Day 6 of Lent!

A day of fasting (or self control)!

Hi,

Nah! Just Water!

Today went great! I was able to fast from the time I woke up in the morning until sunset at 7.38 pm today! I did feel hungry a couple of times during the day and had cravings of food in the evening. But I kept myself busy doing things I needed  to do and also drinking ample amount of water through out the day, which helped a great deal. 

Sunshine soaked!

The beginning of many beginnings!

 I realized today that when I kept myself occupied, it became easy to not focus on my worries or needs (that could not be met immediately). Moreover, when I finished the tasks I had to, it made me feel better! I need to remind myself of this little lesson I learnt today, i.e. 'not to waste time on matters that can not be changed but focus on what needs to be done at the moment.'

The whole idea of fasting all day today seemed to be a pretty neat challenge for myself. I am not a very religious person (or well I do not know), but this "fasting task" is more of a self control thing for me rather than a religious or cultural custom. I did end my fast with a prayer though. I wonder if that actually makes me a religious person?? Well, I really do not mind I am religious or not...as long as whatever custom I follow makes me a better human being ...physically, mentally and spiritually.

Oh, in-between, I did start reading Holy Bible today. Just a couple of pages. Reading Gita and Bible, I have more questions than answers though. Like; Are they called texts or verses? How are the page no.'s listed? Am I pronouncing the words right? Who is him or her? In which time period did this happen? And so on. I need to do more research  and get the basics right, I guess. Well, at-least I  now know what all I do not know and where I would need to start to begin my(?) spiritual (?) journey (?).

By the way, when I ate my dinner tonight, I loved it! I do not know if the food was really tasty or my body deprived of food for 20 or more hours learnt to better appreciate whatever I ate?? Whatever the case be, I am happy to be aware of the self control I possess when determined to achieve something. :~)

Have a great Tue-S-Day!

Loads of Love,

Archana

Kali teaches me a lesson!!

Kali told me that she might be losing her two bugs bunny teeth (of which we all tease her and she is okay with) pretty soon. She also showed me, how she might look like without any teeth and how she would have to eat when toothless, like a very very old woman. 

It came as a surprise to me, to see her excited about her teeth falling off and how happy she is in preparing herself for what's to come. 

"Kali taught me a lesson today!! To be happy in all situations of life and not to worry about anything.  And also that, we might not be in control of what is going to happen but we are always in control of how we react."

Teeth or no teeth, she is still the most beautiful person I've known!! I love her and her attitude a ton!!! 

Sent from my iPhone

Happy me !

The freedom to pursue the desires of heart and goals of mind, gives a power from with in. The power to create a positive state of mind, that let's one be happy and a bit less scared of the unknown future.

We are all given the freedom to follow our hearts.  But some of us do not even attempt to use it and instead assume our happiness lies at the mercy of others. It doesn't. 

When we follow our hearts, we end up being genuinely happy, irrespective of the failures/disappointments we face. 

PS: 
1. 'My duty is to my heart.' -Quote from the Move Mulan.

2. Wish the 25 year old me had told this to the 22 year old me. 

Whats up?!

Heyllo World! What’s up!

Here's a brief update on what's happening in the life of your awesome blogger (yay that's me)!

Still Jobless yet not Hopeless: Yup. I’m still applying for jobs. I’m still generously sending my resume to jobs that are being posted here and there. Apart from humbly taking the suggestions or guidance from anybody and everybody who is kindly willing to offer. But nothing I do seems to be sufficient, as I am no way close to where I should have been by now. I am trying hard to keep my spirits up. I shall be positive and keep trying and trying and trying till I succeed. 

New home and new Beginnings: Sissy and I did shift to our new house that we (well she) rented. I super like this house and plan to make 'home-sweet-home' memories in this house. But since home is where momma is, I hope, wish and pray mom, kali and dad will be here soon. Nevertheless, Sru and I are quite happy and excited to be in a house which also has a room (read garage) for Radha (read car). The most exciting thing about this house is that Sru or I need to be shoveling the snow in winter or mowing the grass later. Since we never had to do such chores before, we are finding these tasks to be fun so far.

Volunteering at a hospital: And hey, you know which hospital that would be right?! Well, I figured it that since I am basically jobless, I must be doing some good karma too, to pay off the debt of past. Though some debts can never be completely paid off...I hope to give back a tiny teeny bit of good karma to a place that basically gave me a second chance at life. I volunteered a couple of hours so far and I absolutely love it. I get to work with super sweet people, meet a wide variety & number of people every day and the nicest part of all this is to learn something new from each one of them every single day. 

