tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82333762064837592402024-02-18T21:26:55.486-05:00DESTINY'S CHILD(not the music group) but chronicles of a shamelessly self-proclaimed writer through reading, reflection and experience. Passionate about India, the nonprofit sector and the tiny role I get to play in this so-called Philanthropic ecosystem. My journey is about 'doing good' and sometimes getting it right! Living in the DC-metropolitan area with dear husband and two sons. DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-1514427677549097592021-11-28T20:44:00.001-05:002022-01-21T15:56:20.489-05:00An Ode to Suman (xxxx - Nov 21, 2021)<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3qKw3ZYWyTeUc9XhEYAbbJaPZ7IpTjNkBezWGtqZqjRsL3VTBcC4jY03MySAmI3FAcOIkT9saYsOZO7G8-KLyOHBZjH0As-KfDB5zk_qzmr-mx6MfY3-y-Bdoy2ht2Qe5S2D3d1csUxfschUHOJHoj27XtKQaksnxgOLa7qtcAjYKVkwVMEel4PW4Sg=s3088" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3qKw3ZYWyTeUc9XhEYAbbJaPZ7IpTjNkBezWGtqZqjRsL3VTBcC4jY03MySAmI3FAcOIkT9saYsOZO7G8-KLyOHBZjH0As-KfDB5zk_qzmr-mx6MfY3-y-Bdoy2ht2Qe5S2D3d1csUxfschUHOJHoj27XtKQaksnxgOLa7qtcAjYKVkwVMEel4PW4Sg=s320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFk38E6C-oR86GU0yOHQNgOtlAPsCSrookwc8lzvU9pqgFZuvjFLDMejTFod88prEVdSZc9BtGcwLsk_By-akCPajon7rr705mPkAIZLBHZ8iOvYNEThkIQWPEBHOYw39yAii6frKftaZyxt-IpiDF4okAeLbMQejxSFY26njkRh6TWjxrf7n6801C-Q=s585" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFk38E6C-oR86GU0yOHQNgOtlAPsCSrookwc8lzvU9pqgFZuvjFLDMejTFod88prEVdSZc9BtGcwLsk_By-akCPajon7rr705mPkAIZLBHZ8iOvYNEThkIQWPEBHOYw39yAii6frKftaZyxt-IpiDF4okAeLbMQejxSFY26njkRh6TWjxrf7n6801C-Q=s320" width="185" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Although we were not your kids, you cared for vai/harsh/me more than your own;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">You showered us with your unconditional warmth and comfort.</i></div></div></div>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No you were not our mom; but your role was just as strong.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: left;"><i></i><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You wiped our tears from the edges of your nine-yard saree;</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You protected us from many harm;</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You fed us our favorite foods; </i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You were our go-to bank at month-end when we were low on pocket-money.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No you were not our mom; but your heart was just as Big.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><i></i><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You hid those candies from all our cousins and friends just so we get to keep them all :-)</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You secretly gave the three of us more goodies than anyone else;</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>And no one dare take away any of our possessions!</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No you were not our mom; but your over-protectiveness was just as evident.</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><i></i><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You cared for every soul that came to our home; from the postman and the mechanic to every single guest, extended family and our friends;</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>You fed them all; you sounded them off too!</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No you were none of their moms; yet such a powerful influence!</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>We are lucky and blessed to have YOUR kind of love; You showed us what it means to care and to serve; and what it means to do so unconditionally; </i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No we were not your kids and still you treated us more than your own;</i></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>No you were not our mom; and you showed us what it takes to be MORE than one!</i></p><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>(</i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Our beloved Suman/Taija passed away last week - amidst her loved one, with dignity and a free soul. She fought a good fight and we will miss her deeply. She is survived by her grand-daughter, grand-son and daughter. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">And by her legacy of care and warmth that she leaves behind for us.)</span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-24544428026908431322018-10-07T09:36:00.000-04:002022-01-21T16:03:23.649-05:00TURNING 40<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today I turn 40 and that is indeed a good reason
to break the silence out here!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw31psFswzWKWkuZxlypFmRVwtw8fqH0uPfNSEvu4q9DLlwb4CYyrtHeevJh5nlvFr9qg651oawHTdb_YQz4QzHb3pOT2YV_FXXgvujK0nBAowGkPwDV3X2dpwkMjHzBFlmUrEdjl45HdI/s1600/Turning+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw31psFswzWKWkuZxlypFmRVwtw8fqH0uPfNSEvu4q9DLlwb4CYyrtHeevJh5nlvFr9qg651oawHTdb_YQz4QzHb3pOT2YV_FXXgvujK0nBAowGkPwDV3X2dpwkMjHzBFlmUrEdjl45HdI/s320/Turning+40.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had some ambitious plans throughout the year and
while I am still in pursuit of those, here I am, in its true glory. Someone asked
me whether I feel <i>"old and wise"</i> – I would say, as old as I have ever been and
wise enough to not know so many things.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My dad had shared a wonderful math equation that
has resonated in my head especially this past week:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Math of life = <i>“On birthdays, you add one year in
your life and you take away one year of your life.”</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Math of life on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">your</b> birthday = <i>“You add one year in your life and you add lots of
happy memories + smiles + achievements to be proud of”</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am not a big birthday person when it comes to
celebrating my own but it is a good milestone date to revisit the various hats
I wore and to reflect on all that has shaped and inspired me into who I am
today.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I look back, I see a blur of my childhood years
and some extremely core memories with my family. They have seen me through my best
and worst, have protected me, loved me unconditionally, forgiven my mistakes.
