Nishi is an Indian American who works as a lawyer in New York City practicing personal injury and insurance defense litigation. She is also a writer and singer / songwriter who writes and performs her own music. Her greatest dream is to bring her songs to the world and move people with her music. Check out her music & videos at NishiMusic.com.
Nishi is passionate about foreign policy, international affairs and human rights and is the Founder & President of the Leading Light Foundation, a non-profit human rights organization and is the Chair of the Lawyers' Committee of ECPAT-USA, helping to end the trafficking and exploitation of children.
When she's not busy working, writing, pursuing music
and humanitarian efforts, you can find Nishi gazing up at the stars
or attending archaeological lectures (she's an astronomy and
archaeology buff) and when all else fails, she relaxes with
Japanese anime and manga. An avid shoujo animanga fan and web designer, she's designed many websites to her favorite series.
She also writes fantasy fiction & children's stories. This blog is part
of Nishi's personal web domain: A Dream I Dream . com.
Name: Nishi
Where: New York
Faith: Christian
Sign: Aquarius
CH-S: Fire Dragon
AIM: SelenityHime
ICQ: 21380169
MySpace: Nishi's MySpace
FaceBook: Nishi's Facebook
Email: be83398
The Story Thus Far . . .
In addition to working full-time as a lawyer and pursuing a career in music at the same time, Nishi is also a writer and working to publish several illustrated children's series as well as several other fiction and non-fiction projects. Join Nishi @ YahooGroups to be updated on these projects; to be updated on music join NishiMusic @ YahooGroups.
Jogging, Martial Arts Kickboxing, Dance - currently middle eastern dance & bellydance, Tennis, Singing (of course ;) and working on my songs, Reading & writing about all the things I am interested and passionate about, watching tv and movies, painting, drawing, astronomy, rollerblading (and trying to get better at it and ice skating!), obsessive anime and manga fan and professional web designing, ancient studies / ancient civilizations, history and archaeology, world mythology, politics and world affairs, international law, human rights, studying many languages (have studied and continue to study spanish, mandarin chinese, japanese and hindi).
Books / Stories
King Arthur and all things Arthurian, Merlin, light and dark; The Crystal Cave, The Dark is Rising series, most anything to do with magic, vampires, werewolves; anything fantasy and romance-like: EMMA, Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, Count of Monte Cristo, The Cask of Amontillado; almost anything Shakespeare wrote; The Harry Potter series; my childhood stories - Sweet Valley High, Twins, Kids, Babysitters Club, Boxcar Children, Bobbsey Twins, RAMONA QUIMBY series; SHERLOCK HOLMES, NANCY DREW; all books dealing with things I love from art, mystery, religion, magic, mythical creatures such as "DA VINCI CODE" and "Interview with the Vampire"
Movies
Emma, Contact, Ever After, Farenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, Legally Blonde 2, Princess Diaries, Sweet Home Alabama, Matrix: Reloaded, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Staw Wars: Episode II, TOMBRAIDER I & II
All-time TV Shows
Three's Company, The Nanny, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, FRIENDS, Relic Hunter, Buffy, Xena, Clarissa Explains it All, OUT OF THIS WORLD, Wings, Mad About You, Simpsons, Married with Children, Carol Burnette Show, Anamorphs, Punky Brewster, Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, and the list could go on forever ;)
Musicals
Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, WICKED
Favorite Drinks
In the summer: starbucks' iced caramel macchaito - decaf and nonfat; lychee, boba/bubble tea/pearl milk tea; thai iced tea; lipton lemon and raspberry iced tea
In the winter: hot chocolate and starbucks' white chocolate mocha non-fat
Fave Alcoholic Drinks
Margaritas, amaretto sours, singapore slings, rum & coke and white wine - pinot
Music to relax to:
The slow version of the sailormoon theme song, the theme for Phantom of the Opera, the theme by Mono from Great Expectations and theme from Romeo and Juliet....so many more.....I can't live w/o music.....
A Fan Of:
I'm more a Democrat so I'm a fan of Bill & Hillary Clinton, Madeline Albright, Margaret Thatcher, Lee Iaccoca
Movie Actresses
Drew Barrymore
Kirsten Dunst
Kate Hudson
Nicole Kidman
Demi Moore
Gwyneth Paltrow
Julia Roberts
Reese Witherspoon
Renee Zellweger
Movie Actors
George Clooney
Johnny Depp
Matthew Goode
Tom Hanks
Ashton Kutcher
Brad Pitt
Keanu Reeves
Adam Sandler
Robin Williams
Magazines etc.:
Vogue
Cosmopolitan
Shape
Glamour
Bazaar
Fitness
Allure
Elle
Marie Claire
Archaeology
Mysteries
Foreign Affairs Journals
The Economist
Discover
Astronomy
Sky & Telescope
National Geographic
New York Times
Commondreams.org
In Style
US Weekly
PEOPLE
Reminders:
Salons in NY to try:
Buff Spa at Bergdorf Goodman: 754 5th Ave $$$
Tiffany Nails: 903 Madison $$
Soho Sanctuary: 119 Mercer $$
Maximus Spa - Massage: 15 Mercer $$
Just Calm Down: 32 W. 22nd $$ - get grape gatsby with Essie Bordeaux polish
Ajune Spa: 1294 Third Ave $$
Frederic Fekkai: 15 E. 57th - Mandarin Supreme Pedicure $$
Came home from a long day of work today and washed the dishes and went downstairs and ran 3 miles on the treadmill (just a light run today since I ran 15 miles on Sunday) - and as I made dinner, I kept the radio playing, station KTU (Z100's signal won't come through in my basement ;), turns out I love KTU now - song after song came on, good ones I would've loved to run to. As I sat and enjoyed my dinner (a healthy salad of steamed cauliflower cooked with turmeric spice, tomatoes, cucumbers and red bell peppers), I sat facebooking, twittering, and emailing - song after more song came - my favorites - Rihanna's 'Run This Town', Beyonce's 'Halo' and Justin Timberlake's 'What Goes Around' and Kelly Clarkson's re-mix of 'Already Gone' and my heart and mind started flying......
music - it's what I was born to do....sing, dance, lose myself in song, the rhythm.....
I sang as Cinderella in the Galli Theater's 1st show last Saturday and it was so wonderful - my voice came out loud and clear - I sang 'shake & wobble for me, rain down silver & gold on me' and as I think of it now - I think I meant it - deep from my heart - I wanted to be transformed - from the sad Cinderella whose life had been crushed, who'd lost someone she loved, and praying to be happy again..............
I sang my heart out....and I'm going to sing and act my heart out again at this Saturday's and Sunday's 2nd & 3rd performances....I love theater, I love performing, acting, singing....
I want to get back into the Studio as soon as possible and start making the new tracks. I will be signing soon with an amazing production company Night Life Productions who has an incredible credit list with major artists. I feel really good about this company - their main producer, Sean Gill of the Passengerz, is awesome and the Passengerz remixes of major songs are among the very best out there. I'm so excited to work with them! :) 3 BRAND NEW DANCE SINGLES! That's what we will be working on.....I already know which 3 dance songs of mine I want to see produced...they are songs rich with Indian influences, written from my heart and filled with strength & hope....
It's been so long....so long....I've suffered and gone through so much....and although I love being a lawyer, doing this day-in and day-out...I can't do it anymore...it's sucking all the life and soul out of me...I'm so...drained, so unfulfilled and it is only when I write, when I sing & act, when I am focused on human rights law & helping to make a difference against international human rights abuses - that I feel like I'm actually fulfilling my purpose. God help me....help me to make my dreams come true.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
acting as Cinderella at Galli Theater for next 4 weeks
Sunday, November 8, 2009
11:58 p.m.
tonight I auditioned at a call back and got the part of Cinderella in the Galli Theater's magical fairy tale productions for children and adults here in NYC! :) So excited to play a fairy tale character - and its for children's theater - something I absolutely love! Am reviewing the script - not too hard - rehearsals are this Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and 1st performance Saturday and then every Saturday & Sunday after that through Dec. 7th. I have to look through my dresses to find ball gowns, just in case, because their last Cinderella was taller than me (of course, I'm all of 4'8" and a half/4'9") ;)
Almost midnight now and must go to sleep - was out past few days from work because I had been sick and then mummy got sick & I stayed home with her - I'm sure my desk at work is piled high with files (work of an attorney never ends ;)) - when I come home, though, it's straight to exercise & then memorizing my script - every thing's got to be learned by Wednesday's rehearsal.
If you have children (or even if you don't) and you're in the NYC area, come to Galli Theater :) It is a non-profit theater that focuses on encouraging acting for youth and fostering the well being of children - beautiful ideals, beautiful environment.
For the Galli Theater audition, I sang Little Mermaid's 'A Part of that World' and the director loved it :) She's this amazing, beautiful woman named Tatjana who is a remarkable actress and has done so much fantastic work for children and women's rights issues. She's inspirational.
Saw Burn the Floor last night (my friend Pete gave me his tickets!) and am thinking of auditioning for it as a singer - I love being an actress - it, along with my deep love for singing and music and writing - are my passions and if I could just combine acting with singing on stage, I would be in heaven! :)
Ok bed. Must rest. The moon is 3/4 crescent moon tonight - yellow - beautiful....couldn't help gazing at it as I drove back from the train station tonight....I made a little wish upon it - to have success as a singer/songwriter and success as a musical theater actress and have the freedom to practice law in my chosen field: international human rights law. Work has been moving steadily forward on Leading Light Foundation and I am working on reports for the City Bar Association's Human Rights Committee on my subcommittees of Uzbekistan and China.
People always ask me, how do I study so many languages, work full-time and still do singing and acting and I always joke that I get very little sleep ;) That is true but the thing is, when you truly love something deeply, passionately, you pursue it and make time for it - no matter what - if it's important to you, you don't give up. All these things are important to me and I shall never give up on any of them - they are part of who I am - to deny any of it, is to deny my own self - my own soul.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
election day
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
08:38 p.m.
after work tonight, drove to the local school serving as the voting place in our district - I had researched the Judges and candidates I wanted to vote for - I felt really good voting - it's one of my rights as an American I am most happy about. Every year at this time, do your part & vote - it's what defines us as Americans. Read Michael Daly's article in the Daily News today - my favorite lines from his piece: "That hushed and private moment in the voting booth is at the core of what makes this city and country a place where so many have sought a better life & the act of voting is no less important when there is nobody you passionately support."
Make it your business to know who's running - make it your business to know what your council men & women, elected officials are doing on your behalf and if you're not excited about who's running, then run yourself and support someone you feel would be a better candidate.
We take for granted our freedom to vote, take for granted how securely it is run - especially when so many other countries in the world suffer from fraudulent elections, and whose citizens endure threats and harassment if they vote - or don't vote for the "right" candidate.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
auditions auditions
Monday, November 2, 2009
10:23 p.m.
been busy auditioning for musicals, films and plays - getting a lot of offers and a lot of audition spots - it's hard work and you need to be able to bring your best every single time - and when you work a full-time job as an attorney like I do, to hold on to all your energy and bring it at audition time is really something but I love music and I love acting - I will do what it takes to bring it! :) Been a tiring couple of days especially since I was sick last week with a fever and somehow managed to make it through the work week ;) Halloween was non-existent for me this year because I was at an audition for a musical from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at night on Saturday - nailed the singing and acting parts but the hip hop choreography was performed much better by the trained dancers who auditioned - it was the only aspect of my audition that I think I need to master and control & be more effective at.
Auditioned for a supporting role in an Indian film tonight - I believe I was too polished/refined and not rough enough for the character the director envisioned; but, who knows - sometimes you think you've bombed and turns out the director actually saw potential! I believe in being realistic about assessing my performances - I know when I've nailed a part and when I'm not the best fit for a role - keep things in perspective, remain positive but realistic - best way to be I think :)
almost 10:30 and I am sooo ready to turn in, dressed warmly in my Betsey Johnson pink polka dot satin pajamas I bought from my favorite lingerie store at Grand Central Station (PINK SLIP). See it (and my review) and buy it at http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=392425
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Amelia Benefit/Screening, Regis Philbin, Salman Rushdie ;)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
08:17 p.m.
Last Wednesday I attended a special screening and benefit/after-party for Mira Nair's film Amelia - the screening was at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) here in the city and the after-party at Pranna (an Indian fusion restaurant I love). Took my friend Annette from work to the screening who had never been to an industry event before and she loved it :) Richard Gere was there, Mira Nair, and 3 seats next to us sat Regis Philbin and his wife Joy (Joy is just *stunningly beautiful* in person - she's just a vision) and Regis - gosh, I've watched Regis since 1989 and recorded every episode over the past 5 years so I could come home and before I go to bed, watch it (Kelly Ripa I adore!) - Regis reminds me of Papa a lot in his jovial and exuberant story telling manner :) So I was a little semi-awestruck when I saw him sit so near me - one day, I hope I achieve such success that I can be sitting next to him on Regis & Kelly and tell him, first hand, how I saw him for the 1st time in my life at this benefit. :) He was doing everything possible to be inconspicuous and his wife Joy was making sure he was comfortable - I think the seat may have been uncomfortable for his back?
Anywayz, afterwards, went with my friend Eliyas (shown in the photo below) and his friend Sandi Higgins (a lovely film maker originally from Ireland who knows how to play the Indian table) to the after party at Pranna where Annette took this lovely photo of me with Salman Rushdie - I had met and spoken to him 2 times before at an event for PEN and for South Asians for Obama and had given him my music website :) I simply wished to introduce him to Annette - he is so gracious and she asked if she could take a picture of he and I (I was waayyy too shy to ask) but he is such a gentleman and obliged :) Maybe one day I can get the picture autographed! :D hahaha :) IF I ever get the nerve to ask! ;)
Ended the night dancing with Eliyas, his friend Khatera whom I absolutely adore - she is from Afghanistan and wishes to act in Bollywood movies - she is such a sweetheart - we danced with these guys who crashed the party at Pranna and who were from Met Life - very cool guys - hope they e-mail me :)
Anywayz, late Sunday night - long eventful weekend - will tell more later this week :) Off to have dinner and relax before going to sleep early. Good night all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Temple of Osiris at Abydos, Egypt
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10:24 p.m.
As an avid archaeology buff, a couple years ago I created the New York City Archaeology Meet Up Group to promote and share the love of archaeology here in NYC. Tonight, one of the events I promoted to the group was a special lecture offered by New York University's Institute for the Study of the Ancient World as part of it's 2009-2010 Visiting Research Scholar Lecture Series. Tonight's lecture was by key speaker David Klotz on the Temple of Osiris in Abydos during the Late Period, specifically addressing what happened to the Temple during the period of Persian rule. I absolutely loved it! Learned so much about Amasis (Ahmose II) whose name was mysteriously obliterated (allegedly by the Persians of the time) after his rule. Particularly loved learning about the White Monastery Church - David Klotz shared his photos from his personal cataloging of the stones and artifacts that were once part of the temple of Osiris in Abydos, Egypt and which were used in constructing the White Monastery Church. Simply fascinating.
The God Osiris has always fascinated me, more so because of the Goddess Isis but the topic of the lecture wasn't so much the God as it was the Kings and the Temple and the drama, politics and intrigue surrounding the kingdoms accomplishments related to the Temple devoted to Osiris. Egyptology is a field of archaeology that keeps growing and new discoveries are reported every day - such an exciting field.
Anywayz, super tired now and it's almost 10:30 and need major sleep. Sleep well my friends - good night.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
11:12 a.m.
Updated at 2:15 & 7:10 p.m. below
I thought it was supposed to rain all day but there's a break in the day - radar and hourly weather says it won't rain again from now until 1 - slept in til 10:30 and just had a bowl of cereal with soy milk, a half a piece of toast and drinking some tea now - trying to make sure I start this day out right by running but the weather realllllly unmotivates ya ;) Even though I run sometimes pretty long, because I stopped running consistently (5-6 times a week) and sleep poorly (which makes me overeat), I put some weight back on - need to run it off again. Running feels so good though - once I'm out there, I wonder why I'm even lazy in the first place to get out there.
Supposed to be pummeled by a n'oreaster this weekend with rain - heard parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey got snow yesterday and last night - crazy - weeks away from halloween even ;)
ok I feel ready now. Going to try and run and avoid getting rained on ;) have a good Saturday morning everyone.
Updated at 2:15 p.m. below
the rain held up! :) and I managed to do 13.2 miles! :D
Updated at 7:10 p.m.
Spent the afternoon with my friend Jody having lunch at the local diner (whole wheat eggwhite and spinach wraps with decaf coffee and 1/2 a grapefruit) before going grocery shopping and checking out Jody's gym - New York Sports Club (thinking of getting a membership). We're off now for dinner (AJ's Burgers) before heading to see a movie (Where the Wild Things Are) :D
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10:50 p.m.
Today, I filed the Articles of Incorporation for Leading Light Foundation. One of my dreams is really coming true :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Monday, October 12, 2009
10:36 p.m.
mmm so sleepy....I set out at 3:20 this afternoon psyching myself up to commit to a 12-mile run - to my own amazement, I pushed myself and tonight, for the 1st time in my life - I ran 18 miles. @_@ Of course, not all of it was straight running, I had to stop and walk sometimes but, wow, I never thought I could do that and I did. Just shows you what you are capable of if you just try hard enough.
Worked on a lot of research for articles for Leading Light Foundation - we're focusing on the cases of "disappeared" children in El Salvador, the Roma in Italy, Indian and Asian workers in Saudi Arabia, discrimination against gays and lesbians in Turkey and worker's rights in Algeria, and as part of my work for the New York City Bar's International Human Rights committee, am doing work on the status of human rights attorneys in Uzbekistan and China.
Long, productive day. Just had a light dinner of spinach salad with tofu and strawberries, a half-cup of Kefir yogurt and now some honey vanilla chamomile tea. Am ordering Ma href=http://www.revaleskin.com>Revale Skin's Eye Therapy and Serum - the power of coffeeberry is calling me ;) and so is sleep. I am so off to bed now.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Volunteers needed to research and write for my non-profit human rights organization - Leading Light Foundation
Open Call for Volunteers: pro bono attorneys, researchers, writers, managers/directors with expertise in running foundations and non-profits, accountants, bookkeepers, IT specialists and web programmers, and volunteer support staff for my human rights foundation - Leading Light Foundation. E-mail Nishi Rajan, Esq. at leadinglightorg@gmail.com with interest - serious applicants only apply. Details below.
Leading Light Foundation is a non-profit legal organization comprised of attorneys, writers, historians, scholars, paralegals, non-legal volunteers, tech support and researchers - some have little to no legal background, others immense and all of us have full-time jobs but are willing to offer our valuable time, energy and commitment to furthering justice and fighting human rights violations on an international scale.
The main goal of the Leading Light Foundation is to educate the world on human rights abuses and how international law is being violated and how it can be redressed. Ultimately (in 10-15 years), our team of attorneys will seek to prosecute instances of human rights abuses against heads of states and corporations and seek jurisdiction within the International Criminal Court.
Right now, I am seeking writers and researchers to help cover particular regions of the world and help report on instances of human rights violations. The job will be to research and report on at least 2-3 countries every month focusing on key areas where the country is violating international law and international standards of human rights. It will require you to do research into the history of the nation and keep up with current events, as well as provide information on its leaders.
Experts in certain areas (depending on their background and/or interest) would be assigned to head particular regions or countries and serve as advisors to me. I would expect these experts to present their knowledge to myself and the rest of our board once a month at meetings and be our resident expert at roundtables and conferences.
The Leading Light Foundation's website will be updated weekly with new articles and contributions from all writers and researchers, lengthy and in depth pieces will be published in the Leading Light Foundation Journal which will be available in print and online and submitted to international ambassadors, embassies, international newspapers, magazines and foreign journals.
The issues you shall focus on are wide-ranging, from violence against women and children (rape, exploitation) to slavery, war crimes, discriminatory politics/elections, to smaller issues of discriminatory business practices, inadequate representation of the interests of minority populations.
Please keep in mind we are an independent organization with no affiliation with any religion or political organization - we are neither Democrats nor Republican, neither Christians nor Atheists. We must respect all countries, their religious and cultural philosophies (even if we disagree with them) and report objectively on how issues within their countries (whether socioeconomic, religious or political) affect human rights.
We do not attempt a large focus on major countries - the NY Times, BBC and the leading newspapers and human rights organizations of the world (such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch) are all covering major instances of human rights abuses - we want to offer news organizations and the world in depth analysis and research on lesser known countries or issues in countries which the mainstream media has overlooked or has not covered as in depth as it should.
The difference between Leading Light Foundation, its journal, and other world policy organizations is that LLF will eventually take matters into our own hands and become an advocacy organization that will take on clients and issues and, whose attorneys that wish to, will bring cases to the highest international courts. An example of such clients/issues would be the the Guantanamo Bay detainees whose detentions under the Bush administration's "illegal combatants" were challenged by attorneys and scholars here in the U.S. As a result, the issue came before the Supreme Court and Justice Roberts' decision in 2008 held the detainees could not be held indefinitely and had the same basic due process rights afforded to all prisoners.
In sum, the Leading Light Foundation shall be a legal body centered on research and advocacy to effect social justice on an international scale and eventual prosecution of heads of state before the International Criminal Court.
There is great potential for growth and achievement and this is a great opportunity for those of you with an interest in human rights to get in on the ground level and contribute and make a name for yourself.
If you would like to be part of this organization from its developmental stages, or know of friends, colleagues, family who are interested in human rights, international affairs and foreign policy and have skills that will help my organization, ask them to email me with their interest and a resume or list of credentials/background info if they have it available.
Serious applicants only apply. There is no pay until we get sponsorship and revenue through ad sales.
Please spread the word about Leading Light to anyone you think would be interested in offering their assistance and volunteer services for this organization or who would want to donate to help us get started - all help on every level would be appreciated.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
9:15 a.m.
I am in the kitchen making whole-wheat cinnamon pancakes complete with 2 sunny-side up eggs and cutting up strawberries and washing blueberries to serve on top of the pancakes - just put on a pot of Starbucks' anniversary-blend coffee with steamed soy milk and settling down for an enjoyable breakfast with the weekend newspaper. Outside, the sun is shining, papa and mummy left for church and Mekha just came home from a night in Long Island - she and I are going to sit and relax before I get started on an active morning of cleaning and laundry, etc. and head out later for a good long run :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:36 p.m.
I was right - I feel so much better now :) I have been working very hard on my songs, my music, my writings and books, and now on Leading Light Foundation, my non-profit attorneys' and writers' organization that focuses on international abuses of human rights laws - I will not let people who betray my trust and good nature weaken my resolve or hinder my dreams, my ambitions, my goals. I will accomplish all I seek in this world. Watch me.
Ran 10 miles tonight and body feels good :) I have been able to condition my body to run as much as 15.5 miles once in recent weeks - my goal is to to do 15-16 miles consistently 1 day a week comfortably and 6, 8, 10 and 12-13 the others I'll rest on Wednesdays when I have new Cantonese classes starting this coming Wednesday and on Fridays (my dinner/movie nights with friends).
Very few things make me feel as good as running - it clears my head, wakens my senses, I love the power and strength that comes from being a strong runner - the healthier choices I make. On the weekends when I run in the early mornings, nothing beats the sights and sounds of nature, of the sleepy houses with slumbering families, or the sounds of people who are up as early as I, putting the wood into their fireplaces - the first smell of morning smoke. In the evenings, nothing beats the sight of the swans and geese diving gracefully upon the lake or watching families gather inside their homes for dinner and coming home to my own family. Mid-morning and afternoon runs find me greeting my fellow regular bikers and runners, the neighbors and enjoying the smell of freshly mowed grass.
Have Mandarin tomorrow but think I will skip tomorrow - it's Columbus Day weekend and I have Monday off but much to do home-related and the more I accomplish tomorrow the less I will stress about on Monday.
Sang my song 'Do Not Deny It' in the shower tonight - the sound of my voice as I sang it was the best I've ever sung it - strengthened my resolve - it's a dance song about a cheating lover - I will record it with a new producer.
