Delhi is Delhi Belly:)

I am in Delhi for next 8 days. I really wanted a good break and being my first home town what could be better to visit your home. I am all by myself and I have many plans to travel. I want to visit Golden temple (Amritsar) and couple of places in Delhi to feel that I am a Delhite. I have never been to India Gate and Qutab Minar so I am planning to explore this part of Delhi. Just me and meJ.

6 years in Hyderabad and 6 years in Delhi has made me a complete Indian. I understand both south and north cultures pretty well. From koncham koncham telugu to broken Punjabi, I enjoy myself struggling with both the languages.

Being a virgo, I have always been very impulsive. I have noticed that I take decisions in seconds whether it is to buy a dress or my travel plans. I do not reserve my tickets in advance as I do not know how my health would be in advanceJ. But the day I feel good and my body says “you can travel”, I just book my tickets instantly. There are good and bad sides to this as well. You get expensive tickets and if your state is going through a political challenge like Telangana Bandh then you realize how bad it is to travel without preparations. At the same time the fun to travel at last notice, rushing from one counter to another and surprising your family is a great fun. I never faced packing and unpacking problems as again being a virgo I am very good at itJ.

Two days back when I was blogging, I was very sure that yesterday was a day to shop for Navratri and Dandiya night. No where in my widest dreams, I had plans of flying to Delhi. Last morning as I was cooking, I felt to visit Delhi. The moment my husband woke up, I declared the alarm, I want to travel today. We got the tickets done and now I had to pack. My ticket status was pending so I was asked to come early at the airport to sought the issue. Early here is 4 hours before the departure time J. Now with an hour time left how will one pack and take shower and reach the airport. My prayers started..Babaji please ask them to confirm it before I get the ticket printed. From packing to shower, I was continuously on call with the airline guys. OMG! I have packed my stuff in such a bad way that my bag was falling the other way round as most of the stuff was on that side..I cannot stop laughing. Finally, my ticket was confirmed and I got two hours to repack my stuff. This time bag was not falling on either sides.

We drove to the Aeroexpress points to head to the Airport and this was like a nightmare. Aeroexpress shuttles were not available due to never ending state bandh that has paralysed the state of Hyderabad since 14^th September, 2011. I am thankful as my husband drove the car at 120-140 speed to make it to the airport and finally I boarded the flight on timeJ. But still the journey was not that easy. The moment I landed Delhi, Vodafone deactivated my roaming services as I am switching to Airtel. The fight is between Airtel and Vodafone services. I asked the gentleman next to me to help me to make a call to my father and husband. Got connected and reached home. All were surprised and so was I with so much of food offerings. My answer was like always – I do not eat all that but I do not diet.  Just eat healthy foodJ

Today is my first morning and I am planning my day ahead. I feel so much single for a whileJ. I told the same thing to husband feel single for next 8 daysJ

I will post my daily updates and loads of pics of Delhi on my blog and FB. Until then….

SAYOUNARAJ

Happy Birthday To You!

To My Dear Friend!

Below is a link for you to click. I am wishing you "A Very Happy Birthday In Different Languages"

CLICK THIS LINK

Love you

Have a Rocking Birthday and year ahead!

Cheerio:)

How I Learned To Kick?

I had a day off and tomorrow will be lot of fun. I am cancelling my classes and planning to go for shopping for Navratri. We have Dandiya night coming soon and like last year, I want to wear a nice hot ghagra-choli to impress myself. Then I have my kickboxing class and gym workouts. Friday is my day to practice belly dancing.

So no to swimming for a whileJ

My trainer always motivates me to kick harder as my upper body strength needs to be improved. Last session he asked what drives me to kick and I smiled. He was very strict and throwing the kick pads aside, he said, “You can never learn like this. There is no aggression and focus when you hit the pad or kick it”.

Honestly, I felt bad but he was true. I tried again and still failed.

He said one thing which touched my heart –

“Archana, remember all those kicks that you faced in life by people and then saving yourself kick them back. Kick it harder as hard as you can. Think if you do not kick, you are dead. It is DO or DIE and it should be a strong kick to a man from a man.”

