tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86333669970756946412011-01-07T17:38:47.625ZSketches my random thoughtsMy random thoughts and shotsDeepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-17767998420746688112011-01-06T15:55:00.007Z2011-01-07T07:07:10.440Z2011-01-07T07:07:10.440ZDid you actually find them?<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/2260978310/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2339/2260978310_9cac5fc229.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/2260978310/">Dream Home:kerala:India</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span></div>Today, after a long dull day, I started playing with my computer. Sign in to Face book to see if my little brother vinukuttan is there so that i can be a "sorry creature*" and complain about my day.<br />
Been to an interview, with wrong pair of shoes and was worried more about the shoes rather than the interview itself.<br />
To be honest the job description given by the lady on the other end of the phone was crap. But yesterday i said yes for a face to face interview, for the simple reason, their pay scale. ( I am dreaming about a new macro lense. So i thought i will give it a go). I was there with three other people in a small room and we started talking about how to prepare a cake. ( Dont know how we came across such a topic, no idea, I think if you are nerves,bored and sick,you will talk about rocket science or cake baking).<br />
Then the director came and asked us to have a group discussion and we started looking at each others eyes. Are we supposed to talk? Yes we did and they offered me the job. Cherry on the cake, ""THERE WILL BE A BIT OF SALES and that is out bound call". I never imagined before i can be a vanishing queen this quick it took only 5 minutes for me to reach the bus station( which is one mile away).<br />
I cant do sales that too out bound.<br />
Then i was thinking about texting a friend who will give me a tight hug and make me cheer up in her own way, her positive spirit will lift my mood and i can be the happy go lucky girl again. But since it is Thursday she will be attending her counseling course. So disappointment continues.<br />
So back home, playing with the computer staring at research datas, draft mails, photos and again back to Face book page. I saw many familiar faces in chat box. ( If you are a victim of my friends list you may be aware i am bad at this art, i test your patience with my chatting. And I confess i seldom answer when you say hi or hello. I gave up chatting in-between with out giving you a notice). <br />
<br />
Then I found an advertisement on right hand corner of the page, it says reconnect with your friends using your email and it further said "10 of your friends below are reconnected with their friends" and it was his photo appears first in the list. <br />
It gives me a sense of positiveness, joy and many other emotions i cant explain through words. Is it true? Is it a sign from a guardian angel? And i heard it. The song "Would u hold my hand if i saw you in heaven?"<br />
<br />
I closed my eyes thinking about that man i met only once or twice but "heard a lot about" from her. Her brother, friend and everything, he who loved my paradise, my home land, may be he loved that place more than us that may be the reason he had his last sunset and sunrise there away from his home, across the oceans.<br />
I closed my eyes again. Is it wet when i opened my eyes i saw the chat pop up window and it was her. Asking me" how are u honey" oh dearest are we this much connected. I told her I am thinking about her. And I said i am with Eric Claptons tears in Heaven.<br />
<br />
Then she said "wrong song , my brother used to tell me that it doesnt matter micky mouse still loves u and he"d meant it for you."<br />
<br />
Do i need to laugh now or cry? I should laugh because that is what he wants us to do. I am so sure he is reconnected with his friends in that far away land. And he is reconnected with us too through the memories for ever.<br />
<br />
To connect with some one you dont need technology, you dont need time, even a physical self. <br />
<br />
Yes Eric clapton is ending the song ............I dont belong here in heaven...<br />
Yes dear you belong to our hearts for ever we love you.<br />
And the little snowflakes they are falling down from heaven and love them apparently for no reason. <br />
.....................................<br />
<br />
*Sorry creature - that is a word introduced by my brother for people always make complaints about life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-1776799842074668811?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-86942865093958989402011-01-04T16:11:00.001Z2011-01-04T17:16:11.563Z2011-01-04T17:16:11.563ZMacro photography and close-up photography.<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5248833192/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5208/5248833192_7226e7cf0e.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5248833192/"><br />
</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5248833192/"><br />
</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5248833192/">Macro Photography.</a></span></div><br />
<br />
I am not the right person to write about photography. I am just a hobbyist. But couple of my flickr friends asked me how i manged to get close -up shots and macro shots. It made me think. When i heard the question for the first time, i was not sure about the difference between macro shots and close up shots. So i did my kind of research. But not sure about the result though.<br />
<br />
From my limited knowledge i think <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Macro-Photography-Ross-Hoddinott/dp/1861085303?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Macro Photography</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1861085303" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Close-up-Photography-Alan-Constant/dp/0240803809?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Close-up Photography</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0240803809" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is different depending on the lenses we use. Not all close-up photos are macro photos. It all depends up on how well you get the finest details of your subject matter as an end result in paper. It means you can even see the finest details of a hair on a butter fly in macro photography.<br />
<br />
But in close-up photography you wont get that much magnification and finest details. ( I do agree as technology advances recently i have seen some good close up lenses which produces amazing end products).<br />
<br />
Some good books which will give as a reasonable understanding about this are.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0715312766&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0240812123&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now the gadgets, of-course it depends up on your budget. For a beginner i recommend <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00200K9NQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<br />
Tamaron AF 60mm. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-60mm-2-0-DI-II/dp/B00200K9NQ?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II LD IF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00200K9NQ" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. /<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-60mm-2-0-DI-II/dp/B00200K9MM?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tamron AF 60mm f/2.0 SP DI II LD IF 1:1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00200K9MM" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> if you check this links it will give you detailed information includes price and reviews. But my friends who use this toy says this one take sharp macro pictures and excellent portraits.<br />
<br />
But if you are little bit more serious in this business or looking forward to enter the next level of your passion then <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00021EE4U&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm-2-8-Di/dp/B00021EE4U?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP AF/MF 1:1 Macro Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00021EE4U" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> /<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-AF-90mm-2-8-Di/dp/B00021EEA4?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8 Di SP A/M 1:1 Macro Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00021EEA4" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a good buy.<br />
<br />
As stated earlier please go through the links and read the detailed reviews given by others.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are not that much particular about canon and nikon brand names then <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00063KO5C&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>this sigma ones are also good.<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0002P19QM&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> Any way check the reviews and see what the users feel about this.<br />
<br />
Do we always need a high and end camera and lenses to capture this beauty's. From my experience i say NO. Even with a point and shoot camera you will get some nice results (as my husband says ok photos). If you feel the picture shown here is an "OK"close up photo then YES it is taken by a poor point and shoot camera.<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000V1VG2E&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-A720IS-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B000V1VG2E?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000V1VG2E" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. It is a nice camera will fit in your pocket or little bag and you will never miss a photographic opportunity if she is with you. Reliable on all occasions.<br />
<br />
Some other nice less expensive point and shoots are.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SD1300IS-Stabilized-Green/dp/B0035FZJL2?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Canon PowerShot SD1300IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0035FZJL2" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-SX130IS-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B003ZSHNG8?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003ZSHNG8" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-S3000-Vibration-Reduction-Blue/dp/B0034XGLIK?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Nikon Coolpix S3000 12 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0034XGLIK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Coolpix-P7000-Digital-Zoom-Nikkor/dp/B00427ZLRO?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Nikon Coolpix P7000 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 7.1x Wide Zoom-Nikkor ED Lens and 3-Inch LCD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00427ZLRO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-S1800-Digital-Stabilized/dp/B0035JD0DW?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0035JD0DW" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-Waterproof-Digital-2-7-Inch/dp/B0035WTVXW?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Fujifilm FinePix XP10 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Green)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0035WTVXW" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> etc. They are not that much expensive, still give you some nice snaps.<br />
<br />
<br />
Any way happy clicking. Share your views and photo links in comment box, I love to see them.<br />
<br />
Thanking you,<br />
<br />
Deepa <br />
.....................................................................................................................................................<br />
About the picture above :Mahabharatam Flower with kavuravas, pandavas and krishna<br />
<br />
"Passion Flower" / Passiflora caerulea /Mahabharatam Flower<br />
<br />
What a beautiful name for a flower.<br />
<br />
Scientific classification :<br />
Kingdom: Plantae<br />
Division: Magnoliophyta<br />
Class: Magnoliopsida<br />
Subclass: Rosidae<br />
(unranked): Eurosids I<br />
Order: Malpighiales<br />
Family: Passifloraceae<br />
Genus: Passiflora<br />
<br />
