BIG BOSS Finally ends!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those were the days when we were watching "SWYAMVAR" serial which was about Raakhi Saawant choosing her husband and all of sudden my husband came across a video where Jaya Saawant - Raakhi's Mom was participating in a show called BIGBOSS. It was for the first time we heard about that show and saw few clippings , then we started watching that show from the day 1 - i think by then 15 episodes were telecasted. I cant believe we started watching perday about 2-3 episodes of the show to go on par with the actual telecast- it reminded me of the school days where i used to miss some classes and then sit and write the notes days together.

Big Boss was all about 13 people staying in one house without any contacts with the outside world and doing all the household things on their own for 3 months. Already 2 series of the same was completed but we were not aware of it and this was BIGBOSS3 . The contestants were Jaya Saawant, Sherlyn chopra- who acted in Dil Tadipa, Taanaz Irani- girl from Hum Panch, Bhakthiyar Irani - TV Celebrity whom I had not seen or heard before and husband of Taanaz Irani, Poonam Dhillon - 80's heroine, Vindu Dharasingh - Heard his name for the first time later on found out that he is son of Dharasingh and ex husband of Farah and he was the one who played the role of Hanuman in Jai Hanuman serial, Rohitverma - Gay Fashion Designer, Aditi Govitrikar - Who became famous in Adnan Sahani's Album, Raju Srivastav - Comedian and so called duplicate of Amitabachan, Claudia Celesia - German Model who is been introduced to bollywood by Salman and also read that she is reason behind Kartina Kaif and Salman Breakup, Kaamal Raashid Khan - Seeing and hearing about him for the first time, distrubutor, Director, Producer , actor - All in one. His dialogues were very famous in the Bigboss house which I will write little later.

Though the serial was very much like our Indian household stories but still had a desire to watch the show without discontinuity. After 7- 8 years I have watched a serial completely thanks to my sweet little princess for giving me a chance infact even she started liking the show especially seeing claudia and Amitabachan who was the host of the show - my daughter calls Big B as Boot bcas she saw his film Bootnath during our trip to India and back.The rules of the show was every week ( on friday) each member of the house would get chance to vote 2 persons to get eliminated from the house and at the end there would be 3 persons and one of them who would be bold and stylish would own the Chevy car and the other(by maximum votes) would win 1 crore the prize money. In addition to house members voting even the public were asked to poll via SMS and the person with least number of votes would get eliminated , public voting was given importance and it was called Desh Ka Aadesh. But after the seeing the whole show I felt it was not Desh ka Aadesh but it was Big Boss Aadesh and felt that Big boss was bribed by the house members to keep them in the house.

Vindu was saying that he will winthe show and nobody can throw him out the house and it happened the same he won the show inspite of being voted for elimination almost everyweek . As a Spectator and commentator i felt that he played the game very well - always spoke bad about other house mates and compelled others to follow him during eliminations . But one thing to appreciate in him was inspite of abusing and getting abused several times still tried to go pace with everyone - i am not sure if this is his natural behaviour if its so then the person who understands him and wants to continue to have a relation with him would certainly be lucky and would be greatful because vindu would be ready to share the happiness and also the sadness but there are very few people in this world who will forgive other people abuses and I personally dont fall into that category. Coming to Kamaal Rashid Khan known as KRK boasts himself that he is a millionare and he always mentioned that he drinks water which comes from France,milk from Holland and tea from London. I was so much involved in that show that I used to wait for 6.00 Pm in the evening so that i can watch the show with my hubby because the videos would not be posted till mid afternoon (our time ). Any ways it was good timepass watching how celebrities talk bad about others how much they struggle to lead a life a common man.inod
By the wild card Vinod Kambli and Pravesh Rana -MR.India 2008 entered the bigboss house though pravesh was one of the finalist did not win anything expect for the bad remarks from the poor people who are struggling for bread and butter each day since he had thrown all the food into the water out of revenge with other members of the house.Vinod Kambli could not stay in the house for a long time but his words where he pleaded the world to give him a chance to share the cricket ground with Sachin Tendulkar brought water in my eyes. The same kind of feeling with Ismail Darbar - his words sounded as if he was pleading the entertainment industry to give him a chance again to show his talent.

