Intriguing

I needed a break from my whole-day studying schedule! I was looking for something that could energise me and make me happy. As I was going through various people's status messages, I came across one of the videos posted. I was a bit skeptical about opening as my mood was already down. However, I decided to give it a try. 

I was very much moved by this video and watched it a couple of times more. The subtle message in the video actually reflects the state of the current generation. I was intrigued by this video and started wondering about how I would have felt had my child done this to me. I had an array of questions in my mind. And here it goes. 

How many of us

 i) have ever thought about our parents and given them some time in a day? 

 ii) realise that it is time for them to relax and enjoy their life rather than running behind something  or the other?

iii) thought they need attention and love rather than just money from our end?

iv) have taken them out for a walk on a sunny evening to a park?

v) have thought of sending a small Thank you! card as a gesture to show how grateful we are?

vi) have given them a thoughtful gift?

vii) have understood what our parents need without them coming to us and telling?

And the list goes on.. Not many would have done this. 

With the advent of the technology and the boom in various sectors, we youngsters are busy chasing our dreams forgetting the life that we need to live today. Today is real and the moments we spend with our parents are more precious than the moments when we achieve something when our parents might not be there to witness. It could be our parents' dream that we are living today. But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be a part of it. Dreams and goals can be achieved with parents around and not by living away in some remote country. 

It is all about loving and being little more considerate and not taking people for granted even if it is going to ones' own parents. I vowed not to behave in such a way in my life time.

Love you Amma and Appa! 

Been to London

I am reminded of the poem "Pussy cat pussy cat where have you been?" Yes, I am talking about my London experience. I have a lot of experiences to share and today being Friendship day, I've all the more reason to pen down my experiences.

The last 6 months' period has been a journey in its own right. It all happened in a matter of a week's when my husband was asked to shift his base to London and was forced to move out of a house that was just occupied for 1 and 1/2 month by us. We had planned a lot of things for our stay in Manchester. But it was not meant to be that way. We vacated the property and came down to London taking all our luggage and household goods jam packed in a car and that was the last day of our Manchester stay.

London beckoned us with hands wide open and here we are till today. There is always a thing about this city that has amused me."Cosmopolitan". I,sometimes wonder whether the natives feel out of place in their own country. March 6 was the day when we relocated to London and there has been no looking back since then. As they say, friends are your family when you live outside one's motherland. How true it is!! There was this generous couple who accommodated us in their  apartment for a whole month. Wonder what we would have done had we been in  their position. Meeting people whom I have never known or heard of from friends has become a daily affair. Be it an Iranian, a British or a Ghana national!! There is so much to learn and they love to learn from us as well. 

I am amused by the different shades people. There are friends who have been so good to us till this day,who have always been willing to help us. There is a person who is down to earth even though he is a great achiever and his wife, a talented girl who is a professional and supports him so well, there is a happy go lucky couple,  and there is a couple who organise get to gathers and love helping others and the list goes on.  The birthday celebrations, the late night chit-chats, the bhajans, the lunches and the dinners, the cricket matches and the football matches... It has been an enjoyable journey and  every weekend has been eventful.

 Today, I had been to a Gurudwara to attend a Langar organised by one of our friends. It was a nice feel to attend such an event outside my country. It would have been like any other event if it was organised in India since it is very common there. But when I attended this one, I could realise the importance of it and how such events help numerous people who are not able to afford a 3 course meal everyday including students. I met so many people there dutifully helping out to do their bit. There was no difference amongst people. A person from any caste,creed, colour could enter and do his/ her bit. It was a friendly atmosphere and I could sense a feeling of oneness. I could interact with people whom I had never met before in my life and could connect with them easily. We were happy sharing our stint . The mood was light.How I wish it was the same back there in India too. I have learnt one thing after staying away from my country-- Respect! Though, I have never looked down upon people, now-a-days, I have consciously developed this attitude to Respect people for what they are. Every individual around us has something in him/her to offer to this world and we need to respect that. 

It is not only about meeting people here but also about finding a place that pretty much makes you feel that you are staying in your own place. Yes, when I was introduced to this place called East Ham, I dint feel like I was in London. I could here people talking my mother tongue and smiling and understanding what I was looking for. Wow, the world has shrunk so much. From vegetables to fresh Jasmine flowers, Tamil weekly magazines and what not. You name it, you get it. I am not missing anything as far as the food is concerned. 

The journey has so far been very nice. I might not be in this country after a few months's time. But the memories and learnings I carry are for a lifetime!!