For all the BSB fans out there....

The Backstreet Boys have released their new album "Unbreakable" on October 30, 2007.The group has only four members now as Kevin Richardson has left the group to pursue other interests outside the group.

I got the cd as my Christmas gift from 'V' (Thankyou!!!). There are people who think that BSB is just another boy band. My answer is that these guys can sing and they make good music. I own all their albums and it has been worth my money.

I didn't have any intention to blog about the latest album but last night when I told my cousin that I have the latest album, she was like "What!!!! I didn't even know that they released a new single?". I was like "Ok!!!".

The first single from the album is "Inconsolable" and the second single "Helpless When she Smiles" has also released. And the next single to come your way is "Everything but mine". The album has pure pop music and the guys sing amazing as ever. My favorite singers from the group is AJ and Brian Littrell.

Some comments from experts on the album:

Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B-, which is the highest grade from EW for a Backstreet Boys album since Millennium.

SputnikMusic.com said, "Pound for pound and song for song, Unbreakable may just be the best pop album of the year so far" and proceeded on to give the album a 4 (Excellent).

A Reviewer from Associated Content, David Nemecek, said "The Backstreet Boys are back with an undeniably strong album" and gave it an 8 out of 10. About.com also gave the album four out of five stars, along with comments such as, "If you are looking for a album of pure pop pleasure, you can not do much better with current releases than Unbreakable."

The album has good music and its worth having it in your music collection. My personal favorites 'Inconsolable', 'Unsuspecting sunday', 'Unmistakeable', and 'Helpless When She Smiles' (love the piano and guitar piece in that )

Click here to see 'Inconsolable' video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhQZBeaxd9M

Click here to see the video of "Helpless when she smiles"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyQroQzbgsI

Enjoy!!!!!! Happy Listening!!!!!!!

Taare Zameen Par (The Stars are on the Earth)

Taare Zameen Par (The Stars on the Earth) Aamir Khan's directorial debut movie which portarys the problems of a dyslexic child has lived up to the expectations of the people.

A very simple story with a very deep message. It is very entertaining. Each scene makes you smile, laugh, cry and wonder how often we fail to see the small yet beautiful things around us. I am been a big fan of Aamir as an actor and no doubt that now, he is an excellant director.

All credit to the success of the movie also goes to Darsheel Safary as Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi who plays the character of the dyslexic child. He is superb right from scene one and he has portrayed every emotion without any effort. Another speciality of the movie is the brilliant use of animation to depict the child's imagination.

The songs are excellant and situation specific, my favorite one is Maa sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The song is played when the boy is sent away to the boarding school which is one of the most emotional scene according to me.

It was interesting to realise how many famous people were dyslexic. Some people metioned in the were Thomas Edison, Picasso, Leonardo Da Vince and Abhishek Bachan

Here are few links to see other famous people who were dyslexic http://www.dyslexiaonline.com/famous/famous.htm
http://www.dyslexia-test.com/famous.html
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/12/18/10619/index.html

Other important characters in the movie:

Vipin Sharma as Nandkishore Awasthi. Nandkishore Awasthi is Ishaan’s father. He gets very angry when Ishaan’s teachers from school complain. Nandkishore is of the view that only Boarding school can teach discipline to Ishaan.

Tisca Chopra as Maya Awasthi Maya is Ishaan’s mother. She makes good food and looks after Ishaan when he gets hurt. She is very sad that Ishaan has to go to boarding school but she thinks it will be for the best.

Sachet Engineer as Yohaan Awasthi Yohaan is Ishaan’s Dada. Dada is a very good student and also plays tennis and cricket. He also looks after Ishaan and loves him.

Anyways hats off to Aamir and the team for Taaree Zameen Par. Brilliant story, songs and acting.