They gave me strong roots for which I am
lucky and extremely grateful!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was consumed with choices in education, career
and relationships. I made new friends, deepened friendship with some, lost
some; wish I had stayed connected with some.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I strengthened the dotted lines with new family members through the matrimonial bond.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I switched from owning a landline
to cell phones to the iphone. I roamed around many parts of the globe. My
defining moments in life came with being connected to <a href="https://in.iofc.org/">Initiatives of Change</a> and <a href="https://aiesec.org/">AIESEC</a> and soon
after leaving the comfort zone to go to Birmingham.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were moments when I couldn’t care less about
my future and then there were times I did worry about my future.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I found true essence of the word ‘TRAVEL’ through its
extremes from ruggedness, culture and history to luxury.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have loved every bit of my career and industry
choices so far. I loved working at all the various organizations - some friends even call me by one of its acronyms</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">! I did go on and off but never derailed from the philanthropic track
– something I feel passionate about.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I married at a time I feel was right; to the person
I deeply love and respect.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I became a mother – wearing many hats through that
one single role – and surprised that I am still alive through all those fears,
doubts, letting your heart beat out of your own, </span><a href="http://www.aheartbreakingchoice.com/Stories/Frynssyndrome.aspx" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">the pain of losing one</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now here I am all of 40 today – switched nationalities
on paper and lucky to be connected to two strong heritages; moved from Mac to
PC and off the career track for now.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I roll up my sleeve to what lies ahead,
I wish that I can make my boys the most successful venture A and I would ever
have. Seeing them and rearing them to be empathetic men, philanthropic and
strong citizens of the world will probably be the most precious gifts of all.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To my family, friends, my alma-maters,
organizations I have worked at/been part of, my colleagues - here’s to you all
who made my 40 count! And here’s to the next 40!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-44012013729488887812018-07-04T23:51:00.001-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.188-04:00Here's to the Fourth!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmYOmz9qC5TM1Kn_z9RC69gxQVDq3MFRFyXOkwT1GdsZqS12_qbQIyub61Fbj4Ro8QtSOH1uMFtSzJS6RRGyA1tKKfEOpL07Vg03tfqRacptNkAqpXGdcAIyOrHtPokTKUS5GyKgDPm7G/s1600/IMG_4804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmYOmz9qC5TM1Kn_z9RC69gxQVDq3MFRFyXOkwT1GdsZqS12_qbQIyub61Fbj4Ro8QtSOH1uMFtSzJS6RRGyA1tKKfEOpL07Vg03tfqRacptNkAqpXGdcAIyOrHtPokTKUS5GyKgDPm7G/s320/IMG_4804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Today was my first
‘happy fourth’ as an American citizen! Was it happy? For most parts yes.</div>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="background: white;"><span id="goog_1555666581"></span><span id="goog_1555666582"></span>It also happens to be the day when I received my
‘overseas citizen of India’ card. Was I happy? Yes for sure! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">When I moved to America 11 years ago, I didn’t
see anything special about the so-called ‘American Dream’. Yet it surprised me in
many ways particularly for all that it means to the Americans and to those who
have made this country their home (that I have encountered). Infact, of all the
countries I have traveled to, the level of patriotism is the strongest here and
it certainly inspires me to be a good citizen. The country has embraced me with
the values of family, diversity, friendship and opportunities; all of which
have been near and dear to me in India too! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";">Today, as I become a
part of this celebration with my family and friends, I feel thankful for being
connected to my birthplace and at the same time, grateful for what the US has
represented for me. As I make this country my home of choice, I would like for
my sons to stand by these values too. Yes, it makes me nervous about
all the things happening in the country right now; about the direction it is
headed in. I hope this is only a glitch in the system and that tomorrow
will bring in continued resistance and optimism.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";">So as I enjoy the day with family and friends, here’s to the nation that celebrates its ‘freedom’; let there be a constant reminder of what the nation stands for and truly represents. Happy fourth indeed!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6cKoc5hdJN0bWsR_e7sU1OXM9K23SxSA-A9JdKhmntn5kpduI3T3-7LufwFUqD-f9SCW9GlgG1ktmTsxnemHpp_0jNBDfC9J1kH1yq01wNpCYVlpuntN8C7suFhnpCXMJ5ZVEkrVLwJo/s1600/IMG_4768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6cKoc5hdJN0bWsR_e7sU1OXM9K23SxSA-A9JdKhmntn5kpduI3T3-7LufwFUqD-f9SCW9GlgG1ktmTsxnemHpp_0jNBDfC9J1kH1yq01wNpCYVlpuntN8C7suFhnpCXMJ5ZVEkrVLwJo/s320/IMG_4768.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br />
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-22887181017067808382017-07-05T23:26:00.001-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.055-04:00Turning One!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our dearest Armaan,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A year ago, at your birth, your Nana wrote us a lovely note: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>"By having Armaan’ in your life, you have
fulfilled one of your ‘armaans’. It was Kivaan’s ‘armaan’ to have a sibling
brother. So he got his ‘Armaan’ brother. Now, it is Kivaan and Armaan who will
fulfill your next armaan to bring peace and happiness to all of you”</i></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And now a year has passed since that amazing day. A
year that was a joyful ride filled with giggles, the first smile, range of
emotions including feeling helpless during those weeks of stomach bug, those
energetic high-fis, the muahs and by far the best bond of brotherhood! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You are
the apple of your brother’s eyes and for that we feel humbled to have both of
you in our lives. These all together have enriched our lives in so many ways –
no wonder that the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A life I had dared not imagine and as I look
back at my old life I see how much I have made room for all of the new! Love
you our Armaan – here’s </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">wising you a very happy first birthday my boy! Wishing that you discover all your ‘armaans’ in
life and that we can help you achieve them. Look forward to exploring them together!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love always and forever,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">K-Mom-Dad</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">July 5, 2017</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoteLevel1CxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-68110121272693493132016-12-31T16:16:00.000-05:002022-01-21T16:03:58.647-05:00Gotta Catch them All<div>
Like any end-of-year reflections, this year has had several eventful moments to fill my memory bank - adding baby A to our family tree, Sr. A becoming US citizen, team Acumen wearing new hats and strangely, the rage that one has seen with Pokémon Go. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you have even remotely come across a Pokémon fan, you would know the rage it created especially over the summer with its app apart from its very existence to gamers alike. For me, this was introduced by my six-year old K who is a huge fan of the Japanese cartoon. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The premise of this series is these Pokémon creatures (over 200 of them and perhaps still growing) habe a range of special powers. Main role for them is to battle against other creatures based on the command from their respective trainers. What makes them unique in their existence is the evolution into new forms and with new names. For e.g., there is a Pichu who evolves into Pikachu and then into another form Raichu. Each evolution gives them an inner strength and more powers.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This very nature of evolution to me is most striking! So many parallels to be drawn from it especially when we reminisce the year - the way we continue to play different (new?) roles (aka forms), the way many of us aspire for new skills, and several of who are drawn to higher form of being. I wish I knew details about the process these Pokémons go through - for instance, the relationship they share with their trainer, the challenges they face in taking new forms and what happens if they fail their battles. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For now, I will spare myself (and you) of getting more spiritual than this and stick to the fact that I am inspired by the overall nature of evolution that these Pokémons go through. With the new year comes an opportunity to explore new forms; a chance to engage in habits that could lead to new forms; to engage in trainer connections. Overall, really just remind myself constantly of creating opportunities for myself. If I don't then the flip side is I won't evolve. So as 2017 unfolds, here's to an intersection of Pokémon meeting the new year and a chance to "gotta catch them all!"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy new year!</div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-51941444414983371342016-11-06T20:34:00.002-05:002022-01-21T16:05:02.463-05:00Stronger Together America<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Eight years ago, this time, one of my blogs captured the essence of <a href="http://nehash.blogspot.com/2008/11/day-after.html">'yes we can'</a> in its glory form! That day still echoes in my memory amidst all that has changed over the years (for one, I haven't written in a while and two, I am now a mom of two boys but that is for another day). </span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With a polling center across from our home, it feels unsettling to think about the possible outcome of election.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I1WV1AoYGFcm1zMlbGofzG1o1Minn-pbLMPoVPHAnNAI3aYSM-4ozELtlLYZiKjoBJ96B1PiMkflDGnqWmz6rxJfmj35tRJbMFKx441umnAmUiK5f0_ti194Q0rTrYeNpvdnopZXjy6J/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9I1WV1AoYGFcm1zMlbGofzG1o1Minn-pbLMPoVPHAnNAI3aYSM-4ozELtlLYZiKjoBJ96B1PiMkflDGnqWmz6rxJfmj35tRJbMFKx441umnAmUiK5f0_ti194Q0rTrYeNpvdnopZXjy6J/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">A</span></span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">nd then I have my 6-year old who recently came home from school and commented on how one of the candidates calls all women 'pigs'. So as a mom of two boys, it naturally makes me wonder how much this election would impact their growing-up years. If anything, what this election has taught me as a parent is to ensure the kind of upbringing I should offer them:</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- that first and foremost, they will both learn to respect women;</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- that there will be 'consequences' otherwise;</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- that they associate responsibility that comes with the power to lead; and</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">- that they eventually would understand the importance of good governance.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In many ways, I have faith that the realism we see today in social media, news channels, movies and more make us come to terms with where we are and that itself would force us towards a brighter future.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So as this nation comes together once again for a moment of change, I hope that the fundamental truth behind the "American Dream" remains intact for all irrespective of our race, religion and origin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's to yet another "Yes We Can" moment America!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-27077423371208883082013-10-05T20:38:00.001-04:002022-01-21T16:05:35.616-05:00And the journey continues..<div><span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Moving out brings feelings of mixed emotions - </span></div><div><span style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU5aFYYxFgMDQwZIm_Bp0XhsErMHnj75kogxtx2M8sVFqs8fiPjr8-5iEyjmX0DIrRq0DBILh7g7Xq8nikGvtaCAvNA5y9zCXIrYPobtJn_Hy4FswOvtagbxY5xwYYzCN6yKAhuFAhgIF/s640/blogger-image-1656283430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifU5aFYYxFgMDQwZIm_Bp0XhsErMHnj75kogxtx2M8sVFqs8fiPjr8-5iEyjmX0DIrRq0DBILh7g7Xq8nikGvtaCAvNA5y9zCXIrYPobtJn_Hy4FswOvtagbxY5xwYYzCN6yKAhuFAhgIF/s640/blogger-image-1656283430.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Special memories of the place that served us well, of wellness and of gratitude.</div></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2VNqJ8lJwNUXzlQckaWJyV657nnLXdvaH-5qFPHIRuTxBiuANc0PGG6LkNxeFNtBuD8ohMBXV344TAzbjBbk-AdD6d9R7SqGmWN_J6NctLSSSWF2RyThap1YcOsqCbbOO8FA9iaXV_qz/s640/blogger-image-2007253966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2VNqJ8lJwNUXzlQckaWJyV657nnLXdvaH-5qFPHIRuTxBiuANc0PGG6LkNxeFNtBuD8ohMBXV344TAzbjBbk-AdD6d9R7SqGmWN_J6NctLSSSWF2RyThap1YcOsqCbbOO8FA9iaXV_qz/s640/blogger-image-2007253966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">While not having family around to share this joy is certainly a major downside, such occasions allow us to dream new dreams and to work to make those dreams come true.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">As we look forward to making our own place our 'new' home, it feels special to celebrate this magic! Magic because it is not something that can easily come by on a <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Sunday afternoon</a>; that it is a privilege to live in a place where no one else has lived; that it took a year to get to this day and hence it makes me feel humble not because of where we are but what it took to get us here. Yes there were arguments and differences and lots of anxiety till the very end. </div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">And thus, together these are the thoughts worth cherishing and making them worthwhile.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">And as the journey continues,</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">to pause and reflect.</div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">And feel blessed indeed!</div></div><div style="font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div><br></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-88045753163014112992013-09-12T21:56:00.000-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.492-04:00Off You Go Dear K...<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...into a new beginning and a new milestone!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
A little smile and a butterfly kiss</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's all it took to say good bye;</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
But we both knew that it meant more than just that</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
as you venture into a new horizon!</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
As you began full-time from Montessori today, it fills me with mixed emotions of apprehension and excitement. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apprehension because of how you (and I) will respond to the change in our routines as you move out of your existing comfort zone. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Excitement because of a new beginning to a never-ending journey of learning!</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
This next step means a whole new world for you to navigate and enjoy; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That you allow yourself to shine; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that you live each day with gratitude; and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that it teaches you to follow your heart.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Through this, do know that you are blessed in this journey and that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be beside you each day; </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cheering you and watching you as you discover all that it means to be you.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
That with this beginning I can understand what it truly means </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to have my heart beating outside of me.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<br /></div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-40151548327516020512013-08-16T00:42:00.003-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.147-04:00Embracing Differences....Celebrating the Freedom!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend, as a visitor, a
Naturalization Ceremony here in the DC area - an oath taking ceremony for
approved individuals to become US citizens. I thought it would be a
routine procedure, formal yet quite to the point. Candidates take the oath, there is
the anthem, the pledge of allegiance, some paper work and thus, citizenship. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes there was all of that but much more. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was pleasantly surprised at the approach of the
event and the overall enthusiasm expressed NOT by those to-be Americans as much
as by the organizers. The feelings were that of excitement, celebration,
honor, and most importantly, the warmth in welcoming the 'opportunity'. The lead speaker presiding over the 'ceremony'
expressed how excited she was to be present today, almost as a promise to her nation to build a better country - a country of immigrants coming together as