Vindu Dhara Singh won the show i could not convience myself with a strong reason for which he was the winner.

AVATAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today after 4.5 years and first time in United States went with my hubby and my princess to watch AVATAR in the theatre, i did not have much inclination to watch the movie in the theatre but did not want to disappoint my hubby . I was much worried about my daughter's behaviour in the theatre since it was her first time and she nevers sits at a place for more than 5 minutes but KUDOS to her she did a very good job. I am not sure if she really understood anything but still she enjoyed watching the aliens since it brought to her mind JADOO of Koi Mil Gaya and when she had watched Jadoo for the first time she had loved it .Few Months back when we were in Disney Land while we were watching the 3D Film sinchu was trying to catch the ones which appeared to be near her and she was trying to catch the same way today in the movie.

I was delighted seeing the film especially the aliens , their house tree, jelly fish, hanging mountains etc - beautiful imagination and presentation. While I was watching the movie it just reminded me of a video which a friend of mine shared with me few days back- it was about a presentation about technology evolution created by our own Indian "Pranav Mistry". I am not sure if its just coincidence in both the techologies or director has adopted the ideas of the same techology.

AVATAR AND JAMES CAMERON Rocks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Orlando - Miami Trip on July 15 2009-July 21 2009

My hubby had a week off in his office and wanted to go out of Michigan for few days and so finally planned to Orlando to visit the WALT DISNEY WORLD and MIAMI- The Millionaires paradise. Our flight was at 7:30 in the evening on July 15 - left the home by 5.30 and drove to the airport in our car and parked the car at the airport and left to our terminal. My daughter was all excited in visiting the Disney world and seeing her princess. Reached Orlando by 10.30 in the night and then took a cab to our hotel KNIGHTS INN at Kissmee. We came across the turnpike and it suddenly took us back to the days in New York and the day we got lost in those turn pikes and entering the Fast Pass lanes without any pass and then receiving tickets home with a huge penalty of $100. The moment we came out of the airport the hot air blew our face reminding our days in Texas. As we drove in the cab got to see through pine trees and then my hubby as usual starting thinking "why don't I get a project in Orlando". Finally arrived at the hotel and after checking in went to bed straight since we had a long 4 day trip for us.

On the 16Th the 1st day of our trip got up in the morning and got dressed and headed towards the breakfast counter since we had an early dinner the previous night. To our surprise we found only doughnuts and orange juice and without any choice left, grabbed few and were waiting for our bus to drop us to the Disney world. When we arrived at the MAGIC KINGDOM one of the 4 parks the gates were not yet opened and since it was our second trip to Disney world started comparing the place with the park at Los Angeles - the one which we had visited. The gates opened at 9.00 and as soon as it was opened people started running towards the train which would take us to the parks.When we arrived at the Magic Kingdom we were welcomed by Donald Duck, Daisy and Goofy. I was eager to have my princess take the photo with these characters and hence stood in the queue for a picture. Later on went to see one of the live shows of mickey Donald with all the princess and its then my princess got the actual idea of what Disney was all about and from there her happiness and curiosity increased and had no limit at all. Then we went Little World a ride - I have no words to explain the dolls shown inside what a craftsmanship!!!!!!! .Again my daughter started taking pictures with the princess and she was not ready to leave them and come and it was very difficult to convince her but always she had a better surprise waiting at the next attraction. At our first visit to Disney park we had not seen much of the Disney land since the crowd was too much and we were not organised ourselves for such parks. But this time the situation was different and we had made lot of research and analysis on our program. After a tiring a day came back to hotel by 12.00 in the midnight.