One of my writers for Leading Light sent me her finished article on the Roma - the discriminated "gypsies" of Italy - the article was beautiful and it will be the first piece I publish - she deserves much credit - she has been consistently the one writer who follows up with outlines, proposals and now a finished article - my organization needs people I can rely on like that - Mitu if you are reading this - thank you :) I am so grateful to have you on board with Leading Light. Keep me updated on Vampire Diaries please! :)
11:36 - need to head to sleep. Almond Sunset dessert tea was so delicious and has made me so sleepy :) Sweet dreams all.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
09:17 p.m.
so pissed right now - a producer I had begun working with has played me for a fool - after initially contacting me all the time trying to schedule a day to do "lunch" and discuss music, once we actually meet - and I travel all the way out to Dumont, New Jersey on a day I am sick, he's all promises which fizzle to nothing - he now ignores all my calls and voicemails - what a piece of work. I had downloaded my songs onto his Mac computer that day to sing a few of the lyrics and try to get a feel for the music - if I find out he steals any of the lyrics or melodies, I'll slap him with a lawsuit - never mess with an attorney - I copyrighted my lyrics and songs anyway - sent him a strong message via facebook just now.
Can't believe the nerve of assholes in this business - you think you can trust certain people in the entertainment industry - trust no one - they're all out for themselves and to tap some ass.
Ran 10 miles tonight and enjoyed a dinner of spinach salad with chicken curry and a grapefruit covered in cinnamon. Going to make some tea (Toasted Almond Sunset dessert tea I think) and watch a fun movie - I love the Barbie movies and am not ashamed to admit it - began watching Barbie and the Magic of the Rainbow on Thursday night and am going to finish it now :) Watching movies like that helps you get in touch with the good things in your heart and soul and reminds you of how important it is to be good - when you see how much people can be cruel, how they can use you and betray your trust - it's easy to get jaded and so angry - you have to work to keep believing in good things, work to keep believing in yourself and others.
There was a really nice guy who drives cabs here in the next town over whose partner has a studio just 15 minutes from me and had offered to work with me on production of music but I had explained about the New Jersey producer - well, now that the New Jersey producer proved he's full of shit I think I should email back the guy who was more legitimate and say I'm interested now.
Never give up if you want to make your dreams come true - keep believing in the good, in yourself, and others.
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Monday, October 5, 2009
10:58 p.m.
I am a huge King Arthur buff - discovered Howard Pyle's illustrated color book of King Arthur in 3rd Grade and the legend became a huge obsession for me - would collect every single King Arthur book and movie, watch every cartoon, you name it, I owned it, saw it, read it ;) One of my favorite books that sprung from the Arthurian legends is Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave - it is the story of Merlin and is a book I absolutely treasure. So you can imagine my skepticism when the new series 'Merlin' premiered on NBC - I doubted anyone could come close to what Mary Stewart had done but I absolutely *LOVE* the Merlin series - it's a completely different take on the legend of King Arthur, re-writes almost everything and is fresh and interesting with endearing characters and interesting plots. Finished watching some of the episodes I recorded - 3 or 4 more to watch I think :) Off to bed - busy day tomorrow.
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the creation of B.E.
Monday, September 28, 2009
09:52 p.m.
Tonight, I began working on a new fiction series that has been on my mind for years - it's a detective/mystery series with a heroine reminiscent of Nancy Drew only my heroine is in law school and has some "gifts" and "abilities" Nancy would envy ;) The Nancy Drew books were my favorite mystery books growing up and the Show Boat mystery I think was the first book I discovered in 1st or 2nd grade while on a hall-pass trip for my teacher to the library - I just saw all these gorgeous blue hard-cover books and fell in love with the beautiful girl on the cover. From there I discovered the Bobbsey Twins, the Dana Girls, the Box Car children and so many others.
The idea for this particular heroine came to me back about 4 years ago and the stories and mysteries she would unravel kept swimming around in my head. Finally, this morning, as I walked to work, I saw the 2 things which had been my original inspirations for the 1st mystery story and vowed that when I came home tonight, I would finally put the thoughts onto actual paper.
Must stop writing now though - 10:15 p.m. and need to sleep. Was a rainy, thunderstormy night tonight - I always find myself drawn to writing when it rains :)
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Sunday, September 27, 2009
11:52 p.m.
enjoying a yummy kurishigure (Japanese sweetcake made of chestnut bean or red bean) - long, long day....after Mandarin met with Junko for yummy food at one of my favorite tiny restaurants on Elizabeth Street (they make the best steamed vegetable dumplings) before going to the Elizabeth Street mall where I picked up a birthday present for my little cousin Michael - he loves Japanese anime as much as I do and his favorite anime are Naruto & Bleach - I found an awesome Naruto bag for $13 there and got a really cute D.Gray-Man bag in white for $10! :) Picked up the new Dan Brown book The Lost Symbol before coming home and spending the rest of the afternoon tidying up my room and organizing the mess - only ran 3 miles tonight and ate so much food today! Ah well, I'll get back to my routine tomorrow or Tuesday ;) Think I want another kurishigure and then go to bed :) hehehe eating sweets before bed is so bad >_> Good night everyone :)
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Sunday, September 27, 2009
07:53 a.m.
up early this morning - leaving for Mandarin class in 22 minutes - pouring rain outside - Georgia was apparently flooded by the rains yesterday and it moved up here to the north-east last night while my family and I were upstate at our relatives holding a memorial prayer in memory of my grandfather (on my mom's side). What should I wear? My winter & fall gear are still kind of packed away ;) Ran 12 miles yesterday afternoon - hoping the rain will clear up this afternoon so I can get a good run in. Today is the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival in chinatown :) think I'll hold a meetup maybe next week :) ok must go - more tonight.
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1st Day of Fall
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
11:54 p.m.
after work today, met up with my running buddy Adam and we jogged from midtown where I worked all the way across to the Hudson River and from there, didn't stop running until we got to the very end of Manhattan, the southern most tip of Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry. Hadn't run along the Hudson River in ages and seeing so many joggers and bikers out there made me wonder why I hadn't been doing this all along. Hudson River Park is so gorgeous and back in May 2008 my sisters and I had rented bikes and biked up all the way from Morton to Central Park and that was awesome!
My thighs are going to be sore tomorrow probably - we even climbed every single set of steps we came across - my thighs will thank me later ;) In total, to and back, we did anywhere from 10-11 miles I think. And then from work back to Grand Central, another mile. I'm going to say definitely did at least 8-10 miles - loved seeing the Statue of Liberty and at Battery Park is a huge eagle sculpture dedicated to those we lost at sea - it is one of my favorite sculptures in the park, next to that of the Immigrants.
Finished watching my recorded ep of The Beautiful Life & loved it! :) Definitely going to watch it tomorrow. The new season of Gossip Girl isn't grabbing me just yet but I love Blair and Chuck together and still wish Serena and Dan would just get and STAY together! I miss Privileged - that was SUCH a good show - how could they cancel such a great program!! >_<
It's now past midnight as I close this entry - didn't intend to stay up this late, will pay for it tomorrow - sleep come quick tonight.
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Monday, September 21, 2009
11:33 p.m.
just sent in my comments to the Chair of the International Human Rights Committee of the City Bar Association of New York on the Committee's Proposed Climate Change Principles. The chairs of the committees are presenting these to Dr. Yvo de Boer - the Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Change group, on Wednesday as part of the UN General Assembly meeting that is taking place here this week. Over the summer I was appointed as one of the new members of the City Bar's Committee on International Human Rights - it is a tremendous honor and privilege to be selected - every year since becoming an admitted attorney in 2003 I had applied to be on the committee but this is the 1st year I actually got it! It's a 3-year commitment and one I take very seriously.
It's exciting to be in the city right now because of the UN General Assembly meeting - all anyone can talk about are the traffic jams and barricades all over the east-side due to the arrival of President Obama and all the heads of State tonight - there was increased security all around Grand Central - President Obama is staying nearby at the Waldorf Astoria.
The Climate Change proposals the City Bar is submitting to Dr. de Boer are excellent - they advocate that the brunt of responsibility for carbon emissions fall on developed/industrialized nations to not only reduce emissions and develop alternate fuels, but, that they help lesser developed nations & communities impacted by climate change. This is important because the bigger nations developed without any environmental limitations but under the new global trade and climate rules, newer, lesser developed nations would face all these emissions limits and would be unfairly penalized. Similarly, the communities and ecosystems most affected by the climate impact are those who had no part in carbon emissions in the first place, and so developed nations would be responsible for the effects of their emissions upon those communities and ecosystems.
It's late and I must get to bed. Had a long day - court in Brooklyn - saw all the familiar faces from my summer-long stint as a court attorney for my firm - was there every day all summer long in the crazy noisiest part of the courthouse - the Compliance Conference part. Every day it was a madhouse but I enjoyed it :) it could get very stressful if you didn't learn how to take things in stride :) That part of the court finds you arguing cases and conferencing matters and for my large-volume law firm, you find yourself conferencing sometimes 10 cases and arguing just as many motions - it gets CRAZY with people screaming out your firm name and vying for your attention. You start at 9:30 and don't finish until 12:30-12:45 to even 1 pm and beyond, once you get back your final Orders. In the beginning I was arguing tooth and nail with fellow counsels on every case, refusing to give in, and 3 weeks in, I realized it doesn't make any sense - what's the sense in arguing with counsel? Save it for the judge - everything will get resolved one way or another and, if not, make a new motion or vacate the Order or take it on appeal! Save your energy for what really matters :)
Gorgeous sunny warm day and when I left the courthouse at 12:45, I decided to walk it back to work and walked all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge and over on down to City Hall, down by the NY Supreme courthouses, up Church Street and then 6th Avenue until I got to Lispenard & 6th where I took the subway back to work - I would've walked all the way except had heavy motions in my bag and a girl can only walk so far with a heavy-loaded Dooney & Bourke bag ya know! :) The walk over the bridge was so refreshing, and it had been a long time since I'd last walked the Bridge...it cleared my mind and made things *crystal* clear to me...been thinking so much all summer and this month about my life, what I should be doing, how to pursue it...seeing the city all around me atop the Bridge made me realize again what it is I want, need, must do....god I love this City.....
Other thoughts were coming into my head...as I stood inside the courthouse on the 5th floor, I looked out the window and saw the plaza below complete with an octagonal garden with a statue at its center - people walking all around the steps and grounds and all I could think was how one day I'd create a school of education on philosophy and science, history and literature and, of course, international affairs.
Ran 7 miles tonight and after chatting with the folks and Mek, enjoyed dinner and watched Gossip Girl while also trying to watch my recorded ep of 'The Beautiful Life' which premiered last Wednesday - I already love it :) CW is where I'm parking myself most nights this fall - between Gossip Girl, Melrose Place, 90210, Vampire Diaries and The Beautiful Life no other channel exists (except MTV when the Hills and the City and everything returns of course ;)) Did I mention I also love Daddy's Girls? Yes, seriously!! It is so CUTE and FUN!! Makes me miss Los Angeles a lot . . .
Anywayz, it is way past my bedtime, 11:30. *HUGS* to all & good night :) Sarah Beth I'm glad to be back :) When are you coming down!! :)
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Sunday, September 20, 2009
10:31 p.m.
woke up early this morning to go to Mandarin and instantly wished I could sleep in but I paid good money for this class and I am not about to waste it! Turns out I should've slept in - trains were delayed an hour due to some car on the tracks at Woodlawn in the Bronx...my normal 8:30 didn't come until 9:30. I walked back inside to the station and sat by the windows where some dude tried to get me to talk to him - a woman next to me started laughing at his efforts - we got to talking and she told me she was waiting for the church on Main Street to open up at 9:30 so she could attend and have food afterwards - I asked her why she was waiting in the train station - eventually she revealed she was homeless - that she had been offered to live in a shelter but she refused that because she didn't want to be crowded into a room of 50 people. I asked about her family - she had a son who was in the military, she said, but who couldn't return here because he would get arrested (some trouble with the law), she had grandchildren but none that would/could take care of her, and her siblings apparently didn't care?
I felt so bad for the woman - she didn't look homeless - I offered to buy her a coffee which turned into a hot cocoa and got myself a hot tea. She tried to get me to buy her hot dogs but I'm not an ATM machine and I told her honestly I only had enough cash for coffee and tea :) I studied Mandarin (writing the characters over and over for the numbers) while she told me about how she didn't trust human beings, and trusted animals more because "at least you know where an animal is from." Eventually we parted ways when the train came with mutual wishes of "God bless you" - I wonder if she'll be ok.
Once in chinatown I proceeded to one of my regular bakery stops and practiced my Cantonese asking for yat booi yit ga fe tong lai (1 cup of hot coffee with milk) and I couldn't remember how to say without sugar and so had to speak that part in english. My mandarin is better than my cantonese (should be since I've studied it on and off since 2003 sheesh) - in mandarin, if I recall correctly, it is "ka fei gun nai." I'm so glad Wu Lao Shi is the teacher for Mandarin again this year - she has a very concise and structured format of instruction.
At 12, dashed out because I was trying to view an apartment up by Grand Central - I had been looking to move into the city over the summer when I was evaluating working as a court attorney full-time at my law firm (instead of in the office majority of the time writing the motions). That didn't work out and with no pay raise in sight, can't afford an apartment so I've pretty much given up looking, but one landlord has a 1 bedroom available who's been persistent (he showed me a couple places in chinatown I had loved) so I thought I might as well just look.
Today was gorgeous - sunny and in the mid to upper 70's I think - so warm and gorgeous for the 1st day of Fall....walked the 2.5 miles back to Grand Central up Bowery and 3rd Avenue - love the whole Elizabeth/Bowery/3rd avenue area - full of cafes, poetry, music, great restaurants...plus the Village Voice is on Bowery & Peter Cooper Square - Peter Cooper is one of the great NYC men I admire (he and William Cullen Bryant) - founded the Village Voice. Got to the apartment location only to find, once again, that the landlord hadn't left the room open and all my calls went unanswered. He wound up calling 45 minutes later when I was already on the train back home ;)
Ran 12 miles tonight and afterwards stretched, did 500 different types of ab crunches and some yoga on the deck, took a long hot soothing shower before settling down to do some work, prepare for a day at Court tomorrow in Brooklyn, write a little bit of Chapter 6 of my fantasy series MWOP (won't reveal the title til later), and it's now 10:30 almost and I must get to bed. Wish it wasn't so late already...I wanted to really sit down and study Mandarin, still have 2 motions to write and didn't get to watch any of my recorded eps of 90210 and Melrose Place...ah, only so much I can do....need more hours in the day....wish we got Mondays off. :)
Have a great night everyone - and Happy Monday in advance.
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Saturday, September 19, 2009
08:39 p.m.
I think this is what caffeine withdrawal is - I'm *exhausted* - haven't been drinking my normal levels of coffee and chose to drink green tea instead and lord almighty this is no joke! I think I'm sick too - haven't felt well all day.
Slept in instead of running today and went to Japanese class - Miki the instructor is unlike any Japanese sensei I've had before - last summer I was studying at Amity with Yuko-sensei and dude I thought SHE was tough? Nuh uh! Mikie takes the cake! Today was the 2nd class and it's good - only 4 of us in the class so we learn a lot. Yanwen is a fellow student who I got to know better today - she's Canadian and Taiwanese and so cool! Hails from Toronto - I've promised her I would take her for really good Indian food :)
After class, took the subway all the way to 175th where I waited to take the bus into New Jersey to go to my new producer Dan's studio - was totally not feeling good but pushed myself to go because I've waited too long to work with him - he's a really talented and a good producer and a very good human being. I listened to songs he did for his other artists and loved everything - I am praying that work on my songs together comes out just as well :) Going to his studio is soooooo hard though - it's so far - left his studio at 5 and didn't get home now until almost 8! We're going to record at least 1 track next weekend :)
While waiting for the bus I discovered a fun Spanish restaurant nearby called MAMBI's where I only spoke in Spanish with the waitresses (ordered sopa de pollo - chicken soup) and spoke to the man next to me - a cuban guy who ordered this amazing lamb and rice dish that I'll get next time! :)
Have mandarin class tomorrow at 10 a.m. and am going to bed early now. Mummy made upa mav (my fave) and saved me some for breakfast :) Just had a bowl full of delicious fish curry and spinach and am debating whether to have berries for dessert or just go to bed. I am definitely going to run tomorrow afternoon when I come home! 12 miles definitely!
Mitu and Raman *BIG HUGS* to you both. How have both of you been? Mitu take the dance classes! I'll be studying dance professionally on Sundays :) Raman tell me what is up with you! :)
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Friday, September 18, 2009
11:17 p.m.
it's Friday September 18, 2009 and it took a note from Mitu to bring me back, although, I've been aching and yearning to write on here again. That's the weird thing though - even though I was aching and yearning to write on here, I didn't, I refused to, I willingly held myself back and have no real reason for why - I guess it's the same for a lot of things I've put the freeze on in my life, writing, music, so much....it's time I unfroze everything and picked up where I left off......I want to...I want to pick up again....had Cantonese class tonight in chinatown, Larry the Lobster was my cabbie back from the train station home, he cheered me up so much :) last night attended a special United Nations Association of New York panel with guest speaker Shannon O'Neill on the mexican drug cartel wars - my non-profit foundation, Leading Light, is going to do work on issues related to the rule of law in Mexico. I want to get back into helping ECPAT...I have Japanese class again tomorrow and then am going to New Jersey to work in the studio with new producer Dan - looking forward to this all - need to sleep - so tired and want to get up early to run 6-12 miles - this summer was terrible - all I did was work like crazy in court, ate terribly & unhealthily and stopped running - I miss my regular running routine, I miss everything. Mandarin started again last Sunday, 2nd class this Sunday - so happy to be back to that as well. Still studying professional theater in the Village now on Tuesdays - I love it - it brings out a whole new side of me - being an actress is so different from what I do on stage as a singer...it requires such a depth and understanding of the human psyche in order to do an honest portrayal. Love it. I want to unfreeze everything and get back to normal. It's been too long....too too long.
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Saturday, June 13, 2009
09:06 p.m.
thank you Raman for giving me a little nudge :) *HUGS*
I have been very busy with my full-time job as an attorney here in NYC while taking theater classes, working with new producers on my new albums, and my children's book illustrator and I are nearly 50% done with the 1st children's series I hope to have published this summer (or at least this year). I am studying Hindi on Tuesdays and Cantonese on Fridays while theater is on Saturdays and am very busy with my non-profit human rights foundation, Leading Light,
I have missed blogging incredibly but am almost ready to come back - just a few more weeks time to get things done in my personal life and get back to "square one."
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The Hills, MoMa, Zimbabwe's PM Tsvangrai
Monday, April 6, 2009
11:18 p.m.
just finished watching The Hills season premiere and I've gotta say, I love Lauren (that's a given - fellow Aquarius) but I've also always rooted for Heidi and Spencer's relationship. They're not perfect and they've got HUGE problems, both as individuals and as a couple, but I think they are an example of a couple that will last the test of time, no matter how many hurdles you put in front of them. Right now, they're so *young* and watching them struggle to grow and mature and become better people and a better couple/boyfriend and girlfriend to each other, is something we can all relate to - it's what we *all* have gone through - albeit not in front of a camera. I feel like these 2 kids have been through a helluva lot figuring out their relationship and their lives, but through it all, they really love each other.
We all know couples who we pass judgment on, thinking they'll never work, and then surprise-surprise, they marry, have kids, and never divorce and are happy and successful partners. Part of being a better couple/bf-gf/husband-wife is overcoming a lot of difficulties. You're lucky if you get along perfectly but often, perfect doesn't last. Struggles and fights test commitment, test if you really want to be with this person through it all, and when you work past the fights, problems etc., (the key words being "work past") your relationship is 10x stronger than before. But there's gotta be real love there and real commitment. Hey - look at Tim the Tool-Man Taylor and his long-suffering wife ;) hahahah :) whoda ever thunk that relationship, even in TV-land, would work ;)
Spencer is starting to show maturity through real love for Heidi but he's still got a lot of growing up to do - however, that said, what he was doing at the bar with that waitress was *nothing* - seriously, they made it out to seem like such a huge deal but the way he talked to the bartender was harmless - he wasn't *truly* flirting with her at all - the truth is Spencer would never go after the bartender because he loves Heidi. As for Brody? Dude - the guy totally SET SPENCER UP! What kind of friend tells Spencer to get out of "being with Heidi" and live it up at a club/bar? Even Spencer was shaking his head thinking that's not something he should do. Deep down, he knows what's right and wrong and won't cross that line.
Waxing philosophic over the Hills - shows you what a really fun and worthwhile show it is to watch (at least to me personally) ;) You may disagree ;)
So did you hear that MoMA is doing Ride Your Bike to MoMa Monday Nights? Starting tonight and every 1st Monday of the month, the Museum of Modern Art here in the city will give 1/2 price admission and free bicycle valet parking to anyone riding their bike to MoMA from 5:30-8:45. :)
After work, walked to Grand Central in slightly drizzly weather (after it had been pouring all day) but just as I got there, the sun started breaking through the clouds. By the time Mek and I and our friend Bill all got back to Westchester, the sun was out and it was perfect weather for me to go running! I ran 6.5 miles almost every day for the past week and only the rain would've kept me off the pavement tonight :) Came home after my workout and mummy had made the most delicious asparagus curry which I'll take for lunch tomorrow and made upa mav for Mekha and I to have for breakfast :) I made myself a gigantic spinach salad filled with broccoli sprouts, mushrooms, tomatoes, red, yellow & orange bellpeppers, celery and sliced almonds, drank a hot cup of cinnamon apple spice tea and finished a 6 oz dish of my favorite Chobani Greek Yogurt (plain non-fat) with a generous hand of cinnamon on top - feel healthy :)
Been catching up on the news and Prime Minister Tsvangrai's tragedy seems to keep unfolding. First his wife died in a car crash and now, today, it appears his son drowned. Tsvangrai is the PM of Zimbabwe which has been making headlines for months now due to political turmoil and warfare related to power struggles - mostly involving Mugabe - the president.....
Must head to bed. *HUGS* to all and azure kaze thanks sweetheart :) what a wonderful message you left for me :) we should definitely talk more one of these days - soon!
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Sunday, April 5, 2009
11:59 p.m.
I am sooo up late - way beyond my bed time but I have a good reason: am working on a series of articles I am writing on the Dalits of India for publication in my non-profit foundation, Leading Light Foundation's Journal. The articles each focus on different aspects of the issue and are research intensive, focusing on news stories from the past 10-15 years, along with research into how International Law is violated in each instance. Super tired and sleepy now and must get up for work in the morning - have a ton of Reply Affirmations on summary judgment threshold motions to do - going to bed in a few but first must write a little! :)
Yesterday, I began the new spring semester of classes at HB Studio - a professional actors school in the village. I am studying technique with the amazing Michael Beckett who I think is phenomenal - he's immensely talented and wise - everything he said resonated with me and spoke to my soul. Classes at HB will keep me busy on Saturdays but during the week, I will be back to my studies in Japanese, Mandarin, Hindi & Cantonese with classes 5 evenings a week and my friend Rose will be tutoring me in French as well during my lunch hour on Wednesdays! :)
After Technique class, I went to Spanish Taverna on the corner of 38th Street and 7th Avenue where I had the most delicious Mariscada Diablo (shrimp, mussels, clams in spicy tomato sauce) served with salad and an appetizer of pulpo a la gallego (galician octopus with paprika) followed by the superb Crema Catalana a custard dish with athin layer of caramelized sugar on top (the sugar has been burned in a broiler or with a blow torch).
Then went to my fave Japanese bookstore, Kinokuniya, where I found a fantastic book on Indian folklore to help me research and write my Indian historical fiction epic I have been working on for the past God knows how many years - it began as a story on Jahanara back in '98 and has now developed into an all original epic story of a woman from childhood to old age - will take me many more months (or more years) to complete because of the research and detail involved, but I think the end result will be worth it.
Am meeting with my friend Rosalyn this Tuesday to work on my children's illustrated books - I want to get at least the 1st book in the series (3 written so far) published this summer so she and I are going to work to a tight May 1st deadline to get manuscripts completed.
Next weekend, will meet with Joe, a producer in New Jersey, to work on music he is doing for film and television - he is also going to help develop my own music as well. I hope to meet my other producer Manoj soon as well - orchestrating time with him is so hard but he's a phenomenal musician and worth working with.
It's hard when you work full-time as an attorney to pursue a music career, write and fulfill all your goals, hopes and dreams, but the one thing you can't do it ever stop or give up. Even if it means staying up past your bed time until midnight and 1 a.m. ;)
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The Winds of God are Always Blowing, but You Must Set the Sails
Saturday, March 28, 2009
10:58 p.m.