Some trivia:

• The title of the movie was reportedly given by superstar Salman Khan when he and Aamir met at party held at Salman's residence.
• Salman Khan is also credited as one of the many for an "inspirational factor to Taare...", in the beginning of the film.
• Aamir Khan Productions had first approached music maestro and long time favourite, A.R.Rehman , for the score of the movie, however it was eventually given to Shanka Ehsaan Loy due to reasons unknown.

My 'Art of Living' Experience..

It all started on a fine day when I mentioned to my Amma that I wanted to go for some yoga class to improve my concentration level. She mentioned to me that there is going to be a one week beginners yoga class few blocks from my apartment. My neighbor and I set out for the first session last Tuesday and I was excited. As I entered the hall I saw people of different ages, the oldest being 65 and we were asked to fill out some forms. After all the formalities we were asked to settle down and the person who is our guruji (teacher) dressed in white jhubba asked us to form a group of four. And I was like 'Ok why do we need to form a group for yoga'. Then we were asked to again settle down and he officially began the session and it was then I realized that I have actually come to attend the Beginners Course Part I of the Art of Living ( I was like 'Duh!!! What do I do?' ).

Then, I realized I had no choice but to continue the course for 3 reasons: I already paid the course fees, I told my friends about my joining the yoga and they already bet I would quit before I began (so no way I am quitting) and I really didn't know what the whole Art of Living thinggy was, so why not give it a shot .

First day went fine we had few warm up sessions and few exercises which was fun. By the end of the session we were asked to take only vegetarian food and drink lots of water before the next session. On the second day I was excited to do the exercises but it was different because he taught us Sudarshan Kriya (http://us.artofliving.org/art-of-living-course/sudarshan-kriya.html). It is a breathing based technique or the healing breath. Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to the present moment. I wanted to quit because the stress of being able to release the stress was too much for me to handle. And all this have to be done with our eyes closed which increases the frustration. And I already made up my mind to quit.

When the kriya got over the guruji asked how we felt and we all shared our experiences and he said that everyone must be present the next class to continue the second part of the kriya ( I was like 'Oh no!'). I attended the next session with lot less or no enthusiasm at all . But to my surprise I found it lot easier to do the kriya and it was relaxing. Anyways we learnt the kriya and lots more other things were in store in the days to come. And there was lots of games and group tasks which seemed very silly to me but I have learnt how so many simple things such as concentrating on one's breath or being aware of oneself can change persons' life.

I have no regrets being there because I have interacted with wonderful people and did things I wouldn't have done otherwise and have a lot more self awarness. But of course all this will come to of real use only if I practice what I have learnt. That's even more tough because today morning, my limbs are aching :(....But the guruji said such experiences are common and will be over in a few days time :).....

I recommend this course to everyone atleast for the sake of an experience because its worth it.

Visit : http://www.artofliving.org/

Om "Save me" Om!!!

Ya I saw the movie Om Shanti Om :(.....I have no words to describe how pathetic the movie was and the most shocking part, its publicized as the mega hit of the year. Duh!!!!!

Ok the movie started off fine and I was like Oh story about a guy wanting to make it big in life but as it continued I was like ok the guy wants to make it big in life and loves the poster girl then as it continued I was ok he likes the poster girl and she is beyond his reach ...Oh man, as it continued Ok she is not beyond his reach but she has someone else in mind (typical bollywood!!) and this somene else put her on fire and the guy try to get her out of fire (thank god he didn't try to extinguish it ) but was in vain and they both end up dead. Cling cling (Interval time)
Now what both are dead. Don't worry for the sake of entertaining us Farah Khan takes the pain to bring them back to life I really don't have the strength to write further because the genre of the movie then changes from spoof to horror to thriller to what they call "complete entertainment". But I would say, completely confused team of movie makers.

There was a particular song where we could see all the long forgotten bollywood stars and the people were clapping with joy and I think that the team mistook that clapping and declared the movie as hit. But there was no clap at the end of the movie and everyone looked confused just like Farah and team. Deepika Padukone's performance is hyped all over the media. Looks like luck and King Khan is on her side. But something about the movie was ok and most things about the movie was predictable and boring.