a melting pot of diversity, cultures, circumstances and now joined together to
be part of one nation. She called out the list of all the countries that
were being represented in this location - 62 nations, 250 participants. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP97oNQicslQWgo2-hChdGS4y20SY9UBPHIrV1u1CGyzxVDyDxJhGOkMrzeJB69BWu0o02PfOyBntoL-KToXxXO04w7WWfXvBTdewcbmkCrOh_iazqorTCQE3bkNYHwCD19DzJwR0g2uCU/s640/blogger-image-218571377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP97oNQicslQWgo2-hChdGS4y20SY9UBPHIrV1u1CGyzxVDyDxJhGOkMrzeJB69BWu0o02PfOyBntoL-KToXxXO04w7WWfXvBTdewcbmkCrOh_iazqorTCQE3bkNYHwCD19DzJwR0g2uCU/s640/blogger-image-218571377.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Many of them must come from countries that have
disowned them, the land to which they can no longer go to, the land that does
not acknowledge them, the land that would take away their freedom and their liberty. Thus, for many of those 250 individuals who from
today on, have a new identity, this to me represents a defining moment in their
lives and that of their loved ones and how fate must have had a larger role to
play.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbXy2dlOvS-Dmcx_NCUqGshmH886qm2Jh2jGbG9CjT0ALd4sb6dAD1HhEleo9rXRBt2oAI-d5VUP_dRhQJKsCoFe4smjxJZCcUDFrjlJoZQIhxWjBwBh27Zn-SfjqorvGyF2JpvBT3x2n/s640/blogger-image-673416551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbXy2dlOvS-Dmcx_NCUqGshmH886qm2Jh2jGbG9CjT0ALd4sb6dAD1HhEleo9rXRBt2oAI-d5VUP_dRhQJKsCoFe4smjxJZCcUDFrjlJoZQIhxWjBwBh27Zn-SfjqorvGyF2JpvBT3x2n/s640/blogger-image-673416551.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today, as I do my little bit to celebrate the
Independent India, I look back at yesterday and feel thankful and privileged
that I can still feel ‘belonged’ to my birthplace, that the thought of settling
down there still exists, that a stronger part of me wants to see a better India
and that the word ‘opportunity’ has significant meaning there too! Here’s to
the country I was born to as it celebrates its 'freedom' and to the country
that continues to embrace diversity.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-56735734130663244222013-07-29T00:25:00.002-04:002022-01-21T16:21:41.201-05:00"Mumma I did not eat Chicken" - The Veg Dialogue<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wonder what is a good age when toddlers begin to understand the kind of food they eat/are offered to them by their outside world. I would assume that they realize this when they observe food others eat which perhaps may begin in school. I thought it would be a while before my soon-to-be 3-year old would identify chicken or meat as food items. Hence I was pleasantly surprised when K remembered that he did not eat ‘chicken' nuggets that were offered to him at a recent birthday party. (Aside from the fact that he rarely eats anything outside of his 'subzi-roti', I would like to believe he stressed on the 'chicken' part more than the 'not eat' part).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Both A and I were raised vegetarians and hence there is no doubt that we would raise K the same way too. At the same time, the subtlety of handling this issue as K grows up is quite critical vs what we were exposed to as kids. For e.g., it was 'easy' to be raised as a vegetarian in India where majority of our immediate circle was of the same belief. But in America I am often asked how we would handle vegetarianism with K as he grows up. What if he was the only one with 'special meal' plan in his school or that others considered him the 'weird kid' if he wouldn't eat those nuggets? While I know this is the time to explain the concept to him, I want to be careful in the way we communicate it to him.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since he is an animal-lover, it would be easy to tell him that eating non-vegetarian means killing/hurting animals. At the same time, that just sounds too judgmental especially considering he might have his close friends who are meat-eaters.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For A and me, there was a strong religious connotation to our upbringing but to pass down that conviction is also something that might be out of character for us. Nevertheless, my role as a parent would be to guide K in the direction that we 'believe' would be right for him and us; that I may have to inculcate values in the upbringing in a way that he would still be able to make his own choices, be it spiritual or otherwise; that each family eats differently hence it is important to embrace different cultures but not to an extent that you compromise on your own.</div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: '.Helvetica NeueUI'; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How have you explained such concepts to your child? What has your experience been in having conversations about meat/no-meat to them especially in ways they have responded?</div>
</div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-50036048358047359062013-06-27T21:53:00.000-04:002022-01-21T16:06:01.617-05:00Corporate Social Responsibility
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:JA;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Recently I was helping someone with my thoughts on the
role of the government in corporate social responsibility. This resulted in an
interesting discussion on the issues surrounding a new company bill introduced by the Indian Government. This <a href="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/csr-a-great-leap-forward/article4554892.ece">bill</a> requires companies above a 'certain' size to ensure that they spend at least 2 percent
of their annual profits on corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. W</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hile the 'certain' size of these companies remain to be
answered, what got us talking about on a tangent was what would constitute as
actual spending on CSR focused activities vs the so-called administrative
support aka the 'overheads'. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now I have been in the development/non-profit sector for
as long as I can recall and to me the word 'overhead' itself remains a highly
undervalued term within my field. When I develop budgets for my work, more
often than not, the question of administrative costs are reviewed a lot more
closely than the work that we actually deliver. Yes the current economic
scenario demands that in order to win programs, we ensure a competitive economies
of scale. The flip side, in that however, is that most often measurable impact
gets lost because then it becomes a matter of number game as opposed to the
real return on that investment. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I disagree with the notion that for nonprofits to run a
successful activity, their overheads should be at minimum - that this should be
equated per the ratio of what goes into an organization's 'overhead' vs the
direct benefit of the activity. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is thus exciting to learn about the recent <a href="http://overheadmyth.com/letter-to-the-donors-of-america/">initiative</a>
by Guidestar, Charity Navigator and Giving Alliance wherein they mention that
<i>"the percentage of charity expenses that go to administrative and fundraising
costs—commonly referred to as overhead —is a poor measure of a charity’s
performance". </i></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or more importantly the simple clarification on what these
'overheads' could include - that </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"they are important investments charities make to
improve their work: investments in training, planning, evaluation, and internal
systems".</i></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This campaign that they propose is long overdue for the
sector and I would be extremely keen to see how it unfolds in responses mainly
from those outside of the nonprofit sector. In the meantime, if there is a specific
charity that you are supporting - take a moment to review their work, their
accountability, the risk factors - and then assess the real return on your
investment.</div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-88205914984224227352013-06-03T10:02:00.002-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.501-04:00Take a Pause<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Every
morning, my daily commute is a mix of rush hour traffic to the metro, delayed
schedules and overcrowded trains. While the body is fighting the morning blues
and attempting every bit to stand/sit amidst the commuters, the mind is always rushing
through those thousand and one things pending on the 'to-do' list outside work
and at work. Hence no surprise that the moment you get off at the metro, it is
all about getting on with those tasks asap. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">However there are some mornings,
when there ought to be a slight detour. Like one of these marked by a group of
musicians – with their instruments tuned to hit the soul at the right spot. It
was more meaningful – a unique vibe, an uplifting sound, the kind of music to spring