Mahabaratham flower.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-8694286509395898940?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-82542482345958106382010-12-31T13:19:00.001Z2011-01-02T18:20:29.688Z2011-01-02T18:20:29.688ZKerala,India.<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/2420538870/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/2420538870_90e186ced8.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/2420538870/">Kerala,India.</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">My home land one of the most beautiful places in India.<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1156639999&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> As a beautiful place it offers wide variety of entertainment. The book link I provided here gave a reasonable and fair account of tourism in kerala. It tells you about the beaches and famous tourist spots in and around the capital city of Thiruvanthapuram.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">There is a famous temple there, with fabulous architecture (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glimpses-Architecture-Kerala-Temples-Palaces/dp/8129109093?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Glimpses of Architecture in Kerala: Temples and Palaces</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8129109093" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. )</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">And Kerala cuisine is also very famous among food lovers. It is spicy but it is yummy too. When I prepare dinner parties for my western friends they always ask for recipes, so i will give you links for some cook books i trust. This Syrian christian meat and fish dishes will give you a very different food experience. </span><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Cooking-Distinctive-Cuisine-Indias/dp/0929306368?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala Cooking: A Distinctive Cuisine from India's Spice Coast</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0929306368" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Kitchen-Recollections-Christians-Hippocrene/dp/0781811848?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Kerala Kitchen: Recipes and Recollections from the Syrian Christians of South India (Hippocrene Cookbook Library)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0781811848" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Savoring-Spice-Coast-India-Flavors/dp/0060192577?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Savoring the Spice Coast of India: Fresh Flavors from Kerala</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0060192577" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Indian-Cooking-Alamelu-Vairavan/dp/0781811899?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Healthy South Indian Cooking</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0781811899" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Favourites-Therssi-Kottukapally-Pushpanath/dp/8188000205?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala Syrian Christian Favourites</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8188000205" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Indian-Cooking-Eight-Kerala-Cuisine-ebook/dp/B0040GJB0U?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Indian Cooking-Eight-Kerala Cuisine</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0040GJB0U" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
When I first post my house boat picture in Flickr many asked me about back waters. Yes I feel proud to say that we are blessed. If you are interested to know more about this amazing place <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rhapsody-II-Ripple-Backwaters-Tropics/dp/8188698334?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Rhapsody Series II (Rhapsody in a Ripple - The Backwaters of Kerala & Rhapsody in the Tropics - Kerala, Where the Season Never Ends)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=8188698334" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> is a good one. Worth for time and money.<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">If you are planing a visit to K</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Kerala-Guides/dp/1848365411?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;">erala I suggest you to go through some of this. </span></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SWEATSHIRT-BLACK-ORIENTAL-KERALA-KALARI/dp/B000GJ443O?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">SWEATSHIRT BLACK " ORIENTAL LOVE KERALA KALARI " Small</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000GJ443O" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Munnar-Kerala-Travel-Guides-ebook/dp/B001YQEY6U?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Munnar, Kerala, India (India Travel Guides)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001YQEY6U" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-India-Kerala-Travel-Oleander/dp/0900891319?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">South India: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa - A Travel Guide (Oleander Travel Books)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0900891319" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Magical-Odyssey-Sudhir-Ramchandran/dp/9812322086?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala: A Magical Odyssey (Travel)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=9812322086" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kovalam-Kerela-Travel-Guides-ebook/dp/B00266PM90?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kovalam, Kerela, India (India Travel Guides)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00266PM90" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Green-Symphony-Interactive-CD-ROM/dp/919009851X?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala, The Green Symphony (Interactive CD-ROM)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=919009851X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-South-Travel-Guides/dp/1843538520?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Rough Guide to South India 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1843538520" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Tropical-Beaches-Backwater-Villages/dp/0864426968?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala: Tropical Beaches & Backwater Villages (Lonely Planet Travel Guide)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0864426968" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Beaches-Kerala-Rhapsody-Waves/dp/818869858X?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Beaches of Kerala - Rhapsody of Waves</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=818869858X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> </span><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Guide-Kerala-Guides/dp/1848365411?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Rough Guide to Kerala (Rough Guides)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=1848365411" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thekkady-Kerala-Travel-Guides-ebook/dp/B00267RVXO?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Thekkady, Kerala, India (India Travel Guides)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00267RVXO" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-India-The-Kerala-Spicelands/dp/B000K15W8E?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Hidden India: The Kerala Spicelands</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000K15W8E" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kerala-Gods-Own-Country-ebook/dp/B004H1TAEK?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Kerala- God's Own Country</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B004H1TAEK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-8254248234595810638?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-64214127721354438062010-12-21T10:00:00.001Z2011-01-02T19:03:54.231Z2011-01-02T19:03:54.231ZPerfect gift ideas for occasions.<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5280014054/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5203/5280014054_35ddf3e596.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a></div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Perfect gift ideas for occasions.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Don"t you think it is a nightmare?</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"> In a way it is fun i admit,but finding the right gift for the right person, it is hard work.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Few months back one of my friend said she wants to give a surprise present for someone dear to her. So we went out for the treasure hunt, almost a day we did our window shopping and at last ended up with a flower-vase almost a 2 year old kids size. It looks pretty and it was bargain price too. </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">We wrapped it up. There started our problems. Since it is huge we are forced to call a taxi and we ended paying a good sum of money for the fancy papers and bubble wrap for wrapping it and it took almost a day to wrap it up. </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Then we decided to post it. We went to a local post office and they said it is big and they recommend a special delivery service or parcel force delivery service for that. Any way we didn't have much choice left and we opted the parcel force service, don't ask me how much we paid, just google parcel force delivery charges so you know how much shocked we were.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Any way we thought our head ache is over. But,not over yet. My friends mate was actually moving to a new station for higher studies so he was busy with packaging, make arrangements for shift etc. Then he received a card through his door saying he has a parcel. He was expecting a gift from my friend, so he didn't want to miss it he went to his local post office to collect it. Then they said they would like to see some ID. As i told u earlier he packed everything but as we all know we cant help certain things so returned home unpacked everything got some utility bills with his name. ( Some of you may be thinking about the driving license yes he had one in his wallet, but he forgot about it). And finally got this big fat packet. Yes he was excited, but the flower vase put and end to the excitement, what he is going to do with this since he is moving.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">Another parcel force delivery to his new address, when he arrived at this new amazing city the first thing he did was a visit to the local post office and collect this packet. Yes the flower vase is same, as far as i know. But I dont think it is a sweet memory for both my friends.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">So why cant we think about the presents we want to choose? A five minutes thought may help us to find the right presents.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">1.Occasion. For eg valentines<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=sketchesmyran-21&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0034RCXX8&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> day is coming so you want to gift something for your loved one why cant you go for something small and sweet like a pendent or perfume (for a girl of-course) . Some other ideas are<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Panda-Bear-Crystal-Necklace-Gift/dp/B000V97TM2?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Panda Bear Crystal Necklace in Panda Gift Box</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000V97TM2" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Versace-Versense-Gianni-Women-Spray/dp/B002XQ1YOU?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Versace Versense By Gianni Versace For Women Edt Spray 3.4 Oz</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002XQ1YOU" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Hilton-Variety-Women-Heiress/dp/B003FZ6WI6?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Paris Hilton Variety by Paris Hilton for Women - 4 Pc Mini Gift Set 0.5oz Paris Hilton EDP Spray, 0.5oz Can Can EDP Spray, 0.5oz Heiress EDP Spray, 0.5oz Siren EDP Spray</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003FZ6WI6" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bellagio-Michaelangelo-Women-Parfum-Lotion/dp/B000C1UB7O?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Bellagio By Michaelangelo For Women. Gift Set ( Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 Oz + Body Lotion 6.8 Oz + Shower Gel 6.8 Oz).</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000C1UB7O" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Sterling-Silver-Earrings-Gifts/dp/B001PPPX4W?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Heart Sterling Silver Earrings Gifts For Women</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001PPPX4W" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Promises-Women-Jack-Countryman/dp/084995620X?