Places to Visit

I have an iGoogle app which displays "places to see" but I dont think I will remember every one of them. So this will be a notepad list of the different places/things to see in different countries.

France

• Luxembourg Palace, Paris
• Louvre Museum, Paris
• Eiffel Tower, Paris
• Notre Dame, Paris
• Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
  

China

• Forbidden City, Emperor's Palace, Beijing
• Shaanxi Province
• Great Wall
• Guilin

Egypt

• Pyramids of Gizeh, Cairo
• Nile River

Italy

• Duomo, Florence
• Fontana di Nettuno, Florence
• Ano River, Florence
• Pompei
• Capri
• Venice
• Colosseum, Rome
• St.Peter's Cathedral,Rome
• Vatican City, Rome
• Fontana di Tevi, Rome

Russia

• St.Basil's Cathedral, Moscow
• Red Square, Moscow

Prague

• Old Town Square
• Skeleton Church

Hawaii

• Waimea Canyon, Kauai
• Hanauma Bay,Oahu

Chile

• Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island
• Torres Del Paine

Novels and Dreams

Well I read novels now and then. Its only because, if I start a novel, I cannot do other trivial things like sleep, eat, walk etc. I usually read novels with a happy ending, so by the end of the novel, I feel happy, wish that it was real.

It takes me into a fantasy world. Recently I read Twilight series and the feeling was good. Its an adventurous, romantic book. I wish everything was real (except for the vampire part). They had entirely a different set of problems to face - no work pressure, no economy crisis, no normal natural calamities.... Hmm that would get boring I guess and all fantasy things only happen in books.

Let me live in the fantasy world before I wake up. Shssssssshhhhh

Michael Jacksons memorial

I paste a snippet from yahoo.com - which while reading brings tears...

For all the hasty preparations, hand-wringing over security, breathless media competition to scoop details and soul-wrenching performances, the essence of Michael Jackson's memorial service came down to 20 poignant, powerful seconds: the moment when 11-year-old Paris-Michael Jackson inched up to the microphone and, in a statement no one saw coming, referred to the late pop superstar as "Daddy."
It was a remarkably humanizing moment. Then again, it was remarkable just to see Jackson's three children in public to begin with.
A fiercely protective father, Jackson rarely brought his brood out into public, covering their faces in veils and party masks to protect their identity when he did.
Now here they were, unveiled, before an audience of thousands at Staples Center and millions more around the globe. Starting out seated in the front row, the three youngest Jacksons eventually joined the rest family onstage as the two-hour service wound to a close.
Dressed in the same dark suits and yellow ties as the rest of the Jackson men, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr., known as Prince Michael, chewed gum and toted the memorial service program; 7-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, held his program and clutched a Michael Jackson doll.
Paris, wearing a black dress with white trim, turned a small patent-leather purse over in her hands as other family members spoke. And then a dramatic hush fell over the crowd as family members whispered that the little girl, whose lifetime of public exposure amounted to a small handful of paparazzi photographs, Paris-Michael wanted to say something.
She furtively emerged from the tight circle of family members, who rushed to lower the microphone to her level. And with her uncle Randy on one side and aunt Janet on the other, Jackson's little girl stood center stage.
"I just wanted to say," Paris began weakly.
"Speak up, sweetheart, speak up," Janet encouraged, sweeping the girl's long hair back. "And get close."
Paris put one hand behind her neck, another on the microphone, and began again.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said, her tiny voice cracking.
Rebbie and Marlon Jackson moved in closer to comfort their niece. She shut her eyes tight.
Then she wrapped her hands — little fingernails painted red — around the microphone and fought back tears as she continued: "And I just wanted to say I love him — so much."
She collapsed in tears into her aunt's arms.
"It's OK, baby. It's OK," Janet Jackson said as she held Paris close. Prince joined in on the hug.
And all at once, Jackson wasn't the larger-than-life King of Pop, or Wacko Jacko the tabloid freak. He was a doting father who had left three adoring young children behind.
He was "Daddy."