up the morning vibrantly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/RDzAgSJ_rgc/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/RDzAgSJ_rgc?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/RDzAgSJ_rgc?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They were there to welcome us morning commuters with
their tune - a tune that connected us by their chords. When leaving some cash in their case, a sense of joy was felt;
it gave a different perspective to this morning; and a feeling of gratitude
prevailed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I call it - Take a Pause.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-69964337132165526492013-05-12T22:50:00.000-04:002022-01-21T16:07:14.256-05:00It has been a while...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...since I last blogged and I wonder why I could not stay committed to writing. This makes me realise that the most dangerous thing a blogger can do is stop writing! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It wasn't that I had nothing to blog about but this disconnect turned days to weeks and that into months and before I knew it, I had hit rock bottom in playing catch-up.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
There are times when bloggers like me get interrupted for reasons, more than one, and before we realize it is too late to get back to that rhythm. When I started my <a href="http://canon101.blogspot.com/">photo-a-day</a> commitment, I was skeptical of making it through considering my past record. At that point, I had big plans of covering a specific theme a week/month and while that clearly did not happen, what did continue was a way to seize the day in one picture. It turned out to be a feat for me and I was thoroughly satisfied that I did it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just like taking a break from the routine gives you a different perspective, an opportunity for introspection, reflection and clarity, I consider this break from blogging a similar experience. And now as I reflect on the moments that I missed writing about or sharing about, I make another comeback, another attempt with renewed perspectives and to ensure that this long break does not destroy the blogger in me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And while I gather some of these moments to write about, I do wonder how other writers get back after a break from the writing rhythm? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you or someone you know has experiences to share, feel free to mention them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Till then more to follow soon.</div>
</span><br />
DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-15014658134673749332012-01-09T22:53:00.002-05:002018-09-20T12:25:20.980-04:00Project-365<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Inspired by many, I have been working on '<a href="http://canon101.blogspot.com/search/label/Project-365">Project-365</a>' with photography since two months and enjoying every bit of it so far. While it sounds easy, it does take some effort to keep this going day after day. Tough part is not adding a photo for the day – but ‘remembering’ to do so. Further, it is also not that easy to keep those creative buds on all the time. However, the goal is to continue doing so thereby making this hobby of photography a daily event. Also, this photographic journey may not be as spectacular as you think, nevertheless, is intended to take a stint at photo-blogging and share the day through the lens.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hope you enjoy these as much as I do posting them and feel free to share your ideas and themes that I can work on to make it more interesting by the day.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;">Find this Project at - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',sans-serif;"><a href="http://canon101.blogspot.com/">Canon101</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-32051631999158427062011-11-14T16:20:00.006-05:002022-01-21T16:07:24.349-05:00Children's Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We never really celebrated Children’s Day as Jawharlal Nehru’s birth anniversary when growing up but it was surely a perfect day to exercise our freedom from all the rules at home and school. Here I share a beautifully written letter by Jawaharlal Nehru to the children of India (taken from <a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-11-14/edit-page/27299288_1_grown-ups-eyes-and-ears-beautiful-world">The Speaking Tree of TOI</a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>“I hope you will take a long time in growing up”</i> – Indeed!<o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Dear Children,</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">I like being with children and talking to them and, even more, playing with them. For the moment I forget that I am terribly old and it is very long ago since I was a child. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">But when I sit down to write, I cannot forget my age and the distance that separates you from me. Old people have a habit of delivering sermons and good advice to the young. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">I remember that I disliked this very much long ago when I was a boy. So I suppose you do not like it very much either. Grown-ups also have a habit of appearing to be very wise, even though very few of them possess much wisdom. I have not yet quite made up my mind whether I am wise or not. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Sometimes listening to others I feel that I must be wise and brilliant and important. Then, looking at myself, I begin to doubt this. In any event, people who are wise do not talk about their wisdom and do not behave as if they were very superior persons...</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">What then shall I write about? If you were with me, I would love to talk to you about this beautiful world of ours, about flowers, trees, birds, animals, stars, mountains, glaciers and all the other beautiful things that surround us in the world. We have all this beauty all around us and yet we, who are grown-ups, often forget about it and lose ourselves in our arguments or in our quarrels. We sit in our offices and imagine that we are doing very important work. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">I hope you will be more sensible and open your eyes and ears to this beauty and life that surrounds you. Can you recognize the flowers by their names and the birds by their singing? How easy it is to make friends with them and with everything in nature, if you go to them affectionately and with friendship. You must have read many fairy tales and stories of long ago. But the world itself is the greatest fairy tale and story of adventure that was ever written. Only we must have eyes to see and ears to hear and a mind that opens out to the life and beauty of the world.</span></blockquote><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Grown-ups have a strange way of putting themselves in compartments and groups. They build barriers... of religion, caste, colour, party, nation, province, language, customs and of rich and poor. Thus they live in prisons of their own making. Fortunately, children do not know much about these barriers, which separate. They play and work with each other and it is only when they grow up that they begin to learn about these barriers from their elders. I hope you will take a long time in growing up..</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some months ago, the children of Japan wrote to me and asked me to send them an elephant. I sent them a beautiful elephant on behalf of the children of India... This noble animal became a symbol of India to them and a link between them and the children of India. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was very happy that this gift of ours gave so much joy to so many children of Japan, and made them think of our country... remember that everywhere there are children like you going to school and work and play, and sometimes quarrelling but always making friends again. You can read about these countries in your books, and when you grow up many of you will visit them. Go there as friends and you will find friends to greet you.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know we had a very great man amongst us. He was called Mahatma Gandhi. But we used to call him affectionately Bapuji. He was wise, but he did not show off his wisdom. He was simple and childlike in many ways and he loved children... he taught us to face the world cheerfully and with laughter. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our country is a very big country and there is a great deal to be done by all of us. If each one of us does his or her little bit, then all this mounts up and the country prospers and goes ahead fast. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have tried to talk to you in this letter as if you were sitting near me, and I have written more than I intended.