On 17Th we went to EPICOT- this park is mainly related to Technological innovation and internal culture. It has exhibits from 7-8 called World Showcase- Mexico,Japan,Germany,China, Morocco,UK, Italy,France .That day we came back to the hotel by 8.00 and went to a Indian Restaurant and had Roti, Mutter Paneer, Biryani and Mango shake.

On 18Th we went to Disney Studios - it is very similar to the Universal Studios. They had few street plays and they were some adventures rides and my daughter and my hubby went into those rides. My daughter really enjoyed those rides - one of the ride dropped them from the 15Th floor .
On 19Th we went to ANIMAL KINGDOM - here we went in few safari es and one attraction was all about INDIA- to my surprise saw the photo of sunil shetty on one of the advertisement posters. That day we came back early and wanted to have a good sleep since the next day morning we were leaving to Miami which was about 4 hours drive from Orlando.

On 20Th Morning after having our breakfast left to MIAMI .It was my plan to go to Miami and my hubby though had no interest for my sake he had to say YES. It was the first time that I drove for about 2 hours. As we were reaching MIAMI it started to rain and our plans of going to SOUTH BEACH was cancelled. We first reached Haulover Nude Beach - The only Nude beach. At first felt little embarrassing at seeing people but after staying there for sometime it did not mean anything to me. From there we headed to our hotel GOLD PALM BEACH RESORT and after getting freshened went in search of Indian Restaurant. Always I was asking my hubby why he went for an IPHONE but it was of so much help in our entire trip. As we head from the hotel we landed in a TURNPIKE and always it is a night mare for us. Luckily we got out of it immediately and went into to a PARK AND RIDE place and there when I went to ask someone for route to my surprise she was staying in the same hotel as us and was there for a week and was familiar with the route to our hotel. So we offered her a ride in our car to the hotel and then again we went in search of Indian hotel and this time we reached the place correctly but the hotel was closed - Its a trend in US for the Indian hotels to have their off on MONDAYS. Then we went to a Thai restaurant and had TOFU, FRIED RICE, BANANA FRY.

On 21st We went in the morning to the Miami Harbour and from there we took a cruise which took us through the Miami city, Shores and showed us some of Millionaires house. On the tour got to see the house of Madonna, Will smith, Elizabeth, Steffi and Agassi and few others which I am unable to recall at this point of time. Later on went to South Beach and in the night had food in an Indian restaurant and then head back to hotel.

On 22ND morning after having our breakfast at the hotel we left to Orlando since we had our flight back to Michigan in the evening 6.30. When we reached Orlando in the afternoon it was about 3.00 and since I have the fantasy of taking photos and hanging over at my house we headed towards PICTURE PEOPLE since we had few coupons. At the studio got ready and had photo sitting by 4.00 and then my hubby kept on warning me of the time but I was so adamant on those photos that I did not pay attention to his words and finally by 4.30 we got our photos and headed towards the rental car office to drop of our car. By the time we dropped of the car and finished the formalities it was 5.30 and then we headed towards the airport. By the time we reached there it was 6.10 and they had stopped issuing the boarding pass for our flight and finally we had lost our flight. This was the biggest blunder committed by me till then in my life. I was feeling so guilty that day that I had no face to show my hubby. I am usually not adamant with my ideas I give up very fast but that day I don't know what made me behave that way and we had to spend the whole night in the airport with the MCDONALD Fries and Veg.Burger. Next day Morning at 6.30 we got our flight back to Michigan without paying any penalty. The moment me and my daughter boarded the flight we had a big surprise. The pilot on the flight looked at my daughter and he invited her to his cabin in the aircraft - COCKPIT. My daughter had a chance to wear his hat and she announced on the flight "WELCOME TO DELTA AIRWAYS" and then she even gave a autograph to the pilot. So finally had a Happy Ending for our trip.

Halloween Day!!!!!!

Got up early in the morning to dress my princess as CINDRELLA since she had HALLOWEEN party at her school. My daughter had a parade at her school and later on some treat from her teacher and some goodie bags.