Until next post be safe and keep smiling....

Understanding Lightning

When I was a kid, I used to get nauseous when there was thunder and ligtning. Well now I don't get nauseous but I tend to sit in the middle of room and keep my eyes closed so as to avoid seeing the light that flashes in through the window. Another thing I do is to keep the tubelight switched on when I am trying to sleep while there is lightning. So I guess , I am Astraphobic ( Fear of lightning). But I love rain :)....

There are more serious issues regarding lightning and thunder apart from my phobia like this is the time of the year when the southern districts of Kerala become vulnerable to lightning stikes causing damage to life and property as a result The Hindu newspaper had carried an article on this and to alert the public to the hazards of lightning and educate them on the precautions to be taken, the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) [ www.cessind.org ] published a brochure titled 'Lightning:Phenomenon and Precautions'. http://www.cessind.org/images/LIGHTNING-BROCHURE.pdf

Few points I picked up to be observed :

• The brochure advices against using telephones and head sets during thunderstorm.


• Turn off, unplug and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools and TV sets. Unplugging power cord and antenna will be helpful as ligtning may strike exterior electric, TV cable and phoen lines carrying energy to inside equipment.


• Automobiles with coherent metal bodies are considered safe.


• The greatest danger is under trees, especially just under low branches extending far sideways. After hitting a tree, lightning energy enters the house through the ground [ I didn't know that until now :(...]

For more read the brochure.

Oprah Winfrey

"Though I'm grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn't changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I'm just wearing better shoes." Oprah Winfrey

I totally admire this lady. Her show has influenced me in positive ways and opened my eyes to issues that I never knew existed or issues that exists around me but never took notice of them. Just wanted to share my admiration for her through my blog :)

Forbes named her the world's most powerful celebrity in both 2005 and 2007

Vanity Fair wrote:
"Oprah Winfrey arguably has more influence on the culture than any university president, politician, or religious leader, except perhaps the Pope."

Bill O'Reilly said: " I mean this is a woman that came from nothing to rise up to be the most powerful woman, I think, in the world. I think Oprah Winfrey is the most powerful woman in the world, not just in America. That's — anybody who goes on her program immediately benefits through the roof. I mean, she has a loyal following; she has credibility; she has talent; and she's done it on her own to become fabulously wealthy and fabulously powerful."


Nowadays I frequently visit http://www.oprah.com/ . This page shows clips of her daily shows which is what I get to see now as Star world is not airing her show now :(.....

Click here to know more about Oprah http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oprah_Winfrey

Click on the links below to view quotes from Oprah

My favorite quote from her "In every aspect of our lives, we are always asking ourselves, How am I of value? What is my worth?. Yet I believe that worthiness is our birthright."

http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Oprah_Winfrey/

http://www.allgreatquotes.com/oprah_winfrey_quotes.shtml

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/o/oprah_winfrey.html

Videos

I am pasting the link of the cover version of the song Nobody Knows by Babyface. The original singer is Tony Rich. Its my all time favorite song. More about Tony Rich http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tony_Rich_Project

About Babyface http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babyface
He is an amazing guitarist and I am also attaching the link of his song When can I see you again from his 1993 album For The Cool In You

Click the link to see " Nobody Knows" by Babyface
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2MCptNzNlg

Click the link to see "When can I see you again" by Babyface
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m4UWZt_ldE&mode=related&search=

About the Malayalam Film Industry

After watching Alibhai, Lalettan's movie directed by Shaji Kailas . Well like any Shaji Kailas movie, its cliche it had all the fight, violence, father- son misunderstanding and all the larger than life nonsense.

I watch only comedy Malayalam movies at the cinema and deliberately avoid movies of Shaji Kailas and directors of his genre for the main reason being me not wanting to waste my money to see the obvious larger than life goondaism of the heroes.