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Jawaharlal Nehru </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-style: italic;">December 3, 1949</span></blockquote>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-79254022842646329982011-11-07T18:58:00.003-05:002018-09-20T12:25:21.458-04:00Life Cut Short<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It is said that through death we appreciate life and it puts into perspective how we live it. But then how do we deal with the time when a life cuts you short? All of a sudden our hearts skip a beat when dealing with tragic death – and the world stops spinning. That is what happened when I learnt this morning about the terrible news of someone I barely knew long ago – and yet my world stopped spinning for that moment. A vivacious young 23-24 year old girl – recently graduated and about to venture into the prime years of her life; so talented, in fact you would think she is going to go all out and make a difference to those around her and to the world!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Why then did life cut her short? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is an eternal question that haunts us forever. It is times like these that remind me of how fragile life is; that we are promised nothing for what is to come. What would truly matter then I believe is – <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to find those moments each day that make me tick – before life cuts me short<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to find solace in those who love me – before life cuts them short<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to marvel at the way my family and friends touch my lives – before life cuts them short<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and to continue honoring memories of those who have inspired me – as life did cut them short but their flames sparkle forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know - easier said than done - but then again, how does one deal with such situations? I would love to understand what are some of the best ways to come to terms with such instances in our lives. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My deepest condolence to the grieving parents - extremely difficult to fathom what they would be going through – but I pray that when they reach a point to see beyond this terrifying grief, that they can find peace and love in recognizing the preciousness and that eternal flame their young daughter has brought to their lives.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-63816695367374631462011-10-05T21:20:00.004-04:002022-01-21T16:07:40.237-05:00Steve Jobs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMFuMxQ5ML6bIaph2w_ZT1FXyWezq792AZyOqHCZqfO50-F-H4uJeFfjCoaeagyyosxlM7HVu8VcC63scyGCM1LGzb1fR2dhf0FITgPgotlO7lFrw92tft90nFF24QjuVAw8pFuuo7mtw/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMFuMxQ5ML6bIaph2w_ZT1FXyWezq792AZyOqHCZqfO50-F-H4uJeFfjCoaeagyyosxlM7HVu8VcC63scyGCM1LGzb1fR2dhf0FITgPgotlO7lFrw92tft90nFF24QjuVAw8pFuuo7mtw/s640/Picture+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He showed us a way to do things better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He defined the term ‘perfection’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He changed the world of music.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He reinvented the business of being mobile.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He pluralized the term 'I'.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He helped ‘connect the dots’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He gave the world a ‘world’ no one knew existed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He thanked his ‘extended family’ for making his vision come true.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">‘He died peacefully surrounded by his family’.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He Came – Consolidated – Conquered</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And thus Changed the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Steve Jobs – 1955-2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">May his soul rest in peace.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">image taken from the apple website.</span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-65230540034585643862011-09-26T15:55:00.000-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.353-04:00Up in the Air<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Gnn3q7fyuGpIIiGSX4V20sMMFw8dlvNcbaYlQfADZP-Y6_yIKeeo7fDOLxFs6eU1MTTt5uqyQRcq8sKhlppk-VRDCkp9_FCjXQFztKKrGJ67iWqno3MYzGOw30o_yk4L_acGhD3rEGW/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Gnn3q7fyuGpIIiGSX4V20sMMFw8dlvNcbaYlQfADZP-Y6_yIKeeo7fDOLxFs6eU1MTTt5uqyQRcq8sKhlppk-VRDCkp9_FCjXQFztKKrGJ67iWqno3MYzGOw30o_yk4L_acGhD3rEGW/s400/IMG_0588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656760013537229858" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">Plane Pull Event</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:85%;">Dulles Airport - 09.24.11</span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-7791827220279834842011-08-29T14:25:00.003-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.435-04:00Those Favorite Things<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbPSdxExwcfNdilfAHQ6tjdOLtkddKutS8hu561vlYDjn9LG-Bj7ES5HiSH3r52TZiVFDyV6fLzTIv-5KiRiPWjB1TaqfDrrIoFs1RyqJcG6aGIPZW8Gcs8eY1Qb5_Y3Ou87os6YDjyJ/s1600/K%2527s+Journey+-+at+119.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXbPSdxExwcfNdilfAHQ6tjdOLtkddKutS8hu561vlYDjn9LG-Bj7ES5HiSH3r52TZiVFDyV6fLzTIv-5KiRiPWjB1TaqfDrrIoFs1RyqJcG6aGIPZW8Gcs8eY1Qb5_Y3Ou87os6YDjyJ/s400/K%2527s+Journey+-+at+119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646346457999479458" /></a>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">A year ago you were welcomed</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">into a world that has become your own.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Gandhi for a day - Vora for life;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">who knew what your favorite things would be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">A love we felt so strong - in your gentle touch and cries.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Your smiles lift us abound;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">the sleepy head that lets us wonder</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">what your favorite things might be?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">And then those times you grew to sense</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">the things around you;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">the songs that make you dance and sing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Tugging your toys and making faces</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">that make us laugh.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Books that only let your mind marvel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">at all it has to offer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Feeling so happy when we take your pic!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Could these be some of your favorite things?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">The curiosity of not knowing</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">when things rattle and move and sway!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">You amaze us as you learn each step and turn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">These could be your favorite things!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">And then there are favorite people to embrace;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">those caring looks and loving hugs!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Some so naughty that do delight you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Some so priceless that time cannot replace.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Eating times are always fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Are these your favorite things?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">A sense of magic in those very firsts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">and moments so exciting</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">especially those hi-fives and the lovely toys;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">With so much to learn - and all that lies ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Oh to those times when you groan,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">which the family makes them go away.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">So as you turn ONE today,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">it makes us wonder</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">about all your favorite things</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">and we simply would not trade</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">a minute of such moments!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">God bless you</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">today and always!