Forever Young

2008 is coming to an end in just a few hours so I thought I should pay my respects to this part of my life that had become dormant.

It was not as though nothing was going on to write about. It was a case of too much going on and me being overwhelmed by a multitude of situations and emotions. It's still me - enriched by experiences, heart broken yet hopeful, loved yet wanting, enthusiastic yet cautious. My hair is still curly (thank God) and I still love music and coffee ....and travel. There is one thing that has changed. My backdrop is no longer the desert of Arizona or the skyscrapers of New York City. It's wherever life takes me...and at present that means the blinding speed, fashion and lights of Tokyo.

I'm leaving you with this song by Youth Group - "Forever Young"...and a promise to keep writing :)


あかまして　おめでとう　ございます
Happy New Year
नववर्ष की शुभ कामनाएं
புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துகள்

"Forever Young"

Let's dance in style let's dance for a while,
Heaven can wait we're only watching the skies,
Hoping for the best but expecting the worst,
Are you gonna drop the bomb or not?

Let us die on let us live forever,
Don't have the power but we never say never,
Sitting in the sandpit life is a short trip,
Music's for the sad man

Can you imagine when this race is run,
Turning up our faces into the sun,
Praising our leaders getting in tune,
Music's played by the mad man

Forever young, I want to be forever young,
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever forever,
Forever young, I want to be forever young,
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever, forever

Some are like water Some are like the heat,
Some are melodies Some are the beat,
Sooner or later they'll all be gone,
Why don't they stay on?
It's hard to get without a cause,
I don't want to perish like a fading voice,
Youth is like diamonds in the sun,
And diamonds are forever,
So many adventures couldn't happened today,
So many songs that we forgot to play,
So many dreams swimming out in the blue,
Let them come true
Forever young I want to be forever young,
Do you really want to live forever?
Forever, forever

Coordinates

Everything goes status quo, till Life happens.
New coordinates. Write them down.

Strawberry Swing :)

They were sitting
They were sitting in the strawberry swing
Every moment was so precious

They were sitting
They were talking in the strawberry swing
Everybody was for fighting
Wouldn't wanna waste a thing

Cold, cold water
Bring me round
Now my feet won't touch the ground
Cold, cold water
What ya say?
It's such…
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day

I remember
We were walking up to strawberry swing
I can't wait 'til the morning
Wouldn't wanna change a thing

People leaving all the time
Inside a perfectly straight line
Don't you wanna curve away
It's such…
It's such a perfect day
It's such a perfect day

Now the sky could be blue
I don't mind
Without you it's a waste of time

Could be blue
I don’t mind
Without you it’s a waste of time

Could be blue,
could be grey
without you I’m just miles away

could be blue
I don’t mind
Without you it’s a waste of time

True today than ever before

Anjani Rahoein Mein Tu Kya Dhoondhanta Phire...
Door Jisko Samjha Who To Paas Hai Tere...
Saans Mein Hawa...Jaan Mein Zameen...
Dil Mein Khulaa Aasmaan..aa.aa..
Pyaar Hai Khuda, Pyaar Hai Khushi..ii..
Pyaar Se Hai Dono Jahan...
Tera Ye Aashiyana ..aa..
Mera Bhi Aashiyana ..aa..

O Anjani Rahon Mein Phir Kya Dhoondhanta Phire...
Door Jisko Samjha Who To Paas Hai Tere...
Ghoomta Raha... Door Tu Kahin...
Udate Baadlon... Ki Tarah...
Kahin Se Tujhe..Aai Hai Sada..aa..
Lot Ke Aa Ab Jara...
Tera Ye Aashiyana ..aa..
Mera Bhi Aashiyana ..aa..

Woh Jhilmilati Aakhein ... Bholi Si Ada...
Who Dheere Dheere Chal Ke Lehrati Hawa...aein...
Hamkon Le Jaaye Wahan...
Jahan Ho Ghar Apne Na..Ooo..
Teri Yaadoein Mein Paaya Hai
Aaj Toh..oo... Milne Ka Din Hai Aaya Aaya...

