dreams & imaginations

Liverpool 3 Man U 1

2011-03-06T20:36:00.003+05:00

reds goal: The Liverpool manager knows something about special number sevens, and he's got a little gem on his hands here. Dirk Kuyt gets the goal, but it's all about Luis Suarez, who has the best pair of feet English football has seen for a very long time. He dribbles past three United defenders from an almost impossibly tight position on the left inside the box, leaving Rafael, Michael Carrick and Wes Brown trailing in his wake before slipping the ball through Edwin van der Sar's legs for Kuyt to prod in from a yard. Anfield erupts.

1404: GOAL Liverpool 1-0 Man United (Kuyt)

1416: Told you (see 1401). It kicks off after Jamie Carragher fouls Nani and it's a nasty little tackle. Steven Gerrard gets involved and then Nani falls to the floor theatrically. Then everyone gets involved. Carragher is rightly booked and Edwin van der Sar is cautioned having run 70 yards out of his goal to get stuck in. Pathetic, all of them.

1419: They really are pathetic, all of them. Rafael goes in hard and late on Martin Skrtel and he is booked and then it's yet another free-for-all, Rafael getting booked and Skrtel picking up a yellow for his - perhaps understandably - furious reaction. What is wrong with these people? Javier Hernandez is on for Nani.

Reds goal: Ready the hairdryer - Nani is going to get a blasting. Luis Suarez is outside the box on the right and his cross looks harmless enough, until Nani inexplicably heads back towards his own goal, the ball looping over Michael Carrick and falling perfectly for a gleeful Dirk Kuyt to nod past Edwin van der Sar from six yards. Oh my word.

1409: GOAL Liverpool 2-0 Man United (Kuyt)

Reds goal: Madness. It's sheer madness. Liverpool win a free-kick for Wes Brown's clumsy tackle on Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez's low shot is fumbled by Edwin van der Sar, with poacher-in-chief Kuyt getting in like a flash to convert from about a yard. He's bagged a treble, the Dutchman - and they've been gifted too him, all of them.

1457: GOAL Liverpool 3-0 Man United (Kuyt, hat-trick)

1506: Seconds after coming on, Andy Carroll heads a cross goalwards, but it's an easy save for Edwin van der Sar. Knows how to make an entrance, that boy.

1514: They are almost queuing up for a goal, the Liverpool players. Maxi mis-kicks from a cross from the right and United get it clear. The United team must wish it was full-time already. About eight minutes of normal time left.

1526: Full-time Liverpool 3-1 Man United
How many people predicted that? Great finish to the game, sporting handshakes all round from the coaching staff and a warm embrace between Dutchmen Edwin van der Sar and hat-trick hero Dirk Kuyt.

yippie.... what a result what a game !!

Hey Torres... wish you were around

sports day @ Mirambika

2010-12-06T14:51:00.004+05:00

Badminton finals

A test of fire

watching the action

Plumbeous redstart

2010-11-07T13:52:00.000+05:00

My sketch of a Plumbeous redstart........

Images of my school: Mirambika...

2010-11-01T14:26:00.002+05:00

And can anyone guess

why no one is inside the school ??

Bird list @ Fraser's hill

2010-10-20T04:53:00.005+05:00

1.Oriental Honey Buzzard

2.Blyths Hawk eagle

3.Brown Wood Owl

3.Black Eagle

4.Changeable Hawk Eagle

5.Crested Serpent Eagle

6.Large Hawk Cuckoo

7.Mountain Imperial Pigeon

8.Little Cuckoo Dove

9.Green Billed Malkoha

10.Raffles Malkoha

11.Large Niltava

12.Great Hornbill

13.Wreathed Hornbill

14.Fire Tufted Barbet

15.Black Browed Barbet

16.Red Crowned Barbet

17.Brown Barbet

18.Greated Yellow Nape

19.Lesser Yellow Nape

20.Crimson Winged Woodpecker

21.Bay Woodpecker

22.Malaysian Cuckoo Shrike

23.Brown Shrike

24.Grey Chinned Minivet

25.Orange Bellied Leafbird (M & F)