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">Ma-Daddy</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:100%;">August 29, 2011</span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-43835797039471411162011-08-19T18:41:00.004-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.177-04:00Be inspired and Make a Difference<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">There is no </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;">escaping the current wave of movement in India (and for Indians outside of it) concerning the status of #LokpalBill, #AnnaHazare and the #Futureofindiangoverningsystem. From the surge in news through the web of social media, one would think it is easy to understand the basis of this movement. Yet, to be very honest, I feel a bit disoriented about this entire episode. There are so many articles, discussions, forums regarding various standpoints on this movement – whether the Lokpal Bill is good for the nation or Anna Hazare’s movement needs to be supported or will these together harm the overall functioning (in its current manner – right or wrong) of the country. Anna Hazare’s fast seems to be the means to bring out this bill that has the ability to fight corruption at all levels. A true Gandhian would believe that <i>‘ends do not justify the means’</i> and this movement is another classic example (aside from the entire independence movement) of the quote. Bill or no Bill, I do not believe it will bring an overnight solution to the problem – it is not a magic wand (Loved your <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XeDJE1mwVI&feature=player_embedded#!">speech</a> Mr. Jaitley and yes, there is no such wand out there!) that would remove the illegal systems that govern our country. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">So in all of this, I ask myself whether I support Anna Hazare - Yes I do. Not the man per se but his means to tackle this problem is what I wholeheartedly value. This is a clear example of standing up to one’s principles and it requires a lot of conviction. In current day and age, our generation is so blinded by what goes on that it is rare to find situations that have such integrity and the fact that we get to live through such situations, the least we can do is be inspired and make a difference. There may be a lot of individuals/groups that do not support this man. And rightly so. If you do not believe in Lokpal or Hazare and do not want to support it, that is fine. Everyone has their own views and approach to what they believe in. But the point is whether we make a real impact to what we truly believe in. That in itself is more crucial than merely pointing fingers at those who are atleast attempting to ‘make a difference’. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">I personally do not view this movement as a fight to destabilize the existing government or to find faults in the ‘foreign’ ruler. But it is to stand up to our own social and moral responsibilities. This fight is not only about the kind of corruption that goes on at the top level, but more importantly, how we would tackle those kinds of instances that run our day-to-day functioning – traffic violation, drivers’ license, school admissions, taxes, etc. If we do not fight these daily situations in the spirit of ‘Change’, the Bill will result into an even more dangerous entity. After all, it is we the people that contribute to such situations in the first place and not just the politicians and the bureaucrats.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">It is not easy to take that first step – but we can use this movement to our advantage. This is by far the best opportunity we have to make the most of the time and its relevance (read = elections) and thereby pave way to ‘create’ a situation for the right kind of people/party worthy of support. Anna Hazare gives us hope – and all we have to do is take those baby steps – be inspired and make a difference.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';font-size:medium;">
<br /></span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-32638796400887366832011-07-31T15:06:00.004-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.120-04:00The Magic Lives Forever<div style="text-align: justify; font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:11pt;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today is Harry's birthday - and quite apt to launch <a href="http://www.pottermore.com/">Pottermore</a> to the fans far and wide. While it all ended in 2007, I am still mulling over the Deathly Hallows part 2 movie. It does a fantastic job of taking us through the finale of a journey into the world we have come to learn and love. To ardent Potter fans, it is indeed an empty feeling that the movie ends with - </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:trebuchet ms;">"What next?"</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> would be the most obvious question. Again, being an ardent Potter fan, the end could not have been any better. A review of the movie of the book series for that matter, is meaningless. Albeit delayed, this post is thus a tribute to Potter-World and relives some of the fascinating moments (IMP) that have made it an everlasting phenomena. When my dad reads this, he would think I have all the time in the world to pen such stuff, yet the hope is that he would atleast read this post if 'nothing-Potter'. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I reminisce some of the moments of this series, I wonder where to begin. While several scenes flash in my mind, the one dear to me (especially after watching the movie) is that of Snape's dying words, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:trebuchet ms;">"You've your mother's eyes"</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Being the under-dog of the entire series, he never really gets the recognition that he truly deserves, especially when alive. His purpose of being thus serves as a classic example to strive for greater good.</span><br /><br />I also loved Harry and Dumbledore's brief interaction 'in between Heaven and Earth' (is how I had portrayed it): <span style="font-style: italic;">"Professor, tell me one thing", said Harry. "Is this real? Or is it happening inside my head?" Dumbledore, with his voice strong and clear, "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry. But why on Earth should it mean that it is not real?"</span> Dumbledore, to me, epitomizes the sanctity of being - a perfect Godfather for life.<br /><br />Harry never really excelled in any specific activity and epitomizes the normalcy of a hero in him. Yet, he shows the true spirit of heroism - when every challenge brings in him the goodness factor - saving his fellow competitor or tipping them off prior to specific challenges - an advantage he could have clearly kept to himself. Why would he save his enemy from day one? Malfoy, left to die in the Deathly Hallows, "could not be left behind" during the fire in the Room of Requirement. This itself reaffirms our faith in righteousness and is only restored all the way through.<br /><br />The bond between Harry and Sirius simply cannot be described and wish it could have been better justified in the movie. Even Sirius' death was abruptly shown in the movie while it would have been worth it to give some due to the times they spend together, considering the relationship they share.<br /><br />The word 'detention' itself gives you shivers and worse of all, when it comes from none other than the most artfully crafted character Professor Dolores Umbridge. While she comes in much later in the story, the character who plays this role has performed the task flawlessly - and does a fantabulous job of letting the viewers naturally hate her to the core. Hence, <span style="font-style: italic;">"we must not tell lies" </span>does go down well for all the Potter fans.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Dobby has come to save Harry Potter. Harry Potter must not go to Hogwarts"</span>. This character comes to life in a form that defines the very essence of the story - friendship, courage, love and above all, respect. This right to be free has existed in us living beings since time immemorial, and is reflected well through our little elf.<br /><br />To go through more minute details of this epic is futile - covering Hermoine, Luna, mirror of Erised, Elder Wand, and so on. Overall, Potter symbolizes a cultural imagination that has provided an entire generation not just entertainment but also a movement encompassing spells, charms, hoarcruxes and more. Hope K enjoys this fantasy world like the way his parents do.<br /><br />Finally kudos to J.K.Rowling for creating such an epic story - a story of life less ordinary, of courage, fear, friendship and above all, love. The magic does live forever!<br /><br /></span></span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-78010820911107070852011-07-30T13:00:00.004-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.441-04:00First Steps<span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Knew the moment would come<br />When you take your first steps;<br />I had prayed to be near,<br />To capture your sense of joy,<br />without an ounce of fear.<br /><br />Wobbly at first,<br />With two tiny steps you advanced;<br />And you knew no fear,<br />As I greeted you with cheer.<br /><br />In days to come, you'll walk a lot<br />And wander paths alone;<br />I pray again, as now,<br />To be near<br />in case there is any fear.<br /><br />For now, I savor your moment,<br />And equally rejoice<br />the last few times<br />when you'd still be crawling.