Long Gone...but Back!

A complete and utter shame that I haven't blogged in a long long time. I had actually resolved to 'write' quite a bit in 2010 but the year is half-way through to all that has transpired till now. To think of it, I have indeed missed out on a lot - Indian escapades, snowmageddon in DC, the IPL controversy, Icelandic ashes, job uncertainties, home-coming of Jessica Watson, general reflections on fairness, making change, life, death, family and to top it all, the on-going perspectives (newly acquired) on venturing the parental journey in a few months' time!

My saving grace so far has been the fact that not many visit this blog and with such lags, would be duly justified; yet, I am aware that all that is ever on the web is there to stay on a permanent basis so I rather keep myself on the right foot. My main aim of starting this blog was to express thoughts that would help me sharpen my thinking, provide positive reinforcement and that, more than the readers, it would enable me to get insights into all that I write about. So to all those who have occasionally glanced through this page, I do apologize for such a lag and hope to not let it occur in the future.

When I started this blog, I began by proclaiming myself to be a destiny's child. While I still strongly believe in being one, I often wonder whether I am purely a result of my own destiny or do we drive ourselves through free-will to get at where we are? This has been an age-old dialogue with never a black-and-white response yet I have heard it many a times that 'if we do not decide what we want to do (or do not want to do), someone else will probably end up deciding for us'. This and much more to blog about with the hope that what I write would eventually emerge into a platform for insight, perception and dialogue.

Maximum City

Sealink in the making

Haji Ali - at Sunset

Whats up 2010?

Yet another one of those times that have made me a slacker at blogging. Several of my recent posts have mentioned how there haven't been many posts and that it will be different from now on, etc. etc. Yes, I do love to write and yes there are some interesting (and not-so interesting) moments that I could keep blogging about but Shakespeare never did that either so I guess I can be excused on my own blog (j).

What indeed made me add a post today of all days was when I read the eternal question in one of those forward emails (grrr) - What is your resolution for the coming year? 'Writing' was what popped out of my head and then the brain started churning out all that I 'should do' in 2010. Now, should I put that on google docs, pages or better still, make a spreadsheet of 'dos and donts'? The newspapers talk of most common resolutions - go to the gym (not going to happen), quit smoking (old habits die hard), be more spiritual (ahem!)....so what would it be then, I wonder.

While the world rings in the new year, with Sydney already in 2010, I am reminded of what C&H a lot right now and their thought-process totally echoes what I would like to do at this point.

So here's the C&H way of wishing all of you a 2010 that is filled with contentment, safety, laughter, courage and acceptance -

Co Co Sala Experience

Wish I had my camera to capture the chocolate-dining experience, yet took some random images from my iphone:

Co Cojito: Van Gogh Chocolate Infused Vodka/Fresh Mint & Lime/Dark Chocolate Flakes
Totally rejuvenating!

Chocolate Tasting Menu: different types of couverture in three states - solid, semi-solid and liquid
Haven for Chocolate Lovers

A Perfect Co-Co Dining Experience

Flavor of Food

Chocolate Mousse with dark chocolate pastry served with berries and cream

Most delicious Tiramisu

Butter served on stone

First Snow of the Season

Catching the first droplet

Slowly settling in

From outside our Apartment

My Friend Ganesha

And finally, taken at 6.30 p.m. ET - Thomas Kinkade would surely be happy!

'Ritual to Spiritual' - A Close Encounter

With the belief in ‘Each-to-His-Own’ principle, we are in India, as my Dad likely states it, on a ‘Ritual to a Spiritual’ visit. No, by this visit, I do not mean yoga or any form of penance and meditation; rather to witness and be an integral part of a Jain ceremony termed as the Panch-Kalyanak Mahotsav – Five-Event Celebration.

I usually avoid writing/expressing about religion and/or its various facets mainly because of the very sensitivity with which it has been looked upon, the world over. Not that I am an atheist but while I do have certain agnostic perceptions, there is some level of faith that goes beyond the religious aspects. Nevertheless, as I am about to observe closely this celebration, I would like to share some of my experiences therein, without sounding too religious. I aim to express the overall process of this ‘ritual’ and the knowledge gained with a view to document its various steps and capture the overall emotions attached.

I would like to thank my Dad who has contributed most of the conceptual notes on the event without which I may not be able to fully comprehend its essence. Several of his notes are quoted in Italics. If, at any point, you think that the posts do not reveal the true essence of this celebration and/or that it tends to contradict (and upset) your own beliefs, do remember that this is not my intention and in advance, do accept my apologies.

Moving on to the celebration and before I do so, it is important to understand, in brief, a bit about the religion per se. While Wikipedia does a good job of giving a detailed description, simply put, Jainism is a neo-religious way of life wherein its believer usually focuses more on uplifting his/her soul to a level that is devoid of materialistic/worldly activities and moves to one of reflection, introspection, meditation and penance. In today’s day and age, this has proven to be difficult to practice in its entirety, yet there are several individuals who have treaded on this journey. “According to the religion’s spiritual texts, since its evolution, there have been 24 such souls that have followed this path of self-renunciation, gained universal knowledge, thereby attained, what is termed as, liberation of the soul (Moksha) and these individuals/their souls are called Tirthankars.” Devout followers of the Tirthankars are known as Jains and thus the religious connotation.