Saans Mein Hawa... Jaan Mein Zameen...
Dil Mein Khulaa Aasmaan..Aa.Aa..
Pyaar Hai Khuda Pyaar Hai Khushi
Pyaar Se Hai Dono Jahan..Aa..
Tera Ye Aashiyana ..aa..
Mera Bhi Aashiyana ..aa..

Anjani Rahon Mein Tu Kya Dhoondhanta Phire...
Door Jisko Samjha Who To Paas Hai Tere...

Tears of pride...

Remembrance

Noreen. I miss you.

Sweet child of mine? Awesome!

foxy disappearance//heroes of the new world

yes, I'm alive and around...life has been taken over by AlterEgo Productions and the latest play - The Leopard and The Fox. More on that here: http://www.alteregoproductions.org/

I had to break my silence to exalt the heroes of the new world - Al Gore and the IPCC - validated by the Nobel Peace prize today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7041082.stm

Happy Navrathri!!
Happy Friday!!
-Ammu

A sight for sore eyes

I was shocked this morning to see NYC streets not painted in the harsh yellow of cabs.....but instead large colorful flowers!! I thought I was going mad till I saw 100's of these colorful cabs. I googled to arrive at the following: -
http://www.portraitsofhope.org/git/about_git.php

Portrait of Hope's non-profit program - "Garden in transit" is a large community art project underway in Manhattan.

"As part of this groundbreaking motivational art, education, and creative therapy project, thousands of kids in schools, hospitals, and community institutions are painting vibrant flowers -- symbolizing joy, life, beauty, and inspiration -- on adhesive weatherproof panels that will be applied to the hoods, trunks and/or roofs of thousands of New York City taxis. Beginning in September 2007 and until year's end, New York City will be visually transformed, as the ubiquitous yellow icon becomes a mobile artistic canvas or -- "Garden in Transit.""

I think this is uber-cool. Cheers to this amazing idea...
-Amrita

I left my heart in Egypt

My love story with Egypt began when I started reading about the temples of Abu Simbel and Pharoahs in secondary school. I spent years and years dreaming about visiting one day...but I had yet to make a concrete plan. Then one new york morning, a cabbie from Cairo re-kindled that dream in me. And so it began...

I started toying with the idea of actually going to Egypt. A few random emails to friends and casual research got the process flowing. We found an amazing tour via Contiki and started researching dates. I couldn't believe it was happening! It all seemed unreal. We encountered numerous hurdled with visas and tickets.....but in the end, we ended up making it to Egypt!! What followed was 10 of the most unforgettable days of my life. All other travels and adventures have paled in comparison.

I had to pinch myself when I got out of the Cairo airport. I felt I belonged to Egypt the moment i arrived there....it was very strange. It was as if I had found a missing part of my life. Our tour guide, Mohammed, gave me the name - Amun (derived from Amu, derived from Amrita). Amun as in the Sun God. Amun as in the most powerful God of Egypt.

From witnessing the glory and architectural wonders of Karnak, Abu Simbel and Luxor; to having endless discussions about Akhenaten, Ramesses, Tuthmosis and Nefertiti; I felt a deep contentment. Leaving Egypt has left me numb. It was as if Egypt was the way of life and everything else was irrelevant. It was not a casual vacation for me...it was an unforgettable journey.

Shukran,
-Amun
P.S: Stay tuned for a day by day account with pictures...

Only in NYC....

...do stores have DJs playing loud music. I was amazed at this spectacle last weekend at the AX store in SoHo. The DJ was fantastic and the created ambience was so peppy that you wanted to buy everything in the shop. Good ploy!

subway cheer

Seen/Heard in subway stations in New York city yesterday....a Monday! The day when the mood levels of New York City are at a precariously impatient high.

~ * ~

Subway conductor announcement on the 4 train heading downtown....

"The next stop is City Hall. The time is 10:45 a.m. Have a lovely day. And
remember, no matter what the destination, happiness is the way!"

The whole car erupted into giggles and wide grins :o)

~ * ~

At the 57th St NRQW station -

On the station super's whiteboard, there was pleasant image of birds over mountains and rivers. And scribbled in the center was - "Smile! Have a great day! :o) "

~ * ~

It was a rainy Monday. There is this pair of African-American old men, who frequent the 1-2-3 subway line. Every time it's raining in the city, they go from car to car and sing a lovely little acoustic bee-bop number. Their act is complete with finger clicking, heel tapping, Ray Charles-y fanfare. Love them!! So needless to say, they made an appearance yesterday....couldn't have been better timing.