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">God's Promises For Women</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=084995620X" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />,<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oxidized-Sterling-Silver-Butterfly-Earrings/dp/B002E3ES9K?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Oxidized Sterling Silver Celtic Butterfly Hook Earrings</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002E3ES9K" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">And for men, of yes they love electronics items. So a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelco-7310XL-Shaving-System/dp/B001AJ6YS2?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Philips Norelco 7310XL Men's Shaving System</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001AJ6YS2" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Presto-08702-ShineOn-Electric-Polisher/dp/B000UF30L6?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">or Presto 08702 ShineOn Electric Shoe Polisher</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000UF30L6" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> will do some magic. Do think it is a shoe Polisher they love it and often they dont bother to shop for this things. So they will be remember you :P. If he is a Blackberry person you can give him <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blackberry-Black-Leather-Removable-Prima/dp/B000FGHKAM?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Blackberry 8700 Black Leather Open Face Case with Removable Belt Clip From Prima Cases</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000FGHKAM" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />. And if he is not the one into electronics why cant you try something else like<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T41711-Expedition-Analog-Camper/dp/B000B55AFE?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Timex Men's T41711 Expedition Analog Camper Watch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000B55AFE" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casio-AW80D-7A-Chronograph-10-Year-Databank/dp/B000GAWS9U?ie=UTF8&tag=sketchesmyran-21&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Casio Men's AW80D-7A Sports Chronograph Alarm 10-Year Battery Databank Watch</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sketchesmyran-21&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000GAWS9U" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" />.</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;">2.Personal taste. </div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-6421412772135443806?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-42245951724859488212010-12-14T12:45:00.001Z2010-12-14T12:45:26.405Z2010-12-14T12:45:26.405ZNew year greetings 2011<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5255222320/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5255222320_66f42817c0.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5255222320/">New year greetings 2011</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span></div><p>Wishing you all a great new year ahead.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-4224595172485948821?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-43812073958964631292010-12-06T12:48:00.001Z2010-12-06T12:48:04.331Z2010-12-06T12:48:04.331ZBrecon Beacons and Breacon Beacon National Park.<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5235375709/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5088/5235375709_f587df3ec3.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5235375709/">A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span></div><p>The Brecon Beacons is the world famous mountain range in South Wales, United Kingdom. It"s welsh name is Bannau Brycheiniog. It forms the central section of the Brecon Beacons National Park . This park is one of Wales's three National Parks which is established in the year 1957. The other two are Snowdonia and Pembrokshire coast.<br /><br /><br />The Brecon Beacons are named after the ancient practice of lighting signal fires or beacons on mountains to warn of attacks by the English. In recent times it is used to commemorate public and national events such as coronations or the Millennium.<br /><br />We can enjoy various walking paths in and around this area. This famous one is a 100 mile rule named Beacons way. This runs from r Ysgyryd Fawr east of Abergavenny, through Crickhowell and ends in the Bethlehem (Carmarthenshire).<br /><br />Other than walking, you can enjoy cycling, sailing, mountain biking,windsurfing, horse riding, canoeing ,fishing, rock climbing, hang-gliding, caravanning, camping, caving etc.<br /><br />The park is also famous for its waterfalls and wild welsh sheeps.<br /><br />In and around this area you can see and visit many other tourist spots.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-4381207395896463129?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-69443930310652733842010-12-04T12:15:00.001Z2010-12-04T12:15:20.587Z2010-12-04T12:15:20.587ZGreen Peace<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5224129062/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5206/5224129062_684c071f41.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/5224129062/">Green Peace</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span></div><p>It"s been a long i wrote something, and he asked me the other day, why you are not writing anything. I said, I am scared. I may write and there by i may hurt you.<br /><br />He smiled. Then it turn to a laughter. It went on an on.<br /><br />I sensed a tear in his eyes. I closed my eyes. Mine was wet too.<br /><br />It started raining.<br /><br />IT is raining and me with Gibran again.<br /><br />“When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-6944393031065273384?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-34333220458765013942010-03-11T10:40:00.001Z2010-03-11T10:40:16.584Z2010-03-11T10:40:16.584ZBeloved<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4422858974/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4422858974_c433b7d40f.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4422858974/">Beloved</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.praveen</a>.</span></div><p>Certain times,certain pictures tell u somthing.<br />it will tell u what you were<br />thinking at the time of taking that pic. Yes every time i browse<br />throguh my pictures this one tells me this..one of my fvrt line from<br />beloved.This may not have the picture quality u were looking at, but<br />for me it is special,because thorugh this i am going back to one of my<br />fvrt book...Beloved.<br /><br />"..The picture is still there and what's more, if you go there--you<br />who never was there--if you go there and stand in the place where it<br />was, it will happen again; it will be there for you, waiting for you.<br />So, Denver, you can't never go there. Never. Because even though it's<br />all over--over and done with--it's going to always be there waiting<br />for you."<br />- Toni Morrison, Beloved.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-3433322045876501394?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-52391916488296573392010-02-17T21:58:00.001Z2010-02-17T21:58:02.898Z2010-02-17T21:58:02.898ZFor u<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4150426218/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/4150426218_6aef57396a.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4150426218/">Art of winter</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>A poem,<br />written by rain,<br />read through tears,<br />a poem,<br />that is what you are.<br />for me,for ever,<br />a poem<br />from heart..and for it..for ever....Love u my love...Love u Praveen</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-5239191648829657339?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-81297359020763159062010-01-05T15:34:00.000Z2010-01-06T09:55:30.980Z2010-01-06T09:55:30.980Z4 Boys and a new year eve.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/S0Nb6ILGAfI/AAAAAAAAGOM/74ryfMEdKqE/s1600-h/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/S0Nb6ILGAfI/AAAAAAAAGOM/74ryfMEdKqE/s320/IMG_0941.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><br />
New year eve.<br />
<br />
I popped into one of my social networking sites .<br />
I saw this.<br />
"Call one of your old friend and say Hello."<br />
Yes i didn't call any one nor send any new year greetings yet and it is the new year eve.<br />
Do i need to make a call to those far ends?<br />
Lay on the bed, for a while thinking about that one line...<br />
"Call your friend and say hello." <br />
<br />
<br />
Yes i decided to call three friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
First person- I am going to talk to that person for the first time, never meet face to face, in my life. The boy who entered into my book in 2009.<br />
<br />
Second one- The one i never meet, but that would be the one whom i am going to give a hug instead of a firm handshake in the very first meeting.( Think so)<br />
<br />
Third one- My first best friend, my first true friend who happened to be a boy,the boy who taught me, a girl and boy can be best friends, with out the feeling that they belongs to different sex. The boy with whom i spend my long uni days. 8 years of my life and he was there as a friend.<br />
<br />
<br />
Three boys. Three friends.<br />
Why i selected them?<br />
<br />
<br />
There are/were names in thousands. But why three?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Asked myself. And it leads to another question.<br />
<br />
Why we communicate with others?<br />
Is it just for the sake of communication?<br />
No. For me not.<br />
People say I am not calling them.<br />
True because,don"t felt so.<br />
I believe if you call someone,that conversation should uplift both those friends to another world of their own. Both should forget each others existence when they talk. They should cry while laughing, with out knowing they are crying. The laughter should be louder. They should talk in excitement. They should talk together without waiting for the other one to stop. There should be the sounds mixing together it can be the recollection of memories, it should be teasing one another. It is obvious, they are not hearing those words by the other one. But they understood each other very well. Each word. Each sound,it has its own meaning. Only they can code and decodeit. Because that is the language of friendship. The language developed between two friends and solely belongs to them.<br />
I believed in that language so i pick the phone and gave them a ring.<br />
<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Vinay</span>: A small brother. I got him from one of the social networking websites and together we migrated from one network to another. He gave some good laughs during those 365 days. He choose my side in several online battles. And that is not the one reason, I gave him that call, when he calls me "<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">ammichechi</span>" i felt somewhere inside my mind an elder sister melts. Another reason is i was missing my little brother <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinukuttan</span>(<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">xavior</span> <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinod</span>). And i look to you <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinay</span> and said <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinukutta</span>n will call me soon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Vinay</span> another <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinay</span>: How to introduce <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">vinay</span>? A man who is deadly positive. A back packer. Traveller,Biker, Hardcore patriot?How to introduce u <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">paapz</span>?<br />
<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Pappan</span>. Subfamilies in <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">kerala</span> address their elder most cousin as <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Pappan</span>. It is a way to show your respect to them. Respect coupled with your love and affection. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Vinay</span> has lot of little cousins who are after him always shouting " <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">pappan</span>", for the little ones he is somewhat like a hero. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Dont</span> know when i started calling him by that name, but truly when i talk to him, I always feel i am talking to one of my elder cousins, towards him i do have a hero worship (which i never admit). The one who do all the things you wanna to do sometime in your life. The one who gave a Cristal clear picture to your own dreams by sharing his experience in life.When i talk to <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">pappan</span> i chase my own dreams. Yes it is like the bond between <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Rishi</span> and <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Jayakrishanan</span> in <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Thuvanathumpikal</span>( a south Indian film). <br />