I took off my bracelet and watch, closed my eyes, thought of all the betrayals and sorrows, I have gone through. I thought of all those moments where people had hit me for no reason. All those moments where I was right but still I was punished. All those happy moments that people turned into unhappy memories and I kicked for the first time like a man. For a while my wrist and knee was in pain but it started responding to the techniques as my mind was stronger now. I have realised that all my wounds were coming out in my kicks and I could do 300 kicks with my trainer.

While coming home, I read a very interesting poem of a fighter that is so close to my situation as my fight is with myself, to prove myself to me in life and bravely go ahead with all the courage and strength so that I can face that Archana with proud in the glass. Kickboxing is hard for me but I am not going to give up as the poem below is my inspirationJ

From those delicate hands that used to cook food or rehearse Kathak have become stronger to hit and kick.

I fight a battle every day
Against discouragement and fear;
Some foe stands always in my way,
The path ahead is never clear!
I must forever be on guard
Against the doubts that skulk along;
I get ahead by fighting hard,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong.


I hear the croakings of Despair,
The dark predictions of the weak;
I find myself pursued by Care,
No matter what the end I seek;
My victories are small and few,
It matters not how hard I strive;
Each day the fight begins anew,
But fighting keeps my hopes alive.

My dreams are spoiled by circumstance,
My plans are wrecked by Fate or Luck;
Some hour, perhaps, will bring my chance,
But that great hour has never struck;
My progress has been slow and hard,
I've had to climb and crawl and swim,
Fighting for every stubborn yard,
But I have kept in fighting trim.

I have to fight my doubts away,
And be on guard against my fears;
The feeble croaking of Dismay
Has been familiar through the years;
My dearest plans keep going wrong,
Events combine to thwart my will,
But fighting keeps my spirit strong,

And I am undefeated still!

Live Like This Else There Is No Use Of Living that is what I have learned in LIFE.

Cheerio:)

My Daughter Helped Me!!

I am busy though nothing new but when the day starts and when it ends, I have no clue. Commuting from hospital to my gym for workouts and then my coaching classes, I am hardly left with anytime for myself. I need a break, a long vacation just me and myselfJ. How do we say me, myself, moiJ?

I wonder why are people so much interested in my life? Maybe this is from where the gossip starts in India. I hate this typical trait of Indian women and I am glad work keeps me so busy that I do not have time to gossip. I am going to blog a very nice poem as a part of this post but why only this poem?

In last couple of months, I have closely encountered two questions. People know I have a sponsored daughter and still they are deciding my fate. Even if I would have been blessed with my own child, I would have still sponsored a child. My sponsoring a child has nothing to do with my own child. But still people keep assuming and judging me. Some say something and some conclude something. I am laughing while writing this that I am illustrated as an example for many others to plan a family, strange?

Everyone might not face the same problem or might be going through the same phase in life. Why am I being an example for others to plan an early family does not get into my mind? The funny fact is that people have concluded my whole fate and spread it like a fire. LOLJ. But I am silent and will not react. Every action need not have a reaction. I know the reality and let people live with their assumptionsJ

There were days when I used to feel bad and sit or fight with God but now I am ignorant. I do not care how people judge me neither I will share anything. I love to keep people into mystery and I thoroughly enjoy it. Not only this people are more worried than me as if they care but the fact is they just mock behind my back. Honestly, I laugh on all these acts now BUT I was never this strong.

As I wrote there were times when I was hurt and broken but then few lines of this poem showed me the path. God help those who help themselves. Criticisms pushed me and every time I looked into the mirror I could face myself. I could proudly see my honest eyes and my clear heart that whatever I did was not wrong. This poem as below is a true inspiration for me. Anyone around the world who is fighting for his or her existence just read these few lines. You do not have to prove others what you are, if you can face yourself into the glass with proud and honesty. Be proud of yourself and if you eyes are not confident to face yourself then you are on the wrong track. Here goes the poem. I will hit the sack as tomorrow is a busy day for Archana!

I am happy, I could face that Archana straight into the mirror and my daughter is more valuable to me than God no matter what people say or think!

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass

Pink Ribbon Walk 2011(Hyderabad) - Breast Cancer Awareness!!

The main idea of this post is to share with all the people of lovely Hyderabad that there is a Pink Ribbon Walk on 2^nd October, 2011 at KBR Park (distance – 2kms) , 6:30 am to 7:30 am.