Today, something struck me as I was watching this movie( a movie full of violence from start to end) that there were families with small kids of different age and size to watch the movie. And I couldn't stop myself from thinking what these kids thought of the movie because I couldn't handle some of the scenes myself and when the crowd cheered such rowdism, did they think it was cool too?!!!.

I really dunno, but I did realise that the movie posters did not mention Parental Guidance to watch the movie. And I also realised that the director and the stars of the movie did not mention it while promoting the movie. I think a little bit of social responsibility can be expected from the Malayalam industry by suggesting some parental guidance for all the movies.

Laletta, I am still your fan.... :)

Its alive again !!!!!!!!

I was 'disconnected' from the world yesterday. Made a few calls to get it fixed and today I am 'connected' again :)
What we would do without the Internet?

Chuk De India !!!!

Chuk de India is a classy movie for its naturality and the kind of thrill it brought to its viewers. I am sure more than half the people didn't understand hockey just like me but as I was watching the movie I felt like I have had played hockey all my life.

Before watchign the movie I was kinda wondering how I am going to sit through a hockey movie and that too a Bollywood movie on hockey. But Chuk de India sure got me biting my nails everytime the matches were played. I can't beleive a bollywood movie actually made me clap each time the Indian team made a goal!!!!!!!

Well Shah Rukh did complete justice to his role Kabir Khan as the Indian Hockey team coach. I am glad he chose to do this role. Also the 16 girls did an amazing job. My favorite gal character was the Punjabi gal and Komal (the short girl).

The movie sure got me inspired to read and understand more about the national sport of India...I am talking about HOCKEY :).....(this is for the people who think cricket is the national sport of India)..Seriously, I think the Indian Government should do more to promote Hockey and encourage schools to have more hockey matches to generate interest for hockey among children.
But my favorite sport has always been and will always be Tennis :).....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chak_De_India

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey

Who is guilty?

Today as I was watching the news on TV I had to see one of the most brutal scene, a chain snatcher being beaten up. Read here http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070024158&ch=8/28/2007%2012:21:00%20PM
What truly disturbed me was the fact that when a cop appeared on the scene, he too joined the people to continue the brutality. Isn't that breaking the law? How can the very person responsible to maintain law and order, take the law in his own hands. The man made a mistake and should be punished according to the law, but the cop and the people who took the law in their hands should be charged as well for attempted murder. And that is justice.....

Check out the video :)...

Check out this song "Ordinary Day" by Dolores O'Riordan from her album "Are you Listening?". For those who don't know she was the lead singer of the group The Cranberries. This is her first solo album.

I totally love her voice and she is a mother of three kids and I must say she looks absolutely gorgeous :)..
Enjoy the video and song!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxc3O4mQV74

So Confusing!!

Life is as confusing as a jigsaw puzzle. Its when you start to think that everything is going perfect, you realize things are not what it seems.
Oh well as William Shakespeare put it, "All the world's a stage,And all the men and women merely players,They have their exits and entrances,And one man in his time plays many parts,....."
Hmmm too bad that in this stage we get only one take :(......Ah well!!!! Probably that' s what makes this life interesting.....Looks like I have to make a choice and play my role and that's the only choice I have :).....

Keep your cell phones switched off...

I went for the funeral of my friend's father. This is the second funeral I have attended and I was deeply disappointed at the fact that some people who came to pay respect to the body did not even have the courtesy to swtich off their cell phones. I found it very disrespectful and annoying when the cell phone rang in such a situation!!! In places where cell phones have to be switched off, I'd say please do it!!

I must tell I am really proud of my friend who has been brave enough to handle the situation in a very dignified manner. Some day if you read this I want you to know that I respect you for the perosn you have become through all the difficulties.

At NISH...

NISH is an institute that trains children who are speech and hearing impaired. I got an opportunity to do a project for the institute. I went there on a particular day to get some data and on the same day there was some magic show being organised as part of the summer school activities. Lucky me, I got to see some of the ex-students who were trained at NISH and now studying in "normal" schools. Its interesting to see them interacting with each other. They were talking, laughing, gossiping and I was busy trying to figure out what they were talking to each other. It is at that moment I felt like an handicap because in their happy world I didn't follow a single thing, while they understood each other :).....

