My latest lanscape - d' Canada

I always wanted to paint a canvas of a view from CN Tower. But I could not get a clear picture of my desired view on google images. I was searching for a clear view, and came across a landscape in Canada that caught my attention.

Today, it was my last art class of this year. I completed my six months of oil painting course with my teacher with this landscape of a place based in Canada. I took 2 months to make this painting.I call this painting as 'd' Canada'.

I feel so special while I share my painting with art lovers and my readers. The best part is my teacher loved my work, and it is 95% my job in this canvas. Still I have long to go. I just bought a big canvas to start an abstract painting of Buddha for my hall. This will take two months till I resume classes in Feb'2014 for Decoupage!

You can view my painting on my art blog as well. I loved the mountains and the waterfalls. I am so happy to see the final version of my painting.

Cheers!...

Spend a moment .......

I am sharing a wonderful piece of information I read as a part of the book - don't sweat the small stuff. Today, I think of a day....this part of a chapter from the book might be helpful to my readers as it really helped me.  I am sharing the link to the chapter. It is true spend a moment daily to think about any one person you love. Share few moments of peace and respect for that one person.....could be anyone.

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=UUmOLQooTGgC&pg=PA42&lpg=PA42&dq=spend+a+moment+thinking+of+someone+to+love&source=bl&ots=yPVokH2nVg&sig=nMmJAPtgsN8dGfnAiM5ASQINsHs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TOOUUoKtFeW1iAfMhICABA&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=spend%20a%20moment%20thinking%20of%20someone%20to%20love&f=false

Gnite!

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women!!

Today , it is 'International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women'. 

I am short of words, I am not sure what to blog around this day. When I look around me, the ATM incident in Bangaore where a woman was attacked or Aarushi murder case.....I am not sure if any day or a moment could change things for us.

A woman is always tagged for one or the other thing. If she has curves, she is called fat. If she is thin, she is termed as skinny. If she talks to a man, she lacks character. If she is a homemaker, she is assumed to be one bored housewife. If she is working and standing for her rights, she is headstrong. If she trusts people around her out of her innocence, she is assumed to be vulnerable and gullible. If she is doing good, she is accused of some hidden interests. If she is doing bad, she is called a witch.

So I am not sure what to blog to acknowledge this day. Just a message - Respect Us. Neither we deserve any kind of harassment nor we need it!

............................................................*****************......................................................

Updated PoemHunter Profile

I am quite occupied writing my second volume of book of poems around life. I just updated my poet profile of Poemhunter.com 

http://www.poemhunter.com/archana-kapoor-nagpal/

Though my all poems are not available at this link. I want to keep some of my poems just for my book. But some of my favourite and best ones can be read at the above link. Thanks to all the other poets who have left comments for my poems. I am sending my poems for couple of poetry contests as well. I always believe more than winning, one's participation is more significant for any author/poet.

Keep reading. Keep dreaming. Keep Loving!

:)

A Happy Day for Me!!

It was a good start and a happy ending of my day. I got an email about my daughter's scorecards and other updates. I also got see her latest picture, and I was so happy to see my little angel. 

I was so proud to see my daughter in her school uniform. Her baby black eyes and short haircut makes her look so cute! 

She had scored 85% in her exams.

She is going to dance classes and this would be her best gift to me. I am a trained Kathak dancer, and I know 6 different dance forms but I am sure she must be a better dancer than me.

Her charming smile made me cry. In January 2014, I will send a cheque to her NGO that will fund her next three years of expenses. Thanks to God for helping me to do something for my daughter and all the children at Sphoorti.

My daughter plays badminton too. I am happy to see her growing as a determinant child. But my child has to know and learn - 'how to swim'. That is my job to coach my daughter to swim, if things go good in life.

I will have a peaceful sleep tonight. This week was the best week of the year. All good things happened.

I find myself quite stable now!

I think of a quote - 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill

Buona Notte

Updated Amazon Author Profile

I just received an email with my updated Amazon Author Profile. My readers can view all my five books at this link -

www.amazon.com/author/archana.kapoor.nagpal

You can shop for paperback and kindle edition of my books to read or gift your loved ones.

:)

Contest Entry Published as a Book by Silver Tongue Press

In the month of April 2013, I blogged around my contest entry that was awarded second position. The contest was conducted by Silver Tongue Press and here is the link to read my post around the same.

http://doyouthinkyouareliving.blogspot.in/2013/04/second-position-in-contest.html

It is a proud moment as I share the link to the book that is finally published and is available at Amazon. I feel good to see my name as one of the author, and it really means a lot to me. Thanks to all those who read me so far. Thanks to all my people who voted for me. Long way to go, and write more and more!

After 5 books ( 3 as independent author and 2 in association with other international authors), I really feel I am still not there.......I chose an international platform over national platform but still long way to go..............:)

Here is the link to our book - New Love: Anthology of Short Stories

To shop for my fifth book - here is the link - 

http://www.amazon.ca/New-Love-Anthology-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B00FKNKIXQ

For my readers in India, you can buy this book at this link -

http://www.amazon.com/New-Love-Anthology-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B00FKNKIXQ/ref=la_B008N6DT9C_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384798907&sr=1-4

Cheers!