26.Black Crested Bulbul

27.Mountain Bulbul

28.Yellow Vented Bulbul

29.Ochraceous Bulbul

30.Ashy Bulbul

31.Bronze Drongo

32.Lesser Racquet Tail

33.Greater Racquet Tail

34.Black & Crimson Oriole

35.Green Magpie

36.Magpie Robin

37.Blue Nuthatch

38.Streaked Wren Babbler

39.Golden Babbler

40.Grey Throated Babbler

41.Buff Breasted Babbler

42.Black Laughing Thrush

43.Chestnut Capped Laughing Thrush

44.Chestnut Crowned Laughing Thrush

45.Silver Eared Mesia

46.Blue Winged Minla

47.Mountain Fulvetta

48.Long Tailed Sibia

49.Chestnut Crowned Warbler

50.Artic Warbler

51.Mountain Tailor bird

52.Dark Necked Tailorbird

53.Grey Headed Canary Flycatcher

54.Asian Brown Flycatcher

55.Verditer Flycatcher

56.Little Pied Flycatcher

57.White Throated Fantail

58.Grey Wagtail

59.Black Throated Sunbird

60.Streaked Spider Hunter

61.Buff Bellied Flower pecker

62.Everett's White Eye

63.Sultan Tit

64.Red headed Trogon

65.White Rumped Munia

66.Asian Fairy Blue Bird

67.House Swift

68.Large Billed Crow

69. Speckled piculet

70.Rufous bellied eagle

71.Black-eared babbler

72.White browed fantail

diaries from malaysia

2010-10-14T17:01:00.016+05:00

On the 10th of October, i left for Malaysia. I was really excited and i just couldn't wait. When we landed at Kuala Lumpur, we took a bus from the airport (which is 1 hour away from the city) to KL Central.

At KL Central, suja massi picked us up, It was about 11:30 in the the night when we got to her place.

The next morning,we went to the KL CC, the mall between the two Petrona's towers. The mall was great but the Petrona's towers were even better.

Anyway, after seeing the towers we went and had lunch at the mall. I had a Malaysian satay (which was absolutely awesome). After a great lunch we roamed around the mall a bit and then went home.

In the evening,we went to Chinatown. Where there was the most hustling bustling and colourful market i have ever seen. Every body was just screaming prices at you.It was lots of fun.

After loads of bargaining, buying and walking around, we went to to this place called Neroteka for dinner.

In the next few days we went to many places in Kuala Lumpur.We went to this mall called the 'mega mall', and it was HUGE......it even had north, south, east and west courts. That was where I had this dish called 'murtabak', which is a kind of a pancake with eggs and meat...it was really good.

We went to this Chinese restaurant where they have really good crabs, and it seriously lived up to its expectation. They were awesome....and the best part, of course, was breaking the crab open (with a hammer)

After 3 most enjoyable days in kuala Lumpur, we left for Fraser's hill.

Fraser's hill is one of the birding hot spots in Malaysia , and is only a 2 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. As we reached the gap and went on up to Fraser's hill the landscape changed completely, i had never seen anything like it.The forest was just so thick, all you could see was greenery.

When we reached Fraser's hill we met Mr.Durai.....who was a birder himself and was going to guide us in Fraser's hill. He seriously was as good as everybody said he was and he had a really great passion for birds too.

Anyway, so after we met him we went to our apartment and then went straight off to do a bit of bird watching. Our first sighting was of the Mountain bulbul......which waited for us to watch it for as much time as we liked. We had a brief sighting of the long tailed sibia and then as we were leaving that area a Black eagle cruised over us.

On our way to an area around a waterfall,there was a whole flock of birds which contained huge variety of different species were moving around in the trees.We saw Golden babblers, Blue nuthatches, Chestnut capped laughing thrush's, Mountain fulvettas, an Arctic warblers and to top it all a Speckled piculet. it was reall wave of birds but all the birds drifted away slowly.

As we went down to the waterfall path we saw a few more birds like the Green billed malkoha and the Black throated sunbird. As we were coming back we had the most wonderful experience.....a family of Black gibbons crossed over in the trees right above us.

After this we went to another area called the telecom loop. I don't know what was with Suja massi and the birds here but they had certainly taken a liking for her. In the first stop we had taken here..me, Mr.Durai and my mom had walked forward..we heard a suja massi calling us from the back and just as we arrived just in time to see the huge Blyth's hawk eagle take off from the tree.

