters starve for brothers to eat. Honour killings reign supreme today! Whose pride and lineage are they protecting? O Man can you be complete without a woman? O Wretched souls you are snuffing out motherhood! Where rockets should fly, there flows blood Robots seem to be more safe and humane. Is anyone hearing my cry? Or is it lost in the dark holocaust?? I write this with tremendous pain in my heart on reading about the honour killings in the North. Whither goes my Land, my Janmabhoomi??? Swapna

I heard a song So heart-rending I almost cried It carried pathos of death So I thought My son sang it to me My heart burst with emotions An' I said 'Son it pains me, This song' He said, 'It reminds of life An' living..' Taken aback I stared into his eyes I was pulled in by the intense positivity! I realized there are always Two sides to a coin...

The yellow roses were drooping. I put them in a vase. I stared into the mirror.. Ravaged by time My face stared back.. Every wrinkle, every line Had a story! I wondered, I brooded Till my Master said, "Your world is a room full of mirrors!" The roses smiled.. I looked into the mirror Glowing with realization My face so bright.. The smile, the shine.. Indeed has a story!!!!!

From the hot city of mine We cruised to the cooler climes Enjoying the wild blossoms So pink, yellow and blue.. Eucalyptus and ferns dotted the hills Fruits abounded everywhere Rolling mist shrouded us in mystery Pitter- patter rain drops Made us alive and' child-like Loud laughter, noisy chatter Games, food 'n' hot beverages Oh we preyed at the luxury.. A trek in the wild bonded our souls While a moonlit walk energized us! Sunrise to sunset Kodai was At her best...

Armed with a camera And tagging a few kids along Went visiting the local park... The Tower stood tall and proud In its new coat of paint. Riding high above the tree tops Saluting the sky.. Taking with her all our dreams An' thoughts... Serene she stood Amidst noisy chatter Of young an' old. Vendors doing brisk business Children on the jungle gym.. Young skaters and anxious parents Soap bubbles and balloons floating Up with it go all worries. Wise citizens sit and stare Young lovers steal glances Fountains and soft grass Lush trees and being with oneself Ah.. an evening to cherish.

I stare at the unmoving leaf Willing it to move So that there may be a gentle breeze On this hot summer noon, A crow broke the stare I returned to the staring contest. A bee hummed past A feather hurtles I lie unmoving Staring at the still leaf, A housefly torments me Till it settles on the mango peel. Sweat drops tantalize me I do not take my eyes off from the leaf Willing it to move Till the maid removes the painting to dust it...

Nestled amidst the rugged Satpuras The deciduous forest houses Teak, Sal, Mahua and more Silence stings us The crunchy leaves beneath startle us A Blackbuck stops to stare A gaur stands still Wild boars forage humbly Langurs play mischievously Wild dogs prey on a spotted deer! The drongo, doves, kingfishers, Changeling Hawk, bee-eaters All flit by.. Till the jungle cat prowls and roars. The jungle life halts So do our hearts.. As we come face to face With the Spotted Prince Staring benignly at us thro' its blue eyes!! For further details please visit: http://www.facebook.com/swapna.nair?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile#!/notes/swapna-nair/visit-to-a-biosphere-reserve/385886777771

I drove up the hills With excitement pounding in my veins To be part of the ruins of a great era.. A temple stood in mute splendour Built with mere stone By the mighty Pulakesin Upon his defeat of Harshavardhana Thousands of years ago... Protected by the rocky Satpuras and the dense forest It had withstood the invasions Yet time and weather had taken its toll Sculptures stand silent testimony To the skill and talent of the humans of yore.. Fascination and pride in my heart I Returned to tell the story to all... For pictures of the ruins that I took please visit : http://www.facebook.com/swapna.nair?v=app_2347471856&ref=profile

My aunt was a lovely person So full of life the other day Tugging at the rope To which her favourite cow was tethered to.. Her green fingers sprouted greens and veggies.. Dishes rolled out at our behest So Luscious, Tangy, Tasty, Spicy and Full of love... Her eyes would roll At my bohemian attitude Yet her heart loved me She was caustic, she was harsh She was soft, she was smart She was tender, she was caring I cannot enter the house without Missing the kitchen fragrances Her know-it-all glances My aunt.. Such a wonderful person was she Am glad that i had always expressed myself to her... Thank you for being there.....