~ * ~

A Malagasy Encounter

I have no pictures to prove it happened. But it did.
I met my first blogger buddy today. The Malagasy Dwarf Hippo himself! :) It was really nice to connect to the person behind the great thoughts.

Venue: my favorite brunch place in the city: Eatery.

The transition between online and real life friendship can be quite daunting. The online communication doesnt easily translate to a real connection. I've been there a few times as I met many Zootopians (U2 fanclub) for a lot of the U2 concerts and events.

But, in this case, I felt completely at ease and had a great time. (I hope Lova did too!! :P) Lova was exactly as I had pictured him in my mind. We chatted away about the Gingster and BooBoo, Africa, U2, life, Dr. Mosi, UN, the world being flat etc. Good times!!

Coming up next: Meetup with the folks at Sepia Mutiny. And hopefully the rest of my blogroll... :)

Cheers,
-Amrita

UPDATE:-

Here's a tell-tale photo :)

Virtual Reality: here we come

Just a quickie post...

Mobile snaps invisible art

"Scottish researchers are turning to camera phones to help bridge the virtual and real worlds.

Using image-matching algorithms the researchers have found a way to adorn the real world with digital content.

The technology has already been used to create a guide of Edinburgh that allows people to find virtual artworks placed around the city using their mobile.

Another related project uses the technology to automatically update a person's blog with their location......."

Very interesting....
More later, rushing to work....hopefully it wont be a 3 hour commute today!!

The advent of the late twenties

It's the beginning of a new era in my life. The one in which I get to be responsible, mature...yada yada. I was clinging on to the faint line of early-twenties till now. 25 was a lovely age to be in mentally. As I was not a girl anymore....but not yet a woman either (Britney Spears be damned).

Here's what I was thinking on the last few birthdays... Hahaha! How come I was always dumbstruck by the reality of age?!

August 2006
20 something...I had myself a happy birthday on 6th August :-) Ushered in a brand new year flanked by friends and family. Never before have I felt so special, fortunate and blessed. The wishes from those near and far meant a lot. Many friends actually took the trouble to fly/drive in to NYC to celebrate ...that was just amazing. And celebrate we did.....night out at Crobar where we celebrated both mine and Krishna's birthdays....lazy brunches....dinners at home....chilling at central park...Gooood times!

Potha actually said..."You just completed the best 25 years of your life. It's all downhill from here" Maybe so, but I choose to think not! :-P

Friday, 6th August 2004
Happy Birthday to moi! I think I'm going to stick to the thought that I'm 21....cant relate to the fact that I'm 23 now! Oh well...in an apparent wave of proud proclmations.....heres to meee! lol...hehehe
Song of the day: 'Stairway to heaven' by Led Zeppelin

Wednesday, 6th August'2003
Happy Birthday to meeeeeeeeeee!! :) i'm 22 today....gosh i feel old! ;) Please see bday pics under the photos section.
Song of the day: 'In da club' by 50 cent

Actually, in all honesty, I'm fine with growing older. The word "Independence" is going to an all new level now. I get to begin a lot of projects that I didn't have the maturity and/or freedom to handle before. I'm taking the initiative to travel and follow my passions. I'm looking at life in a new light as well as I hope to find answers to two big questions by the end of this glorious year. The questions being - What do I see myself doing 5 years from now? And where? Technology has been my interest for a really long time...and I still couldn't give it up. But then there's the other side of me that starts flapping it's wings desperately whenever possible....my alter ego. The Amrita who would rather be a journalist or a social worker or a musician or a stage director. I've been trying to let her take over as much as time and energy would allow. But as internal pressure and restlessness rise, I need to find answers soon.

So what are the deltas in the last week as I crossed the big bridge between 25 and 26? ..... I get annoyed by 20 something scantily clad hipsters in clubs and bars now...shocking!! I want to only hang out at unpretentious joints and spend quality time with intellectuals. I'm also finding it really peaceful to spend a lot of alone time during the week. Self-sufficiency I think it's called.

