Unspoiled, Perfect 365 Days Coming!

“We all want to break our orbits,

Float like a satellite gone wild in space,

Run the risk of disintegration,

We all want to take our lives in our own hands,

And hurl them out among the stars!”

“Realize that if a door closed, it’s because what was behind it, isn’t meant for you.” The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you, as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied a single moment in all your life.

Also, since the new year’s around the corner, we often make resolutions. It has been my observation that every one of us who makes resolution either forgets them or rarely takes any effort to materialize them! The resolutions you make last year, are forgotten this year. People focus on what they want to achieve. But, I see lack of 'niceness' around. We command people and nag them.

Happiness is not sitting with grim faces across the dinner table, but enjoying a cheap pani puri with people you love, even if it is road side.
Let us resolve to put a smile on someone's face. It is a ripple effect. Smile and the world smiles at you! What goes around comes around.

Let's resolve to be genuinely 'nice' this year to everyone around. With this vision, I end my last post for the year.

The most eventful year of my life comes close to an end - awaiting a new year, a new beginning, taking a leap of faith. You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.  Let’s start anew! Happy New Year readers!

The Golden Dawn

The breaking of dawn brings back to me the vivid memories of childhood, when the start of the day with chirping of birds was like a new life... After months of laziness (of not getting up early), I had been off late waking up early to study for the exams (thank God, they are over now!), it was then that I witnessed the scenic sunrise after many days... A small poem to capture the silent, vacant moments...

Day breaks,

Darkness fades into vermillion,
Silence after farewell,
Melodious surroundings,
Blissful peace,
Prayer sounds, tinkling bells,

The warm light slowly creeping in,
Sun rising,

Me smiling,

For it’s a fresh start, all over again!

Versatile Blogger Award! Yay!

Hello readers. A few weeks ago, I received the Versatile Blogger Award from Karan Sampat at http://karan-sampat.blogspot.com/. I am really happy to receive it. Thank you Karan! It is always so nice to receive positive feedback from readers and fellow bloggers. I do try to cover a variety of topics on this blog while staying true to my niche of romance and inspiration.

These nominations always come as a surprise and I’m always humbled, honored and grateful that my writing has touched so many readers. 

When I first began this blog last June and started sharing my poetry, stories and views, insecurity weighed heavily on my mind.  I was thrilled to have had one reader, one like and one comment.  Then, over time, things grew…

I hope you can “feel” my sincerity when I “say” I’m very, very thankful.  And just to clarify, it’s not the recognition, but the opportunity to “touch” others, “move” others, emotionally and make others “feel” when they read ~  Thank you so much for “listening.”

I was really chuffed to get this acknowledgment. I’ve been writing this blog for about 7 months now and it has grown to a total of 68 pieces and thousands of words in which I’ve reflected on my own life and views.

I’ve intended this to be both useful and enjoyable and more and more feedback I’m getting, including this award, is indicating that I’m succeeding in reaching people who appreciate and sometimes benefit from what I’m writing. So, I also want to use this as an opportunity to thank all my readers, and especially all who have commented, pressed the ‘Like’ button, and even shared my blogs with others. This is the greatest compliment of all.

Right, now back to business. The working of the VBA is:

> Thank the person who nominated you,

> Share 7 things about yourself,

> Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award,

> Spread the news to them about it.

As part of the Versatile Blogger Award protocol, I am going to share seven facts about myself with you and spread the love by nominating other blogs.

> I am a believer in the concept of God, but I am secular. I believe if prayers are true, then it doesn't matter if you join hands to pray at a temple, church or at namaz.

> I am extremely quick at grasping things, me being the consistent topper at Engineering. :D I like learning new things. I feel it is a never ending process. Love exploring the philosophical side of things, observing things and people and then expressing them through creative avenues.

> I like to eat burnt rice! :P

> I love reading romance, and write the same too! My new-found passion and it is here to stay!

> I don't give up easily.

> I hate liars; I believe dil 'saaf' toh dil 'safe' rehta hai!

> I am a typical Scorpio with ditto matching traits and qualities!