Such funny species we are Blessed with so much Intelligence, emotions..... Yet we love to ruin.. We love to destroy When we are so capable of building, regenerating.. Friends become jealous if one is happy Mothers murder children for power Siblings fight over property Children squabble with parents Over everything... Till Life snatches away one.. Why is it so difficult To just have A tiny hole open for love In our hearts Just a tiny hole.....

I am amused Amused thoroughly Kochi bidding for the bat Kochi bowling.. Here come the kuttapans Giving up football for the pitch!!! Ayurveda for the players Beaches and mallu babes.. A 'small', a sip of 'kallu', meen moileee.. Lungis and curly mustache Mercs and BMWs and elephants God's own country Devil's own players Everything up for sale.. Rubees/ruvaas/rupeees Can smell them from afar!!!!

An interesting town this is, The minaret stands proud beside with the gopuram The river sweeps silently by Betel leaves and 'degree' coffee exude a strange fragrance Bullock carts straddled with hay And a farmer dancing on a ripe harvest! Gods jostling alongside humans Has divinity blessed us Or Is the divine blessed to have us??????

As I cruised along the Kaveri I stopped at a village. Time stood still Huts stood in slilent mutiny Goats strolled languidly Men played cards, Women toiled hard Children playing with rubber tyres The sentinels stood tall and proud Horses and elephants With their sculpted trainers Looking nonchalantly At the foolish humans Bickering and showing their might Litttle knowing that they were Mere specks in this Universe!!!!!

Love is attachment Attachment is blind vision Narrowed paths Single-minded devotion Burning desires Two worlds Reduced to One Entwined passion Sinful pain Yet brimful Of joy So is love Joy Or pain or both!!!

In books and print we have it all! The so-called freedom of expression Yet it varies from person to person, religion to religion Divide Andhra, Assam and every state scream the power-mongers Kill, kill, kill the creativity cry out education boards Drink the farmer's blood, sap the common man Snuff out baby girls, burn the brides Poets, artistes beware of what you express Politics in sports, politics everywhere But I, the common person, am not featured anywhere Whither goes my motherland.... I fear when I speak Am I not the common person???

In a small village on Trichy -Tanjore route Stands an ancient temple So proud and divine Dedicated to Shiva and Alankari Amman. Flows beside it the quiet Kaveri While the fields are ripe for harvest Nandi sits deep in the womb Nonchalantly waiting for whispers 'Abhishekams' flowed from milk to honey The gods were appeased So was I For I haven't had such a peaceful dialogue with god In years that have passed!! I had been on a road trip to this little village called, 'Nemam' on the Trichy-Tanjore route. It was so wonderful to see the river Kaveri flow tho' she was quite sluggish. The grand anaicut built thousands of years ago by Karikala Cholan is FASCINATING. I also stayed in an agraharam, in a house built in 1865. Somehow I had a restless sleep. The agraharam transported me to years yonder when the caste system would have been barbaric!!!

are easy to break but very difficult to maintain. Communication is extremely important!

Sanguine palms and fronds Christian festivities and festoons Narrow and winding roads Searing sun and hot tea In glass tumblers Fish fry and Kappa Payasam and chakka Relatives galore Green fields and golden grains Whispering streams and lusty moonlight Mansions and Korean grass Rickety buses and Mercedes Papada vadas and halwa Appams and puttu Belching cows and sniggering crickets Cooing cuckoos and chirpy parrots Supine slumber and lazy reading Such wondrous days In God's own land!!! An ode to my trip to Kerala, my native land.. I must say that it was wonderful to rebond with my kith and kin. I also enjoyed the most luxurios food and sleep.

I grew up on road cricket and VCR Emptier roads and lots of laughter Great neighbours who were the best of friends Easy comradeship we shared Hot tea, samosas and onam lunches College assignments, fun and frolic Even tragedies were taken care of. Such were my times where walls Melted between homes... I write this today after a visit from my childhood friend who was my neighbour and lil bro all rolled not one. We had such lovely times. It was as if there were no walls between our houses. It's sad that today the concept of neighbourliness hardly exists!! I cannot imagine how I would have passed one terrible night n September 2001 if it were not the support of this family ( Mathurs). I thank God that he gave me wonderful friends...