We went ahead we found a flock of Blue Winged minlas and Moutain fulvettas.......as i was taking pictures of them suddenly through my viewfinder i saw a flash of black and yellow....i looked and i couldn't believe my eyes.It was a lifer as I saw the Sultan tit sitting majestically only a few feet away from me.

There was a great birdwave at the time and we saw the Orange-bellied leafbird and the Malaysian cuckoo shrike...and also a few others like the Black eared babbler and the Grey throated babbler. We even caught a glimpse of another lifer..the Brown wood owl.

As we went further ahead we reached a spot where the whole valley opens up in front of you.we sat there for two minutes and suddenly we saw this huge Hornbill flying towards us...a Wreathed hornbill.It was a truly magnificent sight..but it got even better soon later on the other side of the valley were a pair of great hornbills....I dont know how Mr.Durai spotted them but he did and they were absolutely amazing.

Later i got my first sight of the Silver eared mesia...an absolute marvel

I also got first glimpses of the Green magpie, the Greater yellow naped woodpecker...and the Black and Crimson oriole.

After this we called it a day....and went back to the apartment and had a good nights sleep.................... .

The next morning we met Mr Durai at 8:00 in the morning and we went birding to the new gap road....... .

We saw the Oochraeceous bulbul....at first and then came a big surprise..the raffles malkoha which was a pleasure watching jumping around in the trees.while watching this there was two families of gibbons trying to fend off each other and the whole valley was ringing with their calls which were surprisingly loud.

As we went on we saw quite a few raptors flying up in the sky, six different ones actually...the Crested serpent eagle, Honey buzzard, Black eagle, Changeable hawk-eagle, Blyth's hawk eagle and the Rufous bellied hawk eagle.

Talking about the sky, we saw a pair of Wreathed hornbills fly over us 3 times. We also the Brown barbet, Chestnut crowned warbler and the Black crested bulbul. We also go to see the Asian brown and the Canary flycatchers.

After this we went and had lunch at a chinese restaurant.

Then we went to a trail where we saw two more lifers the Large niltava and the Streaked wren babbler. The Large Niltava female gave us a really amazing display of it's elegance.It was bird my mom really wanted to see.The Streaked wren babbler was a bird that moved so amazingly fast on the ground and it was really tough to see but we managed to see it really well. After that we went to the telecom loop but surprisingly it was very quiet so Mr.Durai said we should try out the waterfall road and that was where we saw this beauty: the Crimson Winged Woodpecker.

We also got to see the Sultan tit and the Blue nuthatch again, and then another amazing woodpecker appeared..the Bay woodpecker, it was far but through the binoculars we got to see them very well.

It was getting dark by then so we left for dinner and went back to the apartment. The next morning was our final morning at frasers,so we did our last bit of birding with Mr. Durai.The day started off with a Streaked spiderhunter....which was one of the bird i really enjoyed watching...

One thing my mom really wanted to see was the male large niltava which is a brilliant indigo.

Mr.Durai promised my mother that tomorrow morning we would see Mr.Niltava. As the morning went on we saw had a glimpse of the Black eagle and then the White rumped munia but then................we saw THE lifer and one of the birds i really really wanted to see......

The Read Headed Trogon.... .

We then went ahead towards where we had seen the niltava female on the earlier day....just outside that trail there was another huge flock of birds.....the Greater yellow naped woodpecker, Long tailed sibias, Chestnut capped laughing thrushs and then we had the most amazing view of the Green Magpie.

We had to leave soon and so we went on to the trail which was the last bit of birding at fraser's hill and a last effort to see the male niltava.This was birding you know, sometimes you see what you want to see and sometimes you dont.....and the same thought was running in my mind as we walked into the trail. A second later all the thought was abolished because Mr.Durai said "mona (my mother) mona see there's your boyfriend"...and would you believe it...10 feet in front of us was Mr.Niltava, sitting there as if he was waiting for us.

While watching the Niltava, the Streaked wren babbler gave us another beautiful sighting and this time it was only a foot away from me. A Buff-breasted babbler also gave us a glimpse.

It was an awesome end to an awesome birding trip, and sadly we had to thank Mr.Durai and leave Fraser's hill.

When we reached Kuala Lumpur, we went straight home and lazed around for the rest of the dayand in the evening me and my mom went for a swim in the pool but otherwise we didn't do anything.