<br /><br />- July 29, 2011</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwQ-ja1SQdGLYUxp7kDzxUQ4unkTTrOtpJC71WfoOipZ9NewqGFx7W9uGkf7yoAdz3MYYZk-Orji05p9_qh2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-7129428970968047372011-07-13T17:35:00.004-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.392-04:00Mumbai Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxtMNPMNauSiL_krERg4vbtVub0CXIPbc6q3WaU96u6_TSYs_XseVvRuXwlzu_1fqvxrN5kLscjQKAmNDicgbPORdLsMOVM466ijblWO5jBub6St8aPcs9U7sjozmwgT6ZQwoclD-TGUp/s1600/Mumbai_1297586cl-8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxtMNPMNauSiL_krERg4vbtVub0CXIPbc6q3WaU96u6_TSYs_XseVvRuXwlzu_1fqvxrN5kLscjQKAmNDicgbPORdLsMOVM466ijblWO5jBub6St8aPcs9U7sjozmwgT6ZQwoclD-TGUp/s400/Mumbai_1297586cl-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628956012782961858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >There goes the city again.<br /></span><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >There goes everyone's wishes and prayers (in vain?) to those who mourn the losses of dear ones that shall only increase by the day.<br />There goes people's status updates - hour by hour - expressing anger, frustration, pain.<br />This time, again, the common man in Mumbai was hit. And hit hard.<br />And yet, the city will wake up to courage and resilience just like it always has in the past.<br /><br />Yes, there is compassion and mourning - but what next? Hopefully, no negative provocation of any sorts on the streets from our supposed leaders. That would only lead to further carnage which in turn would destroy the very fabric of our nation. It is very easy to blame it on one particular faith and loosely use the term 'fundamentalists' or 'extremists' like it has always been done - yet no answers have been found to totally eliminate such forces of terror. Clearly, the war is beyond borders and has penetrated into our households - but who is the real enemy here? Isn't it an invisible entity that requires more than a warfare to conquer?<br /><br />I have no strong opinion on how such terror acts need to be dealt with but I have faith that good will triumph over evil one day. I do not want to take a soft spot on such acts but I feel it imperative to comprehend it. One may call me blind and apathetic. Truly so - I may be indifferent and distanced from it all and I hope I am alone if feeling such indifference. But the way I look at it is that I am fortunate enough that I had an upbringing that was devoid of any discrimination; lucky enough to be blessed by a core of dear ones whom I pray are far removed from such acts; privileged with the opportunities to explore the world and life and numerous ideas in any manner possible.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the very perpetrators of terror are removed from the above opportunities - and have already immersed themselves into a leap of darkness.<br /><br />I intend to nurture brightness and purity and nondiscrimination into </span><span style="font-family:"Lucida Grande";mso-bidi-Lucida Grande"; font-family:";color:#333333;" ><span style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >the minds of those that are dependent on me. And I hope I am not alone in expressing such emotion.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"></p>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-42015626793927405502011-05-16T16:50:00.004-04:002018-09-20T12:25:21.161-04:00Do The Work - Review<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">***May contain book spoiler***<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"On the field of the Self</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">stand a Knight and a Dragon.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You are the Knight.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Resistance is the Dragon.</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The only intercourse possible between</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">the Knight and the Dragon</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">is</span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Battle"</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love the above scenario and by simply imagining it in my mind over and over again makes me want to win such a 'battle'.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When I read <span style="font-style: italic;">Do The Work</span> (from where the above is quoted) by Steven Pressfield, it felt like the writer was hammering a nail in my head with his narration. The language of the book could not be any more blunt (and in some instances offensive too) but it is aimed at kicking you in the 'right spot'. Also, imagine reading the line <span style="font-style: italic;">"I was 30 years old before I had an actual thought". </span>While this may sound skeptical to some, having read this book, I consider this statement to be a powerful confession.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Do The Work</span> is a short book but leaves you in a trance for long. I can compare its impact to that when reading <a href="http://nehash.blogspot.com/2007/04/book-review_02.html">The Alchemist</a> and what I particularly like about this one is that it is a quick read with a tone more conversational than prescriptive and the fact that it leaves you energized to fight that Resistance. It is quite easy to fall into the trap of inertia when pursuing an idea or that the outlier in you is shunned due to various opinions from outside (and inner) sources thus falling into the rut of <span style="font-style: italic;">"letting the unconscious do its work"</span>. I am thus glad I got to read this book as it has made me look at what I would want to do 'differently'. Not only that, it has suddenly forced me to reflect whether I face Resistance around me or that more often than not, I truly could be the 'Resistance' to someone else around me.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We all have our own sources of inspirational reading and I find this topping my list for now. A strong message emanating from this book is <span style="font-style: italic;">"the last thing we want is to remain as we are"</span>. I thus strongly recommend this book to you whether you are working to improve yourself or in pursuit of a new venture or wanting to accomplish your goals.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Further, this is part of Seth Godin's <a href="http://www.thedominoproject.com/">Domino Project</a> and if that is not attractive enough, it is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1936719010/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=rbersblog-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=1936719010">free on Kindle</a> until May 20, 2011.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So grab the (e)copy now, read it and if you like it, Do The Work and spread the word.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8233376206483759240.post-30606341336913392012011-05-08T02:39:00.006-04:002022-01-21T16:07:53.099-05:00The 'Mum' Word<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dear K,</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Today is Mother's Day - typically celebrated on 2nd Sunday of May every year here in the US. While its origin is unclear, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day_%28U.S.%29">Wikipedia</a> claims that this day was set aside to honor mothers - for their love and care and hence as an act of expression and appreciation for all they have done and continue to do. I agree, it is a day of commercial value, for now I care little for any such honor. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />I never considered myself to be 'motherly' till you came along and clearly, that has meant a lot of changes</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Hence I am delighted that I have you as a reason to celebrate whatever little this day means to me as a mother.<br /><br />More so, I have you as a reason to celebrate what this day really means to me as a daughter.</span></span> <span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Through you, I have begun to truly understand the love and care I received from my mom when I was young. I hope I can continue to extend the same to you.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just like her, I hope I can show you what it means to be a good person.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Just as she has taught me, hope that I can teach you how to love unconditionally, how to enjoy the small things in life, and how to be carefree.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I hope to be the mom that she has been to me and more.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Now that I have you, I understand her more.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I may not always get it right - but expect no less.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">So thank you Dear K - for being patient and tolerant as I learn how to be the mother you need and for showing me the mother I can be.</span></span><br /><br />Forever,<br />Your-Mom-in-Training<br />&<br />A-Daughter-for-Life<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div>DESTINY'S CHILDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11954544855967415832noreply@blogger.com