It has been forever since I sat down at this computer and wrote and tonight I wrote a new piece for my column, Nishi's Niche, at Bravura Artist Magazine. My own computer is still down with that virus and I have been so busy with various other life aspects (personal issues) that I have not felt the overwhelming desire to be glued to my computer - I check email when I can at work or through my phone or on my dad's computer. However, the writer in me is screaming to get out and I must get my computer fixed to finish writing my stories and get them published this summer. My heart is clamoring to work on my websites, my writings, to immerse myself in creativity, song, music, etc. once more and I know that what I had to go through since December (without a computer) was necessary in order to reach this stage.
Here is the article. Once I get my comp fixed (hopefully with the help of my friend Alexi) I will post pictures and many other tales and adventures I have had in the past few months. There is much - MUCH - to tell :)
The Winds of God are Always Blowing, but You Must Set the Sails
by Nishi Rajan
There is an ancient Arabic saying I came across years ago and which I have never forgotten because the words were so powerful and meaningful. I would write this expression down as a source of inspiration - it can be found in my diaries and on my walls. The author has never been known, but, whoever he or she was, had this wise message to share: "the winds of God are always blowing, but it is up to you to set the sails."
To the extent that we have the ability, we can accomplish or obtain almost anything we truly desire in our lives. All we have to do is "set the sails.”
Easier said than done? Not at all. I will tell you the secret. Where the desire is strong, the will to accomplish that which we desire must match in strength and, just as importantly, in perseverance; therein will lie the measure of your success.
The only two reasons why a person with freedom and ability, with sufficient intelligence and a healthy body, cannot accomplish his or her desires in life are a lack of will and lack of disciplined dedication. To the extent we are able, with either persistent hard work or persistent pursuit through connections and privileged access, or a combination, as long as we persevere, our desires can become reality.
I qualify success, however, on the extent of our abilities. Life is a gift, but it is not fair. Some are born with more privileges, talents and freedoms than others. Then there are those who are born into lives where freedom is not even an option - where survival and life itself are the only goals.
Life can be beautiful, wonderful and joyous, but it can also be hard, unjust, ugly and brutally cruel. Luck of the draw determines our lots in life, but, once we are given life, those of us with the ability can shape our lives into whatever we wish it to be.
What if we lack ability? What if we desire to write, to sing, to act, to start a business and become a millionaire but do not possess the talents or connections for it? The world and all of human history are filled with the stories of men and women who had not wit or intelligence, who were poor and destitute, but who accomplished great things with their lives. They all had one thing in common: a desire so great that, no matter rejections or failures, nothing stood in their way - at least not for very long.
You do not have to be a good singer, or even be able to carry a tune, to record an album, but if you desire to be a great singer, work to become so. The same is true of being a musician, after all, Beethoven was deaf. The real keys to singing or creating music lie in the song or composition and the will in your heart to convey it properly. Vocal or musical lessons and proper training can help you become a better singer, pianist or violinist but no one will listen to a singer or musician who sings or plays tiresome or passionless songs.
Similarly, you do not have to be a great writer to pen a story - the story itself is what is important - writing can always be improved. The desire to tell a tale that you are compelled to tell takes all precedence. Likewise, acting is a calling where the desire to act and lose oneself in another fictional character and setting, and convey what is needed, is what will determine the measure of your success - not talent.
The desire to achieve what is at the very heart of your wish is what you must focus on.
If you desire to be rich, create your own ideas for successful ventures or support someone else’s. Invest in your own education and that could be as little as the cost of buying a book or going to the library or simply searching the internet for ideas, advice and options.
You have to accept that when trying to shape your life into everything you ever wished it to be, you will fail multiple times. You will be rejected, lack money, time, often lose your motivation and spirit, even your hope, but if there is something you want so desperately, keep at it and never, ever, give up.
We who have working minds, arms, legs, hands and feet, with the freedom to live and be, we are the privileged compared to those born into lives of poverty, disease and misfortune. There is truly nothing and no one stopping us from accomplishing that which we choose to in our lives - other than our own conceived limitations. Obstacles can be overcome. Limitations can be overpassed.
What of those who are limited and blocked by obstacles not of their own creation? Those who live in war-torn countries, under oppressive regimes, or under difficult life or financial circumstances? They lack the ability and those of us with privilege - of any kind - can and should intervene and make another human being's life better - be their wind of opportunity. All humans should have the right to know a life where they can be happy, know love, joy, peace and harmony, at least for a little while. If circumstances had been different, it could be any one of us who were the less fortunate without ability to capture opportunities that others have much more access to.
So take heart, you have the ability to “set the sails” and accomplish almost anything you wish to in your life and should not let anything stop you, if you truly desire something. Do not forget, however, the plight of your fellow brothers and sisters in humanity. Once you accomplish your goals, or even during the pursuit of your goals, cast a glance upon those who did not have the means you did, or the freedom to capitalize on even a fraction of the abilities or freedoms you were born with and set their sails for them, as well.
The winds of God are always blowing, and you and I can also be the breath of opportunity - for ourselves and others.
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In Florida :)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
02:46 p.m.
Bags are packed & ready to go! Am on my way to beautiful sunny Florida for a week! See you all when I get back or hopefully I can write from a computer there (and hopefully my own computer will be back to normal when I get back so I can return to writing normally again - gaahh I miss it!).
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Wednesday, March 4, 2009
10:45 p.m.
goodness since my computer got that virus I haven't blogged regularly in forever! I have to put up my photos from my birthday party and write soooooooo much - so many things I did over the past 4 weeks - I am going to Florida with my folks this weekend so perhaps I will write from there. Love & hugs to all!
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My Birthday is Today :)
Friday, February 6, 2009
6:00 p.m.
I am back home after a lovely day in the city with my mom and am getting ready to head back out again to the city to meet my friends and sisters for dinner and then go out dancing afterwards! Took the day off from work so I could spend my birthday with my favorite woman on earth: my beautiful mom. After getting in late last night, I woke up at 8:20 a.m. and opened my mom's bedroom door and hopped into her bed, waking her up and saying 'It's my birthday!!' :) hahahaha I made her and papa breakfast (scrambled eggs, toast, chai) and then mum and I got ready and went to the city to go to The Rubin Museum of Art for their special exhibit on Kathmandu - Land of the Gods - the Rubin Museum is devoted to the art of India and Tibet, Nepal and that region and it is beautiful. However, the only downside of the trip was eating at the cafe - the staff was curt and a tad rude to me and my mom and the food - while it tasted good - was not enough - the 1/2 naanini sandwich was so small and I really wish it had been a bigger serving and the muligatwany soup (while plentiful) was really just daal (lentil soup) and it was sooo rich due to the coconut - for $10 it was too expensive - I could get a much better, healthier and more filling Indian meal elsewhere for equal or lesser cost so while the museum was great - the cafe was a let down and we were more upset by the rude/curt staff than anything else. If you're in that area, I recommend that you dine instead across the street at CREMA which will be MUCH better for you - they offer a HUGE spread of food for a prix fixe of $19!
After the exhibit, mum and I went to Macy's where she bought me the JESSICA SIMPSON FANCY perfume, body wash and lotion set which came with these 3 gorgeous traveling cases! Love love LOVED it :) Went to Midtown Comics then and purchased my ticket for New York ComicCon which is taking place today, tomorrow and Sunday and I plan to attend Saturday with my dear friends. Afterwards, I head to Queens to meet with my producer for work on music tracks and on Sunday my sisters booked me EQUUS! We'll do brunch in the city and the museum (Guggenheim). Can't wait to see EQUUS! :)
Ok am off to get ready now. *HUGS* to all!! And thank you for everyone's birthday wishes!!
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Super Bowl Sunday! Woo HOOOO :D
Sunday, February 1, 2009
3:30 p.m.
I am heading over to my good friend's apartment in the city for his superbowl party and bringing along a healthy soy-cheese organic pizza. Can't wait to see the superbowl commercials - they're my favorite part! Cardinals vs. the Steelers - going to be a great game! :D
This Friday (February 6) is my birthday and I am planning a birthday party with my friends and family - going to beautiful Japanese-Peruvian restaurant KION for dinner Friday night, and then on Saturday, attending New York COMIC CON festival with my food friends before coming back home for a birthday celebration with my entire family. Next Sunday, I'll be seeing EQUUS (final performance). Going to be a great weekend next! :) Not to mention the GRAMMYs are next Sunday as well I believe! :)
Met my friend Javier on Friday for dinner at SURYA (great Indian restaurant over on Bleeker Street in the village) where we feasted on warm lentil salad, shrimp biriyani and salmon curry before and trying ALL their desserts (the ghulab jamun and rice pudding was the best) before heading to Brooklyn to the art gallery where his art exhibit was being held. Javier is an amazing artist who is Spanish (from Spain) and incredibly talented - his works were featured in magazines, shown throughout Madrin and Spain and here in the city! He gave me the honour of gifting me with one of his works on Friday night - a gorgeous work on the mind/brain and connection on neurons - I hung it up over my night stand next to my bed - it's stunning! I LOVE his art works and am going to be designing his website to show case his works.
Ok I have to take a hot shower now & get ready for my friend's superbowl party. Have a great night all!
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Sunday, January 25, 2009
07:40 p.m.
oh my god my thighs and knees feel like jelly! I just finished a 100-minute long (1 hour & 40 minute) workout on the brand new Health Rider elliptical machine my 3 sisters and I bought for papa and mummy as their christmas present this year. Dude - that thing's "weight loss workouts" are *tough* and I'm someone who runs 7-12 miles on a regular basis! Hope I see significant results - although it was definitely tough on my thigh muscles, I don't feel like I got enough of a heavy breathing cardio workout. Tomorrow I'll do its "cardio workout" and compare ;)
Am going to take a quick hot shower and watch the Screen Actors' Guild Awards tonight. Love Awards season :)
This weekend was such fun! We celebrated mummy and papa's birthdays combined and my 3 sisters came home (2 bringing along their significant others whom papa and mummy *adore*) and it was like we were all already one big huge happy family. Papa went to his friends Mario's and Jose's places where he was taught the Italian-art of making meat-filled bread - papa got to make real dough and fill it with bacon and that along with garlic bread rolls were his contribution to the birthday feast Saturday afternoon. The rest of the meal consisted of delicious baked chicken, beans, and my favorite: the fish curry! Dessert was the delicious cinnamon-pumpkin cake with real cinnamon chips that Mekha was able to find again at Stop & Shop :) Afterwards, we all played papa's favorite Indian game: CARAMS! If you don't know what Carams is, it's like shooting pool only you use your fingers to flick these disks into the pockets and there are specific rules - awesome game. Nith kept getting the Doritos on the board and mixing it with the talc powder you have to dust onto the board to make the disks move smoothly ;)
This morning while mum and pop went to church, Mil made us breakfast of omellettes with tomatoes, peppers, garlic and onions, we toasted up multi-grain bread, I made coffee and we breakfasted over the newspaper. Lunch was again a feast of spaghetti with tomato sauce, my favorite shrimp curry, broccolli, chicken breasts, and dessert was assorted cheesecakes and chocolate ice cream.
So you see now why I did a 1-hour and 40-minute long grueling workout on the elliptical tonight ;)
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend - back to work tomorrow - le sigh.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
10:51 p.m.
I have a brand new favorite body lotion: Jergen's Naturals Renew - it has the most beautiful light scent, is completely moisturizing and nourishing, and it is 93% organic and free & clear of parabens which are known to cause breast tumors.
Ran 7 miles tonight when I came home before heading out to pick up Mek from the train station and pick up bananas for mummy from Stop & Shop. While there I went to the sushi section and picked up a seaweed salad and a rainbow roll :) Just finished this lovely meal and am going to head to bed soon.
Looking fwd to the weekend: heading to B.B. Kings tomorrow night to see Collie Buddz and on Saturday heading into Brooklyn for Adrian Grenier's band Honey Brothers. This weekend is also going to be spent with family celebrating mummy and papa's birthdays combined. I plan to get up early on Saturday and make banana-apple-almond pancakes and scrambled eggs :)
Am totally going to catch up on my recorded episodes of Gossip Girl, Privileged and 90210 this weekend, not to mention catch up on the eps I missed of Bromance and the City and how in the world can I catch Monday's Bachelor!? Must watch online!!! :)
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Happy Obama Inauguration Day! :)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
05:06 a.m.
Good early morning - woke up at 1:30 a.m. and couldn't really fall back asleep and lay partially awake all night until I couldn't ignore my rumbling hungry stomach anymore and got up at 4:30 a.m. to help myself to a bowl of Grape Nuts & soy milk. Came downstairs and have been looking up this cafe/breakfast/brunch spot I found once and I believe it's called the Cupping Room Cafe over on West Broadway. Mekha and I spent Monday, January 19th, 2009 (Martin Luther King Day) having a "Chechy & Makkie's Day of Fun in the city" where neither of us had to work and could walk around the city without rushing, take it slow and drink everything in like we always wish we could on our usual hurried morning commutes.
We slept in till 9:15 and got up, got ready and onto the 10:30 train in, walked it to the Shuttle and took the 1 down to Christopher Street and after walking up West 4th Street, settled on I Tre Merli on West 10th Street for breakfast. Arrived just after 11 a.m. to a beautiful spot by the window to watch the snow fall lightly - it had snowed all day Sunday and we were surprised to find it still snowing (lightly) all day today as well - but it was soooooo gorgeous to watch the snow fall on the city streets while we stayed warm and cozy inside there. Mek and I said more than once we wished we could just stay there all day with a good book and a cup of cappuccino!
Anywayz, only one other couple was dining there that morning and it was warm & cozy, with lovely music playing which made it feel like it was still Christmas. Out waiter was attentive and delightful. I ordered the french toast with fresh berries, my sister the waffles - everything was prepared healthy & perfectly. French toast was soft, moist & melted in my mouth. The 1st cup of coffee was delicious. The bus boys refilled our waters every time. We were never rushed out, and were able to linger with our 2nd cup of coffees a long while. At about 1pm, just when we were ready to leave was when the restaurant got jam-packed! Couldn't believe how crowded it got so we were happy to have enjoyed the restaurant when it was quiet. I highly recommend the restaurant - was beautiful with delicious food. Loved it!
I then took Mek for a walk around that part of the neighborhood, introducing her to the cookies and confections at BATCH, CITY BAKERY & CORRADO BAKERY & showing her the famous STONEWALL INN and KETTLE OF FISH. We browsed books at THREE LIVES bookstore on Waverly Place and before we walked down Bleeker Street and I took her to my other fave bookstore 'PARTNERS & CRIME MYSTERY BOOKSELLERS' where I found 8 of the 10 books of 'World's 100 Best Detective Stories' series in original hardcover 1929 book print editions!!! I got them for a 20% discount too and at such a bargain price! :) Love that store. We then headed up to Union Square and did some shopping - Mekha hit Forever21 while I went to BEBE which was having a huge sale taking an extra 50% off its already discounted merchanfise. I splurged on a gorgeous black dress coat (original price $269 and I got it for $119) as well as a silk cream beige jacket and this flowy silky black & purple & magenta dress. Then after checking out Diesel (nothing today), we took the subway up to MoMA for the Marlene Dumas exhibit and Mek and I LOOVVVEEDDD it! It was so dark and macabre and some pieces could have been disturbing if you took them that way but Mek and I appreciated it with an artist's eye and with a focus on what the artist was trying to accomplish and convey. I wound up buying the Exhibition book so I could remember some of my favorite paintings - I'd love to own 1 or 2 of my favorite pieces of her works one day. I loved that Marlene Dumas' exhibit was titled 'Digging Your Own Grave' and made people contemplate and confront dark themes and their own dark thoughts.
After MoMA, Mek and I headed in the now very heavy snow to Serendipity because Mek had never been there before and it happens to be one of my favorite places to eat! It's famous for its Frrrrrozen Hot Chocolate! :) Normally the place has a huge line but when we got there (around 6-ish) no crowds and no wait and we were seated upstairs. Mek ordered the Curried Chicken Almondine which was this amazingly delicious chicken and noodle casserole dish with toasted almonds on top and which came paired with a mango chutney that I *loved* but Mekha didn't (she doesn't like her chicken to be sweetened but I thought it added so much to the meal) and with a large salad for her before it. I ordered the DIM SUM (shrimp dumplings) and this very large salad of spinach, tomamto, fruits (strawberries, blackberries) and avocado and almonds - was soooo delicious - with a pot of jasmine green tea and Mekha wound up having the amazingly delicious Chocoliccino for dessert (no dessert for me - I ate like 9 desserts at Mark's wedding on Saturday! Although I did wind up running 12 miles on Sunday to make up for it).
I'm pretty sure the Jasmine Green Tea is what kept me up tonight - ah well. :) Just finished my cereal and am munching on a slice of toast with some of that mango chutney on it (yum!) :) Mek and I had such a lovely day in the wintry city today (yesterday).
It's now January 20th, 6 a.m. almost and time for me to get ready for work. Today is the day OBAMA becomes President!! :) I'm going to see if I can get a blank VHS tape and set my VCR to record everything since I'll be at work all day while the ceremony and parade go on. So excited! We have a president I love! :)
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Saturday, January 17, 2009
09:49 p.m.
Came back from my friend Mark's wedding - was such a wonderful and beautiful wedding held at the Riviera in Massapequa, Long Island. Drove out in the morning and reached there by 11:30 a.m....so many of my good friends from work were there and we had such a fabulous time dancing and talking. Mek (my sister Mekha who was my date for the day ;)) and I ate until our stomachs could hold nothing more - seriously! And even then we kept eating! hahahahaha :) The cocktail hour was fabulous with every kind of food I loved! From shrimp rice, to shrimp cocktails, a carving station with tons of delicious meets, pasta and salad sections I devoured, and the desserts - oh my GOD the desserts - from eclairs, to red velvet cake, to other chocolate and vanilla cakes, to pastry puffs and a chocolate fondue fountain which we dipped Rice Krispie treats and marshmallows into.....I tried to run on the treadmill tonight when I came home but gave up after a paltry mile - I'll try running again tomorrow ;)
Last night Mek and I went to Tiffin Wallah over on 28th & Lexington (in Little India here in Manhattan) and we feasted on Navratan Korma, Uttapam and Mysore Masala Dosa and of course masala chai :) the chutney and sambar the latter 2 meals came with were fabulous! Think Mek and I will try Handii next and some of the other delicious-looking Indian restaurants around there in the coming weeks.
After all this rich eating I *have* get back on the running routine now ;)
Mek and I might go to the city tomorrow to get free ice-skating lessons at Bryant Park and do Sunday brunch in the village - be nice :) or maybe we should do Monday instead since we have the day off? Ah shall see. I want to see the Marlene Dumas exhibit at MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art before it closes next month.
Drove Jose, Kerry & David back to Jackson Heights where Jose lived and dropped Kerr and Dave by the subway before Mek and I drove back home....we had planned to stay over at our other sister Mili's in Long Island but decided best to go home....I wanna do another weekend in Connecticut at our sister Nithi's. Mark & Marie's wedding was just beautiful :) Was a wonderful day to celebrate with them.
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Sunday, January 11, 2009
11:07 p.m.
Just finished watching the Golden Globes and cannot believe how amazing it is that Slum Dog Millionaire won so many awards including the final and most important: best picture! :) I can't believe Shah Rukh Khan actually introduced it!!! I have been saving that movie to watch with my sisters and Mek and I are going to see it this Friday - I am going to take her for dinner to Tiffin Wallah beforehand (this awesome Indian restaurant over in Little India on Lexington that I LOVE) :) I was also happy to see Happy Go Lucky earned its star the best actress award - that and 'I've Loved You So Long' were on my must watch list when I saw Vicky Christina Barcelona a few months ago. All 3 movies won awards or earned nominations! Love movies. Love Hollywood :)
Spent today at home with the fam, did laundry, wrote to friends, as always the weekend ends too soon. The moon was a large golden yellow tonight. Have to call my friend Alexi tomorrow and see the status on my harddrive. I'm tired of not having my computer. I want to get back to work on my books, writing, music and everything. It's time to get my life back in order already.
Next weekend. Saturday I'll be attending the wedding of one of my best friends: Mark Stamps who marries his love, Marie :) Mekha is accompanying me out to Long Island. In anticipation of it, on Friday during my lunch hour I walked down to the Meat Packing District and hit the Catherine Malandrino store over on Hudson and scored this beautiful red dress I had had my eye on a couple months back when it was on the store window's mannequin. Catherine Malandrino is one of my favorite designers!! Occasionally, the store has some of its dresses on huge sale and imagine my surprise when I walked in and found out they had the Ruffle Sleeve Shirt Dress in Pomegranate - the exact dress I had so coveted - available in a Size 0 and on sale??? :) Original price: $425 - sale? $159! HELLO!! :D Done & bought! It needs to be hemmed because I'm so short but it fit perfectly and is BEAUTIFUL! While there I also tried on this red white and blue flag dress I saw Kelly Ripa wear on Regis & Kelly but the dress was waaayyyy too humongous on me - sometimes it sucks to be so petite and short but it's better for my wallet ;) hahaha :)
Next Sunday I had thought of performing for my producers' new gig (they're doing another charity show at The River on 10th Avenue) but no time to rehearse means no way I'm performing. It's so frustrating not being able to perform at shows without proper musicians to rehearse with on a regular basis. *sigh* I really, REALLY need to put together a solid roster of musicians willing to accompany me as a band - it is definitely time.
Anywayz, also time for me to head to sleep. *HUGS* to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
10:51 p.m.
It snowed all day here today and I spent it sleeping in late, breakfasting with the newspaper for hours, and then lunching on delicious fish, cuppa & sauteed mushrooms like only my mum cane make while I opened the new January & February 2009 issues of RIBON, NAKAYOSI & CIAO I picked up from Kinokuniya the other day and I am in love with all the new series featured! Will re-start my subscription through Sasuga ASAP (will be so expensive because the rates have increased so much since my subscription ran out)! The furoku though is soooo worth it - the January issues included great calendars and CIAO had this beautiful mechanical pencil for Kirarin Revolution - has that been licensed in the U.S. yet already?? I'm so excited because I learned that Ciao's Gokujyo!! Mecha Mote Iinchou has been made into an anime! And also that Mamotte Lollipop has been picked up by FUNIMATION and will be released here in the U.S. as Save Me Lollipop! :D
Ribon just started a new series by Arina Tanemura-sensei called Sakura Hime Kaden which so far looks sooooo good :) Full of shoujo goodness! I also like the MOMO series, CRASH, Petit Parade, Fly High and Patissiere Yumeiro.Sad to see Love Cotton ended though :( CIAO also has a new series featuring the Japanese boy band HEY! SAY! JUMP! whose lives and careers have been made into a manga! I'm also loving Ultra Hanamaru Z Gumi by Mariko Kosaka whose HAPPY HAPPY CLOVER is going to be published by VIZ in May (yaaayy!) :) Ciao's MAID JA NAI MON (I'm not a maid) also looks great! :)
Ate yummy onigiri on Thursday - delicious Konbu onigiri and seaweed onigiri from Cafe Zaiya on 41st Street before heading over to Kinokuniya's own Cafe Zaiya and treating myself to a slice of Pear cake and Ambrosia tea :)
After running 3 miles tonight, watched the full 2-hours re-play of The Bachelor tonight on ABC and can I just say I am SOOOOO going to watch this season's episodes - I think Jason is the best Bachelor EVER!! And the things those girls said! The "VISION BOARD" girl HAHAHAHAHA oh god I could not stop laughing when she said "good things come from the vision board" :)
Looking up all the manga now and trying to figure out the titles - am going to re-enroll in Japanese classes soon so I can really focus on learning the Hiragana and Katakana and learn to read and write for myself. Will be back at Hindi & Mandarin as well at the end of this month :) Off to bed soon. *HUGS* to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
11:59 p.m.
went with my good friend Pete and his brother Steve to see GYPSY on Broadway tonight - it's the famous musical starring Patti Lupone which (after a very long run) is closing on Sunday. I've been lucky to see a lot of good Broadway lately :) Worked late until 7:20 tonight before hopping on the subway and joining the fellas.
Yesterday was Papa's birthday and I picked up the most delicious all natural cake - Cinnamon Pumpkin Cake with cinnamon chips! It was soooo delicious :) It's sitting in the fridge right now and would make such a good late night treat ;) hahaha it's almost 1 a.m. right now and I soooo need to hit the sack - LONG day....
Finally used up all my gift cards at Borders & Barnes & Noble today - Borders was having their buy 1 get 1 50% off and I stocked up on a TON of manga!! Can't wait to finally read them all! Got the new Jade of Bongo series, Aspirin, Bogle, Time Stranger Kyoko, Mamotte Lollipop, completed my Sugar Sugar Rune set, and the first books in the Captive Hearts and one other series I forget right now....manga manga I loveee manga :)
Ok my stomach is growling - must eat and sleep. *HUGS* and good night to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Monday, January 5, 2009
11:58 p.m.