Just Homesick or ?? : Other than being homesick and missing mom, dad & kali too very much, I have 'saudade' of the life I once used to know. I mean, exactly 2 years ago, what all I planned for the rest of my life to be like is no way similar to what I am living right now. Which is kind of scary...I mean...having planned every little detail meticulously since as long as I have known and then realizing nothing worked out the way it should have had...Kind of makes me question my own reliability, right??? But the fact is my life is not just controlled by me. There are a million other external variables to be considered too. Maybe growing old and wise teaches one to manipulate these external variables for one's benefit and not loss. Since I am obviously not as stupid or young as I was 2 years ago... I hope things will turn out better soon!!

P.S. One more blog (a formal one this time) in the making! :~) Good Luck to me!

Lessons Learnt in US of A

   

You can click on the link to watch the video I made, if you don't wanna read :)

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ6mDGSWrTY&feature=g-upl

0-6 months


1.Flying to USA for the first time makes you feel incredibly happy and powerful until you are about to land in USA, where they give you a from where in you are referred to as an ALIEN.  It just doesn't seem welcoming anymore.

2. When someone smiles at you, you got to smile back. 

3. You got to learn to shut your mouth no matter how hard it is after flying for 24+ hours. No matter what you assume, you are not immune to JET LAG.

4. It is fun to sit back and watch two people have a cold war for your sake.

5. Someday soon, you will realize that the university you thought to be a home away from home is not interested in you but the fee you pay.

Neverthless, you will still be making a bonding with it & easily fall in <3 with. 

6. You wake up and go to bed every day cursing the one who told you that life in USA is easy, for the next couple of months.

7. Cooking, washing,cleaning,understanding the concept of plagiarism, missing home, making decisions.........you got to deal with everything you never imagined.

8. You need to make plans A,B,C and always be flexible and never get upset when things do not go the way you've planned.

9. After a month, fair skin doesn't amuse you anymore. Each time you look at someone with a darker shade of the skin, they make you feel at home.

10.Skype, yahoo, gmail, FB, twitter.....are a miracle.

11. Your bf/gf who supports you emotionally and morally from thousands of miles away makes you reinforce your belief that your true love is true.

6months-1year

12.The culture shock phase is long gone. 

13. You tend to be nice with anyone who looks like an asian.

14. You have a desire to get mugged too, because someone you know did.

15. You tell others in India that life in USA is easy.

16. Washing,cleaning,cooking,paraphrasing,or making life changing decisions....whatever it is..you know you can handle all alone.

17.  You realize neither you nor your friends back home have the time anymore for Skype, yahoo, gmail, FB, twitter anymore.

18. Long distance relationships isn't easy.

19. When the relationship turns out to be on and off, you end up wondering if its he/she you loved or the feeling of being in love.

20. Smiling at strangers comes spontaneously.

21. You have spent a significant number of hours of your life shopping in walmart.

1year-2year

22. Your so called true love ends.

23. Yahoo, gmail, twitter, fb, skype.....all they end up being is spam/junk mail collectors.

24.When you are dealing with a heartbreak, stop blaming yourself for every thing. It takes two to make or break a relationship, no matter what.

25. You do not have to be nice with everyone you meet.

26. It's not your job to find solutions to everybodys problems.

27. Understand, you are not a good cook and stop cooking to feed everyone who visits you.

28. Walmart shopping is fun no more. Neither malls.

29. You no longer notice the color of skin/eyes/hair and height/weight of people anymore, they just seem to be like someone you know or yourself but never a intimidating stranger.

30.  There are two types of ACCIDENTS that can happen....0ne on the roads with vehicles inolved;two to your own very soul.....both are devastating and killl a part of you and change you forever but eventually you will learn to NOT GIVE UP and pursure your goals. 

31. You start worrying about getting a good job soon. You would realize by now that USA is a home away from home, welcoming or not. 

32. No matter what your finacial poistion is or the reason for being 'SICK' is, you are given Prpoer, Timely and sufficient care.

33. The one you feared the most can end up being the one who helps you to get over your biggest fears.

34. There are very very kind people in this world who can go out of the way to help you be the one  you ought to be.

35. Supportive words from people you least expected gives you a boost to do things you thoght you could never.

36. Death of a friend can teach you the most important lesson of your life i.e. 'to live life your way.'

37. Dreams come true as long as you're determined enough to put in the required efforts. 

38. The best part of your life beging the moment you forgive yourself for the mistakes done and move on.

*****