<br />
We call once or twice a year. We cant recognise each others voice from that first HELLO. There will be few hellos. Couple of silent seconds. Then one will start laughing, other joins and there will be that laughter,the primitive unconscious vocalisation. We never exchange those regular questions, how are you? how are you doing? what is the new news? Any new projects? no blah no blah. We reciprocate with each other with the feeling that last time we talked to each other was the day before. And when we end that call we are not sure whether we will call each other again.But we are filled with that filling. Positive energy of friendship recharged us for another time span. And that is it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Pratheesh</span>: Decade back some one asked me who is your best friend.<br />
Answered. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Pratheesh</span>. <br />
<br />
He replied" Oh it is a boy,is he your boy friend?<br />
Answered. "No he is my best friend. Who happened to be a boy"<br />
Few days back some one asked me. "Are you missing your home here,or your best friend"<br />
I said yes.<br />
He asked me again" who is your best friend? Your partner?"<br />
I said "No. It is someone else and it is <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Pratheesh</span>"<br />
He is the first one i meet during my law college days. We were together for 7 college years and one year out after that. He is the one who taught me how two people can be good friends with out considering the gender difference, with out falling in love with each other. He listened to me when i shared my dreams about my life with the person with whom i shared a relationship at that time. He consoles me during those tough times. During the break-ups he stood with me and said you will be alright. We never call each other unless there is some emergencies like college strike or to know the exam dates, or just to know the release date of some new movies.<br />
He never said you are like a sister for me. I am a friend for him. <br />
<br />
I used that weapon "brother", when i need one more ice- cream or coffee after the two glass. I plead like" I don't have a brother <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">da</span>, that is why i am asking you". And most often he spend those last few coins in his pocket for that extra cup of coffee accompanied by all the swearing words in his dictionary. <br />
<br />
We studied together with same lecture notes and books. And together we wrote 14 semester exams and after few exams we found a funny factor our mark difference will be less than 10 always. Sometimes he score high. Sometimes <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">itz</span> me. <br />
<br />
Our college followed a very conservative system at that time. If you talk to a guy both of you will get the most difficult assignments of that time. And during that era in that set-up we staged our first couple dance together for a funny song.<br />
And our seniors were so serious and always into books and moot court competitions. And the lunch breaks were filled with assignment writings and test paper preparations. But it was out of our reach, so we started playing card games, cricket ,foot ball, very rude form of rugby indoor. Our serious super seniors joined us, it was very easy for us to transform our little college as a primary school.<br />
We saw movies together, we had lunch together, we hugged each other when we passed out, when we enrolled ,when he got his <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">LLm</span> entrance( literally i dragged him to the interview room, he was not confident enough in his decision to took a masters degree, so it was hard for me to pursue him. But now i am so happy watching him flying from one end of the country to another as a successful legal practitioner).<br />
Whenever i hold his hands i never felt i am touching someone belongs to opposite sex. Felt the presence and warmth of a friend.<br />
In fact he is my school a school for a friendship. A school to outer world . Good friendship.<br />
That experience taught me, two people can be good friends,even though they belongs to opposite sex.<br />
<br />
<br />
So i decided to call them because they occupy a special place in my life.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">YEs</span> my phone is ringing. A call for me. A voice concerned about me. My "Man."<br />
From the state of that responsible friend i am falling into the state of mind of that spoiled brat. The naughtiest,irresponsible wife.<br />
Same lame excuses for not having food, not going out,not doing anything worth that day.<br />
Taking a day off for nothing. I know he don't like it. Don't like it at all. But i am doing it.<br />
Why?<br />
Because those days when i sit alone i realise my near and dear friend is him. My man.<br />
Who value all my friendships.<br />
Who believe in me and my "self"<br />
Who trust me.<br />
Who helps me to keep my friendships as what they were.<br />
And with whom i can share anything and everything.<br />
So i made those three calls to my 3 friends.<br />
And received a call back from my near and dear friend. And my day was worth. Welcome 2010<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-8129735902076315906?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-3297858559509892142009-12-26T16:35:00.000Z2009-12-26T16:42:30.012Z2009-12-26T16:42:30.012ZPotato cheese omelette...another day of terror for Praveen.Our Christmas week end, we enjoyed having paracetamol and few other capsules for cold and fever. <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Praveen</span> tried to prove his excellence in kitchen but as usual ended up in the usual stuff ,rice soup( we call it <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">kanji</span>) and pickle. So for a change i ,decided to go for something simple and different.<br />
<br />
So here comes the Potato Cheese omelet..for a change!!!!!!!!<br />
( P.S : Wont recommend this for fever of cold victims ,but if your partner provokes you with their cooking experiments,vouch for sure, you can try this)<br />
Cheese,grated: 50 gm<br />
<br />
Potato (medium one)- boiled and mashed or grated.<br />
Big onion half-sliced.<br />
Green chili-one -finely chopped.<br />
<span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Garam</span> <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">masala</span> optional-1/4 tsp.<br />
Butter- 1 tsp.<br />
Egg- 2nos.<br />
Black pepper powder-1/4tsp.<br />
Salt- As required.<br />
Parsley or Curry leaves- Few.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SzY7ScuAwtI/AAAAAAAAGJE/FEgfXWDyP_Y/s1600-h/Potato+and+cheese+omlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SzY7ScuAwtI/AAAAAAAAGJE/FEgfXWDyP_Y/s640/Potato+and+cheese+omlet.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Method:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Heat pan with butter in medium heat,add sliced onion,green chili and bit salt stir well add <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">garam</span> <span class="J-JK9eJ-PJVNOc" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">masala</span>(optional)now add mashed potato stir for two to three minutes keep it aside.<br />
<br />
<br />
Beat egg well, with bit salt and pepper.<br />
Heat your non stick pan(medium heat), add the remaining butter and add your egg mixture. Stir it gently using the edge of an wooden spoon,as egg begins to set, run spatula under edge of omelet, lifting cooked portion and allowing uncooked portion to spread to bottom of pan, tilting pan as necessary.<br />
Now put your potato mixture in the middle of this omelet as a line. Put grated cheese on top of it. now gently turn the sides of your omelet to this middle portion from both sides.<br />
Keep it in that pan for bit more time, just for that cheese to melt. If you are an expert cook ,you can turn the omelet upside down and allow other side to cook. What i do is i heat another non stick pan and put the omelet to that one from the current pan. Simple.<br />
Omelet is ready. You can serve with green salad<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-329785855950989214?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-22846043144733428002009-12-24T13:53:00.000Z2009-12-24T13:53:52.272Z2009-12-24T13:53:52.272ZXmas shoppingAm I ready for new year? A question which doesnot deserve an answer.I know.<br />
Even if i am not ready 2010 will come after few days.<br />
But my question is "am i"ready for a new year.<br />
2010. <br />
A time slot of 365 days. Is it more than that?<br />
Or what is so special about dividing time like an year? Will it change any way we the human beings?<br />
New year it is just another day to hang out. A day to take and break resolutions, to contact people through various virtual sites and greet them with those words pre occupied in our tounge or finger tip.<br />
I was walking through those streets. Those IceY roads. Long queues every where even in this freezing cold.<br />
Supermarkets filled with people and the christimasy lights. It seems like an alien world for me. I hold my plastic card tight. What i want? Anything special? I cant find the things i need. A bottle of milk,coffe powder,<br />
one small bag of small onion,what else oh yes 100 gm green chillies. I calculated the amount . Eight pound, no 8.50 oh .<br />
<br />
Some one hit me with their trolly. "Move, girl move." "Oh yes ,sorry mam.." "Girl,do u need this small onion?" "oh yes no, no mam,if you want you can take it", "Oh my love, so sweet of you, this is the last packet,i thought it was yours." "No mam,i was just checking the price". "Thankyou very much merry Xmas sweet heart" "Merry Xmas to you mam"..Did she heard that no that 70 year old is few yards away now chasing another low priced trolly.<br />
Where am I? Lost that last packet of small onion. Now how i am going to prepare sambar for Praveen? I should learn how to say NO<br />
How much left there in my weekly budget? Yes some where around £10 pounds. Can i spent one pound for that red christmas light. No, it will exceed the limit. Oh god that is a new flower vase. One pound again. It is a blue one , a red rose in this blue will give me a good photo,shall i go for that? Oh no ,no,no.<br />
Seasonal goods. Do i need anything from there. No but what about just a browsing. After all it is not a crime.<br />
Wow choclate boxes, wine,red,white, sherry,port, cava and what not? Do i need any thing. How much left in the budget around 10 pounds. Wine 5 per bottle,that means around 400 Indian Rupees. I am good at running.<br />
As every( replaced as many) middle class Indian house wife before buying something i convert pound to Indian Rupees and that is my secret mantra on how to reduce your weekly budget.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SzNyVk3h4tI/AAAAAAAAGIc/MJbctiQEU2I/s1600-h/welcome2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SzNyVk3h4tI/AAAAAAAAGIc/MJbctiQEU2I/s640/welcome2010.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>(to be continued)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-2284604314473342800?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-27505718604577782872009-12-18T21:04:00.000Z2009-12-24T10:01:12.055Z2009-12-24T10:01:12.055ZAssignment for a life time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SyvuT2_ibmI/AAAAAAAAGDc/L7DQjgTfMuI/s1600-h/cut+out1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SyvuT2_ibmI/AAAAAAAAGDc/L7DQjgTfMuI/s640/cut+out1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>My first Day.<br />
My first assignment as a counsellor.<br />
I am nervous?Yes I am. Need a cup of water? No not now.<br />
Anyway it is not a face to face one. It is a telephone one. So it will be alright. I am not going to see that person face. No, that person is not going to see my nervous face. But it will be alright. I was observing other counsellors for over a long period. So i know all the procedures. It will be fine. It will be alright. I will be alright. I am not scared.<br />
YEs I know,I am good at talking to people, and people often found me friendly and funny. But this is, this is bit different. I am going to talk to people who are going through their tough times.<br />
Who are depressed. Will i be....<br />