OMG tonight was the most awesome night of Monday night TV - seriously. I got back from working out (7 mile run) and after a soothing hot shower and dinner, settled into bed to watch BROMANCE, The CITY, and switch back and forth between Bachelor and True Beauty and Momma's Boys and Daddy's Girls (MTV keeps making such great entertaining shows - I'm actually serious here!) and I love them all!! Tonight's Bachelor had this girl talking about how she could not believe that she was rejected (none of them ever seem to believe it) but she went on and about how great she is but guys keep rejecting her because she's not great enough. I seriously wish I had TiVo so I could just rewind and write down the things she said - they were soooooooo quotable and AMAZINGLY hysterical. Someone tell me you recorded it and PLEASE write down what that girl SAIDDDD for meeeee??? :D
I am such a fan of BROMANCE and THE CITY - Brody Jenner's series about guy-friends is funny as heck and Whitney Port's The City is just delicious fun to watch for all the clothes & new drama! And Daddy's Girls? I had no idea I would like it but seeing it brought so many memories of L.A. back - Griffith Park especially - and the girls and their interactions with Daddy (the super-rich Russell Simmons) was so cute and sweet! And Momma's Boys and True Beauty? Again - SOOOOO much good entertainment - these are the reality shows you SOOOOOOO want to watch because they are just that good! HYSTERICAL STUFF! Where do they find these people with such immense personalities?
Seriously you couldn't pay me to leave my TV tonight. Oh and the FIESTA BOWL was happening tonight as well so I was tuning back and forth from the Ohio State game as well (I love football).
Saw the final closing performance of Young Frankenstein on Broadway yesterday and it was so great :) Had no idea it was such a sexy/erotic-themed musical but it was a hoot and a holler and it's pronounced 'Fronk-en-steen' ;) This Wednesday, my friend Pete and his brother and I are going to see GYPSY starring Patti Lupone - that show closes on Broadway next Sunday and I am sooooooooo happy Pete got us all tickets! Now all that is left is for me to see EQUUS before it closes (the play starring Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe and his controversial nudity that is much hyped about).
Agh almost midnight - must get to bed or I will be zonked tomorrow. *HUGS* to all!
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Happy New Year's Eve!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
07:38 a.m.
Last night I saw Liza Minelli at the Palace Theater - she is a phenomenal performer - such energy, such a voice! I took my friend Mona there for her birthday and we had a BLAST! Love, love, LOVE Liza Minelli - watching her makes you feel *good* - as in HAPPY :) She's so vivacious and infectious with her charm and pizazz! Yes Pizazz!! :D
Speaking of performances, on Saturday night I went to support my producers Manoj and Pramanik of BrownSkinz Music at their show in the city at The River on 10th Avenue b/t 42nd & 43rd Streets - didn't leave there until midnight and didn't come home until almost 3 a.m. but it was awesome! Mona introduced me to these 2 new producers from Queens who wanted to work with me and I asked a new producer I will be working with named Joe from New Jersey (who does music for TV, Commercials and Film) to meet me at the show to talk about working together on music.
Lots happening on the music front - all good :) Today is New Year's Eve and my dear friend Alexi said he will help fix my computer!! :D I hope he can get all my data recovered!! That will be the BEST New Year's gift!
Ok am off to the train station. *HUGS* and love to all!
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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
12:42 a.m.
good god not again - I screwed up my computer once more on the eve of a brand new year. ya know how my computer got a virus? I spent this morning uploading some of my files that I absolutely needed and hoped to get an 8 or 16GB flash drive to save the rest of my files tonight - well I didn't get it and I foolishly loaded my computer up again using safe mode to check my email before bed....the keyboard wouldn't work and the screen froze and so, frustrated, I pressed the main power switch on the comp to re-boot it and SYSTEM32 corrupt error. God no. This is what screwed up my last harddrive. When I think about how much data and important stuff I had on that comp this is NOT NOT NOT FAIR. UGHHHHH. Now I *have* to go back to BestBuy and pay their ridiculous sum to see if they can back up the data and restore my comp. God this sucksssssssssssssss.
I'm going to see what I can do before I go to bed.
Tomorrow night, I am going with my friend Mona to see Liza Minelli at the palace! :) Can't wait to see her perform! Hopefully, it'll take my mind off my computer worries.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Merry Christmas :)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
10:00 p.m.
(Mekha, Nithi, me, mummy and papa - only Mili was missing because her train couldn't get to the city until 6:20)
My Christmas Gifts to my family this year went perfectly! It began with a fancy dinner at the Russian Tea Room on Tuesday night & it was simply wonderful :) The night before (Monday night) I had stayed up until 1:30 a.m. pouring through the menu and selecting the best items and how to order them by combining prix fixe and main-menu items so that we could order the best dishes at the most cost-effective basis and I worked it out beautifully! I made a gorgeous menu, printed it out, left it for the fam to find the next morning and during my lunch hour at work on Tuesday, went to 57th street and spoke with the manager of the Russian Tea Room and ensured that the items on my menu would be prepared beautifully - light on butter, oil, etc. because of papa and mummy's health concerns. I asked everything to be finished by 6:30, that the dishes be brought out together so we could all share - they did the most beautiful job!
Here was my menu I designed:
Appetizers:
Buckwheat Blini & Caviar Crepes (wild alaskan salmon caviar with chopped egg, red onion & sour cream)
Goat Cheese & Wild Mushroom Blinkchiki (chestnut crepes filled with mixed mushrooms, melted onions with a mulberry & pomegranate reduction - looks like folded ivory pancakes)
Red Borscht (soup of red short ribs broth with pickled red beets, vegetables, dill & beef pirozhki)
Pelmeni (a soup of oxtail dumplings in beef and foie gras with root vegetables & truffle essence)
Maine Lobster Salad (poached Maine lobster with mixed radishes, celery root, fennel & blood orange broth)
Entrees:
Market Fish - Daily seasonal preparation of a current market fish -- which was salmon
Chicken Tabaka (flattened mushrooms & truffle-oil marinated cornish hen with butternut squash & whip-creamed/egg-white-whipped kohlrabi & wild mushrooms)
Hot Plum Crumble sauteed plums, port reduction, spiced granola crumble, crystalized ginger icecream
Fall Citrus Tart - confit kumquats, blood orange & spiced pistachio
The Czar's Gold & Caviar Parfait was boring - but the Hot Plum Crumble was AMAZING :) We ordered Darjeeling Tea, St. Petersberg Tea, Prince Vldamir tea and the Lung Ching Green Tea - all of which came with trays of cookies (madelines and biscuits) with these beautiful cherry preserves the waiter told us went in the tea (a Russian tradition) - well I liked it better on top of the biscuit cookies actually - much tastier :)
After this delicious dinner - and honestly, everything was prepared exactly as I wished - light, healthy, clean, there was nothing creamy, buttery or unhealthy - simply perfect - we walked down the 10 blocks on Broadway to see WHITE CHRISTMAS! :) The seats I had gotten - Center Orchestra row S were PERFECT! And the musical was wonderful from start to finish - TONS of dancing, singing, the story was great (if you saw the movie starring Fred Astaire & Bing Crosby than you know what the musical is about) and it was updated for present-day NYC.
Mili wasn't in any of the pictures because she had come in from Long Island straight from work just to see the show (she absolutely LOVED it) and had to run back to Penn Station to catch her train. Incidentally, my beautiful sis passed the 3rd part of her CPA exam! She got a 91!! How amazing is she? :)
Anywayz, papa had parked at a parking garage on 56th Street and I navigated the way home on the West Side highway - the city was SO beautiful - we had so much fun walking down Broadway with all the city lights, flashing neon signs and the magic of Broadway in front of us - I held papa's hand for a couple blocks - was SUCH a cute father-daughter moment :) It was SUCH A COLD night too but my mom had on this beautiful coat I had gotten her few Christmas ago with a hood so she was good :) On the drive home, they told me that this was what was most important - the memories - all of us doing this together as a family :) I was so happy :) We didn't get home until 11/11:30 and the next morning went to work and on Wednesday night (Christmas Eve) we went to church - beautiful Christmas service - LONG night, didn't get home until again past 11 and WE OPENED PRESENTS!!!
It's a tradition in our family (most christmases) that we open up presents on Christmas Eve night right after church (but some times we have managed to wait until the next morning ;) hahaha) well - in addition to the dinner & show (which had cost me a fortune) I still wanted the girls and papa and mummy top open up something but because of the late nights, I hadn't gotten a chance to wrap their small gifts or make these special memory-keepsake presents I had also planned and designed.
That day (Christmas Eve) I had went to Duane Reade's photo center during lunch and designed these beautiful greeting cards, collage matte prints and bordered photos. And on Tuesday when I had gone with my instructions to the manager of the Russian Tea Room, I had picked up their beautiful cards, postcards, etc. My plan had been to design and create a beautiful frame-able or other keepsake that my family could keep around to remember our night together.
So after opening presents (I got a Borders Gift Card, 2 Visa Gift Cards, a necklace, JESSICA SIMPSON's FANCY perfume, a beautiful magenta sweater from Forever21, Victoria's Secret hand lotions, and money from mummy and papa), and making my family believe that I had nothing to give them except the dinner & the show (which was a LOT considering how I'm broke now from spending so much on it but convincing them, nonetheless that I had no little stocking stuffers even) I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. wrapping the small gifts I had bought them over the past couple weeks - I got Mekha TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD (to complete the Harry Potter collection) and the 2nd novel in the "FRIDAY NIGHT KNITTING CLUB" which I loaned her to read and she loved it so when I saw the 2nd book came out, grabbed it for her, I got Mili got a gift card to H&M (one of our favorite stores), I got Nithi a Victoria's Secret lotion gift set in a pretty bag, Papa got the DEAL OR NO DEAL electronic game, and mummy got perfume I bought her.
This morning, I got up early and snuck downstairs and piled the presents on the formal living room's center table. It took me a long time to glue the cards and tape the photos - I put the tickets for the White Christmas show on the bottom so that the cards would stand up and inside, I placed the photos from the night. The greeying cards also contained matchbooks from Russian Tea Room on the back.
Mummy made putih and piarih for breakfast and after everyone had woken up and come down, I took them to the living room where they LOVED the cards and the keepsakes and the presents even more :) hahahahaah they were definitely completely surprised :)
After making some hot coffee and reading the paper, I went and helped mum with Christmas lunch - cut up, washed & made delicious healthy broccoli and helped her make curried tilapia cooked in olive oil and make pork and beef kebabs on these skewers Mil had bought over the summer. Mum had already put a turkey in the oven for dinner so that was set. We ate lunch together with papa's friend Mario's home-made Italian white wine. And I read poems at the table from this small book of Christmas poems - I read Come, Bring With a Noice by Robert Herrick and Minstrals by William Wordsworth.
Nith then made drinks - martinis for the girls and papa, mum enjoyed white wine, and I poured myself some cherry-flavored brandy and we all gathered in the living room to watch old home videos. We put in these VHS tapes from way back in the late 80's/early 90's...such a treat to see ourselves to young...vacations in India, riding bicycles in our old home in Carmel....celebrating birthdays...I got all teary-eyed at one point while one video showed us celebrating Mek and Mil's birthday and papa was making sure group photos were being taken with the automatic camera....
I appreciated and loved my family so much today...we have been through so much together.....despite how we get angry at each other some times, how annoyed we get, sometimes we can fight very badly - at the deep heart of it all is such a great, great love we have...we are family, no matter what - through thick and thin.
After the videos, papa and mummy watched their AsiaNet movies while the girls and I played PASSWORD, writing up words on pieces of papers, using my cake-shaped timer, and we had a blast.
Right now I am preparing for bed...it has been a wonderful Christmas and I have to work tomorrow - sadly, our company did not give us the day after Christmas off :( I wish they had - all the attorneys have to come in and work who didn't request the day off. Ah well. What to do.
One of the main "lessons" in the musical White Christmas comes to mind right now - it said that if you're having trouble sleeping, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you will fall asleep counting your blessinggggsssss.....my greatest blessing is my family.
This has been a HUGE long entry....I am off to bed. Hope your Christmas was beautiful. *HUGS* to all with special love to Sarah Beth, Azure Kaze, Caroline, Miyu-chan and Callie. God bless.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Christmas is almost here!! :)
Monday, December 22, 2008
10:00 p.m.
god I can't wait to fix my computer and have it back working in my bedroom again - it hasn't been that bad actually considering I can check email at work and on my dad's comp at night but it's the little things I miss - like being able to check 'weatherbug' in the morning to check the temperature and forecast, being able to sit in the early morning and write while I gaze at the geese and ducks on the lake outside my window...stupid viruses that infected my comp grrr . . .
Tomorrow after work I am taking my family out for Christmas! As my gift this year, I bought amazing Orchestra seats to an evening performance of Irving Berlin's Broadway Musical: WHITE CHRISTMAS! :D And before the show? I reserved us a table for dinner at the incomparable Russian Tea Room. Yes, I am very broke now from spending a lot on this but to see my parents and sisters with me in my beautiful NYC enjoying a fancy dinner and a broadway musical show at Christmas time - makes it all worth it. :) I'm wearing this super pretty silver dress and matching brocade dress I bought as a set from Victoria's Secret a year ago and super warm gray suede boots.
Today was unbelievably cold in NYC - 14 degrees and the wind made it even more bitter! UGH BY JOVE I hate this weather.
This weekend, Mek and Mil and I drove up to Connecticut to join our sister Nithi for her Christmas party - was SUCH a good time and I had waaayyyyy too much of Three Olives Triple Shot Espresso Vodka oh my GOD WAS THAT GOOD!!! I am soooo buying that and stocking my cabinet with it :D hahahaha :) Anything chocolate or mocha flavored - gimme :D Plus the drink matched my chocolate dress I wore with killer high heel brown soft-faux leather boots :)
Connecticut was fun - driving there and back in heavy snow and icy, slippery road conditions? Not so much. The # of accidents we saw on our drive up and back was ridiculous.
Here in NYC, the big news is Bernard Madoff and his Ponzi scheme which has affected almost everyone who had money to invest. He was at the federal courthouse over by Centre Street last week to sign over his apartment on the upper east side on Lexington (he also has homes in Palm Beach and in Hamptons). In other news, the Yankees are asking the city to use more than 1/2 of the $370-MILLION in bonds it's given them to finish the new stadium to pay for "enhancements" that weren't part of the original deal including a "banquet hall" and costly audio/visual equipment. Now, I'm a Yankees fan but come on!! Governor Patterson's just proposed RIDICULOUS taxes where we - the citizens - are getting royally screwed - and here our baseball team is taking hundreds of millions of dollars for a fancy stadium that many of us won't even be able to afford to go to!
Don't get me started on Gov. Patterson's taxes - I am, like everyone else in the city, steamed about them. He wants to cut $698-million in school aid (I'm an advocate for education) and then hike our taxes on everything from soda and movie tickets (which already cost $12!!) to clothing less than $110 by eliminating the current tax exemption - I mean COME ON! We weren't the one who put a $15-billion deficit upon the city! NYC is already an expensive place to live and work - the # of taxes he's proposing will make it down-right insufferable! And this combined with the rate and fare increased on public transit? Seriously! And yet, somehow we'll get by - we'll complain and grouse but us New Yorkers are a rare breed - we pull together in good and bad times and truck on through. I love this city, heart and soul.
Anywayz, I'm off to bed *HUGS* to all and will report tomorrow night with news of the show & dinner at Russian Tea Room and hopefully with lots of pictures :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
11:16 p.m.
oh my lord has this been like the longest day EVER. My folks came back from their 10-day vacation at our Florida home and wouldn't you know that it snowed tonight and Mek and I drove the SUV Benz in the crazy weather to JFK to pick them up at 9 tonight - we skidded a little pulling out of our driveway and a bit on the Hutchinson South but despite how slick and bad the roads were, we made it there & back safe and sound.
I actually really LOVED driving in the snow - yeah it's a lil scary and dangerous but God was it beautiful - everyone was traveling 30-40 mph and no rushing, everyone being courteous and cautious for once on these busy highways.
I rushed home from work tonight because I promised my folks I'd cook dinner for them - prepared a delicious main entree of sauteed tilapia, mixed vegetables and rice - came out sooooo good :) We just finished eating and I'm finally going to get some rest after not sleeping last night and waking up at 3:30 a.m. no less! Driving back from JFK was much better because the weather improved by that time and was mostly rain. They say it'll be partly sunny tomorrow ;) hahaha so weird to have battled through the thick snow tonight and tomorrow it'll be back to sunshine ;) ok off to bed. Good night all.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
06:33 a.m.
good morning :) I have been up since 3:30 a.m. today - woke up and could not fall back asleep - may have been because I had a cup of hot milk with some cocoa in it before I went to sleep last night - perhaps the caffeine in the cocoa woke me? Ah well. I got up at 5 a.m. and went and made breakfast - house was so quiet - toasted multi-grain bread with fresh avocado spread upon it and a cup of light soy milk - delicious but I think too heavy and complex a meal for 1st thing in the morning - should've just had toast with herbal tea.
Spent the early dawn hour reading all the Space-related news I could - been a while since I caught up on the world of astronomy discoveries and there were some great articles related to the new movie The Day The Earth Stood Still starring Keanu Reeves which just came out in theaters over the weekend. It's on my must-watch list along with Four Christmases :)
Wrote to my friend Yumi in Japan who lives in Nagoya - I love hearing about her life there and the cool thing is - we love all the same TV shows - she's a fan of Ugly Betty and loves Gossip Girl - she watches tons of American television there and sends me awesome MP3s of great Japanese artists and anime soundtracks :) I promised if she ever visits NYC I will house her and show her everywhere and it will be nice if and when I visit Japan to have a friend there like her :) Yumi and I became friends a year ago through JapanForum.com - if you're into Japanese anime and culture like I am, it's a fantastic forum to share your love of Ramen and Sushi, Japanese festivals, language, religion and traditions & meet other similar people (and the members are from all over the world so you'd make friends with Irish people, Polish, Italian, American, in addition to Japanese). I plan on sending Yumi-chan a DVD box set of the 1st Season of Gossip Girl because she has to wait months for it to come there.
Anyway, I am going to take a shower and get ready for work now - I have this yummy Almond Mocha body wash gel I think I'll use this morning to put me in a more "awake/morning" mood :) hahahah :) Think I'll stop by Starbucks and get a Mocha coffee too ;) Have a great day all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Biggest Full Moon of the Year Tonight
Friday, December 12, 2008
10:47 p.m.
If you haven't already, go outside and take a look at the moon tonight - it's the biggest full moon of 2008 - known as a "perigee Moon" because it occurs at the side of the Moon's elliptical orbit closest to Earth. Check out these gorgeous images of the moon taken back on December 1, 2008 - the 1st was taken by John Gay at the Rocky Mountians and Lake Dillon just after sunset on Dec. 1, 2008 near Dillon, Colorado and the 2nd over the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai, India taken by Rajanish Kakade. You can see a whole slide-show of such images over at this Yahoo! Nehws link :)
After work tonight, I headed over to my favorite spa and treated myself to a manicure and pedicure and body massage. I am still sick and I felt so run-down and needed some TLC - my cough wasso much worse tonight - I was coughing periodocially on the massage table and was all gargly-voiced when speaking with the owner of the spa and with my manicurist - when I caught a look at myself in their mirrors my eyes were swollen and face puffy - ugh, I wish this cold would just go away! But I'm glad I went - my nails look beautiful (clear polish, double coat on top of a base) and my back felt so much better after my masseuse Kevin's great massage. The Spa I go to's prices are great and they've known me for years so I get special treatment. I then took my coughing sick self home on the train, Mek picked me up and after a light dinner, shopped on OldNavy.com picking up 6 very cute new sweaters including this very pretty "marshmallow" sherpa zip-jacket that is going to be wonderful to wear when I go outside on cold morning or afternoon runs, their cable-knit pullover hoodie sweaters in heather gray & dark sea blue (perfect to where anywhere and everywhere), this gorgeous winter-design shawl cardigan, a Rugby blue and wite striped cable knit sweater (perfect to wear with my white pants - it looks super comfy and cozy) and this gorgeous cable-knit white zip hooded cargidan - I own a lot of white sweaters but none like this :) It was worth it to shop at ON now because they're giving a 20% off with free shipping so I got everything at awesome prices! :D Plus OldNavy.com carries my size (XS-Petite) and had the colors of the items I loved best :)
It's 11pm almost and I am going to head to sleep. I need a good LONG rest.
Jane aww I am very glad you liked the article I wrote in the entry below :) I hope you went to BravuraArtist.com and checked out my previous pieces? :) I see you're from NYC too but I don't believe I've seen you comment on my entries before - either way it's a pleasure to meet you :)
Azure Kaze oh my gosh you hit the jackpot! What a find! :) thanks for the link!! I can't wait to go and print all of them out!! :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
07:22 p.m.
Down the dark & destructive path . . . a phoenix rises
by Nishi Rajan
To be published in Nishi's Niche at Bravura Artist
Sometimes, you have to go down the completely wrong and self-destructive path, and do the completely wrong and unhealthy things, in order to learn and find your way back onto the right path. Like the phoenix - whose self-destruction causes her to re-emerge even more beautiful and wiser.
For much of your life, you live according to a plan - whether your own or your parents' or some other societal entity. This plan is ultimately for your own good. You realize this, which is why you go about following it.
But there comes a time when, for various reasons, you're unable to follow the plan. Deep-rooted problems surface, questions unanswered, dissatisfaction, physical, hormonal or mental ills. Whatever the case, it pushes you to leave the planned path and dabble in something you know is destructive.
Part of living is to know the dark side - to know the wrong, the bad, the ugly, to learn and understand it and to accept it, even embrace it. Our understanding and acceptance of the darkness within ourselves is what enables us to better understand others and to ultimately become better people. Without understanding, we are narrow-minded, fearful people.
The universe itself is composed of opposites: good and beautiful things, and dark, ghastly, ugly things; but all serve a purpose and all are rightful parts of existence. Like the universe, to live and be human, we cannot deny the dark parts of our conscience and we cannot abhor it either.
No one is completely good, and no one is completely bad; we all have shades of each which show itself depending on the circumstance and the environment we are in. Some people and situations can bring out the best in us, others - the worst.
But to understand this dichotomy, to accept it, you have to be willing to lose yourself to it. No one can live forever in light alone - you must venture into the dark in order to find yourself, in order to understand your fellow man, and the confusing and often unfair life and universe we live in. Indeed, this world, filled with contradictions, is emblematic of humans and life itself - we are the yin and the yang, the light and the dark.
When you become lost, when you become confused, do not deny the dark - embrace it, learn within it, and re-emerge for the better. But keep in mind that last very important point: that you shallre-emerge for the better. Hold onto that last thought - for while it is good to embrace the dark, it is not good to lose yourself to it forever.
I do not condone losing yourself in drugs, alcohol, sex, or other addiction or losing yourself in any cults, religions and activities but I understand that, for some, the painful realities of life have made it impossible to live the "planned life" and require a detour, to explore and learn. Only when one has learned on this sometimes "destructive" detour, can one be the shining light they were meant to be.
Indeed, it is only when the tears have subsided, when you have utterly exhausted your mind, your body, your spirit, when you have engaged in those thoughts and actions which throw your life into turmoil, that you can look upon yourself, so much worse for the wear, and now choose to re-claim your life and be the man, the woman, you had always wished to be.
The light shall always exist to greet you when you return from the dark, and the dark shall always welcome you when the light fails. To live, you must venture between the two - each serves a purpose.
And when this you have learned, shall you rise, like the phoenix, from whose own charred ashes she lifts herself, to greet a new day, bright with new opportunities - a brand new chance to live and soar again.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Friday, December 5, 2008
7:02 p.m.
still coughing, still sneezing but the throat pain is finally subsiding. my computer caught a horrible virus too - yeah, running joke with mummy who thinks it's so hilarious ;) she went to the doctor today because both she and I and my sister Nithi have been suffering from this virus we caught last weekend. Mum's doctor put her on antibiotics because mum's cough has gotten way worse.
one of the worst feelings in the world is being sick and being unable to do anything you normally do - I haven't run since last Sunday and my God I miss my runner's high, couldn't go to work all week and I know my department must be steamed and my desk overloaded, and while home I've been stuffed with so much rice and beans and pumpkin pie that I'll be running every day for the next 3-4 weeks to undo this damage!