Now, going onto the nominations part… I would like to share the Versatile Blogger Award with:

1.      http://maniparna5002.wordpress.com/

2.      http://subzeroricha.blogspot.com/

3.      http://innerdialect.wordpress.com/

4.      http://www.thepoetsalley.co/

5.      http://garam-samose.blogspot.in/

6.      http://icynosure.blogspot.in/

7.      http://isharethese.blogspot.com/

8.      http://nabanita-blacknwhite.blogspot.in/

9.      http://bhavyakaushik.com/

10.  http://anitaexplorer.blogspot.in/

11.  http://www.ankuanand.com/

12.  http://www.renuvyas.com/

13.  http://somethings-sugandha.blogspot.in/

14.  http://www.sarusinghal.com/

15.  http://www.numerounity.com/

Congratulations people!

Thanks again to Karan and everyone who thinks my blog has something to offer. It means the world to me. I love to write, but sometimes wonder if I’m actually going anywhere with this, so having this affirmation really does help me get through self-doubts. :)

Youthful Escapades Of Two Soul Sisters..

‘If your house burned down, a good friend would call and say ‘I am sorry...’ But a best friend would say, ‘Yay! Now, you get to move in with me!’

Every single soul on the earth has someone that they call a ‘best’ friend; more often than not, we've known them for as long as we can remember. Best friends, worth keeping are hard to come by, the ones who are there for us through thick and thin and become close for reasons unknown.

Friend- A simple word isn't it? A person that touches your heart and makes you laugh. You can spend hours with them doing nothing at all and it can be the best time of your life, just because it was with ‘them’. They're the people you can share your secrets with, cry with, laugh with, and just have fun with. They don't judge you or change you. They accept you exactly as you are. They look at you and they see a great person. You are tied together by memories, tears, laughs, smiles and deep love for each other.

There are some friendships that we remember forever. These are the friendships that were formed when we were children.

‘Everybody dies twice, once when their childhood ends!’

I believe the quality and depth of sharing is not the same as in adult friendships. Childhood friendships lack the drama and intensity that is shared in adult friendships. Whereas, adolescent friendships are often mad and intense, sadly not always permanent as much as you can be convinced they will be at the time - some long ago recorded memories of those sometimes dangerous escapades before you have to become a full fledged adult. At the same time, there is a certain carefree quality that exists between the two young children at play. They don't ask themselves complicated questions like whether they have enough in common. It is enough that they are two kids and that there is playing to be done.

‘Best friend’ means different things to different people. Some insist that you can have only one best friend. Others assert that they have best friends for different aspects of their personalities. Whatever the precise definition, your best friend is the person who gets you, as plain as that. They understand who you are and what you are saying.

I was lucky enough too, to hold, smell and taste the flavor of true friendship. Touchwood! The fondest memories we gather in the journey of life are the ones that remind us of our beloved friends! Though the person is not close by, these memories always linger. I too have a childhood ‘best’ friend - Stefi, a gem of a person. And the best part is, we continue being ‘best’ of friends for over years uncountable now.

It had been months since I met her, but today Dove gives me a chance to meet her. She is here at my place for the #DoveFaceTest. 

As we sit and remember, we laugh over those old childhood stunts! Girls always want to have fun and we attagirls had super duper fun together! 

Expressing our bond, happy memories and our games in paragraphs would be unfair. I choose to describe it in poetry - the purest form of expression of the love and friendship we share!

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~ ‘Coz That’s What Best Friends Do ~

We are soul sisters, one of a kind,

Matching our frock and hair clip colors…

Three words that described us then -

Partners in crime!

Sharing our crushes, joking around,

The essence of those days,

The innocence called childhood,

Running faster…

To catch the window seat of the school bus,

We thought school was cruel then…

Finishing the torture called homework soon,

To get back to play together in the noon!

Moments of endless laughter,

Riding our Ladybird cycles,

Owning it was like having an own BMW!  

Priceless chats, our memories,
Of both bright and sunny days.
There are memories of your kindness,
And your thoughtful ways…
There are memories of all those notes,
We would write back and forth,
When we would just get together,
And talk of this or that.

I’ll remember forever…

By your side I would always stand,  

And you'd stand by mine too…
Because that’s what best friends do! 

You walked across this world with me,

To say that it’s okay..
To show me the right way. 