<br />
Oh phone rings. Which button should i press. The blue or the green one. One was the loud speaker and the other head phone. I am not supposed to use the loudspeaker for all the conversation i am going to have with my proposed interviewee is striclty confidential,even my collegues in the same room are not supposed to hear the same, i can share the information only with my supervisor for providing correct alternatives for the client so i should not use the loudspeaker even by mistake.Ok fine i should go for the head phone one then. Oh yes that one.<br />
<br />
Hello i am "..........."how can i help you today".<br />
<br />
"Can u help me?"<br />
<br />
"of course i can, may i know your name address and other details"<br />
<br />
"I need to record that on to the system here for training purpose"<br />
<br />
"What the hell, i need your help can you help me now,or what?"<br />
<br />
"But mam, i need to take down at least your basic details, only then i can proceed further and i assure you all the information you gave is strictly confidential and..."<br />
<br />
"$£"$"£$" i am about to die and will you help me, other than bombarding all this stupid questions you £"$"$"£"<br />
<br />
"but well yes, may i know your post code and home number?"<br />
<br />
"you $"£"£%"£%"<br />
<br />
"OK fine,mam how can i help you?"<br />
<br />
"I don't need your help i just want to know if i try to commit suicide and fail will there be any punishment for that i mean attempt to commit suicide?"<br />
<br />
"mam are you going to commit suicide"(gosh what a question,i should not ask questions like at those are the leading questions,that is there in section 11 of my work book)<br />
<br />
"that is non of your business answer to my query"<br />
<br />
"Well mam, i need to consult with my supervisor on that regard since it is a legal question, i pass that question to my supervisor and meanwhile shall we talk? It will help me to have a bit more idea about your problems and then i will be able to give you more options"<br />
<br />
"What you mean by more options,different way to commit suicide?"<br />
<br />
"No mam.actually what i meant to say is ,different option to overcome your current problems"<br />
<br />
"I don't have any problems at all..."(is she ,is she crying..No she is not)<br />
<br />
"Everything is over now,over for ever. I want to die because i want to enjoy the beauty of death, the warmth that feel.."<br />
<br />
"But mam,from your sound l suppose you are one nearing to 30 this is the youth mam, you have a full life ahead..."<br />
"Told you once, i just need an answer to one question and that is the end of it"<br />
"But my why ,why you are scared of your life?"<br />
"who told you i am scared of my life? <br />
"Think about your friends"<br />
"Friends? Oh yeah,some of them will come,some may have tears,they may cry and after that, they will have a chat with other friends and people out there. They may discuss about how this happened. Some of them will cry again only for that day. Do you think on a second day any one of your friend will cry thinking about your absence,they will have loads of other things to do"<br />
<br />
"Your parents?"<br />
<br />
"They may,for one or two weeks, soon after that smile will be back to them, as life moves on they will also get adjusted to it,do you think your mom will cry for continuous 24 days if you die.I bet they wont,even for 24 hours.They will be sad but not 100% few minutes after the shocking news they will get adjusted to that reality"<br />
<br />
<br />
"What about your partner or husband?"<br />
<br />
"That one? they may miss in bed or opposite dinning table, when they do shopping and have more than one bags to carry and they need to lit a cigarette or when they can find another pair of socks or remote control for the TV when they have a bad day due to some reasons and they don't want to reveal it,but for getting out it,need some one to shout,may miss me by that time".<br />
<br />
...........oh forgot to write everything into papers is it because i cant follow her speed, every word every little word even the silence between the words it is registered in my mind i don't need this white paper. I don't need them any more.<br />
<br />
Is my voice turning low? no.<br />
<br />
"But mam..."<br />
<br />
"It needs courage to put an end to your life in a beautiful way,to enjoy the beauty of death.It needs preparation,life long preparation indeed, one act which calls for freedom,liberation, if you pass the gulf with confidence, you are free, a free bird,no need to worry about unwanted love , no need to worry about clusters of faith, no need to worry about how they think,why they think,why he can"t? why not me? why she?not me? why they? how come this? They may put rocks and stone above you once it is over but it is better than the stones they through at you through their words in your absence, they may urinate at you, not you your body but it is thousand times better than the rape they committed through their eyes, and i don't think no one will ever masturbate, think about you once you are no more, there wont be comparisons with you and others, and as you know this comparisons creates enemies, and they started murdering you within themselves that moment onwards. How many times how many people killed do you know, there are many and there will be many, my girl. And you know death it is like a petal a deep blue petal flowing through the river enjoying the freedom for ever . It is the final part, final part of showing the act of confidence,courage,wisdom,it is a great step only few people can take. It is an end you are waiting you are controlling that end, when the count down <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">strats</span> you feel everything and one moment you will forget about everything next moment you will try to remember everything that happened in your life and as you now there is a time limit you will be confused which moment to pick,which face to pick as the last one. Will there be one for you. For me will there be,I don't know?"<br />
<br />
Some one some one passed a piece of paper to me...oh yes answer to her question. Did i read it out? Yes i did. I think so. Well she put the phone down so do 1.<br />
<br />
<br />
Beth felt happy talking to the girl who ever may be on that other, yes what <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">mrs</span> John said was right once you talk to some one you will feel better. Now i think i am lot better. What is this, oh the Pills the Gun. No not now. At least not today. May be tomorrow another day. Some other day. Not today anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let me turn the TV on.<br />
<br />
Women aged 30 found dead. Hit by a train. Police suspects suicide no suicide note only some wet white papers with few question marks and questions.<br />
<br />
Like...Will there be one for you?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-2750571860457778287?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-88546436820020295542009-12-16T10:59:00.000Z2009-12-24T10:01:59.736Z2009-12-24T10:01:59.736ZLentil spinach curryLentil Spinach Curry..or my enemy for the life time?<br />
<br />
To be honest i hate lentils even from my childhood,this is the one dish my father love the most and mom prepares on a regular basis, means at least 5 times a week. And during my school days it was an inevitable item in my <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">tiffin</span> box and almost all my text books is decorated by the yellow shades of the soup. When i entered into a wedlock i thought i will be able to escape from attest this lentil soup torture.<br />
<br />
<br />
But as fate has a different plan for me.After the 30th day of the wedlock we started our life together in a new environment,new country,new climate and everything new ,so as the kitchen. As i am a good cook i tried hard to find a good website which gives me some insight into how to prepare tea and coffee. As a result of my experiments <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Praveen</span> decided to take over the control of kitchen for few days. And he prepared his <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">fvrt</span> dish that is the lentil spinach soup for 3 continuous days. <br />
<br />
And now i am happy, that is the provocation for me to <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">strat</span> cooking the dishes my own. And now i think i am nearly there.<br />
And i think now i am in friendly terms with lentil soup too <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">bcoz</span> i gave <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">deepas</span> version to the lentil Curry.<br />
<br />
Here we go:<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br />
<br />
1. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Toor</span> Dal – 1 cup<br />
2. Spinach – 1 bunch chopped.<br />
3.Butter- 1/2spoon<br />
4. Grated Coconut – 1/2 cup<br />
5.Pepper powder-1/4 tsp<br />
6. Turmeric <a class="kLink" href="http://recipes.malayali.me/?p=215#" id="KonaLink3" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"></span></span></a>Powder – 1/2 <a class="kLink" href="http://recipes.malayali.me/?p=215#" id="KonaLink4" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"></span></span></a>tsp<br />
7. Onion (thinly sliced) – 1 med<br />
8. Dry Red Chilly – 3<br />
9. Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp<br />
10. Green Chillies(Sliced) – 2<br />
11. <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">Kunjulli</span> (Shallots) – 4 or 5<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/Syi8YrXYdMI/AAAAAAAAGCg/En4HeapkyKA/s1600-h/lentil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/Syi8YrXYdMI/AAAAAAAAGCg/En4HeapkyKA/s640/lentil.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>12.Tomato (sliced)-1<br />
<br />
13. Oil – 3 tbsp<br />
14. Garlic – 3 or 4 pods<br />
15. Chilly Powder – 1sp<br />
16. Salt – As required<br />
17. Water – As required<br />
18.Musturd seeds <a class="kLink" href="http://recipes.malayali.me/?p=215#" id="KonaLink5" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida bright",Verdana,Georgia,Inherit,"Times new roman",Arial,Sans-Serif,serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"></span></span></a>– 1/2 tsp<br />
19. Curry Leaves – A sprig<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Method:</b></span><br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span>1. Pressure cook the Dal with Water, Salt, Turmeric Powder,tomato and Butter .<br />
2.Grind coconut, chilly powder, <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">jeera</span>, green chillies and <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">kunjulli</span> with little water and keep it aside.<br />
3. Heat half portion of oi in a pan. When it is hot add onions, garlic and red chillies and saute till the onions are golden.<br />
4. Add the spinach and pinch of salt and saute for a few minutes till it is cooked now add the cooked <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">dal</span> to this and bring it a boil stirring frequently.<br />
5.Add the coconut paste to the <span style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">dal</span> and cook it for a few minutes till the curry is thick.<br />
8. Finally season the curry with Mustard Seeds and Curry Leaves sauteed in 1 tbsp oil.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-8854643682002029554?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-42635919738975715482009-12-09T09:19:00.000Z2009-12-24T10:02:14.932Z2009-12-24T10:02:14.932ZLate fragment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/Sx9rVj5QvxI/AAAAAAAAGAI/oEmn5aonUaA/s1600-h/Late+Fragment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/Sx9rVj5QvxI/AAAAAAAAGAI/oEmn5aonUaA/s640/Late+Fragment.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-4263591973897571548?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-42273678965497248132009-11-30T22:02:00.000Z2009-12-24T10:02:14.933Z2009-12-24T10:02:14.933ZWord and Me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SxRAv2BhJDI/AAAAAAAAF9M/IEDY6DBovew/s1600/IMG_4446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VJuvqBCE-pc/SxRAv2BhJDI/AAAAAAAAF9M/IEDY6DBovew/s320/IMG_4446.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>All through the day my mind was running around one word. Only one word that is FAITH. <br />
<br />
It was not a symbol of my confused state of mind nor a product of the so called winter depression. Simply it came to my mind after my morning bath just to confuse me, to question me, just to play with me.<br />
<br />
It happens with me always.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is a word,or a pharse or a line from a poem or song, but it will be there in my mind all through the day.<br />