I actually would've given anything to go to work yesterday or today - I was going stir-crazy at home being sick - I would try to sleep and every time I was just falling under, I would wake up coughing. Still coughing and my eyes hurt and are tired. I feel worse for my mom who was hit harder than me. My sister Nithi who caught this bug a day earlier than mum and I finally said she felt better today so I'm hoping mum and I will both be better by the end of this weekend. In the meantime, it's Friday night and I am going to go make some more hot tea and curl up in bed and watch Jim Carrey's How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Have a good Friday night everyone.
Mitu you are so awesome *HUGS* thank you for your prayers. I'm really happy you signed up to join Leading Light Foundation - I look forward to working with you on the articles. How have you been doing? What's new on your end? Callie Happy Birthday in advance and thank you for your kind words. Najin why thank you so much for your sweet message! I'm so glad you enjoyed my music! :) Hope you visit and write again. Azure Kaze no kidding! :) I hope you've been doing much better! How goes it in your world? Regale me please with your stories! :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
10:24 a.m.
just got back from the doctor's - didn't go to work today like I thought I could because I woke up this morning with what seems like an even worse throat pain and cough and the doctor did a strep throat culture which was negative but prescribed me some strong cough medicine and antihistamines and told me to go home and rest and to return to work only when my fever went away. She gave me a doctor's note to return to work on Monday or earlier if my fever went away so I'll see how I feel tomorrow and go in tomorrow if I'm better. I'm going to fax this to my department at work and get into bed and sleep.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
09:58 p.m.
this post goes to God. Dear God, please bless my mom and dad with everything good and wonderful, with health, wealth, love and happiness. Tonight, mummy cut up this beautiful sweet mango and kept calling up the stairs to make Mekha and I have some. I had already over-eaten like a glutton on dinner and had just finished a mug of hot chocolate and a big cupcake from BATCH, but I took the mango because my wonderful mummy had gone to the effort - after cooking all day and she is sick with Lyme Disease, mind you - and I ate it thinking how much I loved mummy for the efforts she made for us - her family. Papa too. She told me, as I hugged her, "now take a Tylenol and get a good night's sleep and take a Tylenol before you go to work tomorrow, too." So God, I ask, beg and pray that you take care of my mummy and papa, bless them with all the happiness and health and joy in the world because they are 2 of the best parents I could have ever asked for. I love them so much. Thank you. Amen.
and now I am still coughing but am feeling much better and am determined to go to work tomorrow and make it through the work week. Hope this cold goes away & my voice recovers by the weekend because I am supposed to return to the studio with Manoj this weekend to work on my music and lay down the beginning works for the dance tracks. Off to sleep. Good night all.
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Wednesday, December 3, 2008
4:32 a.m.
it's 4:30 in the morning and I have been up coughing all night, my throat is hoarse & painful and my nose is so stuffed and head congested. Ugh. I was going to go in to work today but there is no way I can go in like this. Just finished phoning and leaving messages for my department heads and our "sick hotline" - a voicemail number we're required to leave messages documenting when we are sick. My message on the sick hotline was so strange and when I hung up I was like 'whoever listens to that is going to think I'm so weird.' I said something like 'Hello this is Nishi Rajan, I work in Legal in the Motions Department and I am sick and unwell to come in to work and have spoken with/left voice mails for A, B and C" and then I was confused on how to end the hotline message so said "and uh I am calling this hotline number to leave this message." Ugh. I'm sick and it's 4:30 - I'm not exactly coherent at this hour and condition. Just left a note for my sister on the bathroom mirror so that when she wakes up she doesn't worry. Put in some hot herbal tea in the microwave, going to drink that and crawl back in to bed. Ugh.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
3:08 p.m.
Well I didn't get to meet my friend Javier or view his art works because I came down with a horrible fever & throat pain Sunday night. I went in to work on Monday after only 3 hours of sleep (couldn't fall asleep until sometime around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday and woke up at 3:30 a.m.), somehow made it through the day by focusing on the motions I had to write, and came straight home to find that my mom had also gotten the same fever and throat pain. Nithi (one of my 3 younger sisters) had been complaining of a painful throat on Saturday and I bought her lozenges not knowing that I, too, would come down with it. We think we all got it from going to our family's upstate for Thanksgiving - how else to explain that 3 of us got all sick with the same thing at the same time?
I was burning up all night and day and woke up this morning after another bad night's sleep and called in sick to work - I just couldn't do another day of trying to get through work feeling this terrible. I ate like a pig while here at home - downed 3 slices of my sister Mili's friend Darlene's pumpkin pie (it was so soft and yummy and I swear to God I am craving another slice *must resist*), Mekha's pancake breakfast she got from somewhere (probably IHop & probably loaded with calories ;)) which had blueberries and a side of eggs, in addition to my own breakfast of buttered whole wheat toast and Kefir goat milk and blackberries.
Agh. I'll run a gazillion miles when I feel better again. Coughing right now and am making a green-tea soy milk latte using real green tea leaves from Japan a friend gave me and boiling the soy milk and leaves on the stove. Eyes are so tired. Going to drink the soy milk and curl up with my mom and rest. Hope you, dear reader, are doing better!
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Christiane Amanpour Genocide Special on CNN, Eye on Balmain Fashion & my friend Javier's Art Exhibit
Sunday, November 30, 2008
5:00 p.m.
This Thursday, December 4th, my hero Christiane Amanpour's 2-hour documentary special on CNN PRESENTS "Scream Bloody Murder" - the inaction of world governments to stop genocide - will air at 9pm on CNN. It airs as the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide approaches. It will cover the ethnic slaughters from Armenia to the Holocaust to appalling violence in Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq and Darfur. It is something you should not miss.
I have a new favorite fashion designer: Balmain. I recently viewed their collection in my Harper's Bazaar Fall Fashion Collection magazine and fell in LOVE with the fashion house's collections over the past year. Below are my favorite dresses.
Tomorrow I am meeting my new friend Javier Infantes for tea and sandwiches over at Kinokuniya. His art works will be exhibited at the Spanish American Institute over in Times Square at 215 West 43rd Street from tomorrow, December 1st through December 22nd. He's a very talented artist whose works I highly suggest you view now if you're in the city. I have a strong hunch that he will become one of the most acclaimed artists of our time. Here are links to his brochure:
It is Sunday evening on this end of thanksgiving holiday weekend and I just enjoyed a truly delicious late lunch: a whole grapefruit generously covered with cinnamon as my appetizer, followed by the main dish of wild alaskan salmon, broccoli rabe and asparagus, and a slice of my cranberry-raisin cinnamon pumpkin bread. A hot cup of Rooibos tea and a glass of lemon water completed the meal. My pumpkin bread was naturally sweet with the pumpkin, cranberry & raisins so I don't crave anything for dessert. However, my sister Mili baked chocolate fudge brownies and brought home her friend Darlene's home-made pumpkin pie - I think I'll go and run my 7 miles on the treadmill in an hour or so and tonight, as I relax with some tv (the Disney Channel is showing "Tinkerbell" and I still have my episodes of Gossip Girl, Privileged and 90210 to catch up on!), I think I'll treat myself to some milk and brownies and save a slice of pumpkin pie for dessert tomorrow night or Tuesday when I watch the World Music Awards. I love feasting over the holidays - but all in moderation.
I hope you all have been enjoying the Thanksgiving weekend if you celebrated it - *HUGS* and blessings.
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a very happy thanksgiving . . .
Thursday, November 27, 2008
3:19 p.m.
Updated at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. with new Photos - Friday, Nov. 28, 2008 (scroll down)
My cinnamon-pumpkin pancakes were a hit at the breakfast table :) papa and mummy and my sisters all loved them :) Took me less than an hour to roast and puree 3 small pumpkins - very easy when you use the microwave to cook them! After breakfast, I hit Stop & Shop where I picked up whole wheat flour, natural raw sugar, preservative-free raisins and dried cranberries and came back and baked 5 loaves of cranberry-raisin pumpkin bread spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. How gorgeous are these loaves? :D You can click on the images to see the full-large size images of the pumpkin bread :)
1/2 Cup of DOLE California Raisins
Directions:
In one bowl, combine thoroughly the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin puree, stirring well.
Pour 1/2 the flour-mixture into the egg-sugar-pumkin mixture and stir. When combined, pour in the rest of the 1/2 of the flour mixture. Stir until combined. You don't need to make it lump-free - combining well is enough.
Add in the cranberries and raisins and stir.
Grease a loaf pan with zero-calorie cooking spray - I recommend Nature's Promise Cooking Spray in Olive Oil. I also recommend using a glass baking loaf pan.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
Turn oven to 350 degrees and bake the pumpkin bread for 50-60 minutes until the top is golden brown or a knife/fork stuck in the center comes out clean.
And there you have it. My pumpkin bread recipe :)
I am taking 2 of the loaves to share this evening when we all drive upstate to join my mom's side of the family to celebrate Thanksgiving. My mom is 1 of 8 brothers and sisters and 6 of them reside here in New York so when we all get together for birthdays and holidays, it's a HUGE affair. Mum is downstairs cooking gravy and stuffing to bring. I just came back from a 5 mile run and am having a light lunch of a salmon nicoise wrap and 2 apples.
Am going to take a nice hot shower and get ready. We leave for our family's upstate at 4pm. *HUGS* to all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Updated Friday, November 28, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
Oh lord, I just woke up - we got home sometime after midnight last night and we were all exhausted from over-eating. No kidding. Turkey, gravy, sweet potatoes, cakes, pies, stuffing, corn and peas and gosh it was so so so good! It's the one time of the year you can eat everything like a pig :) I plan to run today, tomorrow and Sunday though ;) Something like 6-12 miles each day hahahaha ;)
Here are some pictures of me with my cousins on my mom's side: Megan, Melvin, Shani and Natasha. More pictures coming from their cameras soon hopefully! :)
Papa cutting the thanksgiving turkey :) My dad is so adorable :)
Group Pic - see how huge? and it's not even everybody!
It's almost 11 a.m. and I am going to have a light breakfast and get started on my day. *HUGS* to all!
Updated at 6 p.m.
Came back from a 10-mile run outside :) Felt wonderful and now I don't feel bad at all about eating so much last night :) T'was worth it! Papa, mummy and Nithi and I went to Sports Authority this afternoon to pick out exercise equipment as it is the girls' and my gift for Papa's Christmas present this year. Papa picked out an elliptical machine he loved and an exercise bike - both were I think either Healthy Rider series? Can't wait till they arrive - I was having fun in the store trying out all the ellipticals! ;)
Going to take a relaxing hot shower now, tidy up my room and relax with some dinner before either watching a movie with Nith or working on some writing. Mekha and Mili both went to Long Island to attend a wedding rehearsal - Mekha is a bridesmaid in a wedding tomorrow and Mil is accompanying her so Nith and I are on our own this weekend till our other 2 sisters come back on Sunday.
I am still following the Mumbai terrorist attacks on tv - it is so senseless and horrible (read my post below for links to the full news coverage if you haven't already watched it on tv).
So cold here now...time for that hot shower. *HUGS* to all!
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Be grateful this Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27, 2008
06:10 a.m.
It is with a somber spirit that I wish you all a loving and happy Thanksgiving this year. I woke up at a quarter to 6 this morning to begin making cinnamon pumpkin pancakes for my family and read the news: 101 killed as gunmen rampage in India city and Mumbai Terror Attacks.
Teams of heavily armed gunmen have stormed luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, hospitals and a crowded train station in coordinated attacks across India's financial capital Wednesday night, killing at least 82 people and taking Westerners hostage, police said. "They just fired randomly at people and then ran away. In seconds, people fell to the ground," said Nasim Inam, a witness.
The tally now is 101 people killed and 314 injured. Mumbai, on the western coast of India overlooking the Arabian Sea, is home to splendid Victorian architecture built during the British Raj and is one of the most populated cities in the world with some 18 million crammed into shantytowns, high rises and crumbling mansions.
Every day, somewhere in this world, tragedy strikes - and it can (and has) happened here before. It is a constant reminder that you should always hold your loved ones close, and appreciate all that you have.
This thanksgiving I'm not going to simply wish you a Happy Turkey Day - no, look around your home, your table, your life - you have so much to be thankful for - say a prayer for the people in Mumbai who are suffering as the rest of the world wakes up this morning to start their day - say a prayer for the people in Congo who have been brutally suffering with militant raids, a prayer for the people of Georgia, many of whom who do not have homes. Say a prayer for your loved ones that they may spend every thanksgiving with you, to love and cherish and share memories with.
I am going to go make some loving cinnamon pumpkin pancakes for breakfast for my family and roast and puree pumpkins to make pumpkin bread. The least I can do to show my family how much I love and appreciate them.
Have a safe, loving and blessed Thanksgiving my friends. And remember to say a prayer and keep in your thoughts the people of Mumbai right now.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
11:39 p.m.
am about to slip into bed - my eyes are so exhausted. This Friday I will be back in Queens working with my producer on my dance album - hopefully he and I can get 2-3 songs done by Christmas - I'm excited about laying down new vocals and tracks. This weekend is important - I have to use it to catch up on a lot of things - I plan to spend Thursday immersed in writing the NYC coffee table book, my children's series as well as my epic fantasy kingdom story, and all before heading upstate to the fam's for Thanksgiving, Friday will be all about music, Saturday I plan to study Mandarin and work on research for ECPAT (we are attempting to get law similar to the SAFE HARBOR ACT, which passed here in New York state, enacted in all the other 49 states) and Sunday after Mandarin class will be all about the Leading Light Foundation - I need to assign the writers to countries and get a full roster of members and their positions. And tomorrow? Why, pumpkin cooking of course ;)
Busy weekend ahead. Get out of work early tomorrow at 3 :) Ok am off to bed now, ran 7 miles tonight and my body needs a good rest. Just polished off my mummy's delicious dinner of rice, fish curry, green beans and sambar, and peeled a pomegranate for dessert....heaven :)
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preparing for thanksgiving
Monday, November 24, 2008
11:32 p.m.
well we wound up watching a movie Mili brought home for the weekend: Maid of Honor and, ya know what? It was good - a really cute, fun, feel-good movie :) Mekha and Nith though rolled their eyes a lot (hahahaha) but Mili and I are the cheese-loving girls so we adored the movie :) Patrick Dempsey is adorable and how he fell in love with his best friend and how they complement each other so perfectly - I loved the story.
I'm researching pumpkin bread recipes and found a delicious set of healthy, low-fat and low-calorie recipes I'm going to use this Wednesday night. I decided to make only pumpkin breads and am going to make a cinnamon-pumpkin loaf and one with raisins and cranberries :) Thanksgiving this year is going to be upstate at my uncle Babu's - I'll see if I can bring over a couple of the pumpkin loaves for dessert - they'll go great with some ice cream and will be perfect for breakfast in the morning with coffee! :D
Tis getting late - 11:30 already, I need to stop and head to bed. *HUGS* to all. Hope you're all getting ready for Thanksgiving as well - I love the holidays :)
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
10:53 a.m.
woke up this morning from sad dreams.... :( memories of Marmalade Cafe...of L.A., Ventura and Venice haunt me.... *sigh* I need to forget it all already. I wish I could forget.
Today I am roasting pumpkins to make pumpkin puree - it's for breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, for next week's thanksgiving pumpkin pie and the pumpkin breads I plan to make :D We've got to somehow use all the pumpkins we bought in October for Halloween ;)
Today I also need to clean and study Mandarin Chinese (I have an exam tomorrow after Chinese class) and my 3 younger sisters will all be home today and we plan to do a sister's night in part because Mili took the 3rd part of her CPA exam this past Wednesday and thinks she did horribly but, then again, she thought she did bad on the 1st & 2nd parts and she passed beautifully ;) Mili is so super-smart and studied and worked so hard so I doubt she did bad - I think she just worries too much ;) The girl works full-time as an accountant with a major corporate brand-name accounting firm in Long Island and she recently got promoted - between her work and studying for the CPA exam, I admire my little sis.
So anywayz, in honor of her hard work, we are either all going out for drinks or staying home in warm pajamas cause it is freakin COLD outside now - 23-freakin degrees! - make hot chocolate, talk & bond like only sisters can, watch the Sex & The City movie I've been saving for us, and eat these amazing cupcakes I bought from BATCH over on 11th Street in the West Village. I met an awesome Barista named Nicolette while I was in there enjoying Espresso and ordering the cupcakes and cookies - she used to live out in San Francisco and told me about this coffee place called RITUAL I have to try. Don't know when I'll go back there but it's on my to-do list :)
I hope papa didn't try to eat the cupcakes - he has such a sweet tooth!! I ordered 2 each of the Carrot-Salted Caramel (Carrot Cake, Lime Cream Cheese Filling,
Caramel Frosting, Maldon Sea Salt), Pumpkin Maple Rum Raisin, Chocolate Green Tea cupcake and the Bacon Caramel Pumpkin cupcake which is a dark chocolate cupcake with Bacon Caramel frosting and a pumpkin cream filling with bacon fat <--- 2 a piece gives us 4 girls a chance to sample all 4 without ruining our waistlines and DUDE will the BACON FAT one totally do us in! So worth it - you gotta splurge once in a while :)
Here's what the Bacon Caramel Pumpkin dark-chocolate cupcake looks like - cannot WAIT to dig into that tonight ;)
Anywayz, it is almost 11 a.m. and I haven't had breakfast yet and need to eat and get started on my day and I think Mek and Mil just got home! Time for the family fun to start ;) *HUGS* to all - more later tonight :)
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
12:17 p.m.
what an eventful week - so much to write. It is raining right now and I love it. Some people don't like rainy, dreary days, but when you're surrounded by grass, trees and lakes, it can be quite beautiful and peaceful. Gusts of wind are picking up the fallen leaves and circling them around my deck and kitchen windows, black squirrels are running all over the grass in the backyard, the rain is falling softly, and now and then, the wind really picks up and I can hear it beat against the walls of our house...
This is a perfect day for me to read, write, study - to find some measure of peace in my life and in this world which is constantly on the go, go, go.
A Spanish painter/artist I recently became friends with is displaying his paintings and works of art at the Port Authority. I plan on owning at least 1 of his stunning works. His name is Javier Infantes and he is from Madrid, Spain and his works have been exhibited throughout Spain, in Madrid's ABC Newspaper and in various magazines. I am most impressed by Javier's painted murals he designed for http://www.cristinaherrera.es/ - check out the gorgeous works.
I attended a fabulous Continuing Legal Education class yesterday downtown on Vesey Street (and area I LOVE because of its historic NYC factor) at the office of the New York County Lawyers' Association. I learned the art of successful negotiation taught by Marty Latz and, let me tell you, it was worth every minute - it was the most inspired and stimulated I was all week!! Plus, I met this awesome fellow female attorney named Sasha who I absolutely adored - she's originally from Russia and her life is so fascinating! I'm going to invite her out for drinks sometime next week or next weekend. Came home and ran 7 miles on the treadmill and did 350 crunches before having a light dinner and calling it a night. Woke up this morning super-late at 11 a.m. and just finished having a breakfast of mummy's delicious putih with banana, a cup of milk and a hard-boiled egg. Just put on some Mocha Coffee and washed some figs to have as "my post-breakfast and drink/eat while I read the paper and study Chinese" repast :)
I am off to begin my day. More later *HUGS* to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Introducing The Leading Light Foundation - LeadingLight.Org
Sunday, November 9, 2008
11:07 p.m.
Today, I have begun the work to launch the Leading Light Foundation - a project dear to my heart that I have kept on the back burner for years, just waiting for the right time to bring it forward.
The Leading Light Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights through international law and policy. It will be comprised of attorneys, writers, activists and volunteers who wish to effect change in international human rights and foreign policy through advocacy and scholarly work. Preliminary design/info is at http://www.leadinglight.org - official launch will not be until January/February 2009.
My long-term goal with this group over the next 10-20 years is to have myself and our attorneys who wish to prosecute instances of human rights crimes, both within the U.S. and overseas, with the top-most goal of working with the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.
My short-term goal is to have this group produce a quarterly journal containing well-researched articles that analyze and discuss the violations and atrocities being committed world-wide, i.e. genocides, war crimes, torture, abuses, restrictions and limitations on human freedoms.
The difference between Leading Light Foundation, its journal, and other world policy organizations is that LLF will eventually take matters into our own hands and become an advocacy organization that will take on clients and issues and, whose attorneys that wish to, will bring cases to the highest international courts. An example of such clients/issues would be the the Guantanamo Bay detainees whose detentions under the Bush administration's "illegal combatants" were challenged by attorneys and scholars here in the U.S. As a result, the issue came before the Supreme Court and Justice Roberts' decision this past summer held the detainees could not be held indefinitely and had the same basic due process rights afforded to all prisoners.
I am seeking attorneys, writers, editors, managers/directors with expertise in running foundations and non-profits, accountants, bookkeepers, IT specialists and web programmers, and volunteers.
If you would like to be part of this organization from its developmental stages, or know of friends, colleagues, family who are interested in human rights, international affairs and foreign policy and have skills that will launch this organization to a successful start, refer them to the website and ask them to contact "leadinglightorg at gmail dot com" with their interest along with a copy of their resume.
Work on this organization will begin in January 2009. Serious applicants only apply. There is no pay until we get sponsorship and revenue through ad sales.
I plan to eventually hold music concerts, benefits & fundraisers to raise funds for this organization - nothing like combining my passion for singing & songwriting with my equal passion for effecting change in this world.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008
11:46 p.m.
:) He won. I am thrilled! :) Our nation has a leader I feel will be among the greatest our nation has ever had. My favorite presidents have been Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Clinton.
Am staying up to see his acceptance speech.
Just watched McCain's beautiful farewell speech - that apparently is the John McCain that everyone knows and loves and not the McCain that was shown on the campaign these past few months. That McCain I saw just now was inspirational and beautiful - I loved that guy - not the negativity and anger and behavior he displayed during the debates and in interviews. But see, McCain, at his very best when he wants to be is something I wished to see every single time - Obama, however, displayed his best consistently - throughout - Obama is quickly becoming a man I greatly admire and respect.
There will be young children in the White House again :) I am watching history being made right now at Grant Park in Chicago as President-Elect Obama gives his acceptance speech.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Election Night 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
9:13 p.m.
I got up early this morning and was at the polling booth at 7 a.m. to vote. My sister Mekha joined me (it was her 1st time voting in a presidential election) and we both made our decision. It was crowded even in the morning that early. Papa and mummy voted later this morning I learned. I hope my 2 other sisters, Nithi and Mili, were able to vote as well before the polls closed.
On my way in to work, I collected a copy of the Times, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, as well as amNewYork and the Metro and read the entire election coverage. Work let us go early at 3:30 p.m. so that we could all have time to vote if we couldn't go in the morning. Lines have been crazy long all day - I'm grateful our company let our employees all go early - voting is so important. My family and I are gathered in front of the TV now watching the election coverage.
I voted for Barack Obama. I had initially been a Hillary supporter and still am, but when she lost the Democratic primary, I decided to research Obama and McCain more and the more I learned about Obama, the more I preferred him. Obama has all the qualities in a leader I deem best. Obama will be a strong leader who will restore America's good name, will restore pride in our nation world-wide. McCain, and the campaign he ran, on the other hand, displayed negative attitudes and behaviors, was known for his hot, volatile temper ("short-fuse" and "volcanic" is what has been written about his behavior while serving in Arizona) and propensity to stew and throw tantrums - I was disappointed by his campaign and his behavior. His Vice Presidential nominee, Palin, was a very poor choice. Biden, on the other hand, is a dream come true because of his foreign policy expertise - that man is so thoroughly knowledgeable - what I would give to be his aide and learn from him!
The moment Obama won me over is when he argued for meeting with Iran without preconditions. I believe in diplomacy, in resolution through open, tolerant communications - it's something I have stood for my whole life - and Obama believes in the same things. He is also for the protection of women's reproductive rights - something I believe very strongly in.
I voted for Obama and I did so very proudly, without any reservation and with complete conviction that he is the best candidate for the job. He will govern fairly, justly, and in the best interest of America, overall and for the long-run. I believe that he will go on to be among Lincoln and Washington as one of the greatest presidents our nation has had.
Here is to Election 2008 - one of the most historical, most exciting, most amazing elections in the history of our nation.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Paula Radcliffe wins NYC Marathon, Jacque Piccard, underwater explorer dies
Sunday, November 2, 2008
11:11 p.m.
:) The amazing woman I was rooting for won: Paula Radcliffe claimed the 1st place, completing the 26.2 mile NYC marathon at 2 hours and 23 minutes! Watching her was so inspiring.