It was our last day in Kuala Lumpur,the whole morning we were just relaxing but later in the afternoon, we went to this food market. For dinner,Suja mass's friend had come over and Bose taught me how to make molten chocolate (which was AWESOME).

The next morning,sadly, we had to leave for the airport godbye's & thanx to Suja maasi & Bose for a memorable trip and we arrived back in delhi by around 8:00....

and now back to school......... Sigh !

sketches series.......17.Black Chinned Humming bird

2010-09-24T22:00:00.003+05:00

Taare Zameen Par

2010-09-14T21:50:00.001+05:00

sketches series......16. Leopard

2010-08-26T13:29:00.001+05:00

My earlier sketch of a leopard is here

& this is my second one........

Onam 2010

2010-08-23T19:27:00.000+05:00

Happy Onam to all,

to mark the annual visit of King Mahabali & the rain, we had a small feast at home.......

Untill next year !!

sketches series.......15. Golden Plover

2010-08-20T21:49:00.005+05:00

sharing a sketch i made of the Golden Plover recently.....

sketches series...... 14. Football fever is back & this year it will be Arsenal

2010-08-15T13:35:00.003+05:00

With the rains pouring & the Simla Youngs ground flooded most of the time, not much football is happening, also been down with a viral.

But to mark the return of good soccer on T.V with EPL & the Spanish Liga.......

a sketch from me for Barca & Arsenal....

sketches series......13. Heron fishing

2010-08-10T17:27:00.001+05:00

Sharing a sketch which i made sometime back...... of an Heron fishing

MBK vs Shikshantar

2010-07-30T20:50:00.008+05:00

Even though we practiced hard for about 2 weeks

& we had a great team spirit going

i was kind of nervous in the morning

also those guys looked tall & big...

finally its 8.30 am

the whistle is blown.. & the match starts

before we could blink

our lynch pin in attack, Karan strikes

then again & again it just rained goals

after a while it didn't matter what the scoreline was

Shikshantar was pulverised

final score 13 -2 ....

or something like that

They seem relieved to leave the field.....

sorry guys,

we were just too good today

A big thankyou to everyone........

2010-07-26T11:30:00.004+05:00

for all the phone calls,

for all the good wishes in face book & through mail

for maasi for the cakes & lasagne

for all the gifts

& for all who came & had a mad time.......

sketches series.....12. Eagle

2010-07-25T15:09:00.004+05:00

Very difficult to take a good snap of something which is framed,

because of the reflection & light issues,

anyway a side angled shot of a sketch of an Eagle i had made sometime back !!

I am almost Catalan

2010-07-12T23:50:00.006+05:00

A Cesc Fabregas pass

for Andres Iniesta

a moment worth waiting for

When Spain lost in the opening match against Switzerland all my friends laughed at me.

now they want a treat.

Common Iora

2010-06-24T11:35:00.004+05:00

My first sighting of an Common Iora.

While walking along my farm, i saw this dash of Yellow & Black in the Karvanda shrubs.

Its a male & may be in breeding plumage

I also saw pair of Short Toed Snake Eagles glide past, then a huge owl (i could not identify) which flew past us while driving back in the evening.

More news from the farm in October.......

SPAIN......my favourite for this years world cup !!!!!

2010-06-23T12:43:00.007+05:00

I am an ardent fan of Spanish football team & i support Spain for this years World cup and I'm sure Spain is going to win it!!

But i hope at no time till the finals will there be a clash between Spain & Brazil !! That will be heart wrenching.

I had supported Spain during the Euro 2008 also when no one gave them a chance. Friends & cousins laughed at me & i had the last laugh !!

Fernando Torres & David Villa have been my favourites for a long time.

Actually, infact i like the whole team & just love the way they play, especially their deft triangular passing, the attacking defenders who are always spotted in the rival penalty area, creative midfielders who can keep possession for hours & awesome, clinical finishers...... the goals of David VIlla the other day were just too good, so was Xavi, Navas & Ramos.....

Surely by the next match Torres, Iniesta & Fabregas will get into top flight....

Watch out....... for the Spanish matadors

Viva la Espana !!