I still remember the first day we met…

In Kindergarten we were set, 

We were too shy to say much at all,
It's funny to think back to that time,
Because now we're having a ball!
Friends from then on,

Without a doubt!

Remember,

The grand wedding Barbie doll we played with…?

In her fairytale dress and veil,                                                  
Her ponytail in golden ripples,

And her adjustable joints!

Talking of our wedding gowns,

Twirling hair around with a pencil,

To get those perfect curls like Barbie,

Pearls & boas, dressed to the nines,
Lipstick on pursed lips, trying to stay in the lines…
Big wobbly high heels, on tiny, precious feet,
Little girls playing dress-up, weren't we sweet?!

From cute little girls of three,

We then grew up, to be teens,

To have blisters and pimples...

Remember, then you suggested me,

Your magic soap, ‘Dove’! 

‘Go for it’, you chirped!

You said, “Best friends share everything,

Even the secret to glowing, supple skin!”

Since then we lived wild and carefree,

Let our hair down and partied,

On the stage of life!

Every time I see you, it lights a smile on my face,
You are one of the girls…

That never over looked me ,
Once you saw me I was your sunshine...

You give me all these nicknames ,
You can't keep track!
I can't too…!

The unbreakable trust we share, 

I would never survive without you,

Every time I trusted someone,

It blew up in my face…
But I’m glad to have found my one true sound,
The one girl who I care for, for whom,
I’d put my life on the line...

I tell you everything because I know I can,
Who knew two girls so close,
Could be so very different,

Until we met!

I feel so strong when I depend on you. 

Through tears and fights,
Through smiles and everything,
Through love and hate,
Through betrayal and debate…
For you I would always have faith,
It is true,

We are best friends forever!

You are the one that came to me, 

When things went wrong…
I just sat there and listened,

When you cried out to me,
Maybe, we have telepathy…

I came to you with everything,

Holding my petite hand you said,

"I love you no matter what comes our way!"
You were the friend that came to me and said, "Let’s go get him!" or,

"I'll handle it sweetie" or "You're better without him!"

Today, as we sit exchanging tales about our past,
And laughing as the memories flow…
Within my book of memories,
Are special thoughts of you…
And all the many nice things…

As I turn the pages,        

And recall each single thought,

I realize the happiness,
That knowing you has brought to me…
And when I recall these memories,
As I go along life's way,
I find they grow more precious still,
With every passing day

Being your sister,
And your best friend, I know,
This kinship wouldn't end, ever!

I love you, my friend…

Cheers to our amazing blazing friendship..!

Cheers to Aayesha and Stefi.. :)

Image Courtesy: Mr Dependable, Google.

This is my entry for the Dove Guessing Game Contest organized by Indiblogger.

For more details: http://www.dove.in/en/Products/Bar-Body-Wash/default.aspx

A Tablet For Boredom! ;)

Some people may get tablets because they are the ‘cool’ new technology, but then have no idea what to do with it and are left scratching their heads!  Others may receive them as a gift or for work with the same effect.  If tablets didn’t have important functions they never would have been created to begin with.  The truth is that tablets can have a profound effect on your daily life if you know how to use them.

One of the strengths of a tablet is its large screen.  This allows media lovers to basically carry around a mobile television.  For those who love to watch movies and television on the go, the large, clear screen allows for tons of mobile entertainment.  Users interested in literature can have a big screen and a myriad of apps to keep them happy. 

This is more convenient than carrying around a laptop. Tablets are simple to use and versatile devices. Laptops are heavy pieces of equipment. With a tablet, you will do away with all of that undo shoulder strain. Keep it in a safety sleeve, and your tablet should fit right in the bag you carry with you, extremely portable. Tablets are an emerging technology and nobody knows just what the future will bring with this gadgets.  One thing is for sure, tablet computers are not going anywhere soon.

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Tablets have integrated into our everyday lives and owning one has made my life easier.

My daily tablet life:

7:00 My alarm clock on my tablet goes off and I get out of bed. While I am getting dressed for the day, I listen to some music on my tablet. Thanks to the great sound, it is no different than a radio in the room.