Halloween is a custom which was brought to US from Irish and Scottish people and is celebrated on October 31st . In Ireland and Scottland on this day a candle is lighted in the house at the window which is on the west side of the house and pumpkin is carved to respect the departed.Kids in the evening have a customary celebration called "TRICK OR TREATING".Childrens dress up in costumes and go to houses asking for treats and if they are not treated with anything then they try to do some sort of mischeif to the house owner or property - a trick. Here in US the pumpkins are carved to symbolise the harvest season. The main colours associated with Halloween are Orange and Black. The intention behind halloween celebration is very similar to the practise called "MAHALAYA AMAVASYA" in India where the respect is offered to the departed.
This is real fun for the kids over here since they get lot of candys.

In the evening had a nice time at a Birthday party. Tommorow there is a Halloween party at our Leasing office - so looking forward for it and Sunday we have guest coming over to our house. This weekend is full of partying!!!!!!!!

Memories down the lane !!!

It has been 4 long years since I moved to the US with my hubby and my little princess. Our experiences seem to be end less. My hubby keeps telling me that from our last 4 years of experiences, he could write 4 books easily, one per year !! For us the kannada saying "ದೂರದ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ನುಣ್ಣಗೆ" which otherwise translates to "The grass is always greener on the other side" applies perfectly. But there is always a satisfaction in me that we have mixture of experiences and sometimes its fun to share with someone. Till the time I came to US I did not know what shifting was because I never had any experience in shifting residence in India before my marriage and also after my marriage since my husband's family also lived in Bangalore. So I cannot exactly say that I did do any shifting because I hardly moved 5 kms from my place. But now in the last 4 yrs we have to shifted to 6 different states and I am now staying in Michigan State from past 1.5 years and I always think why we did not relocate from this place as moving has become somewhat like a hobby. My husband always jokes that if we had an oppurtunity to campaign for President Obama before election, we could have visited all 50 states in the US of A. As the time passed by, we have also got used to this kind of living but luckily not to 'American' culture- may be the environment in which we were brought up is obstructing us from accepting this new culture. Everyone say Americans do not have value for people, relationship etc but after seeing felow Indians around me, I feel we Indians also have no value for human kind. In the name of love, relations people are harassed and lifes are put into miserable situation. This reminds me of Darwin's theory " Struggle for existence" which has very much influenced these Americans by having their own life style and taking up all the goods and bads to themselves where as we Indians always want to make our existence by putting our bads to others. Whatever it is, after staying away from home for quite some time now, small amount of Patriotism in me makes me feel and tell " INDIA IS CERTAINLY GREAT " .

In 1995 there was this Kannada movie by title "America America !!" was released in namma Bengalooru, which had a story about the life style of Indians in the US of A. When the movie was released I had just completed my schooling. I still remember that me along with my 4 other frnds had been to watch this movie. At that point of time, the movie was a mere excitment for us since it showed few places in US and those days coming to abroad was not that easy as compared to now and it was not a dream come true situation for a middle class Indian to come abroad. But over years due to Globalalization India changed its position from Under developed country to Developed country and now more or less 40% of Indian population have become NRIs of one or the other kind as they stay longer time outside India. Over the years, when I watch the same movie now, the feelings in me are different. Everytime I watch a scene in the movie, I tend to co-relate that particular situation with one or the other incidents that I have experienced. After coming here may be I have watched the same movie probably more than 10 times but still I like to watch it again and again as there is somekind of freshness in that movie. My hubby always makes fun saying that if the director were to make a second part of this movie, he need not come to US in search of a story. Instead he could contact my hubby as he has got more than one story to narrate. Hope the day comes in my hubby's life where some one turns his stories into a film.

October 26 2009

OM

I had been thinking for past few days to have my own blog and i had been telling this to my sweety hubby and today all of a sudden at 11:22 pm made up my mind to have one. This is my first blog and hope i keep writing very often in the future.