Every person who wants to support Breast Cancer Awareness can be a part of this walk. Women, men indeed breast cancer survivors and their families are encouraged to join in large numbers for the walk. It makes a difference to many if you participate as the idea is to empower women & men about the importance of breast cancer awareness and emphasize the benefits of early detection of breast cancer. For free registration click the link below –

Click for Free Registration for Pink Ribbon Walk 2011

I have already registered and I will make sure to be a part of this event. So please register and make roads to learn about Breast Cancer.

Last year in the month of September, I was diagnosed with Fibrocystic Breast and since then I am on medication. Certain days my condition is too bad and I am under regular medication and monthly examinations. I would advise to all women that do not be as infantile or ignorant as I was. I would not have landed to this problem if someone would have guided me. Regular medical checks are good and advisable once you turn 30+. Rest your doctor will tell what all preventive measures and exercise you should do. Now I know so much that it is good for me to be safe and plan my life accordingly. Women in India are shy to discuss such facts about them. PLEASE DO NOT BE. Read and understand your anatomy for yourself. Sooner the better!

I am posting a link to a good article that I read few months back when I was in too much pain. I do get scared sometimes as it has been a year I am on medication but I trust my doctors. It is not a disease but a condition as Fibrocystic Breast articles emphasise.

Breast Cancer in India

In continuation to my post – Nandri..Nandri, there are few lines that most of us have posted on our FB walls. I am posting it on my blog for my readers.

We all wish to have a new car, new phone, new bike, new house, new dress BUT a person who has cancer only wants one thing to have more birthdays. I know 97% of you won't put this on your wall... but 3% of my friends will. Put this on your wall in memory of someone who died from cancer or in honor of someone who is fighting cancer.... :(........let god make them explore their life...

You can use the above content to post on your FB wall or any other way to share with everyone around in memory of those who died from cancer or in honor of someone who is fighting cancer much above that one who has been survivor after the tough fight against cancer.

Hope to see many of you at Pink Ribbon Walk 2011 – Hyderabad.

Ask for 3 Wishes...They Will Come True!

I had a great day and could feel lot of positive energy around myself. I felt as if I am flying in the airJ

 There was a smile on my face for no reason. Maybe I am happy or maybe there is no pain in the knees. Whenever I am happy I think about my painless knees. Happy knee is a happy Archana!

Leave all this!

Today is a very good day so just lit three lamps in front of Lord Ganesha and ask for any three wishes and it will come true!

Now you will ask who said this?

I do not who said but I just did it!

As such also I follow Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha so just did it as per my belief. But do not share your wishes with anyone. Anything you desire as a wish from honest heart always come true.

Om Gan Ganpatye Namo Namah Shri Sidhivinayak Namo Namah Ashtvinayak Namo Namah Ganpatibappa Morya

NANDRI...NANDRI...

Nandri – I mean Thank you!

It is a Tamil word that my autowala taught me. Today, I am thankful to God for this life and I value it more. SO GOD – NANDRI!!!

I love this language why, God Knows!

Tuesday is my day off and I always get up with a good happy note – yoga and then good food to be cooked for my husband and myself. The day started like that. My very close aunt visited me and gave my birthday gift. Like everyone, I also love gifts and there are few people who give me gifts so they are all the more special for me. It is not the gift but their love that makes me smile.

Out of our conversation, I came to know something about a friend of mine. So as a request to all the readers of this blog please close your eyes and let us pray for all those who are fighting against cancer in this world. Let us pray to God that he must forgive them and take away all their pains. May God give them health and life. Much more than that lot of will power and strength to fight their cancer.

I am ending this day with a very heavy heart and maybe a sad note but again life has to move on. But there is one thing that I want to write. I always tried to make people stay when they were leaving me – trust me mails, apologies, calls and even fighting to get people back in my life. The only answer I always got was – when the right time will come maybe after 8 years or n number of years. Some said what does not happen at 20 might happen at 30.

A small request to all those who think the same. There is no right time. Now is the right time. You need to take a step to cover the distance and definitely how can one be sure that one will live till 30 or 40. God has not sent us with an age warranty. So get this thought out of your mind and this is my last effort for my people to learn!

