Will Murray beat Djokovic? Highly unlikely! But you never know…any twist and turn can happen in sports. Looking forward for another Djokovic and Nadal challenging finals. And hope that history does not repeat this time Staying up late or waking up early to follow sports can’t get any better than this

The day of function was welcomed by heavy snow. Poor me and my cousin – We had slippers on, due to the fact that we were wearing Saree. On the way to Pomona temple in NY, saw 5-6 cars stuck in snow, skidded on the highway in different directions. Somehow, we managed and reached the temple. During our travel to NJ, I was the chatterbox [for a change] talking a wide variety of topics including the daily activities, happenings, family politics, movies, food, friends etc. N1 and I played Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja in iPhone and he introduced me to few more games/apps that I’ve not heard of. Kids know more about iPhone and iPad than us. N2, who kept looking at me the day before and crying had stopped giving that alien look on me. Function went fine, took ashirvadham from P & P, had good food and took care of N2 when the function was going. There were 2 other kids who had come for the function and they kept coming to me and talked about their drawing competitions, iPhone games, school – Either I am a total vetti and kids come to me or I have the great knack of dealing well with kids

From temple, went home. There was a car waiting to pick me up at the door – My college friends had come already. Met my college roomie D after 9 years and my other friend R had come from Phily to meet us. D who has never drove in snow before, came to pick me while it was snowing. Lovely friends D had cooked many varieties – Idli, Chutney, Pulav, Chapathi, Gobi manchurian and I heard from R that she wanted to cook something else in addition to this. Sema saapadu After a sumptuous dinner, me, D and R chatted past midnight – I recollected the past memory of D keeping the pillows over me to clean her bed, while I was asleep and did not know that until final year of college. Idiye thalaiyile vizhundhalum engalukku theriyadhilla – Sound sleep All college memories, those silly love stories in college, how lives had changed – we talked about all these. Me and R introduced “Why this kolaveri di” song to D and teased her for not knowing this viral International song of the year 2011 and insisted her to be active on Social networks – Yaam petra inbam peruga ivvaiyagam!

Had breakfast the next day @ D’s place and left to Phily to meet my best friend M. I had told him that I’ll meet his daughter once she emerges into this world. Liked his message when she was born – He messaged “M(his daughter) says ‘Hello World’ ” [M, I'm going to copy this when I get a chance ]. Got to meet her after 10 days she came into this world. R’s friend picked us up and dropped me at Newark train station. I have not travelled much in trains since I live in COS, where public transport is not that common. Had to take 2 trains but it was not that difficult except for one thing that I had to confirm with someone that I’m on the right train. With iPhone’s battery issue where the charge gets dropped drastically, had to spend my time in train by listening to iPod songs. M picked me at Phily station and as always, we spoke lots of personal stuff and our opinions on certain aspects of life. Had a very tasty biryani and gobi 65 – Super lunch! Then, I held M in my hands for a while – She was sleeping most of the times but opened her eyes few times and saw – very tiny toes, fingers. Me, M and S (M’s wife) talked for a while and M started showing some trip photos and the photo shoot that M and S had the day before with their daughter. M loves photography which was evident from his photos. Loved every photo that he showed and the topic of talk came to how creative the wedding pictures are taken these days. With a huge smile I said, I’m not going to spend much on my wedding photos since I’ve already fixed the photographer and that’s you M! He acknowledged that he can do that I admire people who have artistic talents and S’s pencil sketch of M which was hanging on a frame enticed me a lot. Not everyone has such artistic talents, only few people are gifted with that. After a hot tea, left M’s place to cousin’s @ NJ.

N2 kept crying whenever he sees me. I had to play hide and seek – If he was in the hall, I had to run and go to the Guest room. I tried to cajole him by taking him for a walk, showing some things at home but nothing worked. The second para’s great knack of dealing with kids failed here Chatted for a while with cousin, P & P and went to bed.

And today I’m here writing this post revealing those memories and good days spent. With clocks ticking fast, another trip, another travelogue is around the corner…

Life has a simple mantra:
Past – Learn from it!
Present – Live it!
Future – Prepare for it!

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, ‘Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.’

‘But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?’ asked the saint. ‘Isn’t it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you’re angry?’

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint.
Finally he explained, ‘When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.’

Then the saint asked, ‘What happens when two people fall in love? They don’t shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small…’

The saint continued, ‘When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other and that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.’

MORAL: When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

Gadget freaks and fanatics: You should definitely read this article [esp. the comments]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/11/why-samsung-is-the-next-apple/

2 things:
Ear-shot: iPad3 rumors
Eye-catching: Sleek OLED TVs

My favorites from the movie collection that I have:

Cast Away:
I know what I have to do now, I’ve to keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring?