“Each Tirthankar is highly revered by the Jains (Their devotees) who believe that in so doing, are driven to the path of real peace and happiness.” From this same spirit of devotion also evolves a deep sense of desire to build a space symbolizing an individually driven force for ritual (and spiritual) gratification as well as a community feeling for worship and reverence. This space, typically referred to as a Temple (Mandir), is created with the support, financial and otherwise, from devotees wishing to install an idol – Deities who consecrate one or more of the Tirthankars. The Panch-Kalyanak Mahotsav is thus a five-day event celebrating the installation of the idol – with each event (day), closely observed as each of the life-stages that the Tirthankahrs go through i.e.

1. Conception (Garbhha Kalyanak)
2. Birth (Janma Kalyanak)
3. Renunciation/ Austerity (Dishka Kalyanak)
4. Universal Knowledge/ Omniscience (Kevalgyaan Kalyanak)
5. Liberation (Moksha Kalyanak)

The posts that follow would thus look at each of these events (days) closely. If you have any questions, I may surely not be able to answer most of them, yet a discussion from a more spiritual perspective might be fruitful.

Going Green

Since the past year or so, enough has been discussed, deliberated and dialogued on 'Green' - the buzz word world over. Last year was Poland and this year we will see it in Copenhagen where world leaders discuss the fate of climate change. We already know that damage has been done so what next? Yesterday when I took part in a virtual Climate Change Conference (titled 'Humanity's Leap in the Golden Era'), it dawned me more than ever before, that there is indeed nothing I have done in my part to even be more conscious of the environment, to contribute in a way less damaging or simply doing things that would typically be considered ‘responsible’ – in short, altering my very own lifestyle that currently generates more waste like nobody’s business!

One of the speakers at the conference focused on how our very own 'attitudes' need to change and this got me thinking of ways in which our household can be well-suited to work around being environment-friendly. So thanks to the world wide web, I came across several resources that can be extremely useful for amateurs like me. I resolve to adhere to some of these tips and sharing the same with the hope that it would lead you to also take action in your own little way.

*** As part of our ‘Green Team’ efforts at work, there was a video screening of The Story of Stuff over a year ago. This is indeed a good starting point in case you haven’t see it yet -

*** They say that any change begins from within, from ourselves, our own homes. Check out your own ecological footprint here.

*** Boy oh Boy! That is a lot of energy right there! Want to get a second opinion? Check how green you are.

*** Having fun with these calculations? Here is another to see the impact your house has on the environment.

*** So you want to know what this whole green business is all about? Want to know what global warming means and what are those carbon credits they are referring to? No, for once these 'credits' do not apply to your so-called 'credit history'. Check this information here and here.

*** TERI has created a fascinating child-friendly site to introduce environmental education to children here.

*** Want some more resources for children? Kidsgreen is a fun, hands-on resource that kids may love to indulge in.

*** Want to be more green-savvy on a daily basis? Check out Green Biz and Green Daily.

*** Earth 911 is a great resource guide on how to 'Reduce-Reuse-Recycle'.

*** For the 'Greenopreneur' in you, see what Inhabitat has in store. Don't you just love that Lego Table?

*** Want to devote 'green' to your mind and body? See what MINDBODYGREEN has to offer.

*** And no list can be complete without its WIKI page.

Have any links that you have bookmarked? Any handy tips you abide by? Look forward to your inputs, suggestions and any advice to help become a little more environment-friendly.

Halloween

Jessica Watson

Since the past couple of weeks, I have been following Jessica Watson’s blog and a journey to fulfill her desire to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop AND unassisted around the world! She set sail, after few trial and errors, on October 18, 2009 and this journey would take around ten months. This is the route she would follow.

“Tomorrow I’m going to get up and sail around the world” is how she shares her excitement to the audience the day before she sets sail. She is savvy in her writing and makes the reader an integral part of her journey – a surreal feeling that we too are in the yacht with her.

To be honest, I have mixed emotions out here – while one part of me thinks this is out-right crazy, the other, more strong, dearly wishes that she makes through Godspeed! I mean, how often do we follow our dreams, passion and desires amidst all the fears, apprehensions, obligations, adverse circumstances and more often than not, the inertia within? And, how often do we actually motivate someone to take those steps, with all the risks and dangers aside – to leave the ‘protective’ instinct instead, support in such endeavors to soar high? This is not the first time someone has attempted such feat yet it seems like there is way too much ado about it. Overall, I am quite looking forward to her journey, curious to read her daily anecdotes and learn all about her life experiences of the vast ocean ahead of her.

One of her recent blog posts reads – “This morning I had a school of dolphins pass by and the odd bird also drops in to check us out. I think keeping the cabin tidy is going to become one of those never ending battles. Is it just me or does housework always take this long?”

It surely takes a drive, physical and emotional, to keep going. Good luck to you Jessica and indeed, soar high!