Rest I have to log off as tomorrow is a very busy day and I have to practice my guided meditation now for an hour.

I leave all of you with a very beautiful song that is close to my heart for many reasons.

http://youtu.be/vEPB800-3AM

It is true that we will never get another life and if yes then also who knows when and how? I read few good lines as below.

“There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."Being alive is a gift, being happy is a choice"

Do not delay and learn from those who are fighting for life and just few more minutes to live it!

God Blesses!

Nandri!

P + D = O. Passion + Desire = Obsession!!

I am so busy that it is really getting difficult to blog. But I got something very interesting that I thought to share.

PAST IS RUST. GIVING UP IS DYING MUCH BEFORE DEATH COMES TO YOU!

I have firmly believed in the above statement and since last one year my life has been around the same. I read a very interesting stuff that we can relate to the above line. Here we go.

"There's a formula within you all to achieve your every objective! P + D = O. Passion + Desire = Obsession! Transform your passions and desires into constructive obsessions! Challenge yourself everyday to stay the path of self-motivation and encourage others to do the same! Never look back and NEVER GIVE UP!!! You can do it! DO IT BIG!!! "

I buried my past last June 2010 to start afresh and there is and will be no looking back for anyone or anybody. The above few lines in ‘red’ made me feel that I am on the right track. I want to make it big just for myself without giving up in life and thinking about past that is like an iron rust now and forever.

So do you think you are living this way, if not then this is the time to start a new beginning!

Buone Notte! (Good Night!)

My Desire to Learn BELLY DANCING...I am ON!

Couple of days back, I posted on my FB wall that I am keen to learn kickboxing and belly dancing. Though I kicked off Kickboxing at my gym but it is really hard to find a teacher for belly dancing. It is a wonderful form of dance where you need lot of concentration to make sure it is just your belly that moves!

It somewhere makes me feel that I should learn it as it is not very hard on your knees and back. So finally, I googled and no results for teachers for this dance form in Hyderabad disappointed me. But as I always say where there is a will there is a way!

I youtubed and selected the best 8 videos for beginners. It was a tough selection as I had to compare each video against the other to pick the more specific and intensive ones. My library was ready and so was I.

I have started practicing the steps for beginners and have learned the following four steps for the day.

1)     Hip Bump Kick or Hip Snap Kick

2)     Figure 8

3)     Hip Drop Kick

4)     Egyptian Walk

I will continue with these four until I expertise and then move to next steps. I am trying to incorporate all four steps as a combination on a good belly dance number.

I always feel if you have a desire to learn something there are no hurdles until you create one by cribbing around what you do not find to accomplish your goal. Like, as the following saying goes by Robin Sharma - Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize.

So, just focus on your goals and you will find the way out. Till you find your way to your goals, I practice to do belly dancing better!

Rocking Weekend!

CheerioJ

Quit...Really?...The Quitter

Quit – Really?

It has been such a tough journey of life and there are instances when we are hit badly and we think of the word ‘quit’. A word that can inspire you to fight or can drag you to your end.

Personally, there have been times when I decided to quit of certain situations and relationships, quit from the factors that lead to a tougher route towards life but then something stopped me. What?

I still do not have an answer for this. But there is a poem that I read to make myself understand what could have been the answer for this question (maybe the last few lines of the poem in bold). I wanted to write my success stories but being loaded with work I need time to blog them. Until then before I sleep, below is the poem.

Like always I will just end with the same note – Never Ever Give Up in LIFE! I preferred going the tougher way and trust me I enjoy it till date:)

CheerioJ

When you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,
And Death looks you bang in the eye,
And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle
To cock your revolver and . . . die.
But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"
And self-dissolution is barred.
In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .
It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard.

"You're sick of the game!" Well, now that's a shame.
You're young and you're brave and you're bright.
"You've had a raw deal!" I know — but don't squeal,
Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.
It's the plugging away that will win you the day,
So don't be a piker, old pard!
Just draw on your grit, it's so easy to quit.
It's the keeping-your chin-up that's hard.