Inception:
What is the most resilient parasite? Bacteria? A Virus? An Intestinal worm?
An idea

Invictus:
Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear and that’s why it is such a powerful weapon

Million Dollar baby:
If there’s magic in boxing, it’s the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It’s the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you

Ratatouille:
If you focus on what you left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead!

The Blind side:
I mean any fool can have courage. But honor, that’s the real reason for you either do something or you don’t

The Bucket list:
I envy people who have faith, I just can’t get my head around it

The Pursuit of Happyness:
I’m the type of person that if you ask me a question and I don’t know the answer, I’m gonna tell you that I don’t know. But I bet you what, I know how to find the answer and I will find the answer

The Shawshank redemption:
I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain

Up in the air:
You know that moment when you look into someone’s eyes and you can feel them staring into your soul and the whole world goes quiet just for a second?

What do you have in your favorite movie quotes kitty? Pass it on…

Check it here:

http://ptptrust.com/Compaign.aspx

Or here:

http://www.sulekha.com/eventlistings/images/ptp.html

Be the change you want to see in this world – Mahatma Gandhi.

Why does the photographs that someone takes is better than the ones that you take?
Why does the cooking of someone tastes better than the ones that you cook?
Why does the knowledge of someone seems to be better than the one that you have?
Why does someone’s house looks so beautiful and clean when yours don’t?
Why does someone excel in most of the things that they do, when you don’t?
Because they invest more time in nurturing these than you

Why do you make financial investments? To make it grow
Why do we spend so much time with our loved ones? Because we want those relationships to grow

Growth comes only by investment of time. If you want something to grow, give your time to it

- Author Unknown (At least from where I read it)

Caution:  A very long post! Read at your discretion

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

2011 – A most satisfying, gratifying year for me! If in my life history, I call 2006 as a golden year, 2011 stands very close to that too, in a number of ways. Struggles and hardships were there initially in the first half of the year. Instead of telling what struggles and hardships that I went through, I like to skim through the lessons that I’ve learnt:
1. Everyone has their own perspective on things. Don’t push it! Neither will they be happy, nor you will
2. People may do bad to you. You only have 2 choices – Either try to change them for good or leave them for good
3. You have to realize that people sometimes do bad things without knowing. Forgive them and move on
4. Happiness is a virtue. You should be a person to give it and not take it
5. Everything happens for a good reason. You will always be given the best but the best comes only after insurmountable hardships. Stand tall through the hardships and you’ll be shown that the result had always been targeted to be beautiful!
6. Things don’t happen as you wish always. Keep away the worries and expectations. You’ll encounter what bliss is, then!
7. Whenever you give something to the Universe, it gives the same back to you – Be it happiness, sorrow, hopes, struggles, joy, worries, respect, positivity, negativity – Law of Attraction!
8. Resolutions stay short. Habits stay longer
9. When you start comparing with others, you start living someone else’s life. Comparison and Jealousy will bring you down wherever and whatever you are, in life
10. Life is short. Do whatever you dream to do, no matter what hurdles come along