8:00 While enjoying my breakfast, I read the newspaper on my tablet to catch up on what is happening in the world. The news application lets me choose which types of news I want to receive and only shows me what I want to see and not all the boring stuff I am not interested in.

8:30 On my way to college, I listen to my favorite music again. At times, I can’t help but to sing out loud.

9:00 I check my e-mails and my to-do list on the calendar for the day. I also use it to quickly make a couple of calls.

11:00 Me and my friends have frequent arguments and we Google the answer on my tablet!

12:00 I go pick my lunch that I order from my tablet and enjoy my meal while laughing at some silly jokes I received via e-mail, WhatsApp or WeChat.

15:00 Not in the mood to study, so I silently watch a movie on my tablet with my Bluetooth headset or at times, I write my thoughts in the ‘Notes’ section.

17:15 On my way home, I play my all time favorite games, ‘Temple Run’ and ‘Subway Surfers’; these games keep the child in you alive!

21:00 In bed and my tablet is plugged into my HD TV and I enjoy a movie before bed.

23:00 Can’t sleep so I browse Facebook to see what is happening with my friends and to see what they have been up to.

The day is over!

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Better ways to use the Yoga Tablet:

#1. Vacation Station

From the beginning of the process to actually being there, one can use a tablet to put you on a cruise vacation, a sandy beach or a mountain trail! With your Internet connected tablet, all your initial research can be done anywhere, from your sofa, patio and if the boss isn't looking, even while you're at work. With a tablet as your travel planner, you can check out photographs and reviews of your destination, as well as availability and costs of flights, car rental, hotels, restaurants, insurance, and any number of activities for you and your family when you get there.

#2. Workout Buddy

When you're racking up the miles on a lonely treadmill, what better way to provide much needed entertainment than a well-positioned tablet? Now it's easy to catch up with the TV you missed the night before, a favorite episodes, or a classic movie maybe. With your tablet connected, you'll also have access to hundreds of fitness, nutrition and diet guidance apps to help you lead a healthier life.

#3. Ultimate Shopper

With a tablet you will become a shopping guru. If there's a bargain within a hundred miles, you'll sniff it out using the latest shopping apps. Armed with a 3G internet connection, you can scan barcodes and check prices in store, then compare prices with other suppliers nearby. How far will you drive to get that dress for half price? And will it be in stock? Simple - use your tablet to check availability and even get driving directions to another store while you're online!

#4. Online Storage and Portable Backup

Get organized with Dropbox - one of the most user-friendly file storage and management tablet apps around. It allows you to securely store all your data files online, as well as supporting cross-platform file syncing, online backup and restore functions. Whatever you've stored is completely accessible, so you can download, upload, share and retrieve using one account on any online device. Send download links to your friends; save photos and video from your tablet's camera to other computers and even open files using other Android applications.

#5. Silver screen

Also available are tablet apps where details of any movie theatre, including local show timings are given. You can also see how films are performing at the box office, and get a sneak peek at new theatre and DVD releases. If you want to see how critics rated a particular film you can also read their reviews before you head out. And whatever you think of films you've seen, you can share your own opinion with friends and family too.

#6. Get Organized ~ Time Management!

Want to be more productive? There are highly-effective tools designed for time tracking, recording how long you spend on a task and converting this into clear reporting information. You can use it as an individual, or for teams of people working together on a project.

#7. Games

Funny, stylish games with great sound effects are available for download. But be warned - you may pick it up to kill a few idle minutes and then realize you've lost an hour. They help you pass time with ease.

#8. Reading On The Go!

Whether you are a daily reader, or you enjoy weekly comic books, tablets have applications that are going to give you a better reading experience than books. With the storage of tablets, you can keep hundreds of books, newspapers, comics, or reference materials well in hand to check and use whenever the need arises.

#9. Media Whenever!

Music videos, movie rentals, and television programs are all ready for you with a local hot-spot nearby. No need to have cable anymore!

#10. Printing

With a USB connector, any tablet can become a quick way to get a document you need. No need to log on to a foreign computer to get what you need. Jack in your tablet, and print whatever you choose.

#11. Reviews All The Time!

Ever been torn between two restaurants, and you wished you had competent reviews to check out? Pop the name of the places in on your tablet, and you are immediately given all of the details you need!