It's easy to cry that you're beaten — and die;
It's easy to crawfish and crawl;
But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight —
Why that's the best game of them all!
And though you come out of each gruelling bout,
All broken and battered and scarred,
Just have one more try — it's dead easy to die,
It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.

Hanuman Chalisa...

I am very tired for the day. The T - bandh in Hyderabad and related factors has made my schedule upside down. I am not able to manage the pressures but then work is a priority for everyone, right?

Before I sleep and take some rest, I close my eyes and chant the following lines of Hanuman Chalisa. Lord Hanuman – God of strength and power. I always feel and share one thing on this blog. God gives us problems and pains as much as we can handle. But when there are times that we are not able to handle just read these lines. Again I am putting the lyrics in English. I have experienced this that when everything fails, God Hanuman will come and help you. For you and for me here it goesJ.

I read a very nice quote by Paulo Coelho – All haters are losers, even when they win! So just love...

shri guru charan saroj raj nij mane mukure sudhaari

varnao raghuvar vimal jasu jo daayaku phal chaari

budhi hin tanu janike sumirau pavan kumaram

bal budhi vidya dehu mohe harahu kalesavikaar

jai hanuman gyan gun saagar

jai kapis tihun lok ujaagar

ram doot atulit bal dhaama

anjani-putra pavan sut naama

mahavir vikram bajrangi

kumati nivaar sumati ke sangi

kanchan varan viraaj subesa

kaanan kundal kunchit kesaa

haath vajra aur dhuvaje viraaje

kandhe moonj janehu saaje

shankar suvan kesri nandan

tej prataap maha jag vandan

vidyavaan guni ati chaatur

raam kaaj karibe ko aatur

prabhu charitra sunibe ko rasiya

raam lakhan sita man basiya

sukshma roop dhari siyahi dikhaava

vikat roop dhari lanka jalaava

bhima roop dhari asur sanghaare

ramachandra ke kaaj sanvaare

laaye sanjivan lakhan jiyaaye

shri raghuvir harashi ur laaye

raghupati kinhi bahut badhaayi

tum mam priye bharat-hi sam bhaai

sahas badan tumharo yash gaave

as kahi shripati kanth lagaave

sankadik brahmadi muneesa

naarad saarad sahit aheesa

yam kuber digpal jahan te

kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te

tum upkaar sugreevahin keenha

ram milaay rajpad deenha

tumharo mantra vibheeshan maana

lankeshwar bhay sub jag jaana

yug sahastra jo jan par bhaanu

leelyo tahi madhur phal jaanu

prabhu mudrika meli mukh maahee

jaladhi langhi gaye achraj naahee

durgaam kaaj jagat ke jete

sugam anugraha tumhre tete

ram dware tum rakhvaare

hoat na agya binu paisare

sub sukh lahai tumhari sarna

tum rakshak kaahu ko darna

aapan tej samhaaro aapai

teenhon lok haank te kanpai

bhoot pisaach nikat nahin aavai

mahaavir jab naam sunavai

naase rog harai sab peera

japat nirantar hanumant beera

sankat se hanuman chudavai

mann karam vachan dyan jo lavai

sab par raam tapasvee raaja

tinke kaaj sakal tum saaja

aur manorath jo koi lavai

sohi amit jeevan phal pavai

charon yug partap tumhaara

hai persidh jagat ujiyaara

saadhu sant ke tum rakhwaare

asur nikandan ram dulhaare

ashta sidhi nav nidhi ke dhaata

us var deen janki maata

raam rasaayan tumhare paasa

sada raho raghupati ke daasa

tumhare bhajan raam ko pavai

janam janam ke dukh bisravai

anth kaal raghuvir pur jayee

jahaan janam hari-bakht kahayee

aur devta chit na dharehi

hanumanth se hi sarve sukh karehi

sankat kate mite sab peera

jo sumirai hanumat balbeera

jai jai jai hanuman gosahin

kripa karahu gurudev ki nyahin

jo sat baar paath kare koyi

chutehi bandhi maha sukh hoyi

jo yah padhe hanuman chalisa

hoye siddhi sakhi gaureesa

tulsidaas sada hari chera

keejai das hrdaye mein dera

                                         

pavantnayi sankat harana mangal murti roopa

ram lakhan sita sahita hrdaye basahu sur bhoopa