<br />
Can"t Ignore it and can"t move on with it,too. Make me hopeless and mad.<br />
<br />
<br />
As a result i put more chilli into those curries or Pick wrong shoe for work.<br />
<br />
<br />
I plead to myself, can i escape to my yesterday? A day with out a question. A day with out a" word".<br />
<br />
A Day on which i can find answers to all the questions i ask myself.<br />
<br />
<br />
But today like many other days the word is killing me.<br />
<br />
<br />
Faith what is it???<br />
<br />
Well cant find an answer.<br />
<br />
Need a hug a warm hug I need to Experience Faith. Is that what i need?.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-4227367896549724813?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-43158659231717554512009-11-16T10:17:00.001Z2009-11-23T12:52:13.304Z2009-11-23T12:52:13.304ZSoya Fry/ soya masala<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4108932356/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2641/4108932356_80ece69de8.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4108932356/">Soya Fry</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p> Soya chunk, is one of my other fvrt friend in kitchen. IT is very hard for me to find different veg dishes for my strict veg companion. So last day decided to give a go with Soya chunk.<br />But it was yummy. So decided to share this with you.<br /><br />Soya Chunks – 2 cups<br />Meat Masala/veg masala – 2 tbsp<br />Red chilly powder – 4/3 tsp<br />Big Onion (sliced) – 1 large<br />Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp<br />Tomato (sliced) – 4/3 large<br />Mustard Seeds – a pinch<br />Green Chillies (slit) – 2<br />Curry Leaves – A sprig<br />Corriander powder-1tsp<br />Pepper Powder – 1/2 tsp<br />Ginger ,Garlic Paste – 1 tsp<br />Oil – 2 tbsp<br />Salt – As required<br />Water – As required<br /><br /><br /> Step 1:<br />Soak the Soya chunks in hot water for around 15-30mnts minutes. With bit red chilli,turmeric and salt.<br /><br />Step two:<br />Squeeze out the water and clean the soya chunks and drain out excess water if any. <br />Step 3:<br />Put bit water to the masala and chilli powder then rost in in low flame.<br />Marinate the soya pieces with the above roasted masala powders and salt,leave it there in room heat for another two mnts.<br />Step 4:<br />Heat oil and splutter mustard seeds, add sliced onions and saute till the onions change its colour.Add turmeric bit salt,green chillies, chopped tomatoes and curry leaves and saute till the tomatoes are cooked properly.<br />Step 5:<br /><br /> Add rest of the chilly powder, coriander powder, pepper powder, ginger garlic paste and stir fry for a few minutes.<br />Step 6:<br /> Add the marinated soya chunks . Add some water just to cook the ingreditens.<br /><br /> Step 7:<br />Cover and cook on low flame for another 15-20 minutes.<br /><br />Curry is ready.<br /><br />P.S:Since my veg boy doesnt agree with masala cotted fry i have limited all the ingredents,so mine as seen in the pic is a much more plain one. If u follow the above method you will get a masala cotted fry...Njoy</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-4315865923171755451?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-74915609180392894552009-11-16T09:54:00.001Z2009-11-23T12:52:13.305Z2009-11-23T12:52:13.305ZCurd Curry/ Moru kachiyathu<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4108128703/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/4108128703_c62ab230ab.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4108128703/">Curd Curry</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>Well our sundays are busy with phone calls. Last day when i called amma (praveens mom )she said she had moru kachiyathu and upperi for lunch. I love the way she prepare this moru koottan( curd curry. Our kotttayam style moru kachiyathu is different from her palakkad style (two different places in kerela). My Curd curry is a mixture of these two styles.<br /><br />Ingredients :-<br /><br /> Curd (well beaten) – 2 cups<br />Asafoetida(Kaayam) – a pinch<br />Fenugreek powder(Uluva) – a pinch<br />Salt – to taste<br />Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp<br />Oil (preferrably Coconut Oil) – 3 tsp<br /><br />For Grinding :-<br />Grated coconut – 1/4cup<br />Cumin seeds (Jeerakam) – 1/4 tsp<br />green chilli- 1 (you can use red chilli powder 1/4 tsp aswell insted of green chilli).<br />Ginger : a very small portion<br />Step one:<br />Grind all the above ingredients into a fine paste and keep it aside.<br /><br />For Seasoning :-<br />Mustard seeds – few <br />Shallots (kunjulli ) sliced – 1/2 tbsp<br />Green chillies slit – 1 or two<br />Red chillies – 2<br />Curry leaves – a sprig.<br /><br />Step 2:<br /><br />Mix together curd,salt and turmeric powder in a bowl.<br />Step 3:<br /><br />Heat oil in a pan and allow mustard seeds to splutter.<br />Step 4:<br /><br />Add shallots ,fry til it turns brown . Add green chillies ,red chillies and curry leaves.Fry for a while and remove it from oil and keep it aside.<br />Step 5:<br /><br />Reduce the heat to low .<br /> Add the ground paste into the same oil.Fry for 2-3 mins stirring continuously.( Dont allow coconut paste to change its color).<br />Step 6:<br /><br /> Add asafoetida and fenugreek powder and stir well.<br /><br />Step 7:<br /> Add the beaten curd mixture and stir continuosly until it is warm.Never let it boil.Remove from heat ,pour the prepared seasoning over it. Your curd curry is ready.<br /><br />Enjoy.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-7491560918039289455?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-68104309121529155422009-11-12T11:41:00.001Z2009-11-12T11:51:52.461Z2009-11-12T11:51:52.461Zprawn fry<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4031697291/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/4031697291_f62ce140c5.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.8em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/4031697291/">prawn fry</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>What u miss the most if u are away from home?<br /><br />Ofcourse yes , food prepared by your mom.<br /><br />Same to me.<br /><br />And as he is a strict veggi, some of my fvrt non veg things started appearing in my dreams.<br /><br />If you feel something is away from u, u started thinking about it over and over.<br /><br />My valluvanadan is quite ok with my non veg cooking at home. He encourges it too. Because since it is non veg he can escape from me. More over he can go back too one of his fvrt dal dish which i hate the most.<br /><br />So few days back i made at attempt and here is the result.<br /><br />As it looks it was not a failure. would u like to try?<br /><br />Here we go<br />Large prawns 5( small prawns 10): deveined ,pealed and washed.<br />Chilli powder: 1tsp<br />Turmeric powder:1/4 tsp<br />Garam masala : 1/2 tsp<br />Ground Pepper powder :1/2 tsp<br />Lemon juice :1 1/2<br />cocunut oil :3-5 tbl spoon<br />salt : as per ur taste<br />Big onion: thinly sliced :1<br />green chilli:finely chopped:3-4<br />garlic:finely chopped 1 clove<br />ginger :1</p><p>curry leaves : 10<br />musturd :1/4 tsp.<br /><br />Step one:<br />We need a marinade with all the powders ,lemon juice and prawns and one spoon oil. Apply thi to our prawns and leave it in there for half and hour.<br /><br />Step two:<br /><br />Shallow fry prawns. Leave it in heat for around 2-3 mnts,prawns needs little cooking time. Dont over cook.<br /><br />In another pan, crack musturd in oil,apply sliced onion,bit turmeric,salt,ginger,green chilli, garlic, and curry leaves. When it turns to little golden brown add the leaft over masalas in that prawns dish to it. Reduce the heat to low and when that raw smell goes add the prawns to it. stir well for two three mints. IF u need littile gravy put less that 1/4 glass water too that masala leftover plate and apply the same to our fry leave it der another few mnts. Apply salt. stir well ur fry is ready<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-6810430912152915542?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-55926650595365166112009-07-29T15:42:00.001+01:002009-11-12T11:48:08.059Z2009-11-12T11:48:08.059ZMushroom cabbage stir fry...<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3767168672/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3767168672_cf8f7496ea.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3767168672/">Currrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyy</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>Yesterday was another day,another day of spending hours thinking what should be today's menu.<br />I hate this part. I hate the confusion and dilemma in fixing a proper menu for lunch or dinner. I think i am the only one having this problem.<br />I wonder how my mom used to manage her kitchen affairs and cook more than 3 items a day.<br />I think preparing for my pg exam is easier compared to this thinking process.<br /><br />Well this was my last days attempt.<br />As usual i opened my fridge and start staring at those half spoiled vegetables. <br />I found 1/3rd of cabbage in good condition and found couple of mushrooms waiting for the death bell.<br />So i decided to try a mushroom cabbage stir fry.<br />Upon god i have never heard about a cabbage mushroom stir fry.<br />But those where the only vegetables in good condition and the one and only choice too.<br /><br />The mafia war game in Face-book made me a manic and took the knife and with out using any energy pack hit the cabbage and i got 1/3rd portion of it.<br /><br />Then i found those smiling mushrooms a 6 men army. They marched towards my cooking pot.<br /><br />I hummed that song tired of being sorry...with that rhythm i cut those mushroom boys and my cabbage girl.<br />Keep them aside before the crucifiction.<br /><br />Then my fvrt kadai ,my accomplice, started burning for me and i put 2 spoons of veg oil into his burning heart. When the oil starts to share the heat of his heart i put more accomplice into that gang. Mustard first followed by jeera,curry leaves etc. After a while i put the green girl cabbage and white boys mushroom.<br /><br />Trun the heat into simmer and allow them to be in contemplation for few minutes.<br /><br />Meanwhile i put coconut,jeera(1/2 spoon),ginger,small shallot(3),garlic,turmeric,green chilli,salt,bit black pepper and grind it. It was not a fine first.<br /><br />By that time that first fm song was over and i put this gravy into the boiling mixture . And i think i got something to cover it.<br /><br />Then it was another song..hello hello is it me u looking for..by the time that song S over i got my stir fry in this fashion. Hope u will enjoy it);-</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-5592665059536516611?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-8253538240470230852009-07-21T09:48:00.001+01:002009-07-21T09:48:59.790+01:002009-07-21T09:48:59.790+01:00another day<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3400509209/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3400509209_27f5467e9d.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3400509209/">vanishing beauty</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>Enjoying a black coffee,it is shining out side, remembering evening solace .. Remeber only the first few lines.. Human heart has hidden treasures,in secret kept, in silence sealed, The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures, Whose charms were broken if revealed. And days may pass in gay confusion, And nights in rosy riot fly, While, lost in Fame's or Wealth's illusion, The memory of the Past may die.......<br /><br />Courtesy poem :evening solace.cant remeber the poet...</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-825353824047023085?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-90794927529314674402009-07-09T17:10:00.000+01:002009-07-09T17:11:00.088+01:002009-07-09T17:11:00.088+01:00for u<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3278599062/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3278599062_ec4f9803bb.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3278599062/">for u</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>love to see the rain when it is raining<br />love to feel the rain when it is raining<br />love to hug the raindrops when it is raining<br />love to walk through those meadows when it is raining<br />love to wonder through those slums again when it is raining<br />love to cry ,loud louder and louder..than those thunder storms <br />love to fall down as a raindrop in to his hands..<br />love to...<br />But rain it is away.....away from me and u..<br />This is just water falling from somewhere unknown</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-9079492752931467440?