A Wonderful Article; My Chocolate Maltine Series!!

I just completed my all orders of chocolates and I am back to writing, and research around scuba-diving. I have named my recent series as 'Maltine Series'. These are chocolates for birthday parties mainly for kids and have mysterious fillings. I could not think of a better name so I chose 'maltine series'. Here is the link to view my colourful chocolates - 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=199326760252949&set=a.172682826250676.1073741828.144822825703343&type=1&theater

Also, this year our chocolates have reached various places - NY, NJ, Sweden, Chicago, Leh, Mumbai, Delhi and my very own Bangalore. I have put all my earnings as my contribution to PADI. It makes you feel good. But when I started with 'Garden of Chocolates', I had no expectations at all. I took it as a hobby and the feedback made me feel contribute more to it. I re-invested my earnings and made almost 2034 chocolates in this festive season. I launched two series as well - Flurrie and Maltine (for children only).

I was reading an article and I am very fond of this author - Lori Deschene as I find her forte of writing quite similiar to mine or vice -versa. I just bought her book to read as well while I will be on a vacation next to the beach under the sun.............:)

When we expect or worry for the future, we are not confident to handle the uncertainty. We want to live in comfort zones and around our own people. This is not the ideal idea of life. Just believe in yourself and from there starts your journey of finding your path in life. Get out of your zones to do something 'out of the box'. I am sharing the link to one of her article that I really enjoyed reading.

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/worrying-about-the-future-on-trusting-in-uncertainty/

Start this week on a thought - you are never hurt when you take it to your mind. You are only hurt when you take things/instances to your heart. You do not have to make strengthen your thoughts but make your heart very strong to take the uncertainties in life..........

Happy Monday!

Happy Gurupurab 2013!!

Wishing all my readers around the world - A Very Happy Gurupurab. I am sharing two pictures that show the real beauty of full moon in Bangalore.

Have a peaceful night!!

A beautiful Video...........Emotional Technology....

Wow!

This is such a nice video. I really liked this video. There is a dark to virtual world but a better brighter side as well. Today, my 60 years old friend had blessed me for my idea to go and do PADI. Let us see how things go from here as a new chapter just started. 

This link to a video shows the benefits of technology to bring two friends together from different parts of the world. It shows that technology can be emotional driven. I got this link on my FB wall and I was so happy to see this video. A link for my all friends and readers. Look at the brighter side of events that happen in your life. There is a message in some of them whereas a learning through many of the events.

I know my arthritis blog is yet not available to be seen. Wait and watch!

Happy weekend until then see the video and smile:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGDN9-oFJE

Cheers!

Read 'thor' as 'ROT'....:)

I was reading about the latest Hollywood flick - Thor and each time I read it as 'ROT'. I could see it as 'Thor' but still read it as 'ROT'. It is my anniversary and I am happy. But somewhere this misreading 'Thor' as 'ROT' disturbed me a lot. I almost cried. I lit a lamp in my home temple and asked 'God' - will I rot and die. I know degenerative joint condition is like slow rotting of human body but when I think the word 'ROT', I find myself in pain. I wiped out my tears. I changed my ring tone to 'Exotica', deleted my painting of Leonid Afremov's repoduction, I deleted the birthday poem files and ..all my meaningless shayari for my friends around me in real and virtual lives. I told myself - you have to decide you want to die with pride or rot like an apple.

I tried to divert my attention by being on Facebook...attending calls but I am bad at pretending or acting. My friend came to my home, we gossiped but the word 'rot' kept me bothering. I called mom, starting chatting as I just wanted to be peaceful without bothering my mind. I have an order of two chocolate boxes to be done. I missed my workouts as I want to relax for a day and then hit the gym.....I changed my profile pic to my wedding pic......:)

Finally, I will sleep for a while after eating an anti-depressant. I will wear a nice dress tonight with lot of makeup. I have to be fine for many people who have some expectations from me. 

The best way to get out of pain is to disconnect from your own emotions. World needs to be seen with a different perspective. It is my anniversary and I want to enjoy it with a big smile. I make everyone feel special in their lives. I should also follow it for myself.................I do not want arthritis patients to get a negative image of their condition. We might rot but we will try to survive!

Cheers!

The Sun vs The Moon......Creation of God!

Last night was quite difficult. It is believed that when you do good to people it comes back to you....lol:)

I took my friend to a doctor, fed her with dinner, made her sleep at my place, and to be honest, I was quite unwell myself. 

But the way my day ended, the words I read that pinned in my heart, the tears that did not make me sleep till midnight, I asked God within my heart - where did I go wrong?

Like always there was no answer.

I could see my swollen eyes in the morning as I woke up at 6 am. I thought to go for a walk and I did not like myself in the mirror. My eye lids were red and swollen. I sighed, wore my shoes and left my home for my morning walk. For the last couple of years, moon has fascinated me but today's morning sun just took all my attention. The beauty of the sun and the undying warmth not only relaxed my tired eyes but also showed a way to my broken soul.