26 years have flown by Yet we withstood the test of time Ups and downs we have had Tears and laughter we have shared Break-ups and get-togethers we have witnessed Births and deaths have strengthened us Then we met over a coffee At the idyllic drive-in Later idealistic ideals A few rupees, beating hearts and we were so happy Today expensive club meetings and sumptuous food Life is more complicated Yet we are content that we are there for each other!!! I had a reunion with my friends after a couple of years. One particular friend I met after almost 25 century. It's miraculous that we took up the thread we had left.. Time just melted away. He was and is my big bro. Thank you Lord for such great friends..

Dancing Paddy Verdant Hues Battered Bus Clicking Cameras Gleaming Gold Drunken Monks Tired Pilgrims Thatched Houses Curious Stares Squiggly Goats Bright Walls Decorated Cattle Melodious Music Ancient Temples Buddies old 'n' new Souls Cleansed My sweetheart 'n' I.... My friends and I had been on a lovely temple trip. We drove to Pondicherry and stayed overnight at Hotel Jeyaram. It's not a very luxurious joint but the stay and food is good. We left Pondy around 6.30 am to Thirunallar, ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shani ( saturn). Thanks to my influential friend we could cruise through the long winding queue!!! Rested a while near the temple at Moonstar Lodge. Very brightly painted but dinghy room!! It was neat thankfully.. And very expensive for such a tiny room.. No food service too so we had to forgo lunch.. In the evening we set off to Thirukaddiyur Temple-- dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Abirami.. Its a temple where couples celebrate their 60th wedd...

O Sinner that I am Wallowing in luxury Insatiable hunger Indulging in aphrodisiac Connoisseur of the palatable Sinking in hedonism At last I am off On a spiritual sojourn To the temple of Saturn May his black power cleanse My darkness O sinner that I am....

Mild chill in the air Resonating music Haunting bhajans Colorful kolams Maamis and Maamas heading to the sabhas December flowers lending their hues Hot Kaapi tasting never as before Time to bite into The juicy cane.. Time to worship the Sun God Time to express gratitude to the tillers of the soil Time to wipe out the old and Bring in the new Let the lusty cheers of Pongalo Pongal Course thro' your veins Reach into your souls And spread joy and light Pongalo Pongal!!!1

An enchanting evening... Twinkling toes and painted face Dramatic eyes and luscious lips Dancing eyebrows and bejeweled bodies Soul-stirring music and flying drums They swayed, they danced Into our hearts, into our souls Amidst the temple bells and cacophony!! It was an enchanting evening indeed at the Mahalingapuram Ayappan temple with Kalamadalam trained artistes performing the Mohini-attom. They were brilliant and kudos to my friend for bringing them over and encouraging this art form and the dancers too. 10/01/10

Listen to the sound of the falling rain.. Listen to the gentle rustle of the mango leaves Listen to the whirring of the ceiling fan Listen to the tapping of the laptop keys Listen to the cawing of the crow afar Listen to the mop whizzing gently by.. Listen to the irritable tone of your mother Waking you up from never never land!! All izz Well........

It is indeed fun to break from the usual grind. There is so much fun that you feel alive. My son and me decided to take off to Bangalore in the middle of the night.... The highway is so well-maintained that for a second I thought that I was abroad till a cow ran across the road!!! I spent quality time with my son. we chatted a lot, listened to music and laughed a lot! We spent a lovely time at a friend's place. As for Bangalore each time I go there she is like a new bride. I just keep falling in love with her again and again.... On our return I drove (for the first time) on a highway.I renewed my driving skills( very less for that matter..). My son as usual proved to be a good teacher. Never knew driving required so much... At least for now I am promising myself to drive more so that I can become a pro... Over all it has been an amazing trip... so do go ahead and rebel... Ah now I know why rebels are loved by the society....

is an awesome film. It's very much a 'heart' film!! I wish all teachers and heads of institutions would see this film. We genuinely need a shake-up in our educational system. At last a movie has echoed my feelings-- we are merely churning out knowledge buffoons rather than creators!!

It sure has been a lazy day!! God bless! It struck me how I had taken my mother for granted. It's thanks to her that I get the opportunity to laze around with friends and my son. It's thanks to her that i can enjoy my little luxuries... It's thanks to her that I have so much time to myself. It's thanks to her that I am ME!!!1