In other news, an inspirational man named Jacques Piccard died yesterday - his life, and the stories of his own father and son, are examples for the rest of us to live up to:
Jacques Piccard, 86, Underwater Explorer dies at Swiss home
By: Bradley S. Klapper, The Associated Press
GENEVA (AP) — Jacques Piccard, a scientist and underwater explorer who plunged deeper beneath the ocean than any other man, died Saturday, his son's company said. He was 86. Exploration ran in the Piccard family. Jacques' physicist father, Auguste, was the first man to take a balloon into the stratosphere and his son, Bertrand, was the first man to fly a balloon nonstop around the world. Jacques Piccard helped his father invent the bathyscaphe, a vessel that allows humans to descend to great depths.
On Jan. 23, 1960, he and U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh took the vessel into the Pacific's Mariana Trench and dove to a depth of 35,800 feet — nearly seven miles below sea level. It remains the deepest dive ever carried out. "By far the most interesting find was the fish that came floating by our porthole," Piccard said of the dive. "We were astounded to find higher marine life forms down there at all." Solar Impulse said the discovery of living organisms at such a depth played a key role in the prohibition of nuclear waste dumping in ocean trenches. After the dive, Piccard continued to research the deep seas and worked for NASA, built four mid-depth submarines, including the first tourist submarine and took took high school children into the Geneva Lake well into his 70s.
Born in Brussels in 1922, Piccard was nine years old when his father took his balloon into the stratosphere. He studied in Switzerland and worked as a university teacher of economics, but abandoned his teaching to help his father design the bathyscaphe, named the Trieste.
In April 1999, when Bertrand Piccard completed a round-the-world balloon trip with Briton Brian Jones, his team drew on Jacques' experiences of traveling in the waters of the Gulf Stream to work out how best to use the jet stream to speed the balloon around the world. They also made use of some of the ideas used by grandfather Auguste in his pioneering flights, including the notion of only partially inflating the balloon at takeoff to allow for the expansion of the gases at higher altitudes, and the use of an airtight capsule. Bertrand continues to work on pioneering projects. His Solar Impulse project aims to fly a solar-powered airplane around the world. Jacques "passed on to me a sense of curiosity, a desire to mistrust dogmas and common assumptions, a belief in free will, and confidence in the face of the unknown," Bertrand Piccard said in a statement Saturday.
And now to put a smile on your face, today's Sunday Comic of Mother Goose & Grimm featuring the star character of one of my all-time favorite books: Sherlock Holmes:
Heheheh :) Sherlock Holmes & Nancy Drew are my all-time faves in detective/mystery series. I also loved the Bobbsey Twins and the Boxcar Children. One day I hope to own the entire original Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twins & Boxcar Children books - they take me to another time & place, and I can't tell you how many wonderful days and nights I spent happily lost in their worlds.
I'm off to bed. Had a lovely Sunday off and it's back to work Monday. Good night all.
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NYC Marathon
Sunday, November 2, 2008
09:48 a.m.
went to bed early last night after setting the clock back an hour (daylight savings time ended today, clocks go back 1 hour) and woke up early this morning at 7 a.m. (really 8 a.m. ;) and after saying hello to my parents - who had come back late last night after midnight from a fundraiser in Long Island at a Filipino church charity dinner that my dad's companies sponsored - and asking if they had incorrectly set their clocks, because I had woken up for a bit hearing their voices this morning, learned they had messed up the clocks - my dad had set the clock an hour forward so they woke up at 5:30 or 6 a.m. to get ready for church - hahahahaha :) my mom gave him like 10 doses of lectures before I came in and chuckled at my dad's silliness :) Poor papa :)
After setting up my coffee maker with Gevalia's Mocha Coffee and saying bye to papa and mummy who were getting ready for church (finally), I headed out for my run and did just 3.3 miles because I wanted to come back and watch the NYC MARATHON which I am watching LIVE now on TV - you can also Watch the NYC MARATHON LIVE by clicking that link. I am rooting for Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain and Gete Wami of Ethiopia.
Taking place here in NYC, it is amazing to watch. The 26.2 mile race begins on the Verrazano Bridge in Brooklyn, then goes through the heart of Brooklyn before coming into NYC and ending at Central Park. Central Park, by the way, looks SO beautiful in its fall colors and decked out for the race. People assemble right before dawn and it becomes like a modern-day Woodstock - 39,000 people run in the race and TONS come out to NYC to WATCH the race.
I am going to head back out after the race is over (and it hopefully warms up a bit more) and run my final 3.3 miles (I usually do 6.6 miles straight when I run) - it was freezing outside this morning - just 39 degrees right now, must have been 35 when I went running - ugh - HATE the cold but I love running :)
Going to pour myself another cup of coffee now and read the Sunday paper and continue watching the NYC Marathon. *HUGS* to all!
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Halloween 2008 - Walked in the Parade & Photos
Saturday, November 1, 2008
05:29 p.m.
Crowned with a tiara my sisters got me, swirling in a gorgeous soft velvet silver cloak I had custom made for me & donning a sparkly white dress I bought in August from one of my fave tiny little boutiques in Chinatown & carrying a crowned rhinestone wand I express-ordered from a private seller on Ebay - I was a Winter/Snow Princess/Queen (after abandoning all attempts to try & pull of Glinda or Galadriel ;)) hahahaha :) I LOVED my costume this year! Every man on the street wanted me to grant their "wishes" and called me Princess and cleared the way for me! Hahahaha - I think I could sooooo get used to being treated like royalty ;)
Halloween 2008 was wonderful because - for the 1st time in my life - I walked in the Greenwich Village Annual Halloween Parade! Next to the marching bands, the Z100 float and somewhere behind all the puppets! I met up with friends down where it began on Spring/Canal/Broome Street where everyone lines up around 6:30 to walk and be part of the parade. Only one of my guy pals, Alok, was adventurous enough so he and I wound up walking in the parade all the way to the end! Say hi to Alok who dressed up as an alien:
Walking in the parade was so much fun! The costumes on people were AMAZING! Ahead of us, the Empire State Building was lit up in honour of halloween in orange and gold! It was *beautiful* - and the night wasn't cold at all! Thank goodness it had been near 60-all day!
Afterwards, I met up with my friends at Chinatown Brasserie for the Halloween party there - below are pictures of me with Chelsea, Jobby and Jossy (twin brothers who are old family friends of mine from upstate New York):
hahahah Jobby and Jossy are so tall but I think the tiara/crown made me look taller - right? :)
Got home very late and slept in until almost 12:30 today before getting up, having breakfast, reading a little of the paper and going for a 1-mile walk around the neighborhood with my mom. Just finished having a late lunch - mum made these delicious spicy baked chicken sandwiches with tomato, onion and garlic relishes we put between whole wheat rolls and had sauteed asparagus with. Dessert was something I bought from ZARO's BAKERY - a BROWNIE CASKET!! This gorgeous large brownie in the shape of a coffin/casket and decorated with gummie worms, black cats, pumpkins, skeletons etc., and the only thing better than how it looked was how it tasted - it was rich but not too rich, not too sweet at all, just right in fact, and super soft, creamy and...GOD my mouth is watering again just thinking of how good it was ;) LOL! :) Mummy loved it which I'm happy about!
It's now 5:30 p.m. and I'm wondering how to spend this Saturday night. The weather was so warm today - in the low to mid-60's and sunny - can't believe it's November 1st and that gorgeous! Am actually still kinda sleepy (sleep debt lingers) but I wanted to go see RACHEL GETTING MARRIED or rent a movie and stay home and watch - my sister Mili made brownies and I'm getting a craving for some warm milk and brownies now - hahahaha so bad! I didn't even run today ;) Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! *BIG HUGS* to all!
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Happy Halloween!!
Friday, October 31, 2008
12:00-midnight.
Got home an hour ago from a night with family & friends at the Jekyll & Hyde Pub in the village for dinner - had the most delicious vegetarian burger & finished off Chelsea's steak & rice tortilla wraps! :) The pub was nice - great decorations - but I wasn't a fan of the "entertainment" at all - I hear the Jekyll & Hyde Club on 57th Street however is AWESOME with 3 levels and being a combined restaurant/club/lounge - that may be a great spot to hold my birthday next February. We all tried to go to see the Nightmare New York Haunted House but we got there too late and missed it - but it was ok because I was with wonderful friends and we had an awesome time! :)
Tomorrow I am dressing up as what will be considered a cross between Galadriel from Lord of the Rings and Glinda the Good Witch of the East from WICKED/Wizard of Oz - I have this beautiful short white sparkly dress I bought at this uber-cute boutique in Chinatown over the summer and am pairing it with silver stockings, white or gray boots, a silver/pale gray long velvet cloak with a hood I bought on Ebay for $49 and topping it off with a tiara and a gorgeous silver & rhinestone crown wand. I'll look like some sort of Princess is what people will eventually think but dangitall I am trying to pull of a theme! :)
So after work, I'll be meeting up with friends to go to the annual Greenwich Village Parade and then heading to 2 parties one of which will be my friend Chelsea's party at Brasserie and then to the East Village's Annual Halloween Costume Ball! :) It'll be a night at Manhattan's 2 most famous Villages for me and I wouldn't have it any other way - Halloween is MEANT to be filled with treats, friends, parties and FUN! :)
hahaha can't wait! Promises to be so much fun!! Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone! Will write more on Saturday with (hopefully) LOTS of pictures!! :)
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A Very New York Morning
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
10:58 p.m.
It was a very New York morning. I had just come up from the dark dungeons of Penn Station, having picked up 3 new books from the small bookstore on the lower level. As I climbed up the subway stairs to the street level, the cloudy gray day greeted me and in the near distance, the Empire State building stood, its lights a comforting sight, reminding me - in a symbolic sense - of a warm maternal figure that would always be there. All around me people were walking, busy on their ways to work, carrying their coffees & newspapers, wearing their dark jackets & pants because today promised to be one stormy/torrential-downpour day. Forecasters said 45 m.p.h. gusts of wind & heavy rains throughout the day - enough reason for me to also don my cute little black jacket & pants; smart decision because when the city gets messy, so do your clothes. As I crossed 33rd Street at 8th Avenue, it was then that I was struck by what a New York City morning this was: slightly chilly (only perhaps 48-52 degrees), late October, just days from Halloween, overcast and gray with small droplets of rain here and there, men & women in dark clothing all bustling by, an Asian woman in a stylish-boho-chic outfit carrying her coffee & it was a little quiet on that corner. Despite the gray, despite the prediction of heavy rain, despite the slight chill - I relished it all - this feeling - this NYC feeling & way of life - I loved it. So with my own Starbucks Venti Soy Cappuccino in hand, my black messenger bag slung over my shoulder & my hair in a rainy-day ponytail, I walked to work buoyed by the city I loved, and carrying 3 new books in my bag: The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs, Slam by Nick Hornby and Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan.
I'm off to bed now. It's raining ferociously outside - can hear the wind - on the drive home tonight, the weatherman on 880AM radio couldn't stop talking about how it was snowing in certain parts of our county: "Not even Halloween and winter's already here," he said. :) I saw a few snow flurries while at work during the day but nothing major so far tonight - perhaps I missed it being inside. 11pm - time for bed. *HUGS* to all - have a warm & safe night.
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Fall Photos 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
10:35 p.m.
When I walked out of the house after writing this morning's journal entry below, the first thing that shocked me was how much the storm from last night had cast leaves and branches all over the driveway and roads. It was one heckuva storm to have caused our power to go out and the results were obvious. Check out the 1st two pictures below of my family's driveway and the grounds outside.
I then spent a wonderful hour and 15 minutes jogging my neighborhood's woods and lakes & taking photos this morning of the gorgeous halloween decorations my many neighbors had done and took pics of the beautiful fall foliage.
First up, one of my neighbor's homes decked out for Halloween:
Next, 2 colorful fall foliage shots I took which I thought were pretty:
Another of my neighbor's homes decorated for Halloween:
2 more shots I took of the fall foliage that I thought perfectly represented the season:
And this below, is the beautiful lake I always run by during my morning and evening runs and of which I have taken so many, many pictures of at various lights. I plan to one day paint this lake in all its seasons, shades and colors.
The pic below I took is one of my favorite Fall photos I've taken of this lake which has brought me so much peace - I've often paused during my runs to sit on the rocks and pray and think for a while.
As I came up the side of the lake, I came across a family - a father with his 2 kids - who were feeding the geese and ducks with small pieces of bread. These pictures I've taken of them are some of my absolute favorites from today:
The father gave me permission to take pics of them and this one below is my fave because one of the geese came straight up to one of the boys who'd been throwing the bread:
I said by to the dad & kids, and went on my way and took more pictures of the gorgeous Halloween-decorated houses. One of my neighbors totally got into the halloween spirit and even had a skeleton coming out of the ground
A close-up of the awesome scarecrows they did:
another of my neighbor's awesome scarecrow decorations for halloween:
the same neighbor with more on the other side of his lawn:
After taking pics, I came home, said hi to Nith who had woken up and was grading papers (she teaches high school in Connecticut), grabbed the car keys and drove to HOME GOODS - my plan had been to purchase these halloween-theme plates and cups I had bought a few years ago & complete my collection so that I could make pancakes for all my sisters and mummy and papa before they came home from church but turns out Home Goods had only 1 cup that completed my collection and instead, I splurged 2 sets of these gorgeous Bella Luxe Fine Linen Queen sheets in amethyst and soft olive (I just changed my bed sheets tonight and the amethyst one is so so gorgeous), purchased a gorgeous new wooden hamper, an Indian-designed jewlery box, and a few other lovely odds & ends - I *love* Home Goods! :)
Came home then and found my family all home as well, made pancakes and read the Sunday newspaper, and in the afternoon, after hot cups of tea (green for me and black for mum), mum and I went for a walk and did yoga together before I spent the rest of the evening cleaning and doing laundry. Just finished a lovely dinner and am having dessert of white bean cakes from my fave Japanese cafe I bought last week.
Was such a nice weekend. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are getting ready to celebrate Halloween!! :) I am off to take a hot relaxing shower before slipping inside my new amethyst sheets and getting some much needed rest. *HUGS* to all!!
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Pumpkin picking, stormy night, family :)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
09:33 a.m.
Nithi and I are home this morning while papa, mummy, mekha and mili have gone to church so Mek and Mil can take Qurbana in honor of their birthday (Qurbana is Indian Christian Holy Mass service). Nithi's still sleeping but I am up admiring the gorgeous maroon, red, orange and gold colors of the leaves on the trees in the woods surround my house. The lake reflects the colors - it looks like a glassy mirror with occasional ripples...so peaceful and beautiful. It's 52 degrees out. Think I'll go for my 6.5 mile run this morning and take my camera with me so I can take pictures of the fall foliage.
The power went out several times last night due to the heavy winds and powerful storm we had - it was a true late-October storm! I drove out around 6:30 p.m. in that crazy weather to go to CVS to pick up things they had on sale ending last night and I'm so glad I went because the weather, the wind, the leaves blowing around in circles was a sight to behold! It was magical and beautiful - the phrase "it was a dark and stormy night" came to mind :)
Yesterday, after everyone came home, the fam and I went to historic Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, New York in honor of Legends weekend during which they have halloween-related festivities. I had phoned on Friday asking specifically about the pumpkin carving and that our $14 admission fee would get us in and enable us to get a pumpkin to carve. When we got there - mind you, in rainy, damp & chilly weather, we found out that not only were they charging $5 pumpkin but they were only letting 1 pumpkin per family! I was so disappointed and wound up speaking to the manager and getting a refund on our tickets! :( I've been to that manor before and had a lovely time so I was disappointed that they failed so awfully to communicate with customers before hand.
Well, I was glad they refunded us and papa wound up taking us to a nearby diner where we had a happy lunch and warmed up :) I had this awesome grilled portobello and eggplant and zucchini sandwhich on a warm toasted roll with a side of spinach and salad greens and apple-cinnamon tea! :) YUM! And then Papa took us to a local nursery near our home where we picked up a bunch of pumpkins - I got 3 small ones and a medium-large one and Mek got 2 more and the girls and I will carve them today or I'll save them and make pumpkin pancakes and things :) Mek and I both wore orange shirts yesterday - we looked so autumny :) I think I'll wear another one of my orange shirts today - one of the crew neck shirts I bought from Victoria's Secret recently (one of my all-time absolute fave catalogues to purchase clothes that actually fit me from).
We went to J. J. Cassones Bakery in Portchester after to pick up a birthday cake for Mek and Mil - papa, when we first came to the U.S. in 1982, had his 1st job in accounting/shipping at J. J. Cassone's - he was only there a short while before become a hotel manager at Sheraton and Ramada hotels but we've often gone back to J J Cassone's bakery for cakes and rolls cause mummy and papa really love it! :) The guy working the counter seemed to take a liking to Mekha and Mili and wound up giving them free samples of eclairs to taste since it was their birthday and then wound up giving (in honour of Mili) us a box of biscotti for free! Papa, mummy and I joked that we should take Mili everywhere with us so she can flirt and get us free stuff ;) hahahaha :)
Mum made a delicious dinner last night of salmon curry, sauteed beans and squash curry and we had brownies and apples for dessert. Was yummy and a lovely Saturday :)
I am going to head out and run now. Must remember to take my camera so I can take pictures of the gorgeous fall colors. *HUGS* to all! Happy FALL SUNDAY!!
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Friday, October 24, 2008
09:26 p.m.
I wrote a new poem tonight titled "Ask Not Why The Heart Doth Love" - dedicated to RGV.
Had a wonderful time at the Don Rickles show on Wednesday night - turns out that Matthew Broderick, Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock were in the audience! At the end of the show, Don Rickles held a piece of paper and said he wanted to thank certain people who had come out tonight and when he started comically introducing who they were, my friend and I were flabbergasted at each name he dropped. I got a good look at Jerry and Chris Rock - wow :) Such a highlight of the night. Don, himself, was fantastic! Such an awesome & hilarious man - I am honored to have gotten the chance to see him while he is still with us :) Before he came on stage, Michael Martocci performed for us - and let me tell you - he was phenomenal - that man has an angel's voice - so gorgeous!!! He sang classic New York songs many of which had been sung by Frank Sinatra - songs I absolutely LOVED!!!! One of them - "One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)" is going to be the last song of the night at my wedding one day - just me and my baby dancing to 'ol Frank :)
Had dinner before the show at Spanky's BBQ and it was sooooooooooooooo good!!! I had been worried thinking that much would be deep-fried or too unhealthy but our waiter was this super-cool guy named Ed who gave me the BEST recommendations for drinks and food. I started with a drink called The Farmer's Daughter which is one of my new fave drinks now ;) It's finlandia wild berry vodka with apple and cinnamon schnapps with a little cherry in it - like a light martini :) It was light and sweet and perfect for me :) Then the appetizers came! These are what ANYONE who goes to Spanky's should order: the Southern Fried Dill Pickle Spears (honest to God you have to taste how amazing they are) and the Jalapeno Poppers which I want to buy by the bucket loads! And finally, the Mini Burgers which were these three small bite size burgers on soft potato rolls with chopped onion and pickles on the side and which you could order with cheese if you wanted. I then asked our waiter Ed what was a healthier choice - I was thinking of getting the catfish sandwich but he said that wasn't healthy because it was deep fried so I said that I had never had gumbo before and he said that was the healthiest and BEST choice on the menu and BY GOD HE WAS SO RIGHT - it was the most YUMMIEST GUMBO I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE - the Mighty Red Gumbo was this dish of a cup of white rice in the center surrounded by this light brothy stew of andouille sausage, shrimp and chicken which was cooked so tender and healthy - it was DELICIOUS. And to accompany it, I ordered a DELICIOUS beer that Ed recommended called: Bootleggers Dream which was root beer & jim beam (a type of bourbon). I finished everything - cleaned my plate and drank to the last drop. And dessert? Oh god I chose the most delicious thing: Pecan Pie a la mode was so sinfully delicious - best Pecan Pie I ever had!! Next time, I'll try the Warm Tollhouse Cookie Pie. :)
I am SOOOOOOOOO going back to Spanky's!! :) Was AWESOME!!
I just got out of the shower and am going to bed early tonight. This weekend, everyone will be home to celebrate Mekha and Mili's birthday and I planned all these Halloween events for us to do (weather permitting) over at Sleepy Hollow at the Phillipsburg Manor and Van Cortlandt Manor. They have the Ride of the Headless Horseman, all these humongous puppets like at the Village Parade I'll be taking my teenage cousins to next Friday, and bonfires and food and story telling - I can't wait :) I hope we can all go together.
Hope everyone is having an awesome start to their weekend. *HUGS* to all! Good night.
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Happy Birthday Mek!! :D
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
10:06 p.m.
I have 3 younger sisters, Nithi, Mekha and Mili, and the last 2 are twins whose birthday it happened to be today :D Mek lives at home with us now while Mil and Nith have their own apartments (both will be home this weekend so we can all celebrate the birthday for REAL in style ;)) but, for tonight, when Mek came home, we greeted her with a huge birthday celebration :) For dinner, I went all out and picked up a GIGANTIC DELUXE Sushi & Sashmi platter filled with various raw fish from salmon, to striped sea bass, to fluke & tuna & yellowtail not to mention all these rolls, that cost me $54 total but was worth every penny because it was DELICIOUS! I also splurged and bought all the ingredients for a ginormous salad of romaine lettuce, raddichio, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, carrots and yellow, green & red bell peppers and then also picked up cantaloupe, melon & strawberries to make a fruit salad for dessert. The "cake" (for now i.e. just for tonight) I picked up was a lovely small chocolate covered vanilla cheesecake with butter cream frosting & a Dove chocolate on top which Mekha LOVED. I plan on going to Zaro's on Friday or Saturday & picking up a large Halloweeny birthday cake for the real birthday celebration with Mil and Nithi this weekend and we plan to go to this Peruvian restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Mek loved the card I got her and the gray suede bag I got as a present for her :) I plan to pick Mili up an H&M gift card because it is what she really wants :)
Tomorrow night, one of my friends and I are going to see the famous comedian Don Rickles at the Town Hall Theater! :)
Don Rickles is VERY funny and is known as an "insult comic" who is successful to this day because he apologizes at the end of his performances & and everyone knows & understands his comedy is meant in jest and not out of spite :) Read more about him here.. The following article from the New Yorker is really good. I am so looking fwd to seeing him tomorrow night :) Think we'll do dinner at Spanky's BBQ maybe which is right next door to the Town Hall - shall see.
On a more personal note, I had a very crazy past 2 days - my dad went in for an angiogram Monday morning which I only found out about on Sunday night and wound up being admitted overnight because they found 2 more blockages and had to put in 2 more stents. I've been getting up past 2 mornings at 5 a.m. to drive one or both parents into the city to Presbyterian Hospital where the procedure was done. My dad is doing great now and as anxiety-giving as the situation was, I'm glad my dad's ok and the experience was good - Presbyterian Hospital is wonderful. It was gorgeous seeing the sun rise over the East River in the mornings....I love the city so very much....I'd never driven in so early along the FDR drive and I drove back today (left work early) after picking up papa and mummy after he was discharged from the hospital and the drive back was so easy. I love 68th Street on the east side.
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Day of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk & Night of Colm Wilkinson
Sunday, October 19, 2008
11:34 p.m.
Colm was spectacular, the pate at Cafe Un Deux Trois not so much ;) and I froze at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park this morning because it was so windy! But I had an awesome time at all 3 :)
Live performances by various artists and bands all morning long:
Me & people at the registration tents:
It was so crowded - there were a ton of people!
The day was absolutely gorgeous after the walk was over - the weather warmed up and it stopped being so windy but during the morning walk from 9-11 my GOD was it cold.
Central Park was absolutely BEAUTIFUL to walk through on this mid-autumn day in October - the leaves were still lush green in some places but in others the fall colors were stunning - the reds, oranges, golds & purples......breathtaking.