I sat under the sun and kept thinking ......thinking.......thinking...............

I got my answer in the heat of the sun. What the calmness of moon could not give me last night, the heat of the sun sprinkled on my swollen eyes. It told me the fact of life - moon cannot shine if there is no sun. The beauty of the moon is only because of the warmth of the sun. Similiarly, life is meaningless, if we are not warm to people. Irrespective of the calmness of the moon, the sun does not stop giving the warmth to the moon.

God has created nature very smartly. When we do not find answers around us, God gives us all the answers through his creation - The Nature. I walked and walked........................

A new chapter or another dream to be seen. What left or happened was for good. As God knows how to balance our lives - no regrets, no memories (good or bad), no wishes, no curses (never for anyone), no more tears....................just moving on.............

Keep doing good as at the end it is between YOU and GOD! Your good gestures are always noticed.

Thanks GOD!

11...12....13...Are you too lucky?

I am almost done with my tickets for my vacation. Yes, my homework for PADI is almost complete. It is funny as I have to carry a heavy cylinder on my back. This is a major concern but what is the fun if there is no risk involved.

No life without taking risks. I have to wind up my writing project before I start with my self-training from next month. I have completed the challenge of 6 kms walk and 21 sun salutation. I have lost 2 more kgs as I have to be fit before I go for my vacation.

I was reading Paulo Coelho's blog; I am a sincere follower of his blog. I enjoy reading his posts and they give me so much of positive energy. I have learnt to control my anger and hide things for good. There comes a saturation point in one's life when you understand things better, and you learn to live with them. Anyways, life goes on for all of us. All that matters is our strength and will power to live it - with courage and pride.

I have to get back to my writing now. Thanks to all those who read me so far. Today is 11/12/2013 (mm/dd/yyyy)...it is assumed to be a lucky day atleast for me!! What is the definition of being lucky? Is it true that numbers or days will decide that for us? Think about it..................:)

Cheers!

Video - Gregoire Courtine: The Paralyzed Rat That Walked...

I have started reading about diving. I am making my notes like a college student. I think it can be termed as educating myself about my last wish - to be a certified PADI. I have touched the 'Bay of Bengal' stretch of India but I am more impressed by Arabian Sea stretch of India. I always opted for exploring more around Arabian stretch than Bay of Bengal. But now after my intial data collection, I want to explore towards Indian Ocean maybe west or southwest coast of Srilanka. I studied the entire map of Srilanka to understand how I can place my idea to a practical experience.

Yes, not to forget it is important to understand my medical condition as for diving my back and knee needs to be strong. I have strong legs as I swim for 2500 m daily but diving is a different activity than swimming. So, I am reading and trying to understand my condition, and my efforts before I plan to dive. I am strict with my workouts, my diet and my regime. 

But when I was reading about diving, I came across a video. It is an informative video but beyond the information it inspires me. When right information and appropiate actions are combined together, we definitely achieve things we dream or desire in life. A video for my readers and people who believe in trying till they achieve. Someone's experiment to help spinal cord injury patients.......

http://www.ted.com/talks/gregoire_courtine_the_paralyzed_rat_that_walked.html

Keep dreaming!!

FB Affair Ends!!!

I just started editing the first five poems for my fourth book. It feels good when you can write to get out of the same stressful life. I read poems written by my author friend Alan and feel so de-stressed. A 14 years old girl committed suicide after she was cheated by a 21 years old man who made her fall in love and whatever.........why people get to FB for all this. I still believe there is a dark side of virtual world and one should known where to draw the line.

Writing is like meditation for me. It makes me get out of pain and feel good about life. Life is around social networking sites or these touch gadgets - android phones and endless apps to make our lives easy and more prone to problems. Fall in love virtually, get cheated and feel depressed to commit suicide. Please it is a note to all such children who are using FB or many such social networking sites - do not get trapped. Believe in what you see and till you are not mature to judge the virtual world, better stay away from it. I had a busy childhood too much troublesome but I am glad it was not technologically driven. We had no mobiles, computers et al to misguide us. It all depends how we make use of our creation or innovation. 

Coin has two sides. Every innovation has many sides to its creation. Look and make use of the brighter side. At the age of 14, one should be more devoted to study rather than dating a guy that too online. Be sensible to make a difference between the real world and the virtual world.

Cheers:)

Article Published in Friday Gurgaon. Also Nominated!

Happy Diwali to my all readers. My poem - Facebook on God is published in Friday Gurgaon latest edition. And the good news is that it is also nominated by Kathy for one of the Talent Challenge Contest. 

To read my poem on FG portal, click the below link -

http://www.fridaygurgaon.com/news/4103-The-Face-of-God.html

And please vote for my nomination at this link:

http://www.tallenge.com/vote/vote0.aspx?vid=c4288456-44ef-48ff-9622-a9b8d47fc3fc

Keep voting for my entry and this poem is one of my favourite one. It will be part of my second volume of - 'The Fragrance of a Beautiful Life'.

Cheers:)