No. Pos. Player DoB (Age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Iker Casillas (captain) 20 May 1981 (age 29) 106 0 Real Madrid
12 GK Víctor Valdés 14 January 1982 (age 28) 1 0 Barcelona
23 GK Pepe Reina 31 August 1982 (age 27) 20 0 Liverpool
2 DF Raúl Albiol 4 September 1985 (age 24) 23 0 Real Madrid
3 DF Gerard Piqué 2 February 1987 (age 23) 18 4 Barcelona
4 DF Carlos Marchena 31 July 1979 (age 30) 59 2 Valencia
5 DF Carles Puyol 13 April 1978 (age 32) 85 2 Barcelona
11 DF Joan Capdevila 3 February 1978 (age 32) 47 4 Villarreal
15 DF Sergio Ramos 30 March 1986 (age 24) 62 5 Real Madrid
17 DF Álvaro Arbeloa 17 January 1983 (age 27) 16 0 Real Madrid
6 MF Andrés Iniesta 11 May 1984 (age 26) 44 6 Barcelona
8 MF Xavi Hernández 25 January 1980 (age 30) 89 8 Barcelona
10 MF Cesc Fàbregas 10 May 1987 (age 23) 51 6 Arsenal
13 MF Juan Manuel Mata 28 April 1988 (age 22) 9 3 Valencia
14 MF Xabi Alonso 25 November 1981 (age 28) 71 9 Real Madrid
16 MF Sergio Busquets 16 July 1988 (age 21) 15 0 Barcelona
20 MF Javi Martínez 2 September 1988 (age 21) 2 0 Athletic Bilbao
21 MF David Silva 8 January 1986 (age 24) 37 7 Valencia
22 MF Jesús Navas November 21, 1985 (age 24) 8 1 Sevilla
7 FW David Villa 3 December 1981 (age 28) 60 40 Barcelona
9 FW Fernando Torres 20 March 1984 (age 26) 75 24 Liverpool
18 FW Pedro Rodríguez 28 July 1987 (age 22) 4 1 Barcelona
19 FW Fernando Llorente 26 February 1985 (age 25) 7 3 Athletic Bilbao

My longest road journey & the end of summer holidays

2010-06-18T20:04:00.002+05:00

Within a couple of days of reaching back from Camp Himalayan, we were off to the longest road journey i've taken till now.

4.30 am...... New Delhi to Udaipur. We reach Udaipur at 3.30 pm. Swim in the pool & chill & night stay in Udaipur

next day.....

Leave Udaipur at 9am for Ahmedabad.

Break for lunch for a sumptuous guju thaali & meeting vinay kaka& charul maasi.

Leave Ahmedabad at 5 pm

Destination for night stay is in my old house in Dahanu.

We reach at 1 am

We crash to sleep.

2nd day

Wake up in the morning, a ride on our 'ole scooter, check out the stuff at the good 'ole Agni Bakery, meet my 'ole friend Pehzaan & a quick hello to Brian Kaka & Farida aunty......

10 am Dahanu to Bombay.....we reach for lunch in Bombay, which is our destination.

A total of almost 2,500 kms on road, & in a space of 5 days we weaved through Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat & Maharashtra & surprisingly it was not stressful at all. ( Yes, except for the Traffic cops at Ahmedabad city who kept extorting bribes out of us like a mafia gang)

I spend the rest of of my summer holidays with my cousins in Bombay. Watched movies, football matches, played, laughed, cried, fought, enjoyed, had kulfis, ice creams, pav bhaaji, bhel puri's, paani puri's, doughnuts, enjoyed the company of my aunts & uncles & my maternal grand mother, i saw & received the first rains, visited my farm near Pune .........

& now i am back to the grind.

Time & days seemed to have moved fast......

Lots of school work to complete before it re opens on the 28th.

Wish me luck........

Back from Camp Himalayan...... wth stories of the Brown Dipper & the Crested Bunting

2010-06-03T13:48:00.000+05:00

Three of us took our trip up to the Shoja valley by bus, after an overnight journey, a jeep was waiting to take us to the Camp Himalayan.

We had a great time playing with the ever green Badshah & getting thrown into the ice cold waters of Thirtan river....

One day morning we were just fooling around the river, when suddenly i spotted the Brown Dipper....... a lifer for me

Had good sightings of Verditer flycatchers

Here are some of the other birds we saw like the Himalayan Griffon, actually up close eating a carcass, the Streaked whistling Thrush, Rock Buntings, Rufous Naped Tit, Himalayan Treepies, Blue whistling Thrush among others.