Please visit the NISH website: http://www.nishindia.org/

Life....

Its been a long time since I have blogged. Been busy with a lot of things. Life has taken a new turn. I am an MBA now :) ...The two years I spend at ASB is one one of the best times of my educational life. I never thought I would miss college and friends. But hey its not like we are not going to keep in touch. At least now the yahoo group is active with everyone jotting down their 'f'irst time' job experiences and 'away from home experiences'. 

I am also enjoying my role at my office. New office room, new responsibilities and of course along with the package comes the part where mom keeps asking "So shall I find a groom for you?".
Being a 25 year old girl in India is not that easy. Pressure to get married comes from all sides. Who said I didnt want to marry but I want it with someone who I can relate to and not because he is fair handsome or whatever looking for a fair beautiful bride whatever who is between blah blah age and has blah blah and more blah......Duh!!!

I think the society is very hypocritical because parents teach their children not to talk to strangers or have anything to do with them and then one fine day (BHAM !!! )" Sweetheart which stranger do you wish to marry from this matrimonial?" ( Its exaggerated but I think you know what I mean ). Well, all I know right now is that the time for my battle has begun :)...

A thought

This quote is really good...thoughI don't know who said it...

" I am always happy; It doesn't mean everything is perfect ...It means I have decided to see beyond the imperfections.."

Plight of the elephants in Kerala

We read a lot about mahouts being killed by the elephants and find everyone pointing fingers at the elephants. But what we do not realise is why the elephant has to be so violent in the first place?The elephants are poorly managed and painfully exploited. When cruelty towards them becomes unbearable, the elephants retaliate .I started to think of these issues when I saw a TV program called Kannadi on Asianet (malayalam satellite channel) . I was almost in tears when I saw the sad condition of an elephant (I can't recall his name though). His feet was bleeding and was lying down helplessly, unable to walk. Well that elephant died and thats why this issue got attention on the show.
There are many things to be taken care of when dealing with elephants. There are rules and guidelines to adhere to. If they are strictly observed it might be a win win situation for the mahouts as well as for the elephants.
Here are some information I gathered from various sources:

• Alarmed by the frequent instances of elephants running amok and goring mahouts to death, the Kerala government came out with a set of rules on management and upkeep of captive elephants which include penal provisions to check maltreatment of the animal.

• The rules specify norms to be followed when elephants are paraded during festivals, transported by foot or by vehicles, medical check-up and provision of water,fodder and accommodation and training of mahouts. It also lay down how to handle them at times of 'masth' during when pachyderms mostly turn violent.

• The rules would prohibit elephants being made to walk more than three hours or 30 km at a stretch.Those taking them for long treks would have to carry reflectors during night in the front and rear of the animal for road safety.

• The rules specify the type of harness to be put on the animal and chains with sharp edges or nylon ropes would not be permitted. Tuskers with festering ankle sores caused by iron chains is a common sight on Kerala roads.

• Animal rights activists allege that elephants are made to walk long distances on tarred roads and stand unendingly on concrete surfaces, in violation of Section 12 of a Government Order (No. 12/2003/F&WLD). Result: most of the elephants reportedly have pockets of infection under their feet or toenails. Feet are the gauge of an elephant's overall health.

• Animal rights groups also allege unethical treatment of elephants when they are in musth. When a male elephant is in musth, its level of testosterone rises dramatically by a factor of 20 or more. Musth lasts up to 60 days. The temporal gland between the eyes and ears swell and discharge a viscous secretion as the elephant waits for mating. There is continual dribbling of urine too. The elephant shows aggressive behaviour during this period.
  Elephants in musth are allegedly made weak through torture and poor feeding.

