Pumpkin Carving

Last year in November we got us some pumpkins and knives and set about to make the pumpkins look better! :D This is my "masterpiece".

Hide n Seek

-Squirt was in there too. Behind Stomp.

Samurai Sudoku

This is the third Samurai Sudoku I have completed ever. Since I didn't keep the other 2...this is the one that will go in the records.

I finished this one about a month back or so. I just got lazy with the upload. The first one I ever completed was back when I was still a student in GW. I remember the department secretary, April, was incredibly passionate about sudoku as well. She had by then completed quite a few Samurai sudokus and kept insisting that they weren't too much harder than the regular ones, just required more time. She even found the regular sudoku a little boring now. I didn't believe her 'coz I always messed something up, and a number would repeat and I would have to toss that puzzle out. When I completed the first one, it was so exhilarating and I had to share the excitement with her. She said the famous words, "I told you so.". Now, having completed ALL of 3 samurai sudokus (:-p), I do agree with her, they are not hard to do. You just need to be patient and really be sure before entering a number into the squares. It isn't that hard then That being said, every time I complete one I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Rubber Band Assisted Pull Ups

Today's boot camp included amongst various other things, rubber band assisted pull ups. The photo kinda shows what it is like, but we had both our feet in the band. When you try to lift your body up, the rubberband tried to go back to least resistance taking your legs with you. So, while trying to pull yourself up with your arms, you are also fighting to keep your legs down. THIS I did NOT realise when I first took off. It was highly comical 'coz my legs SHOT up and were 90 degrees to my upper torso. I let out a scream, Shelly came to my aid, and the rest of it went through event free...more or less.

Death by Cuteness

So...I have come to the scary realisation that I live in an extremely volatile death zone!!!! I need to brace myself everytime I leave the building. Doggies and babies are everywhere!!! You cannot walk 2 steps without encountering either one, or worse, BOTH!!!!!!! This morning, it was just one doggy after the other, after the other. Good thing Mr bus came along and I ran to refuge! Saved by the bus! Phew!

Pears Before Swine - 2

Oh! Pig! pig! pig! pig! pig! You are so precious!

Where O Where Are You, Dear Weekend?

It's been a fun week! Which means it's been long days...I am ready to sleep for a million hours. On Monday and Tuesday I met and hung out with the Jayarams and Kapadias...it was a lot of fun! Aunty and uncle are reallllly nice people. Very warm, friendly and jovial. It was nice to Kanchana and Jai and hang out with them a bit :) Today promises to be a long day too. Friday canNOT come soon enough!

I have nothing to complain about though, it's been a good week. Just a long, full one and I now need sleep. That's all :)

Stomp is trouble!

Stomp thinks if he puts on what might pass off as a giant cape, he will be able to fly once he takes off the mountain. Splash being Splash is happily egging him along. Squirt knows unfortunate things await and he can't look. No point telling Stomp though, his mind is made up!

Fish joining in the World Cup Mania! :)

The world cup is approaching soooooon!!! And football frenzy is going to be everywhere!!! In Japan at the Hakkeijima Sea Paradise they set up an aquarium to look like a football stadium with the Blue Tangs (Japan) 'played' against the Flamed Angel Fish (Denmark) with a 'ball' filled with food. :)

I think it's going to be fun to report on world cup fun stuff going on around the world, that I come across :)

Happy 30th Pac Man

Yesterday was Pac Man's 30th birthday. So google has a pac man logo with a playable pac man game!!!!! Gotta love google!

An Evening in Dupont

Yesterday we went to Dupont circle in the evening. Sat by the fountain in the circle for a while people watching, dog watching, playing with the water and generally enjoying a lazy evening. There were kids everywhere!!!! One little girl was off on a stroll and went whereever hear little heart desired, about turned as she wished and her mom had to follow. Another little girl was having the time of her life playing with the water in the fountain. We were sitting and talking and a little boy comes, stands in front of us and says "HI!!!!! Hi. Hi. Hi. Hi." Then, as he walks away he says "yes" when I ask if he is having fun! He was so cute playing with his older sister, all his upper teeth missing!

After, we headed to Penang for a delish dinner and then to Mr Yogato for frozen yogurt. I got the tangy flavour with kiwi and mangoes. I was heavily disappointed. It was nowhere as good as I remember it. I like the froyo at Something Sweet sooooooooo much better.