I was so exhausted though. I got in at 2 a.m. last night from the Colm Wilkinson show on Broadway at the Town Hall Theater - he was sensational - what a performer! He literally brought the house down with song after song - he opened with Music of the Night from Phantom and donned his familiar Jean Valjean clothes towards the end. He performed songs off his CD and I LOVED his Irish music - he had this one song I loved called 'Get Your Mojo Goin' :) I had booked great seats, Row L, Seats 7-11 and Chelsea, Daphne & I had the best time :)
Afterwards, we went to Cafe Un Deux Troix for a yummy French dinner with a special theater prix fix of only $29! Now, I ordered the pate as an appetizer but it wasn't very good :( It was dry and hard and flavorless :( And the Bordeaux wine I ordered was heady and not very good either. The roasted lamb, however, was mouth-wateringly good and I definitely recommend ordering that but what Chelsea and Daphne ordered was even better - Daphne ordered this Steak sandwich thing which I wound up finishing half of because she couldn't finish it and it was hands-down the best dish they offered us - made with some kind of spicy mustard sauce and served with pomme frites that were perfect (not oily or salty, just right!) and Chelsea ordered the almond encrusted trout which I also tasted and it was SOOOOOO good! Clean and healthy tasting. Dessert for us was raspberry sorbet followed by decaf tea. All in all a lovely night :)
The girls and I were so exhausted by night's end. We didn't leave Cafe Un Deux Trois until 12:30 a.m. and by the time I got my train and came home back to Westchester it was 2 and I was out like a light before waking up early and taking the train back into the city for the walk. Came home in the afternoon around 1:30 and had lunch with papa and mummy and Mekha, relaxed for a bit and then headed out for my 6.5 mile run with Mekha joining me for 2.5 miles of it. Weather was so beautiful and the woods by my home are completely covered in fall colors.
Spent the evening cleaning, tidying up, had dinner with the folks (chappati with cauliflower and spinach & asparagus thorans followed by dessert of brownies & a hot glass of milk) and now I finished my hot pomegranate tea and have to get up at 5am because I'm accompanying my dad and mom to NYC's Presbyterian Hospital in the morning so my dad can have an angiogram before I go in to work. I'm so tired and going straight to bed now. *HUGS* to all! Hope you all had a great weekend!
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Colm Wilkinson on Broadway tonight & The Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk tomorrow
Saturday, October 18, 2008
03:39 p.m.
Tonight, my friends Chelsea, Daphne and I are going to see Broadway star Colm Wilkinson for his one-night-only performance at The Town Hall theater here in NYC. Colm Wilkinson is the original Jean Valjean in the famous and spectacular musical Les Miserables - one of my 3 fave musicals ever (the others are Wicked & Phantom of the Opera). A little known fact is that he performed to great acclaim as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in Toronto.
Back in 2001 or 2002, I took my love Ricky for his birthday to see Les Miserables on Broadway and Colm Wilkinson is the one who had my eyes rivited to the stage - he had the most gorgeous voice & he is a fantastic singer. The story of Les Mis is something I gravitated towards because of its message of redemption. It is based on the novel by Victor Hugo and one of my all-time favorite passages from it is at the beginning:
"So long as there shall exist, by reason of law and custom, a social condemnation, which, in the face of civilisation, artificially creates hells on earth, and complicates a destiny that is divine, with human fatality; so long as the three problems of the age — the degradation of man by poverty, the ruin of woman by starvation, and the dwarfing of childhood by physical and spiritual night — are not solved; so long as, in certain regions, social asphyxia shall be possible; in other words, and from a yet more extended point of view, so long as ignorance and misery remain on earth, books like this cannot be useless." - LES MISÉRABLES by: Victor Hugo
After the show tonight, Chels, Daphne and I are going to have a French-style dinner at CAFÉ UN DEUX TROIS - they have an awesome prix fix dinner menu for only $29.95 with some delicious food! I plan on ordering the pate de campagne au cognac as my appetizer (country style pate served with cornichons which are pickled gherkin cucumbers), followed by a main meal of gigot d'agneau au jus (roasted lamb with flageolet beans which are the "caviar" of beans, used often in french cooking to accompany lamb, fish or chicken; they look like tiny green kidney beans). I think I will try a sorbet for dessert.
Tomorrow (Sunday) I get up early to head over to Central Park to walk in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5-mile walkathon!
I was able to fundraise for my walk through my law firm which is in-house counsel to an insurance company and one of the heads of the company agreed to match the funds I raised from company employees up to $1,000! My colleague Paula (who is a breast-cancer survivor) and I worked together to achieve the goal - she is walking in the Prospect Park division of the Making Strides walk - and together we were able to collect over $1,300 in donations from people at work! :) The company, as promised, matched $1000 which Paula is taking to the Prospect Park division while I take the $1300+ in checks and other donations I have received from friends and family personally.
My goal is to reach $2,000 and I am $624 away from that. If you, dear friends and readers, would like to donate to help find a cure against breast cancer, please do so in my name as I will be walking tomorrow in Central Park.
I just came home from Japanese class an hour and a half ago and finally had breakfast (upa mav with a boiled egg and a banana and a glass of milk). I have to catch the 6:30 p.m. train back to the city and want to do my 6.5 mile run and shower and paint my nails before I go (not to mention have some of the lunch mum made too ;)). Need to study Mandarin as well...I don't know if I'll be able to attend Chinese/Mandarin class tomorrow morning unless I finish the 5-mile walk before class begins in Chinatown at 10 am! I missed last Sunday and I don't want to miss 2 days in a row.
Tomorrow night, I may be heading back to Arctica Bar & Grill to perform a 3-song set for my producer's charity function. Don't know for sure if I will - depends on if I feel like I can sing without any rehearsal with my producer. I want to sing...I know I'll especially feel like it after seeing Colm Wilkinson tonight - performers/singers like him inspire me to perfect my own stage performance and singing ability.
I'm sleepy. Was out late last night with family upstate for my little cousin Kevin's 4th birthday :) I hung out with my awesome cousins who I love and adore - I plan to take 4 of them out for Halloween - it is my cousin Melvin's birthday on October 31st (Halloween itself) and in honour of it, I am taking him, Megan, Shani and Natasha all to the city for Trick or Treating in Greenwich Village followed by the famous Village Parade and then go for dinner somewhere & then to the Blood Manor Haunted House! :) Prolly take them to Times Square then for more candy at M&M & Hershey's and then go home :) Should be a fun night for them :)
Last night with the fam upstate was fun though :) My Aunts Maya and Jaya cooked up a delicious birthday feast for all of us with cuppa and fish curry, perota with chicken curry, rice, shrimp curry, beans and spinach and the birthday cake was this amazingly rich and delicious chocolate & chocolate cream cake from Sam's Club which was out of this world good and Indian dessert of paisam (my stomach blew up like a balloon but all that great food was worth it)! :)
I've been online writing and reading now for an hour and a half - almost 4 p.m. *HUGS* to all! Have a great Saturday! See ya'll perhaps tomorrow after my walk!
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
11:33 p.m.
Just finished watching the Obama vs. McCain debate on tv and am watching the post-debate "debate" ;) LOL! :) Good stuff.
I am relaxing now on Slooh getting lost in the stars. During cold winter nights I've often spent the hour before bed iwith the blinds open, my room lights off, and only Slooh's telescope on. Yes, I am that much of a nerd ;) hahahaha I just love astronomy and stargazing and learning as much as I can about space. Every Christmas I get determined to buy a new telescope or convince my family to buy me a new one - this is the year it will happen dangit! I have my eye on the Meade ETX-125PE Astro Telescope Premier Edition with UHTC Coatings (Blue Tube). It's only $899 and is fantastic for astrophotography which is what I most want to do. I am going to fwd that to my sisters and dad and tell them that is what I want for Christmas this year :)
I just snapped the picture below of Open Star Cluster M47 on Slooh. This cluster is 1600 light years away and spans a distance of about 12 light years and the cluster is estimated to be 78 million years old.
Gorgeous huh?
Am off to bed. Am so sleep-deprived. My sleep-debt is crazy and I need to realllllyyy catch up on it.
Had such a nice Columbus Day Weekend off.....looking fwd to the weekend. On Saturday I'm going with my friends Daphne and Chelsea to the Colm Wilkinson Broadway show at the Town Hall Theater here in the city - Colm Wilkinson is the outstanding singer/performer who was the star of LES MISERABLES - he originated the starring role of Jean Valjean and he was also the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera - I took my love Ricky to see Les Miserables for his birthday way back I think in 2001 or 2002 - it was my 1st Broadway musical and Colm Wilkinson was amazing in it.
On Sunday, I will be up super early to walk in the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walkathon in Central Park. I've managed to raise almost $500 within my law firm and the company we are in-house counsel for will match the funds raised! :) Looking fwd to walking.
It's 11:33 and I HAVE to get into bed now. *HUGS* to all!
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Tiffin Walla, Vicky Christina Barcelona, and New York City baby :)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
05:24 p.m.
The thing I most wish people who visit New York City would get is that if they think visiting a few parts of the city means they "saw" or "did" New York City, they're so wrong.
I've been living/working in the city now for almost 10 years and only recently have my eyes been opened to such diverse and amazing parts of the city that I never knew existed before.
Honest to God, I thought I saw or knew most of Manhattan, but I really never did. There are so many neighborhoods, so many avenues and streets that wind into the most amazing things....I found Ye Waverly Inn and wandered around Waverly Place, Stonewall Place, Leroy, 11th Street (discovered Grounded, an organic coffee shop that ROCKS) and so many other hidden gems and jewels.
Like many before me, I thought 'hey, I've seen Central Park, Times Square, the Financial District, the Village, etc., etc.; however, I was astonished that by simply trekking out of my comfort zones, I discovered numerous neighborhoods that I didn't bother really exploring before. Walk along 47th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues and you'll discover some amazing restaurants and playhouses with fantastic NYC plays, comedies and musicals, and after that you'll hit Hell's Kitchen - literally a gigantic neighborhood of the some of the BEST FOOD IN THE CITY!!!! Walk down Park Avenue down past 14th Street, and you'll find Park Avenue becomes the forgotten 4th Avenue and then becomes Bowery - I walked the almost 2 or 2.5 miles from Grand Central down the Bowery last Sunday on my way to Chinese Mandarin class in Chinatown and I "discovered" the Bowery Poetry Club, the headquarters of the Village Voice, ran into my old performance venue, Crash Mansion, and the once phenomenal CBGB's....walk up Madison Avenue and turn onto 57th Street and you discover the Watch building, Rue 57, Carnegie Hall, the Russian Tea Room....
That's just a tiny mentioning of some of the things I discovered that are noteable but there was so much more, soooo much more......
Last Monday, my hindi class was only a 1/2 hour long because the rest of it was a class excursion to an Indian restaurant called TIFFIN WALLA - an authentic-and-I'm-Indian-and-loving-it restaurant in the Little India neighborhood of Manhattan over by 28th & Lexington. I had for the first time in my life what they say is a South Asian dish (and I'm south asian): a DOSA. Here it is below. I never had anything like this before. The "thosha" mummy makes is white and round and soft and we eat it with chicken curry or other meat or vegetable dishes. This was HUMONGOUS, light and crispy and inside was this masala filling of whatever you want. I also had UTTAPAM which I never had before - soft, like an Indian-style pizza but not really....EVEN BETTER! :)
We had Masala Chai and I ordered HALWA with ice cream for dessert - it's this soft carrot mixture thing with cream and almonds - very high calorie and I didn't care! :) I came in thin and left looking pregnant because of how much I ate - NO JOKE - I did not hold back one bit and ate EVERYTHING to the point my stomach HURT ;) hahahahaha - I'm serious - I was so huge and I didn't care - I was one happy Nishi after eating all that heavy, fattening Indian food ;) But I made up for it - I ran almost 6.5 miles every day this week ;) Like I say, if you care about your weight/body but want to eat like a pig, run like a horse ;) Don't deprive yourself - eat in moderation or exercise. It's all about balance.
Tuesday, my friend Erdal and I hit the Angelika Theater (one of my absolute favorite theaters in the city next to the IFC), to see VICKY CHRISTINA BARCELONA and it was excellent! I am totally buying this movie when it comes out and going to BARCELONA to see GAUDI! Starring Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem (love him) and Scarlett Johanssen, it is a movie about love, life and questioning how things have to be.
After the movie, Erdal and I hit Fanelli's Cafe on Prince Street - a small low-key vibe place with red & white checkered tablecloth covered tables that serves American food. Back in the late 1800's it was a saloon which during prohibition was a covert speak-easy - open for over 100 years and still serving up great food with a low-key atmosphere - nothing fussy about it - I LOVED IT :) I had hot tomato soup followed by a delicious spinach salad with roasted red peppers, olives, mushrooms and a deviled egg and Erdal had the salmon which I tasted a small piece of and it was sensational. The waitress who served us had tattoos and was so cool and funny.
It's now Saturday and I'm home from a busy day of Japanese class, errands, shopping, tennis and whew, all I want to do is eat some Japanese An Pan (my fave is Green Tea Mini An Pan and Koshi An Pan) and watch my recorded episodes of Gossip Girl, 90210 and the Hills and Regis & Kelly! :) My thighs are sore from running Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and this morning (though I only did 3 miles this morning).
Hope you're all having a great start to Columbus Day Weekend! *HUGS* to all!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Videos of 'Forevermore, Entwined, Wave & Under My Skin'
Saturday, October 4, 2008
10:56 p.m.
Performed last night at 169 Bar and it was awesome! Did a 5-song set accompanied by my friend, Tyler Walker Williams, on guitar who did a phenomenal job! The last song, "Release Me" could not be recorded as the camera ran out of memory but here are 4 of the 5 songs - my favorite performances are of Entwined, Under My Skin and of my new song Forevermore which sounds better on my computer straight from the camera then it does on YouTube but heck enjoy ;)
ALL SONGS ON THIS PAGE, LYRICS & MELODIES COPYRIGHT NISHI RAJAN
1st Song of the Night - Under My Skin by Nishi Rajan
Entwined by Nishi Rajan
Forevermore by Nishi Rajan
WAVE by Nishi Rajan
Got back a lil while ago from the Writers for Obama event - I met and spoke with wonderful Indian authors Salman Rushdie, Kiran Desai, Jhumpa Lahiri & with the amazing Mira Nair - they were each inspirational.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Performing Friday @ 169 Bar, New Nishi's Niche & Host for Writers for Obama w Jhumpa Lahiri, Mira Nair, Kiran Desai
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
10:49 p.m.
Hey guys :) I'll be performing again this Friday night, October 3rd at 169 Bar here in New York City.
Show is at 8pm. Visit NishiMusic.com - Schedule for details. For those of you who missed the ARCTICA BAR show last month, you'll be able to hear a few of the songs I performed last month in addition to some others - my guitarist Tyler plays them a little differently so they will sound unique. :)
You may recognize parts of the article from a post I did on this blog a while back - it's different though, more succinct. I sat down and really tried to get the message out. Hope you enjoy it.
On Saturday, I will be attending a special event. I'm on the host committee for this Indian literary/writer's event taking place this Saturday in which the key writers/speakers will be Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kiran Desai, Suketu Mehta, Manil Suri and Akhil Sharma. The event is for 'Writers Speak Out For Obama.' I recently had the pleasure of seeing Kiran Desai & Salman Rushdie last Tuesday at the Reading for Burma fundraiser and both were inspirational.
Tickets are $100 for general admission and $250 for VIP Reception which begins at 5 and can be purchased here. (Prices are going to go up after October 1 for both tickets.) If you decide to attend and purchase a ticket, I would be grateful if you would indicate that I referred you on the Payment form, as I'm a host. It will ask you who encouraged you to make this contribution.
I just found out that Mira Nair, the internationally renowned filmmaker, will emcee this event. Mira Nair is the woman who directed Namesake, Monsoon Wedding and Salaam Bombay! Apparently this event was recommended by Time Out NY over the weekend and the tickets are going fast now. If you want to attend, please get your tickets ASAP. The event promises to be wonderful - I'm looking forward to it :)
I have been such a busy bee - so busy I have barely had time to sit down here and write. Japanese, Mandarin and Hindi classes, working full-time as an attorney and rehearsing and working on my music as well as writing my fiction and non-fiction works and working on my pro bono duties on behalf of children's rights for ECPAT-USA....people ask me how I do it all and I tell them "I don't sleep." ;) But gosh darnit I sooo need sleep.
That said, oyasumi nasai - Japanese for 'good night.' In Mandarin it's wan an and in hindi it is shubha rathri. *HUGS* to all.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Last night, I attended a special fundraiser where I had the honor of seeing the great Kiran Desai and Salman Rushdie read the works of Burmese political victims unjustly imprisoned and tortured for ridiculous crimes, mostly centered around freedom of expression and speech.
Before I left work to attend the event, held at Cooper Union Square - a great hall/auditoreum down by 7th Street/St. Mark's Place - I printed out these interviews Kiran Desai had given and was stunned by how similar her views and style are to mine. She is 6 years older than me and everything I wish to be in 6 years. What an amazing woman - she and Arundhati Roy are 2 very inspirational Indian women for me because they are accomplished, dedicated and disciplined writers and, like me, also do work on behalf of humanitarian aid. I support them 100%
Here are some pics I took last night:
At the end of the program, all the Buddhist Monks got up on stage and blessed us with this gorgeous prayer - I felt so at peace - we were so amazingly LUCKY to take part in this event.
I go to work today somewhat changed, more motivated, more....at peace...
That is the power of seeing beyond yourself, beyond your own needs.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Koytofu, Spice Market, House Bunny with Chelsea & Hersehy's & M&M's in Times Square
Saturday, September 20, 2008
10:18 p.m.
I've been so busy lately I have difficulty getting 6 hours of sleep let alone writing! And I so very much want and NEED to write! ;) Tuesday night I took my friend Cynthia out to celebrate her birthday to KYOTOFU and we had the BEST meal - I am serious - BEST JAPANESE APPETIZERS & DESSERT - *not exaggerating even a little*!! I ordered her Ramune to drink, which is this fun fruit beverage with a special marble that clinks when you drink it and that you have to open carefully or it'll explode in your hand ;) We ordered the otsumami sampler which is this amazing selection of 8 appetizers each for $4 (and they only have 9 summer appetizers so we got everything except the seaweed salad which we can have anywhere). Our sampler contained the chicken & tofu sliders, smoked salmon onigiri, barbequed unagi (eel) wrapped in phyllo dough (which was hands down the BEST thing!!), spicy tsukune, shishito peppers, pork sausage, simmered lotus root (I LOVED THIS TOO), warm simmered tofu, and something else I forget - and our dessert sampler 5 desserts for a prix fix of $17 we split was PHENOMENAL: summer corn sweet tofu cheesecake, warn miso chocolate cake (my 2nd fave), signature sweet tofu with kiromitsu black sugar syrup (MY FAVE), blackberry anmitsu and frozen maple soy parfait - GOD EVERYTHING WAS SPECTACULAR - NOT EXAGGERATING! The next day, Wednesday, I ran 6.6 miles after work to burn off all those calories ;)
Thursday, met up with 5 of my friends and my sister Mekha and her friend Eugene and the 8 of us had another night of delicious dinner at SPICE MARKET - I kept calling several times regarding our reservation because e were such a large party of 9 people for whom seating would be difficult because so many of our party was arriving at separate times - well the women in charge of seating were fantastic and I have to send them a thank you note or flowers or SOMETHING because when I arrived, we got seated in this gorgeous curtained sofa & cushioned alcove downstairs and felt like *celebrities* - seriously and they gave it me for 3 hours from 5:30 - 8:30! SPICE MARKET IS GORGEOUS - it's like you walked into south-east Asia - the chairs in the lounge look like tablas (a drum-like Indian instrument) and the food is simply senation - from the wasabi-spicy nuts in the lounge area (which I loved but my friends Dien & Katrina didn't) to their large selection of appetizers and entrees and desserts. Service is IMPECCABLE with the waiters all dressed in traditional Indian long shirts & pants. The cuisine is a mix of Indian, Thai & Vietnamese - pretty much all Asian! I ordered the lobster rolls & the shaved tuna appetizers and my entree was the curried duck and my dessert was the sensational vietnamese coffee (my fave coffee now) and the chocolate and vietnamese coffee jelly parrfait in a shot glass for $3 and my GOD WAS IT GOOD!!!!!!!!!!
Finally, Friday I met up with my friend Chelsea to see the movie House Bunny at AMC in Times Square (really cute & funny movie, Anna Faris is awesome - I'm so glad Chelsea loved it because I was scared she'd think it was lame but it was FUN and she kept cracking up so I was relieved! :)), we had the chicken appetizers at Applebees before hand and afterwards we went to the humongous HERSHEY's & M&M's stores in Times Square because Chelsea had never been inside either and we ate waayyy too many chocolates and bought things like the tourists do (but it was so much fun!) - I got this adorable Hershey's Kisses white short-sleeve shirt & lounge pant set in super soft cotton which I wore to sleep last night and am wearing now - it's fitted and fits me like a glove and looks super cute! And Chels and I both got large black Kisses' portable coffee mugs :) We had even MORE fun at the M&M's store where we munched on many colors of M&M's and shopped. I didn't get home until 12:30 a.m. last night ;)
Went to my first FORMAL Japanese class this Saturday morning at 11 a.m. and it was wonderful! :) Learned a LOT in 1.5 hours and we're learning the Hirigana and Katakana - I think I should be fine with the Kanji since I've been learning Mandarin every Sunday - the books we have to read & study are so heavy though. Was going to go see the NYC ANNUAL BURLESQUE FESTIVAL tonight with my friend Dien but it is completely sold out and I couldn't get tickets - was so disappointed - you have no idea! I've always wanted to see nurlesque! But I came home and ran 6.6 miles and mum made delicious thosha with beans and tomato curry and fried fish and I ate and watched my recorded eps of Regis & Kelly, 90210 & Privileged <---- I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! :)
I've gotta head to bed now - got Mandarin class in the morning in Chinatown and Chels and I are going to try Joe's Shanghai for lunch after the class before I head uptown to meet Tyler to rehearse for our gig at 169 Bar on October 3rd & then I rush home to run & watch the EMMYS!!! Mek and I are going to make a fun Emmys-awards-show watching dessert (brownies with marshmallows) :D
Azure Kaze *big hugs* thank you!! :) How are you doing? what's new on your end?
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Asian Loop Times!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
12:24 a.m.
OMG! I'm on the front page of the Asian Loop Times Magazine!! You can read the full article either by clicking the link to the site or on the image links below.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
New performance: October 3rd @ 169 Bar
Sunday, September 14, 2008
11:07 p.m.
Confirmed the new gig yesterday - will be performing a 6-song acoustic set with my new guitarist.
Had an awesome day today - got up early to head to Mandarin classes in Chinatown and Wu-laoshi (Teacher Wu) is the instructor now - she's fantastic, very structured and thorough. Afterwards, met up with my friend Chelsea who's taking the intermediate class and we lunched on Pell Street - had delicious seafood soup (had tiny little squids in it that looked like mini purple-specked octopus) with butter-toast and soybean milk drink. We then went around to Bowery & East Broadway and after seeing Chels off at the subway, I stayed back and explored East Broadway & Bowery, stopping in to all the bakeries and restaurants and clothing shops (so many $10-shops that sell GORGEOUS dresses and outfits that actually FIT MY TINY FRAME!!) and I discovered this small little shop run by 2 women who make hot, fresh before your eyes chinese rice noodle rolls with either chicken or shrimp or fish balls for just $1.50!! :) Turns out they understood Mandarin as well and I practiced a little bit - telling them my name and when I said good bye (zi-jian), they were so impressed! Made me feel good :)
Came home and ran my 6 miles, spent a good half hour stretching before enjoying a huge healthy spinach and raddichio salad with tomatoes, cucumbers and red, orange and yellow bellpeppers all followed by the main dinner of mummy's amazing squash curry and pork curry which I had with this butter roll I picked up from Cafe Zaiya - watermelon for dessert. :) Read my latest issue of Vogue and spent time with my parents and Mekha and now am ready to turn in for bed. Tomorrow am taking my friend Cynthia out for dinner for her birthday to Kyotofu one of my fave Japanese dinner/appetizer/dessert places.
Last Thursday I found out one of my favorite boutiques by Bryant Park is closing its doors forever on September 26th! The owner, this wonderful European guy named John, says the rent is too much and he can't afford to keep the store open anymore - I got a ton of my most unique dresses from that store at awesome prices. So I went and picked out 2 new gorgeous pieces by NIKIBIKI - a label I never heard of before - and will head back again this week to see what other stuff they have.
On my way home past the New York Public Library steps on 5th Avenue I saw a choir of older men in blue uniforms singing Frank Sinatra's song New York, New York and it was one of those rare quintessential moments that make New York the amazing city it is - it was also September 11th last Thursday - it was a fitting tribute - so beautiful.