Hmm...what else is different? Ah yes! The marriage scene. All of a sudden for my elders....I'm precariously close to my expiry date for marriage...cos I'm no longer 25. In the one day, that it took me to turn 26, I'm suddenly too old to be married. My parents are actually quite cool...but they sometimes give in to societal pressure. This is the point when I have to intervene and reiterate for the 200th time that I'm not married yet out of choice...and not some grave tragedy. Mentally, I'm ready to settle down but not settle ...you know what I mean? I'd rather wait for a while and make sure I'm doing the right thing than repent later. I'm too rebellious to settle for anything anyway...so I'm not worried!

Till then, there are oh so many things to be done in life. As one of my friends recently said "30 is the new 20". Cheers to that concept!! :-)

Love,
-Ammu

Happy Birthday to me

Turned 26.....aging like fine wine hopefully :-) YAY!

August 3rd news

- Arkansas couple welcomes 17th child. Is it just me? Or is this ridiculous!!
- It's a long weekend for me... :) Cos hey shawty....ish my budday....on Monday!
- There was a gorgeous clap of thunder outside right now..
- I think some guys have stopped going dutch in restaurants now...they expect the woman to pay... hmm...worrisome
- What should I do with myself on my budday? Spa visit?
- I'm writing performance reviews for work ...and it's booo-ring!
- I just realized that the last few months can be categorized as quarter life crisis
- Strange sub found in NY
- My buddy just got a second ear piercing....i'm really kicked about getting a second one too...an awesome excuse to buy more earrings. (I loove earrings!)
- I love my friends...truly...
- I can't believe i'm in the latter half of the 20's in 3 day! :S
- I need more shoes! And music!

Was listening to:-
~ 'Pehchaan' by Penn Masala
~ 'La Valse d'Amelie' by Yann Tiersen
~ 'Throw it on me' by Timbaland
~ 'Billie Jean' by Caetano Veloso

Love,
-Ammu

Music for the soul

Ack! I woke up today feeling totally crap. A bad headache fuelled by non-stop work since Monday. Yes - I've been working since Monday without a break. Fun fun! And then, I resorted to the cure-all -- music. I've been listening to U2 for the last few hours and the headache's gone...and so's my frustration. It's cloudy outside, all the lights in my house are switched off, feels like it's almost dusk, I'm sitting on my couch and working while sipping coffee....and I'm suddenly smiling again.... :)

Playlist...albums...
- Achtung Baby by U2
- All that you can't leave behind by U2
- Boy by U2
- How to dismantle an atomic bomb by U2
- The Joshua Tree by U2
- October by U2
- Pop by U2
- Under a Blood Red Sky by U2
- War by U2

Love,
-Ammu

Simple pleasures

Lives can be enriched so easily by indulging in the simplest of pleasures....
Here are some of mine, in no particular order....
What are yours?

1. Walking barefeet in grass
2. Walking barefeet on the beach
3. Sitting on my couch, sipping coffee and staring out at the sunset
4. Cosying up next to Tiglu and reading a good fiction novel
5. Dark chocolate
6. Listening to my iPod while going for a walk.
7. Taking a long, hot shower
8. Staring out at the passing scenes from a car
9. The wind in my face
10. Sunsets
11. Sunrise
12. Dancing
13. Old people. I love it when I make them smile.
14. Getting a call/email/IM from a long lost friend
15. Watching a funny movie
16. Watching a romantic movie
17. Friends
18. Getting wet in the rain when i have nowhere important to go
19. the smell of the earth when it starts raining
20. A clean house
21. Laundered clothes
22. Staring at the stars
23. Hiking
24. Driving in Arizona
25. Listening to loud music
26. Listening to soft music
27. Taking photographs
28. Viewing photographs
29. Reading blogs
30. Writing blogs
31. Cooking (sometimes)
32. Water
33. Fitting into clothes that were too tight
34. Birds chirping in the morning
35. the smell of 'agarbatti' in the evening
36. Hugs
37. giggling
38. Snuggled inside the house, sipping tea and watching the rain fall
39. Singing
40. Travelling - but that's not a simple pleasure anymore - usually expensive :)
41. The colors of the sky, the clouds in the sky
42. Convulsive laughter

My ....

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Oh - and also - My Concert Lineup this year. :)