We then walked back to the circle, hung out again. This time a little girl, a year and a half old, came to the fountain with her mom and got SOOOOOOO excited to see the water, she was SQUEALINGGGG. Then she walked a little away from the water and was delightfully squealing with her back to the fountain, facing the benches. Her dad came. Her squeals probably translated to: Come HEREEEEEEE!!! Lookkkkkkkkkk at thisssssssss waterrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! It is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUNNN!!! COMEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! FASTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!

siiiigh! Kids! :D

Then we headed home, took a stroll at the Cathedral grounds before going in. It's the first time I have explored the grounds in the night. It's just so so beautiful. I definitely want to go back and spend some more time exploring its crevices :)

Roti Canai

I had bought a groupon for Penang back in March. We finally got around to going yesterday. Why I love going to Penang is for their Roti Canai (pronounced: chunn-ai. Why? Because the name comes from the word Chennai) mmmmmmmm! This reminds me a lot of kari, what we Bohris make! yummm yummmm yummmmmm!!!

We later shared a Kari Udang, which was pretty good too. I would recommend it.

The Liar

We went yesterday to watch The Liar.
'twas surprising no pant caught fire.

The actors spoke in verse.
Continuously hilarious but never perverse.

Pierre Corneille wrote the play
where Dorant's stories went astray.

Four fair maidens and four young men.
All entangled in Dorant's fabrication.

At the end they all did find
a person fine to please their mind.

Aha! Mystery Solved!

Old age IS a second childhood!

The senior citizens in London get a playground!!! You know, while I see why they need it and all...I really think they should make one for us young professionals! In these stressful times of cut throat competition, we too need a playground. We need a place where acting like a kid is not judged or scoffed!

Other Google Doodles I liked

Grade K-3: This one just made me sad :(

A Chemist Curing Kidney Cancer

"If I could do anything, I would..." become the scientist that finds the cure for kidney cancer. My little sister, Emma, had kidney cancer, had chemo to make it go away. Since chemo isn't always a cure, her cancer could come back. So I want to find a forever cure.

Name: Kaylie Mcferrin

Age: 8

School: John G Tower Elementary

City, State:Wichita Falls, Texas

Grade 4-6: I think I didn't vote for this one because the word 'google' was just added to the drawing, it didn't blend in. I think the art is incredible!

Save Our Rainforest

The background depicts deforestation and the effects it can have on our land. We will eventually have less oxygen and clean air. We need to unite to protect not just our lives, but the lives of all the rare and beautiful plants and animals that live there.

Name: Raymundo Marquez

Age: 12

School: Nellie Mae Glass Elementary

City, State:Eagle Pass, Texas

Grade 4-6: I love how simple this one is and the colours used. So simply attractive.

Clean Water For All

"If I could do anything, I would..." end world thirst by creating a type of pipe, hose, and pump that connects straight from the ocean to the people. The water will be filtered while going through the pipeline. My Company would provide the pipelines for free.

Name: Michael Hemphill

Age: 9

School: John R. Downes Elementary

City, State: Newark, Delaware

Grade 7-9: Love this one! But a choice had to be made.
Saving World Species

"If I could do anything, I would..." save endangered species. All over the world, innocent animals are becoming less and less common, some even on their way to extinction. Before we know it, some of these incredible animals will be gone forever so something needs to be done about this.

Name: Grace Schonberg

Age: 13

School: Essex Middle School

City, State: Essex Junction, Vermont

Grade 7-9: I love the art work in this one!

The Love Of Art

"If I could do anything, I would..."...enrich the world with an intense passion for art and the everlasting joy it provides. Art embodies the creator's expression, and offers exquisite exuberance towards both the artist and the viewers, also serving to soothe an ailing soul in distress.

Name: Vance Viggiano

Age: 15

SchoolHeritage Home School Academy

City, State: Long Valley, New Jersey

Google Doodle 2010

The kids are so extremely talented. Even the itty bitty ones! The art they come up with is inspiring at the very least! I had the hardest time picking a doodle in the Grade 4-6 division. I ended up picking what I did with a half heart, coz there was definitely at least one more that I wanted to vote for. Oh well...

It is amazing how many of the younger kids out there are worried about the Earth, the environment and the dwindling wildlife. So many of the doodles focussed on making the world a better place environmentally through pollution cuts, sustainability or wildlife conservation. One even talks about inhabiting other planets as they would be less polluted than Earth. The older kids seem to be more consumed with the harsh reality of the real world; sickness, poverty, child illiteracy etcetera. Hopefully, the new generation continues to care enough to be interested in making the world a better place.

At a talk I recently went for at the National Geographic museum by a photographer of wildlife he showed at the end of his presentation photos of his daughter doing various things. The photos showed how she loved her computer, her ipod and everything electronic. He then remarked that we can't wait for the next generation to save the world, they want nothing to do with it! It made for a fun joke and a scary thought. However going by google doodle, it seems that the new generation does care. Hopefully this concern remains in them even after the big bad world corrupts them. I hope their wishes are realised.