Tonight as I ate my dinner, I sat on the deck enjoying this late-summer heat we're having (last week it was so cold, in the 60's & low 70's, I was shivering and hating it) and today it hit 90!! Tomorrow also promises to be 85 - YAHOO! :) Anywayz, as I enjoyed this early autumn/last-week of summer evening, the moon rose - bright yellow on the horizon - I was in awe. Tonight was one of those magical evenings that makes you appreciate the gift of life you've been given - so much to appreciate and enjoy and live for. I went back inside and enjoyed that pork curry and squash curry with mummy and papa as they watched their malayalam programming on the Malayalam satellite station ASIANET. I am a greatful woman blessed with a loving family, a beautiful home and the ability to appreciate the wonder of the world around - so thankful and I said a prayer to God & the Universe, telling them so :)
I am off to bed now. *HUGS* to all! And I'll leave this entry with a few of the lyrics from Frank Sinatra's New York, New York song - NYC is, after all, one of the greatest loves of my life :)
New York, New York
I want to wake up in a city, that never sleeps
And find Im king of the hill - top of the heap
And find Im a number one top of the list, king of the hill
A number one
It up to you - New York, New York
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Do the DDF Dew
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
11:25 p.m.
I absolutely totally recommend purchasing DDF Ultra Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew SPF 15 - it's filled with anti-oxidant protection and is so light and non-greasy - it's the perfect moisturizer, especially for me who has combination skin.
At night, I use PREVAGE MD and DIOR's Totale Capture skin care line and alternate with Oil of Olay's Intensive Restorative Treatment (the black tube) because of it's retinol formula. Well worth it - my skin thanks me every day.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
New Videos of My Labor Day Performance @ Arctica Bar, NYC, NY
Monday, September 1, 2008
07:25 p.m.
Last night was phenomenal. I performed an acoustic set of 3 of my original songs from my upcoming album being produced by Manoj Advani of Brownskinz Music (that's him playing the guitar). Below is the video footage my sister Mili took with our camera - unfortunately she didn't know that she had to hold the camera straight and thought she could film lengthwise so you're going to have to tilt your head a lil ;) hahaha :) ITV recorded the show so hopefully I'll get a professional video copy of my performance that I can upload :)
Each of my songs got better in progression - the first song I performed was my original titled 'WAVE' and I included only a 2 minute clip of it, the second song I performed was 'ENTWINED' and I included the 2nd half of the song on to the end, and the last song I performed is the acoustic version of what will be a fast dance song I wrote called 'RELEASE ME' - you get to hear the slow version :) I included the whole thing from start to finish.
I hope you enjoy it :) If you want to hear the whole songs, you should come out to see me perform :)
Thank you to all my dear friends and the new fans I met last night who came out to my show. I appreciated all your support! *BIG HUGS*
Here I am below with my friends & my mom & sisters who ALL came out to see me!!! :) My dad was in Texas at his brother's (my uncle Babu's) house warming.
Hope you're all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend :) I spent Friday & Saturday rehearsing, then spent the rest of the time with my family before the performance Sunday night and today, we spent all day grilling and barbequing - papa came back from Texas on the 11am plane and we all bbq'd hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, pork/shrimp/veggie kebabs and had watermelons for dessert with sweet iced tea. I had *two* hamburgers with the WORKS (mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, pickles and ketchup)! :) And nothing's as delicious as mum's shrimp kebabs!
I've been reading a new book - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This is the man who died recently of cancer whose last lecture was recorded and was so inspirational that it was shown all over the internet. I am half-way through the book and it is AMAZING - every other chapter chokes me up a little bit - it's one of the best books I've had the pleasure and good fortune to read in a very long, long time.
I am going to watch Gossip Girl tonight (season Premiere!) and the HILLS! :) Tomorrow I have hindi class and Wednesday will see Mama Mia with my friend Chelsea! :) and hopefully Thursday I can organize an after-work social thing with friends and this weekend? I want to get into the studio & record - next Sunday I go back to Mandarin classes in Chinatown. YAAAY :) Have a great week everyone!
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Performing @ Arctica Bar this Sunday, August 31st
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
10:35 p.m.
This Labor Day Sunday weekend, I will be performing new music off my upcoming album being produced by Manoj Advani of BrownSkinz Music as part of their Labor Day Charity Bash at Arctica Bar & Grill. Click on the flyer above for details regarding the venue and performance. All proceeds benefit Mission Humanity.
Finished watching Bill Clinton speak tonight at the Democratic Convention - he's still my favorite president :) Tomorrow may meet with my friend Chelsea for dinner and maybe a movie and Friday off to rehearse for Sunday's performance. Saturday will be spent with family grilling and barbequing. Looking fwd to this Labor Day weekend :)
Raman aww thank you!! :) Training regimen for the abs is 580 different crunches that target the abs from top to bottom and the obliques as well and do them 4x a week. Soul thank you very much - you're so right about Indian families sometimes getting bogged down by things and forgetting to live and enjoy in the moment :) Florida was so wonderful and I am so blessed to have wonderful parents and sisters. And you totally need to spend more time with your parents!! :) Azure Kaze I've been to Tampa and Clearwater before - both absolutely LOVELY :) Glad you had a great time too and glad you liked the pictures. I might make the cup/writing pad pic into a layout one day for one of my sites :) Callie thank you for the manga recommendation! :) The Girl Who Runs Through Time looks cute and I'll definitely check it out! :) Anjali hon I miss you at work! Let's get together soon and talk? I want to hear everything!! Ailinon oh my gosh I am so exciting to see you posting in English! Can't wait to read your blog! I have so many new friends now here in NYC who are from Poland - one is vacationing there right now and will be back next week.
Off to take a relaxing shower and head to bed. Good night all!
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a lovely Tuesday
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
11:43 p.m.
sipping some herbal tea and relaxing before turning in to bed. Just finished watching night #2 of the Democratic Convention and enjoyed watching Hillary Clinton speak. I still wish it was she who won the democratic candidacy because I truly do feel she would have made the best president. That said, I'm a democrat through and through and will heartily support Obama because when all is said and done, his principles are mine as well.
Had a lovely night - went shopping at Banana Republic after work and picked up some new jewelry (delicate earrings and a set of 5 rings), these gorgeous black kitten-heeled t-strap sandals with black stones across the t-strap and a stunning black shirt-dress that fit me so perfectly and which BananaRepublic.com only has in "eggplant" on its website - a shame because the dress in black is to-die-for-gorgeous!! :)
Afterwards, went to Hindi class where tonight's lesson focused on time (learning to read the clock and the various hours/times/morning/noon etc of the day). I am so happy with how well I'm learning hindi - must devote time to studying it thoroughly this week and weekend.
This coming Sunday (Labor Day Sunday) I will be performing a 3-song acoustic set with my producer at Arctica Bar & Grill here in the city - it's for a charity event hosted by Mission Humanity. I'll post up more details tomorrow night. For now, it is time for bed! :) *HUGS* to all and I will respond to messages tomorrow night. Good night :)
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At the Mets vs. Astros Game Saturday Night
Sunday, August 24, 2008
10:43 p.m.
what an awesome time I had at my 1st METS baseball game last night! :) Last summer I saw my 1st ever baseball game and that was with the Yankees (loved every minute of it) and last night's Mets game was just as fun! :)
The firm I work for is an in-house law firm for an insurance company and once every summer the insurance company gives its employees Mets tickets, so I met up with friends from work and enjoyed hot dogs and ice cream while wearing our company-issued Mets gear - I chose a Mets hard-hat. Above are my friends Katrina and Dogmar.
Baseball is HUGE in New York City - and during the summer, there's nothing more NY than enjoying an evening Mets or Yankees game and having a ballpark hot dog :) mmmm there's just something about ballpark dogs! Check out some of the awesome photos I was able to capture of the field, my camera was able to get very close to the batters and we were seated way back in the picnic area of Shea Stadium but still the seating was great - not a bad house in the stadium! :) And I'm glad I got to go because this is the last time the Mets play in this Shea Stadium before they start playing in the new stadium.
I totally want a Mr. Mets plush doll or the Mets puppy plush!! Somebody buy me one!
I really love photography and love trying to capture beautiful natural shots of the sky and scenery.
Afterwards, met up with friends Mona and Urvi and went to ouor friend Shah's apartment down on Bowery in the Lower East Side where he was having a party because it was his last night in the city - he's going back to Toronto, Canada and won't come back til May 2009! So we stayed, met a lot of his friends and had fun :) Didn't get home until after 2:30 and lovely Mona drove me all the way back into Westchester since we missed my last train out of Grand Central. She's such an awesome friend.
Shah's apartment by the way is PHENOMENAL! He even has a rooftop that has sensational views of the city - the moon was out last night and I swear I coulda' stayed up there forever - I so, so, SOOO need to move into my own apartment in the city!
Anywayz, it's almost 11 pm and I have a significant amount of sleep to catch up on, so let me take a shower and relax and head to bed. *HUGS* to all! Good night!
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
11:55 p.m.
This October I'll be walking to raise money for The American Cancer Society - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Central Park! :) My goal is $1,000 and I am doing this on behalf of friends I know who have or are suffering with breast cancer. Please consider donating to my goal - my first and last name is Nishi Rajan.
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Remember When
Monday, August 18, 2008
11:54 p.m.
wrote a new song tonight - cried a lot writing it - called 'Remember When', for RV. It's late. Watched the Hills tonight - loved every minute of it. Must sleep now.
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Back from Florida
Sunday, August 17, 2008
11:56 p.m.
I'm back from a lovely 4-day weekend getaway with my fam at our vacation home in Ft. Myers, Florida - had such a wonderful time and can't believe I'm back in New York....this was way too short and it feels surreal to be back - like it wasn't the right day to *be* back - Mekha and Mili and I all felt that way - cept for poor Nithi who is glad to be back ;) Last Wednesday she got stung by a sting ray while she, Mek and Mil and papa and mummy were at the beach. They wound up spending Wednesday night at the ER and Nith was on crutches for the duration of the family trip. We still all managed to have fun however - sting ray or no string ray! :)
I joined my family on Thursday morning - took the early 6:45 a.m. flight out of JFK and arrived at 9:45 in Ft. Myers - our home in Florida is part of this gorgeous complex of homes my dad invested in back in 2004 - the complex is surrounded by lakes, bridges, lush greenery - it has a Town Center with a pools, tennis courts, a fantastic gym I used every day - wound up being able to jog 7.0 miles per hour and did a mile in a little over 8 minutes! Spent every day running in the mornings, lounging by the pool in the afternoons, going on evening walks & runs
Below are a few pics of our home & the surrounding areas as well as the gorgeous bridges I jogged over - all pics I took on sunset runs through the complex
While on my Saturday evening jog, I captured the breathtaking shots of the sun's rays through the clouds just before sunset and the stunning cloud patterns in the sky:
Friday & Saturday were spent by the pool
Thursday the fam and I did the normal thing we always do on vacation in Ft. Myers - board the casino boat for a dinner cruise!! I ate SO MUCH FOOD that night and it was worth every bite! :) The moon was out (gorgeous), the water was beautiful, I lounged by the front of the boat (you can see a shot of the front below) and aside from the rocky waters which made us a bit nauseous, it was an awesome night!
Last night (Saturday night) we all went to dinner at the FirePit City Grill and it was the best! From the appetizers of Seafood Spring Rolls and Eastside Flatbread (without the cheese) to my entree of filet mignon salad to the desserts of molten chocolate cake and raspberry creme brulee (delicious!) and the teas (roobios, jasmine & cranberry) - all was perfection!!
What follows is something I wrote this morning while having tea on the front porch of the home and I've copied it word for word and included the pictures of what I speak of:
On my last day in Florida for the family vacation: August 17, 2008 - 7:40 a.m. I woke up at 5:45 a.m. to the sound of my cellphone beeping. I had set it the night before so that I'd have a good 6 mile run in the morning before having to get ready for the 10:30 flight back to New York. However, when I looked out, it was still pitch dark so I climbed back into bed and when I next opened my eyes, it was 6:30 a.m. and I could see the sky lightening up into a dark blue and knew it was the right time....early dawn runs are the best :) I was out the door at 6:45 and, within my 1st few foot steps, was immediately called to a halt by the moon outside - it was humongous and bright white - I dashed back inside, grabbed my camera and took the pics below - to my right was the moon and to my left the sunrise:
The size of the moon is an optical illusion to our human eyes - the camera captures the true size (which is tiny). God it was magnificent and huge - I felt so blessed to see it. I put the camera on the porch wall and proceeded on my run. Everything was quiet. All the families in the complex sound asleep. I jogged up to Orlandia Drive and turned in until I found one of the walk-through roads that leads/connects every drive/house-road to these bridges - the moon in all its white heavenly glory shined above - I took pic after pic:
I called out to God while standing atop one of those bridges somewhere past Puffin Drive....I hope He heard me.
I love early morning and late-evening jogs...the first for the sunrise, the second for the sunset...there is such a feeling/sensation of peace, of connectedness, of oneness with my surroundings....the world can be such a beautiful place.
I am sad it is my last day - I wish I could stay here but, as always, we must return to our present reality - but we return changed, inspired for the better - our new experiences will motivate us to make changes in ourselves so that the reality we are presented with is purely one we want - one of our own intentional making/design. I return now to sing, to create music, to perform, to write my books and stories.
I have finished my tea and it must be 8 a.m. now or past - mummy is making egg sandwiches on toasted bagels. I love my family. As much as we irritate and annoy each other, we're family - through thick and thing. I love them no matter what.
Upon finishing my diary entry above, I took a picture of my cup of tea, my writing pad, pen and the view out the front porch of the Florida home - I couldn't decide which pic I liked better:
And now finally it is almost 1:30 a.m. now into Monday morning and I have to wake up in 5 hours to get ready for work :) and I so wanted to get a good night's sleep ;) hahaah :) never happens :) I close with a picture of a flower I took and a sweet shot of my mom and I on our evening walk Saturday, August 16, 2008. Good night all :) Hope each of you had a good weekend as well.
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Off to Sunny Florida - Hello Bikini & Beach! :)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
04:57 a.m.
hello guys and dolls :) I'm off to my folks' beautiful vacation home in south-west Florida, near Ft. Myers. I'm on about 2 hours of sleep but heck all my packing is done! :D See ya'll when I get back on Sunday :)
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
11:44 p.m.
In the morning, when I get in my car to drive to the train station, I listen to NPR; at night, it's 880AM radio and, if it's after 8pm, baseball is on - usually a Yankees game. I can't tell you how comforting it is - after a long, long day - to turn on 880 & drive home at night listening to the sportscasters talk about Johnny Damon out on center field. The sounds of baseball, of summer...I love it :) Meanwhile, NPR is my addiction (All Things Considered my absolute fave program) - keeps me grounded. And when all else fails, Z100 and KROQ are my perpetual favorites for all things music :)
Home doin' laundry and packing in advance to fly out to Florida on Thursday early morning to join the fam at our vacation home in Ft. Meyers - cannot WAIT! :) Tomorrow a friend and I are going to have dinner at a fantastic Japanese place I know over in Chelsea here in the city - looking fwd to that :) And now it is quarter to midnight and way past my bedtime and even though I have not finished packing at all I need sleep dammit! :)
Been listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers all night...Otherside is playing in my head now...
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Speaking out against injustice wherever you find it: China
Sunday, August 10, 2008
01:38 p.m.
As you all know from my many years of writing on this blog, I'm an outspoken critic of human rights violators. Like all of you, I watched the beautiful opening of the Beijing Olympics and was awed. I study Mandarin, practically "live" in NYC's Chinatown considering how often I eat there, and I love China, its people, its history and some of my dearest friends are Chinese. However, that said, its current government's human rights violations are atrocious and sickening.
One day after Amnesty International issued a comprehensive report on how the Chinese government was failing to live up to its promises on human rights, the Chinese government shut down access to AI's web site - even for foreign reporters in Beijing to cover the Olympics. "Internet censorship for the people of China," says AI, "is nothing new, but the Olympics were supposed to be different. When China bid for the Olympics in 2001, it declared that it would 'give the media complete freedom to report when they come to China' if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) selected Beijing to host the Games."
AI's report related as follows: "A number of other websites are also reported to have been blocked, including Taiwan newspaper Liberty Times and the Chinese versions of both Germany's Deutsche Welle and the BBC. This flies in the face of official promises to ensure “complete media freedom” for the Games. Internet control and censorship is increasing as the Olympics approach. Many other sites, including several reporting on HIV/AIDS issues in Beijing, have been targeted."
"Despite new media regulations that were supposed to allow for freer reporting for foreign journalists, they continue to be prevented from covering “sensitive issues”, including talking to those who suffer human rights violations. The Foreign Correspondents Club of China (FCCC) documented approximately 180 incidents of reporting disruptions in 2007. This has now increased to 260."
AI reports: "China's leadership ordered local governments to go 'all out" to prevent civilian protesters from tarnishing the Olympic Games in Beijing.'"
Chen Guangcheng is one of the courageous activists Amnesty International is working to free. The blind human rights defender and legal advisor was arrested in 2005 for filing a lawsuit on behalf of thousands of women in Shandong Province who endured forced abortions and sterilizations to meet local birth quotas. Chen's wife and lawyers were barred from appearing in court to defend him - and after a 1-day trial he received a 4-year prison sentence. Chen's situation remains grim, as he's reportedly been beaten in captivity. He won the Magsaysay award - described as Asia's Nobel Prize - in July 2007 for defending human rights. But Chinese authorities even prevented Chen's wife from traveling to the Philippines to accept the prize on his behalf.
China is a beautiful country, and its people wonderful, however, injustice occurs everywhere and it is our responsibility to speak out against it wherever we find it - whether here in the U.S. or elsewhere. Educate yourself more on this subject. Check out the following recent news articles:
Have you 'Sloohed' yet? If you love astronomy like I do, then you have to try the *LIVE* telescope missions at Slooh.com! Sign up for a free trial and see nebulae & galaxies right on your computer *LIVE*! I'm there most evenings & weekends. Join the Chat!
Pastis, Mumtaz & Pakistan's Perez Musharraf being impeached
Thursday, August 7, 2008
11:54 p.m.
went out with friends to Pastis tonight after work in the Meat Packing District (not far from where I work on the west side) and had an absolute blast! We got seated at an awesome table outside so we could people watch and ordered Cotes Du Rhone wine (a medium to full body red wine) and we all dined on steak tartare, chicken liver & foie gras mousse and an argula salad before dangerously ordering the tuna nicoise salad and realzing too late that it was a GIGANTIC meal which I took home :) We're going to try NERO & ONE and SPICE MARKET next time :) The night was warm and a bit windy but so beautiful....I laid my head back and just took in the sky and all of the city around me. Love summer in the city.
The Cotes du Rhone left me quite tipsy :) Had so much fun tonight :)
Last night went to MUMTAZ on the upper east side for dinner with one of my friends and had really delicious Indian food - we ordered 2 different assorted appetizers: the Chef's Special Appetizers which consisted of chicken marinated in spices, cooked with green peppers, onions and tomato sauce, served with vegetable patties and papadam and the Assorted Indian Hors D'Oeuvres samosa, pakora, sheek kebab, shami kebab & papadam - absolutely fantastic! Our main entrees were Fish Shagpiazi which is fish marinated in spices, cooked with mushroom, spinach and herbs and my friend got the Chicken Bhuna which is chicken cooked with green peppers and tomatoes - I also ordered us chappati and each entree came with rice. We finished everything by trying all 3 desserts MUMTAZ offered: Rasmalai (homemade cheese soaked with cream) which I didn't like and have had much better elsewhere and Gulab Jaman (fried pastry in honey sauce) which is my dad's and my fave regular Indian dessert, and my absolute favorite - Firni (light custard with rose water flavor <---- sooooooo good).
Hope you guys have been following the news about Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf being impeached - this is HUGE news. Musharraf seized power in a military coup back in 1999 and ruled Pakistan for eight years with the backing of the US, which counted him as an ally in the War on Terror but Musharraf's presidency has been marked by human rights and justice violations, most notable the recent arrests and jailings and of Pakistan's Chief Justice and how he imposed a State of Emergency last year to prevent anyone from thwarting his efforts to be re-elected. Read more at TIME's "Musharraf in the Crosshairs"
My producer invited me to attend a charity rock concert tomorrow night and it looks so awesome but my sis Mekha wants me to come home and do a movie and do a sister's night in and I think Mil and Nith will also come home which would REALLY make it a Friday night sisters' night in! :) I sooooo could use a night of running and rest and curling up to watch a movie :) Been out every night this week! :) Saturday I may do brunch with my publicist and/or meet with my producer in Queens to work on the music and again on Sunday - may go out late Saturday night to a friend's party....I really want to spend good solid time immersed in writing - the desire to write often consumes me and nothing relieves it until I've lost myself completely within it.
After midnight again now and I was supposed to slip into bed 2 hours ago! ;) Am off - good night all!
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Since 1998, I have been designing websites. The following are almost every main site I have ever made.
A Dream I Dream
My personal page with pictures of me and everything I love!
TooyaandAya.com
Devoted to Touya/Tooya and Aya of Ayashi no Ceres!
UsagiandMamoru.com My favorite and best couple ever! Sailor Moon's Usagi and Mamoru (Serena and Darien)
MiakaandTamahome.com My tribute to Fushigi Yuugi's main couple who always have my heart, Miaka and Tamahome!
Kare Kano Love
A Miyazwa and Arima ML - discuss everything Kare Kano here!
Favorite Manga and Anime most everything in Ribon and Nakayoshi!
Alice 19th
Anatolia Story a.k.a. Red River
Ayashi no Ceres/Ceres Celestial Legend
Basara
B.B. Explosion
Call Me Princess
Catcher in the Horoscope or ZODIAC P.I.
Crescent Moon
Cyber Idol MINK
Delicious! (Yui Ayumi)
Dream Saga
Fruits Basket
Fushigi Yuugi
Gals / Super Gals!
Hana Kimi
Hot Gimmick
IMADOKI
Instant Teen (Otona Ni Nuts or Just Add Nuts)
Juvenile Orion
Kaikan Phrase or SENSUAL PHRASE
Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne
Kanata Kara a.k.a. From Far Away
Kare Kano
Kodomo no Omocha
Magic Knights Rayearth
Maria (Naoko Takeuchi)
Marmalade Boy
Max Lovely
Mint No Bokura
Miracle Girls
MODEL
More Starlight to Your Heart
Mouryou Kiden
Neck and Neck
One
Ororon
Othello
Otona Ni Nuts 0r INSTANT TEEN - JUST ADD NUTS
(the) Queen's Knight
Psychic Academy
Random Walk
SailorMoon
Saint Tail / St. Tail
Saiyuki
Sweet & Sensitive
Tokyo Mew Mew
Ultra Maniac
Vampire Game
Wild Act
Words I live by:
Man is never so tall as when he kneels before God - never so great as when he humbles himself before God. And the man who kneels to God can stand up to anything. -Louis H. Evans
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. - Eleanor Roosevelt
"All human wisdom is contained in these two words: wait and hope." - The Count of Monte Cristo
"The winds of God are always blowing but it is up to you to set the sails." - UNKNOWN
"The only dream worth having, I told her, is to dream that you will live while you're alive and die only when you're dead. [Which means:] To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair. To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple. To respect strength, never power. Above all, to watch. To try and understand. To never look away. And never, never to forget." - Arundhati Roy
"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it." -
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Jogging, Martial Arts Kickboxing, Dance - currently middle eastern dance & bellydance, Tennis, Singing (of course ;) and working on my songs, Reading & writing about all the things I am interested and passionate about, watching tv and movies, painting, drawing, astronomy, rollerblading (and trying to get better at it and ice skating!), obsessive anime and manga fan and professional web designing, ancient studies / ancient civilizations, history and archaeology, world mythology, politics and world affairs, international law, human rights, studying many languages (have studied and continue to study spanish, mandarin chinese, japanese and hindi).
Today I am roasting pumpkins to make pumpkin puree - it's for breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, for next week's thanksgiving pumpkin pie and the pumpkin breads I plan to make :D We've got to somehow use all the pumpkins we bought in October for Halloween ;)
Tomorrow I am dressing up as what will be considered a cross between Galadriel from Lord of the Rings and Glinda the Good Witch of the East from WICKED/Wizard of Oz - I have this beautiful short white sparkly dress I bought at this uber-cute boutique in Chinatown over the summer and am pairing it with silver stockings, white or gray boots, a silver/pale gray long velvet cloak with a hood I bought on Ebay for $49 and topping it off with a tiara and a gorgeous silver & rhinestone crown wand. I'll look like some sort of Princess is what people will eventually think but dangitall I am trying to pull of a theme! :)