How much of the rules and regulations laid down are adhered to or how much really the State is doing to improve the situation of elephant is the big question??

Source: www.hindu.com, www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Read more: http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/17/stories/2007021715850400.htm

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/24/stories/2007022402610200.htm

Stumbled Upon!!

As I always say, you can never tell what you might find out when you are really bored :). This is what my roomie and the girl next door (chuckles) found out.
Take a look at what I stumbled upon :) http://www.stumbleupon.com/ .
And for the music lovers go to www.musicovery.com

About Debt Diet On Oprah Winfrey Show

Yesterday I watched The Oprah Winfrey Show. The topic of discussion was "Debt Diet". It was about the spending habits of middle class Americans. Most families have huge amount of debt because they make purchases on their credit card and end up not having enough cash to pay the interest on the credit card. Most individuals have upto 10 credit cards with interest rates upto 30 %. And, there was also other issues attached with this like argument between husband and wife regarding the finance because stay at mother's end up shopping a lot on their husband's credit card. Hmmmmm as I was watching the show I was trying to relate the situation to India beacuse our financial institutions and banks are encouraging people to take loan for housing, purchasing car etc etc..And I was thinking to myself that it won't be long before Indians would be talking about Debt Diet. There is nothing wrong in taking loans or making credit purchases provided we have the income to service the debt. The take away from the show was to prioritize our spending and not to take credit to buy things that we don't require because after paying huge interest every month one might end up having to take debt to meet neccessities.

Check out the video :)...

Few lines from the song NUMB by LINKIN PARK....One of my favorite bands and today I feel as if I can relate to this song; One of those weird days you go through....[ Check out the video. Clik the link below]

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take

I've become so numb I can't feel you there
Become so tired so much more aware
I'm becoming this all I want to do
Is be more like me and be less like you....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZlHOlTXhLs

Dunno what to call this one...

Life has started to get hectic with the new term and lots of case presenations coming up!! My roomie and my sister has not been in the hostel for few days ( that explains the quietness and also the reason for my boredom). And I also have to tell you all that I have been a frequent visitor of www.bored.com :) ..Its amazing how exciting and creative people get when they are bored ( Thanx to my roomie that she found this;)).

Hmmmm..I mean people do get creative when they have nothing to do, think about Arthur Conan Doyle the Scottish author and creator of Sherlock Holmes,he studied medicine and his medical practice was not successful and he began to write stories while he was waiting for patients. Or I know so many of my friends who turn to draw stuff when they are bored and its amazing the kinda pictures they draw!!!

Oh! I do want to take this opportunity to write that I was one of the unlucky souls who happened to watch Salaam-e-ishq. Thanks to the power of human mind to forget things and move on from such terrible mistakes. However,I am eagarly waiting to see Spiderman 3 . I am very impressed by the promos and that black spidey suit looks sexy ;).........

Just another day ...

Today I went to visit the MILMA plant at Ambalathara, Trivandrum. The visit was a part of my Supply Chain project. Even though I was exicited to see how I get the milk early morning, I wasn't too happy with the cleanliness of the plant!!!

Other highlights of the day

• Found V's shoe sole in our shelf!! ( I am surprised he kept it in there )
• Went home with V for lunch after the plant visit.
• Had shawarma for dinner :)

Quotes about faith

That's the thing about faith. If you don't have it you can't understand it. And if you do, no explanation is necessary. -- Major Kira Nerys

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.--St. Augustine

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.--Bible

Are We Better Off ?

• Sati is banned but still women are burnt for dowry.
  
• Education has improved but we still have communal issues.
  
• We have a very educated Prime minister and a President but we still have 26% percent Indians living below poverty line.
  
• Children are educated but yet they are not allowed to speak their mind.
  
• If you have an opinion you don’t fit in.
  
• Marry who your parents choose only because they think they know better.
  
• Plus many more I just can’t think of right now
  
  I don’t know what progress or development is? If it is what I see around then I only ask myself “Are we better off?”