#12. A Second Screen

Perfect for college students, a tablet is the reference book on your lap while you type your thesis. Instead of having multiple windows open which can get messy and confusing, a tablet makes an ideal second monitor for getting twice as much work done.

#13. Creativity Enhancement & Writing

Tablets have made the quick transition to being smaller laptops by adding peripherals like small keyboards that can be attached on the go. With that available to you, there is no reason to not keep working on your bestselling novel, or create a song using any number of interesting music generators.

#14. Go Paperless!

Scrap the paper!  Use your tablet to jot down quick notes like phones numbers and to-do lists.  Download and edit PDFs so there is no longer a need to print out stacks of papers for your next meeting. 

#15. Learning by e-books

> >Matching Lifestyle of Students

Textbooks are not only expensive but also take a lot of room if you’re a book-worm. On the other hand, thousands of e-books may only take several gigabytes out of your tablet. For a student, taking three large books isn’t considerable. Instead, he can take 1 tablet for all them and still get more. I wish to see tablets stepping on its predecessor’s footprint of education to experience a new realm of learning.

Students are tech savvy and we know that. Students like to hang around with their electronic gadgets all the time and with the help of tablet, they’ll get the whole education system in their tablet. They’ll be able to get everything which fits best for their lifestyle.

>> Customizable Teaching Techniques

Textbooks don’t offer presentations, audio tracks, video lectures etc to illustrate topics more clearly, tablets do! But, with the help of tablets, student can learn more quickly and efficiently. You’ll not only connect yourself with your relative classmates but also with the whole world by sharing your works through internet. You can also get help from thousands of teachers who are willing to provide you any kind of help.

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My idea of an ‘ideal’ tablet ~

>Whatever you're looking for in a tablet, you'll want to choose a model that makes the best use of its biggest and most iconic feature – that beautifully-large smooth glass screen with high resolution capability, pin sharp breathtaking clarity.

>The cutting-edge graphics technology and clear digital audio of a tablet come together to bring all multimedia applications to life – in particular, the quality of your movie-watching experiences taken to a whole new level. Watch anything, anywhere.

>Fully compatible with Adobe Flash, to add rich animation, video, and interactivity to web pages, apps and games.

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An answer to my expectations ~ The Lenovo Yoga Tablet, at its versatile best!

True to its name (it's named after Lenovo's convertible Yoga PCs), the screen can fold over. It rotates 135 degrees, allowing for three different usage modes. You can use it as a traditional tablet with the kickstand closed ("Read mode") or you can open the kickstand so that the tablet's propped up on its own (that's be "Stand mode"). There's also "Tilt mode," which involves laying the tablet face-up with the cylindrical battery keeping the device slightly propped up, allowing for easier on-screen typing.

These light weight tablets sport a kickstand which lets the tablet sit upright, which is perfect for watching a movie, having a video chat, or even using the device as an impromptu digital picture frame. The kickstand also lets you lay the tablet down at a lower angle, which is ideal for typing. No accessory case required! Finally, Hold mode lets you grip the tablet more comfortably in your palm for reading in portrait mode. It feels firm and balanced in a way that it shouldn't, the thinness of the bezel is still a little thrill, the anodized back is just grippy enough that you can walk around with it one handed and not worry about slippage.

The chrome painted trim of the Yoga helps complete the premium look of the tablet. This silver-like finish offers a premium look and makes it stand out in a world of black and white slates. The thick rounded edge at one side of the Yoga isn’t just there to support the different Yoga modes, but it provides housing for its better than average battery. These are tablets that will last the whole day with you, that is 13 hours of battery life with wi-fi turned on and the screen set at a lower brightness setting. It is ideal for frequent-flyers and marathon TV watchers.

When it comes to Android tablets, they are all rather ho-hum; big rectangular slabs. Thank god that, Lenovo felt the pain of Android users and has created a new solution -- a better way, a tablet which can do Yoga, don’t take my words literally though! Thank you Lenevo!

Image Courtesy : Google.

P.S: This is my entry for the #BetterWay Contest for Lenevo Yoga tablet organized by Indiblogger.

For more details:  facebook.com/LenovoIndia