Life:
Looking back at this year from where I started and how I have ended has been a great ride in a journey called life. I was listening to Actress Trisha’s interview in 2010 and she said that she was a blessed child and she had never been through hardships and struggles as others. 2010 being one of the toughest years in my life, listening to these lines of Trisha, I felt so bad that why I had been subjected to so many struggles when someone else had never been? How does God decide that? That’s how my thought process was in 2010. But in 2011, for every hardship and struggle I went through, I raised back and stood tall and realized that I was the master of my fate and I was the captain of my soul. Some blessings this year came in disguise and some direct and open. Incredible thought process transformation and positive outlook shifts. Life had become beautiful and blissful, ever since then! Mindset, Mental toughness became the biggest strengths to see what it means to be a blessed person!
Blogging:
Introduced “Blounge”, Short story, “Sundays with Raji” this year. “Blounge” gave some great guest posts from friends and my blog followers. Short story brought different ideas and perspectives that one could have. “Sundays with Raji” became a favorite of many – Inspirational, Motivational, Positive vibrations, General perspective, Change in outlook – People tagged it with different names. Very happy that my life experiences in writing can make a positive difference in someone’s life. A blog post being selected for blogadda’s “Spicy Saturday Picks” [a biggest and widest blogging arena] has increased the interest towards blogging. My giving story on “Making a difference” got published in “The Alternative” but was not selected. Completed 4 years of blogging and adopted different styles. Overall, it was a great year of blogging!
Sports:
The greatest energy, excitement and happiness came from India winning the world cup. That sense of excitement still stays in me, whenever I think about it. The screams, shouts, hand fists, hugs, uproars, upbeats and what nots? Will be treasured as a lifetime memory. Favoritism comes to Tennis after Cricket. After many years, watched US Open Tennis live on TV. Being a great fan of Nadal, watching him losing to Djokovic was not that easy. But “May the best wins” had to be agreed. The fan base of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic being very high, it’s very hard to determine who you will be a fan of, until you follow their technicalities, strategies and successes. Nadal’s “never give up” attitude and hard work shows why I’m a fan of him
Toughest road:
Though gained the popularity of being a great Student at the Knewton’s GMAT classes and featured in their Spotlight series, did not take GMAT this year. Failed to appear for the exams due to unexpected health reasons – But this has never bogged me down. I’m a great dreamer and my dreams are still alive!
Miracles:
I did not believe in miracles until my faith and prayers showed me that Miracles do happen! The tiny twins Y & Y of my best friends A & S showed was a reason to have a different belief on Miracles. Best wishes and lots of happiness to them always…
Joy of Giving:
Water Charity. Mothers trust. CRY. Cancer Association – I wish the joy of giving does not end only with monetary contributions but extend in terms of time and efforts associated with it. Without friends and well wishers, would not have made my “Wish @ 30″ come true. Gratitude and Heartfelt thanks!!!
Joy of creating:
The biggest joy came in forming a team and creating 3 new avenues to do good – “Anushthanam” is what we named it. It’s in great shape with initial challenges. The 3 are – Vidhai (Getting practical education to rural area children); MAD (Making a difference – in bringing the possibility of being educated irrespective of monetary difficulties); MSS (My spare 2 share – Having unused items but can be given to those for whom it will be useful). Going to be a real challenge in the year to come to bring these 3 live in action
Travel times:
The best of the travel times embraced me this year. Been to CLE after 4 years and spending time with friends was enjoyable. Friends visiting me in Feb and in Sep – A different kind of enjoyment of just being at home and having fun. My first hiking and hitting the road (road trip) to Utah was a totally different experience with nature. Missed the Alaska Trip due to health reasons but enjoyed the time and efforts spent in travel plans. Alaskan Glacier, Wildlife, Aurora Borealis – Wait! You’ll meet me in the year to come! Trip to MA and NJ to visit my family – One of the best personal trips with times spent with my best friend M, nephews N1, N2 and R, family – dearest to me And the last trip of the year to CA – Best times unfolded with close friends
Health:
Health took a toll this year but made an incredible investment in restoring to a good health – Broke out all odds to bring up a habit of giving up on Coffee, eating at regular intervals, introducing 2 courses of fruits every day, being on top of using Perio, flossing and brushing to improve dental hygiene, spending efforts on skin and hair care –  Hard work paid off well! Seeing a totally different me in myself! Very proud
Gifts & Celebrations:
Treasure Trove – Gifts kept coming this year till last week. Got my first gift for New Year 2012 as well Many surprising gifts and happy moments that will be cherished forever, came this year too. Not only I received gifts, made every effort to send gifts that every friend and immediate family of mine felt happy about. Every gift that was given and received was different and instilled an immense amount of happiness in me. Organized few celebrations – Sa’s Baby shower, Diwali Celebration @ workplace. Was a part of large number of celebrations in the later part of the year – Send off parties, B’day Celebrations, Casual Potlucks @ home and friend’s places, Christmas Celebration etc., Most enthusiastic moments of this year!

It was a year of giving, celebration, travel, enjoyment, health etc., Irrespective of initial hardships, struggles and difficulties, made every effort to make life enjoyable and happy as it comes. There were indirect messengers at different instances to show me what life is all about! Heartfelt wishes and thanks for everyone who was a part of making it happen! Blessed to have a great circle of friends and family who cared, shared and are longing to see me successful and happy in everything I take on! Absolutely a great feeling, when I look back and march towards a more challenging, more rewarding and wonderful 2012!!!

With all grills, frills, happiness and enjoyment of 2011 aside, wishing you all a happy, prosperous, peaceful, successful, healthy and wonderful 2012!
May life lets you write success stories and learnings from challenges
May you see your dreams come true!
May good times and great memories prevail!
May goodness exist within you!
May you be the reason for other people to smile!
May you flow with the flow and enjoy whatever you do!
May life show you what’s best!
May this year be the greatest as ever!