Michael Jackson R.I.P

I'm not a die hard fan of MJ. But then my heart was heavy when I heard the news that he was no more. I used to like his 'Heal the world' song very much and only now trying to listen, see and appreciate his other albums. The way he moves, the way he sings - the high pitch and the twist and the whisper (dont know the exact word) - I'm a fan now.


With MJ's death there's so much happening - people are mourning, the bad is forgotten, media focussed on the sudden death, the doubt about his death, his children, his will, his debt etc etc etc. There are so many things to learn too.

Even though he was 'The King of Pop', he was never happy. He was abused verbally and physically at home and went on to perform on stage as if nothing happened. He always yearned for a normal childhood. His father treated him badly. Also heard MJ was self loathing, had poor self esteem, was insecure he had the skin disease and was ashamed of his body image. He was addicted to drugs. With the accusations and trials for child molestation he was torn and very upset. He was very sensitive.

He loved his kids and was protective of them. He didnt want people to call them 'wacko jacko's kids'. Now what will happen to the kids? People are fighting over them.

MJ's father Joe Jackson, attended the BET awards and it didnt look like he was mourning. He was promoting his production house at this time, when MJ's funeral still didnt take place yet.

The next fight is over his legacy and it goes on....

The person was popular, an idol, an icon for others but never lived peacefully and even after his death, media is all around him.

His last song, he wanted to give back to the environment - the earth was the body, with rivers as blood and air as oxygen. The earth is our outer body and we need to take care of it the same way we take care of ourselves.

I only hope it doesnt happen to any individual rich or poor, talented or not talented, black or white. MJ hope you are at peace atleast now. May you rest in peace. Amen

Hope Year 2009

This year seems to be a year of HOPE!!!

Political Front:

US - I like Obama. This is the first time, I'm seeing the US Presidential inauguration, and this is the time when it makes sense to me. The crowd was amazing and it seems there was no commotion or an arrest. The new President made history. Whole world seemed to rejoice and everybody is waiting in hope to see him make changes. I do not expect anything from him, but I'm very much interested to see and know what change he is going to bring.

India - There is a lot of awareness and everyone wants a 'Obama' to be their next leader. They say they need a Obama and they bring forward people like 'Sanjay Dutt'. Will there be a new young, educated, patriotic leader who will be in his/her own class apart? Lets Hope for the best!

Work Front:

I'm working on some interesting projects. Hope I continue to have a job, go up the ladder, learn new things and always be patient and stress free.

Personal Front:

Last year really began very good, but ended up in a miserable way. I was heart broken, hurt, realised my mistakes when it was really too late. The new year started a bit rough but I'm hoping and believe this year will be a year of change. With past mistakes and lessons learnt I'm ready to face the new year.
I pray to God that I become strong, be an optimist and never lose hope and faith in him.

Heart Ache

They liked each other and they still do. But then, they know it is not going to work out - the reason being parents will not accept and different religion. They don't have the heart to go against them. So they decide to give up, but still remain friends (I know what the ****?).

So the guy has asked his parents to see a bride. And he discusses all these details with this girl. She is updated with the girl seeing ceremony, shares the bride's pictures and asks her opinion. And he is kind of excited about the bride.

But the girl, is shattered. The girl shouldn't be undergoing this kind of torture.

Terrorists attack in Mumbai

I'm not in Mumbai, I'm not in the same state or country. I dont have any relatives or friends but then reading the news and seeing the pictures, I shiver and tears fill my eyes.

Why do they do this? What do they want? Why should they be so arrogant and behave like an animal? Is one's life that cheap. Why cant they live and let live? What can they achieve by killing people? Even if there is some motive, they are ready to sacrifice their own life and whats the point? You fight for something and you are not going to see or experience the results.

Terrorism even for a valid cause is not good.
Dont behave like an animal. Dont take away your life, love your life first, live your life meaningfully. Only if you can love yourself, you can even tolerate another human being.

Is India becoming a terrorist country? This is what cnn says: "Terrorists take over Mumbai". Where is the world heading to?

Please God, stop them, change their minds.
Let there be peace.