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-70092856253420758262009-06-23T14:28:00.001+01:002009-06-23T14:45:24.815+01:002009-06-23T14:45:24.815+01:00Stay near<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3281480094/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3281480094_546aef9e30.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3281480094/">Life out side</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>"Let me get one more day out side?<br />Another bright day?<br />I don't know. They said, "I am fit ,fit for living alone".<br />They found some one else more terminally ill,than me.<br />So i ,Mrs Margret,75 is fit for living alone.<br /><br />So i am back, back to my studio flat. I am alone.<br />Chair in the corner of my room is empty.<br />Mrs Beth died few weeks back,other wise she will be here by this time. Gossiping about the new found neighbours or the street boys new affair , followed by the silent hours.<br />Before going back to the her studio flat (it is next to me) she used to compare the wrinkles in my hand and hers.<br />YEah i had more,inside her heart it may gave her a reassurance that i will go first. But the first turn was not mine. She got the token.<br /><br /><br />Other corner of my room there is my old T.V set. It is not of any use now. There was a digital switch over and i need to make some phone calls to some agencies. Usually they will charge a fee, but for old people they do it free. But the phone call. How i can make a call , i cant walk upto that corner alone, i cant see the digits in that phone, yes i can hardly lift the receiver,that is all what i can do.<br />So now my t.v set is in a way resting in peace );-.<br /><br />Which is the last movie i saw" yes zorba the greek", oh now i dont want to think about that film again.I cant imagine the death seen of Madame Hortense, how terrifying the face of those two ladies sitting in the corner waiting for Hortense death. Waiting for death with the hope to get first hands on all her belongings. Is there any one waiting here for my death ,what is left in this room for them.<br /><br />Near Hortense there is a cross, but i am an atheist. I am an atheist. Now i regret being an atheist, if i go to Church at least i priest may come and see me. It is not for getting any eternal bliss,but i need the presence of a human being here. But what to do i am an atheist.<br /><br />Atheist.When i heard the word for the first time. It was him the man in oxford bags. Anie lewis my co-worker in the factory at that time told me, it was oxford fashion.His high waisted trousers with wide legs often made me laugh covering my face with my hands. He used to wore a tweed flat cap. He was different from the other factory supervisors. He was a war veteran returned form world war II.During the lunch break he walk around the small lake near our factory . One day he found me.<br /><br />Myself, the shy 18 year old, stood there shivering. He came towards me. First i felt that fragrance,smell of a perfume, later i discovered it was " Monsieur Marquay".<br />The first gift he gave me was also a perfume bottle, it was my Christmas gift from him, "Diorissimo",that during Christmas. It was a white Christmas, after 6 long years of acquaintance ,it was our farewell time, he was going back to Swansea,the place of coal mines. He got a permanent job there , his family lives there and that Irish girl too.<br /><br />What was her name, yes Clinda,did he actually loved her i don't know. But he kept her letters with the perfume smell, in his wooden box. She lives with his family there in swansea, when his family migrated from ireland to swansea,they took the little girl clinda with them, for she lost her family in war. I understood, through the girl, they got a fortune aswell. That may be one reason his father took her as daughter in law,they were waiting for the war to finish for the wedding bells,but after war Dermot came to lake district,for re construing our factory. Once i asked him why? he smiled.Said nothing. I can count i spend 2002 afternoons with him. But he said very little about his family.<br /><br />He was concerned about lot of other things, what were they, even now i don't . What they were actually meant,class struggle, united Europe economic and political integration. There were many things he was worried about but the only one concept or ideology,that is what he call it, attracted me was "atheism". He told me it is not against theism, his version is different, when we born we have no idea of god or holy cross,it is something given to us by others. He asked me why should you carry it, if you are not convinced." So i turned as an atheist. After that i have never been to a Church.<br /><br />He was against rituals and traditions, so he was against Christmas celebrations but before the departure,that Christmas night in 1956 we meet near the lake. He gave me that crystal bottle,he said it was designed by some one called Baccarat, it is in the form of an amphora, and the stopper has a magnificent flower bouquet in gilded bronze. He said, it is a belief if a women wants to get kissed she should apply the scent all over that place and he removed my jam per, it was a white chirstmas, i felt the stopper above my heart i closed my eyes, then i felt the warmth of my jamber again. I opened my eyes he was there facing towards the lake not towards me. We stood there like that for few more seconds, he turned towards me, lift my arm, it was a kiss, i can still feel the fragrance. What was the last two words he uttered. He said something. He left.<br /><br />Pain of departure, i learned how to with stand that.<br />So i felt nothing when Rossy my elder sister ran away with that Egyptian dancer. Later some one told me she is a belly dancer some where in Egypt now. What happened to mark, my youngest brother ,on one fine day he disappeared from home,and turned as a mule(young drug racket member),and later he became an addict of heroine, at that time when some one involved in drug business turned as drug addict, they out caste him from the group. He feared the same, so one day he reappeared before me with Steve, his 56 year old OG( short form for the administrator of the gang) afterwards Steve started living in the same house.<br /><br />Initially i was against it, but i said nothing because as a 30 year old living alone, needs some sort of security there. At that time i was living in council house , govt used to dump Pedophiles and drug addicts there in that locality. So presence of steve was a blessing in a way,so decided to go on with it.<br /><br />Steve was different,we seldom talked to each other, but i used to cook food for mark and steve, they came by mid -night. So mornings i found few pieces of chicken or steak missing from the plate. Not often. Street gave a new name for me "bellamy". By that time i learned to ignore things.<br /><br />It was another Christmas night steve came home alone,with out mark, he was wounded all over .<br /><br />HE asked a favour for the first time, a place to hide for couple of days.<br />I Locked the door of that council house <span>for </span>the last time , the only place i know was my earlier colleague Aniew lewies home, after her marriage she moved to some where in the suburbs of London called St .Albans. One thing i remember is the name of a pasta food factory. With that it mind i started anthoer journey. We took almost a night to reach St.Albans. It is a long way from lake district.<br /><br />We were introduced to St.Albans as husband and wife. Till steves death i hide the reality even from anie. Steve lived his other 12 years in bed as a disabled husband. Myself, started working as a shop assistant in a small book and music store. Started reading again, listening to the gramaphones.<br /><br />Never been to Church or any other social organisations. We were alone. Alone for a life time.<br /><br />After steves death i moved to this flat ,this is near to my shop. My shop,how can i say that? I spent my 25 years there,that is the only right i have. When i began my career it was the pop music era, so the middle aged shop assistant in a colourful music shop was a mi'sfit. But Bran, my shop manager allowed me to continue, he was a middle aged partially deaf man. So the kids named our store as oldies store, later every body forgot the name " Bran books and music store." Brans kid jovet started answering the phone like "good morning oldies store".<br /><br />When i came here jovet was just three, Bran was struggling as a single parent. Jovet had sleeping problems,frequent nocturnal awaking. He used to bang his head and bit his hands ,watch the one and only micky mouse cartoon again , never allowed any body to change it or put another video tape,he had unusual eating habits. One day a doctor came to the book store and saw the pattern Steve made with toys. Then he had some words with Bran. Bran called me and introduced to Dr.Thomson. He said ,steve got some sort of a disease . So he deserves more care and attention. That day onwards i got a child it was very hard to move my life with jovet "my violent rat", he went to special schools some times the therapist came home and he started attacking them ,but he was nice towards me. After a while he started responding positively towards his treatment. But as a present i got several wounds and marks in my body. But it was alright, it was alright.<br />Later he took charge of the store. One day he said he is going out with a girl and i meet Mariam. They got engaged. It was Mariam who asked me "are u going out with the old chap".yeah asking about "Bran".<br />No never, only once he tried to hug me that was only once,when jovet dropped that iron box into my arms, every one there in our store insist to move jovet to the rehabilitation home,it was the sixth similar incident in that particular month. But i placed jovet under by coat . Did i said something. I think no. After everybody left the room. Bran came towards me and hugged. That was the first and last time. Did i tell that to mariam no, i didn"t, certain questions doesnt deserve an answer and an answer cannot satisfy the person who asked the question. They are asking not for an answer but for the question.<br /><br />When Mariam told me there are planing to open a supermarket by the name oldies it is evident that they don't need the presence of this oldie any more, but they were so nice to me they gave me an old grama phone. Cant u see the one,near that t.v stand. It is the same one.<br />Hey what is that moving near the corner. Is it a shadow.<br />"who are you?"<br />"I cant raise my voice any more ,who are you?"<br /><br />Shadow moved,it is man,no a boy, no a man ,yes i cant see his face,he is coming towards me, yes i can feel his hands near my nose, you don't know how happy i am ,there is the presence of a human being in this room, i am no longer alone.<br />That is the thriving force i took his hands and kissed.<br />He tried to pull his hands back, but i kissed violently again, am i crying.<br />yes i am.<br />Thanks for coming in dear, i was so scared to die alone. I want some one to stay near me, please stay.<br /><br />He replied in a confused voice, I am,just, just passing through the street.<br /><br />I am Mikael george.<br /><br />"Mikael george" i heard ed that name some where, oh yes he is son of a gangster,his father once came to store. Jovet had a fight with one of his gang members. Bran tried had to solve the issue. Now his son too?<br />"Are you a gangster?"<br />What a stupid question it is.<br />Never mind, i am going to die. So i can ask anything.<br />There is a silence, "Yeah" the sound is too low.<br />"This is my first task. I know you are a gangsters wife."<br />"Gangsters wife?"<br />"My dad meet your husband in lake district and I think you got something like a diamond,once you were out for work i have been here with my dad,it was long years back and they started drinking and my father repeatedly asking about some diamond, but your husband always evading that topic but at the end he revealed the truth,at that time he was unconscious he put that diamond in a perfume bottle which you always carry. And he insisted my fahter should not steal it until<br />Maggie's death and take only the diamond , keep the bottle near your body.But my father was sleeping and after few hours he woke up and he was angry,so he ,he killed your husband."<br /><br />Silence again.<br /><br />"well well i am here, i got married recently ,she is an Irish girl, now we want to move from this place and settle somewhere else,not as a gangster, i heard south west wales is calm and quite, so we are planing to move to Swansea, i don't have any money. Then i thought about you. I heared you are terminally ill but back from hospital, if you die, no body will think it is a murder, I got some dealers for the diamond and your gramophone,so i ,i am sorry, i am really sorry. But ,but why you kissed me,it is...?"