These are the ones I voted for:

Grades K-3

Rainforest Habitat
I chose this doodle because the rainforest is in danger and it is not fair to the plants and animals. I love everything except spiders and snakes, but I would still save them.
Name: Makenzie Melton
Age: 9
School: El Dorado Springs R-2 Schools
City, State: El Dorado Springs, Missouri

Grades 4-6

The Milky Way Playground
I always dreamed of going to space. Well I wondered, wouldn't it be great if there was a playground out there? Riding a shooting star, having a hula hoop contest with Saturn, and having a race to Pluto. "If I could do anything..." I would make a playground in space!
Name: Jennifer Ahn
Age: 9
School: Shakerag Elementary School
City, State: Johns Creek, Georgia

Grades 7-9

Free The World Of Pollution
In my doodle, "Free the World of Pollution", I express my love of nature and my interest in protecting our earth's ecosystems. Pollution is disrupting the balance on Earth, and I believe that if everyone finds a way to help, all of nature would rejoice in happiness and harmony.
Name: Julia Proctor
Age: 13
School: Loveland Middle School
City, State: Loveland, Ohio

Grades 10-12

Branch Out
My doodle expresses my desire to understand other views and cultures. I want to branch out to gain a strong sense of the world; not only in one perspective, but many. My wish is to show people my experiences through a pursuit of art/design in my future career.
Name: Bevan Schiffli
Age: 16
School: Highlands School
City, State: Highlands, North Carolina

Toys at Pilates this Morning!

I was alone today at the pilates class. Erin asked me what I wanted to work on. I said, "my legs". It was nice to have a class geared to what I want. What was ALSO fun was that we used many different "toys" today.

Pilates Band (the one I used was blue. I like this colour better) - Used it for the first time today

Mini Exercise Ball - Used it for the first time today

How the Mini Exercise ball can be used - I used it in a million different ways

Magic circle - Used it plenty of times before in Pilates

Exercise Ball - Used it plenty of times before in various classes

Splash wanted to play ball, but the others were sleeping

How to name a volcano?

In connection to this post

Rain Yesterday, Rain Today, Rain Tomorrow

Rain, please go far far away.

First Robot Officiated Wedding

I do not see the point of this. It is a wedding, so how does a robot officiating it make any sense? The robot needs to be controlled by a "hidden puppeteer" because it is a complicated task. Either controlled or acting on its own, it just seems so bizarre. If someone needs to control it remotely, then why can't you just have some person perform the ceremony. And if the robot is acting on its own, what moral values can you hope a machine has to bind two people in holy matrimony??? Bizarre!

Saint Sophia's Greek Festival - Spring 2010

The much awaited Greek festival was this weekend (May 14th to the 16th). My previous posts keep mentioning the festival and here is finally photos and more about the festival. I first found out about the Greek festival here when I was moving into the Chancery in October 2007. I was in a cab and we passed the festival at the grounds of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral. The cabbie told me the food is excellent and he was sure to be there the next night eating. We went the next day to the festival, stood in the hour long queue in wait for gyro and our taste buds were heavily rewarded. The festival typically happens every spring and fall. Every time there has been a Greek festival here since, we have been.

This time, on Friday night we went for the hot buffet and had the pastisio, moussaka, dolmades and chicken liver. The pastisio was the tastiest and I didn't care much for the chicken liver. We strolled around the stalls, I found a stall selling copper earrings that were gorgeous. They were all soooo pretty and in such beautiful colours, picking what I wanted was so hard. We bought softy and then headed home.

We came back on Saturday and I picked up the copper earrings I wanted . It took me forever to decide which ones I wanted. There was an absolutely gorgeous green, but not in the shape I wanted, so regretfully I didn't buy any in that colour. For dinner, Aram joined us, we stood in the long long queue for gyro. We made it in the nick of time, we were probably some of the last people to get their white yogurt sauce before they ran out of it completely. Phew! After dinner, we browsed around a bit, got some softys again and head home.

Sunday, we went back for lunch and this time they had the roasted lamb!!! Score! We had though they wouldn't have it this time. Last time, was the first time they had it, and it was just so divine that we were quite disappointed that it wasn't going to be there this time. But, Sunday saved that disappointment! :) After waiting an hour, again, we got our lamb! :) We had originally thought to go back for dinner, but 3 Greek meals this weekend and we were satisfied. :)

Now for photo time! :)

Grill 1: sold gyro, souvlaki etc

Check out the lines!!! No wonder it took an hour!

Some other stalls selling sweets

Kids sold stuff here - fruits kababs and lemonade (yummm!!!!)

Me with my gyro, one bite in. :)

The Gyro!

The Sunkist! Must be had with every Greek festival gyro to ensure complete happyness

Greek Dancing!
More Greek Dancing!
The Greek live band!
Jewellery
Stalls inside the tent
Sand Art
Coloured Sand
Lights!
Roasting Lambbbbb
The lamb mealllll!!!! :D