<br /><br />"shh...Don't talk to much kid it is annoying,just stay near me, i will die soon,before this sky turned black. After that you can take the things, that perfume bottle is below my pillow,take that with you when you go out, take the bottle as well give it to your girl as my present. Ask her to keep it in your living room. But please stay with me for few more hours,if i didn't die before the dawn put your hands once again near my nose ,this time i wont kiss you,i wont."<br /><br />It is hard to face death alone my child, hard to die alone...stay with me</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-7009285625342075826?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-30018324177956295402009-06-17T14:40:00.001+01:002009-06-17T17:53:09.596+01:002009-06-17T17:53:09.596+01:00give me my past<div style="padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3635790034/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3635790034_9fcb96ebfb.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3635790034/">give me my past</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>I wanna to be that child again,<br />Father,i want my childhood back,<br />I want u to take me like that,<br />I want u to walk around the street carrying me like that<br /></p><p>And telling the big things to me,<br />You proved world is too small and<br /> i am big "big enough to face any challenge"<br />You took me near the elephant ,i was not afraid.<br />you took me to the mountains ,i was not afraid.<br />you took me to the temple and i meet the idol face to face.<br />Together we crossed streets and streams like this,<br />I was not wet nor sweat.<br />But you, you were.<br />I still wanna to be that child dad,<br />Now i am walking alone <br />now u are telling only small things like<br />"miss you my child","be a good wife", "call home once in a while"<br />Those Short words,means a lot dear<br />Now i am one among the crowd dear <br />And the world is too big.<br />Now i am away from the wild and height<br />But i am afraid.<br />I know the "wild and the height" is with in me,<br />I placed many idols at home<br />But they are faceless<br />Now i am here doing nothing<br />But my cheeks are wet.<br />Thinking about tomorrow <br />it is burining inside and i can feel the sweat.<br />I want my yesterday back dear,<br />Give me my past.<br />Give me my journey back<br /><br />Happy fathers day bit late (u know me, achey)</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-3001832417795629540?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8633366997075694641.post-6815359975761271482009-06-16T11:18:00.001+01:002009-06-16T12:48:43.036+01:002009-06-16T12:48:43.036+01:00Kamala das,kamala suraiya, madhavikutti,aami..but for me she is...<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3596126356/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3596126356_fb464e6962.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/itzfromme/3596126356/">Deerkha sumangali bhava</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/itzfromme/">Deepa.Praveen</a>.</span></div><p>I who have lost my way<br />And beg now at strangers doors to<br />Receive love, at least in small exchange?<br /><br />She died. The one who wrote this. But what death means? Specially the end of some ones life who is known to me only through words? She was a poetess. But for me she is my romantic Icon. The lady walked through out her life with the fragrance of romance. <br /> Live and die as a genuine human being. <br />How fascinating it was aami ? Follow your life as a street walker behind you. I did it. So do many.<br />This is in a way a confession from some one who can look at you,beyond your words.<br />My adolescence flowed with your words wandering in my dreams and thoughts.<br /><br />Did i felt the same when reading this?<br />"My mother did not fall in love with my father. They are dissimilar and horribly mis mated". <br />Yes I did. So do they. My later chats with many women in red sindoor in a train compartment ,or a bus station or in a queue went around the same question. The sweat around their fore head and the darkness around their neck gave me the answer “untold”.<br /><br />I realised about the baggages i HAD, from your words. My good old baggages like my NAME, my LIKES and DISLIKES fashioned not by me,but by my surroundings, compulsive addictions to NORMS and FORMALITIES , SOCIALIY fixed DO s and DO NOT s. Those were not mine aami, i realised i am just a carrier because some where in the beginning some one gave those smelly loads and later many others filled their mercy into it. My “self”, kept it with me, like a kid wearing those Halloween clothes and wandering through the streets saying trick or treat, allowed others to throw their morals and rights into my bags .<br /><br /> It is you who liberated me from that kid to a woman. Yes when i read this "...why should this name, so sweet surrounding, entered at all the room where i go to meet a man, who gives me nothing but himself,who calls me in his private affaris By no name." Those were the words from which i emerged as a woman. Kamala your words were the womb which carries me several times.<br />I felt my existence inside you and my liberation from something unknown.<br /> When you wrote about the birth of a child, “separated from darkness that was mine/ and in me.” For the first time I felt I am a newborn. Yes for the first time in my life I wish to attain motherhood. <br /><br />Kamala, you opened my door to nobody's windows. And i meet many there, they have different vocie ,colour but all of you are in the same time zone. That is why, i read your " I am a million ,million people ,talking all at once ,with voices raised in calmour,like maids at village wells <br />and <br />Dicknsons"s <br />“....I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too? Then there's a pair of us - don't tell! <br />They'd banish us, you know!... " <br />With the same pain and blankness.<br /><br />You told the world " i am scared and alone". They laughed and giggled. Me too? You cried, "I am betrayed," <br />Sometimes your words reminded me, " am just another female animal."<br />Your words hurts my ego, many times, because those where direct weapon's towards social hypocrisies. <br />How powerful your clam voice is,"I always wanted love, and if you don't get it within your home, you stray a little" the echo hit several ends.<br />How imaginativie you were aami, and how realistic your imaginations were,who else can pictures The Dance of the Eunuchs in words with that perfection? Who else can drag others into that meagre rain ,which ask them to taste the dust ,feel the attics and the urine of lizards and mice. After you who else is here to make me feel radha"s love towards krishana and hold my breath when reading this lines again,<br />“<br />At sunset, on the river ban, Krishna <br />Loved her for the last time and left... <br />when you wrote this I can visualize how meditatively your radha stands there, when you wrote Krishna loved her for the last time, for you me and many others it is not that sexual act of mating it is making the other filled with love, that is why the single word left means so extending and powerful.<br />When we enter the next lines, again we were not entering into a sexual zone...<br />That night in her husband's arms, Radha felt <br />So dead that he asked, What is wrong, <br />Do you mind my kisses, love? And she said, <br />No, not at all, but thought, What is <br />It to the corpse if the maggots nip? " <br />How very well you portrayed the impersonal low voice of radha here? After writing this I, sit back, pressing my head against the wall looking through the window to the watercoloring sky,feeling your radha inside me,with a haunting nostalgic pain. Aami you were brilliant.<br />Brilliant and brave.<br /><br />"A fond husband..a great tree, felled, he slumps against my breasts, <br />And sleeps. Ask me why life is short and love is <br />Shorter still, ask me what is bliss and what its price.... "<br />Mrs Das for me your sound is strange, unique but familiar,sometimes odd but victorious in its tone.<br />When I read the lines like<br />Getting a man to love you is easy only be honest about your wants as<br />Woman. Stand nude before the glass with him so that he sees himself the stronger one and believes it so, and you so much more softer, younger, lovelier. Admit your admiration. notice the perfection Of his limbs, his eyes reddening under the shower, the shy walk across the bathroom floor,dropping towels, and the jerky way he Urinates, all the fond details that make<br />Him male and your only man...”<br /><br />Your words were responsive and receptive to the inner me. You are the one who introduced the concept of my “ man “ to me. <br /><br />They asked me who is your man, will he come? Days months and several rains passed with out answering the query but your words gave me the re assurance, he will come.<br />and<br /><br />Gift him all,<br />Gift him what makes you woman, the scent of<br />Long hair, the musk of sweat between the breasts,<br />The warm shock of menstrual blood, and all your<br />Endless female hungers.<br /><br />Yes aami the tone of betrayal first heard through words later experienced in life. It is true aami<br /><br />Getting a man to love is easy, but living<br />Without him afterwards may have to be<br />Faced. <br />How difficult it is to leave the life of drab and destitute.<br />.<br /> <br />Through your life you proved there exists “my man”.<br /><br /> You searched for him in krishna,allah and words. You meet him several times,<br />And you wrote,....<br />“I meet a man, Loved him. Call him not by any name, he is every man who wants a woman, Just as i am every woman who seeks love."<br /><br />You are the one who taught us sex is a divine path towards love. When you wrote <br />"your losses are my gain", <br />I hold a wish in my heart ,please let her lost her self again in her world of dreams and back with words and vision. When you wrote <br /><br />“this is the only kind of love,this hacking each others parts,Like convicts hacking,breaking clods at noon we were earth under hot sun. There was a burining in our veins and the cool mountian nights did nothing to lessen heat when he and I were one,we were neithr male or female. “<br />You are the one who taught me to go on with the feeling "<br />It will be alright, It will be alright . It will be alright between the world and me. “<br />How long this words spread through my pillow cover and what was the distance between my tears and those words. It may be the same between your soul and those words. <br />When you wrote my only freedom is the freedom to discompose......................<br /><br />Some say, your words were simple confessional outpourings. I am not into the debate whether your words were voluntary or involuntary confessions, or mere imaginations or a deliberate compulsive effort to transform feelings as words, and create your own audience and space in literature. Don't know. But those outpourings are communicative.<br />You said<br />"Yes, I know, yesterday I might have been against liberation, today I am for it. Tomorrow I do not know what I would say, and how I feel".<br />It communicates even with future.<br />When you wrote in neipayasam.<br />"Have the children gone to sleep? Had they eaten anything, or had they just cried themselves to sleep? But they are too young to understand. Unni just stood there watching me when I put her in the taxi. Only the youngest one cried. But that was because he wanted to get into the taxi too. Certainly, they did not know the meaning of death.Did I know? No. Did I ever imagine that she would suddenly fall down one evening and die, without saying farewell to anyone?"<br />Reading this again and I wish if i am some one who is not aware about the effect of the death..let me wait for the dessert prepared by her through her words,let me feel again and again she will be back and prepare unforgettable stories again for us. Let me wait like those kids in neipayasam.<br />I am sure kamala there will be hearts rise and sings the songs of love in those voice never as sweet before same as your imagination and wish, and they will realise LOVE, like life is sweetest even after its end.<br />Because you, yourself was the real love kamala. I dont know whether your poems are ironical , cynical or confessional,but for me they are the true representation of a poetic self.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8633366997075694641-681535997576127148?l=itzme-sketchesenglish.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Deepa Praveenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10401249364471060501noreply@blogger.com5