The Green backed Tits looked stunning in their colours

The snow peaked mountains were sometimes visible on a clear day, though there was torrential rains also.

Finally it was time to leave & bid good bye..... Due to many reasons we did not do much trekking this time, once we went up to Jalori pass, luckily we came back in the night, it hail stormed heavily in the night. But yet again a great stay & a lovely time at Camp Himalayan

As we started our long drive back

yet another lifer for me a Crested Bunting was sitting on the wires....... yippie

adios,

will be back again !!

off to Camp Himalayan yet again...........

2010-05-22T11:11:00.000+05:00

Welcoming the holidays

escaping from the sweltering heat

welcoming my cousin brothers

three of us

just three of us

are off......

yet again

to Camp Himalayan

this will be my third visit in as many years

looking forward to the treks up Jalori pass, to see the Himalayan griffons up close & up into the Great Himalayan National Park, to all the exciting river crossings & for the general peace & quiet which the mountains offer.

Will i get to see the Western Tragopan, or the Snow Leopard.........

Even otherwise 'am sure once again my visit to Camp Himalayan will be memorable !!

See you guys on the other side.....

Dwight Yorke visits my soccer coaching at Simla Youngs

2010-05-05T20:48:00.005+05:00

Dwight Eversley Yorke (born 3 November 1971 in Canaan, Tobago) is a Trinidad and Tobago former football player.

He played for Aston Villa for most of his career, followed by stints with Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City, Sydney FC and Sunderland.

He was the assistant manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team ...until the completion of the qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Along with compatriot Russell Latapy and Pat Jennings, the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper, Dwight Yorke holds the record number of participations in different World Cup competitions, including qualifying stages - six in total (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010).

Dwight Yorke was nicknamed The Smiling Assassin because of his goal scoring abilities and his constant smile.

Mr Yorke visited simla youngs training centre on 19th April 2010.

Thank you, Dwight Yorke

Do come again

sketches series......11.Zitting Cisticola

2010-05-03T22:35:00.003+05:00

A sketch i made of the Zitting Cisticola ( Streaked Fantail Warbler)...... in a ballet pose !!

Birding In Basai........ & dancing with the Flamingos

2010-04-12T16:47:00.014+05:00

Thousands & thousands of waders .........

But my morning started with my first sighting of an Ashy Crowned Sparrow Lark !

Here's a quick look of the graceful Flamingos

Well, its been a a long time since we had been out birding with the Delhi Birder's, finally we decided to go & what a treat it was !!

Thousands & thousands of waders, Ruffs, Black Tailed Godwits, Black Winged Stilts, Flamingos, Pied Avocets, Black headed & Glossy Ibis's, Sandpipers, Yellow Wattled Lapwings among many others...... Here are some snaps.

Pied Avocets, with the reflection of the Flamingos !

Black Tailed Godwit

Flamingos

Flamingos, Avocets & Godwits

Though i missed seeing another lifer : Indian Courser, thanx to an distraction by a Kestrel & an Spotted Owlet :((

But still a wonderful morning of birding !!

sketches series.....10. Elegant Trogan

2010-04-10T11:18:00.004+05:00

This is a sketch i made of an Elegant Trogan

Since i was going to Bombay

I decided to gift this sketch to Ujju mama,

so we got it framed

so this is how it looked after framing

Short Toed Snake Eagle on canvas

2010-04-07T09:38:00.002+05:00

This painting of a Short Toed Snake Eagle took a long time to complete, it was difficult to get the eyes right..........

also in between i enjoyed doing a lot of sketches !!

Walk like an Egyptian........ & a Thanx giving day

2010-03-28T13:45:00.002+05:00

Every person is unique

You may never be a king

But no matter how far

Just reach for your star,

Dreams have ways of coming true

You may be astonished at the things you can do

Whatever others say

may you make it

come true someday......

Another year has chugged past

At this years annual day, with immense help from Kirti didi we performed a play "Walk like an Egyptian". We rehearsed the play for a week, it was fun........

Now we have a weeks break........ i get a chance to go to Bombay to be with my folks.

Till then.....

adios !!

Lets celebrate World House Sparrow Day............

2010-03-20T23:25:00.003+05:00

Today's World House Sparrow Day and therefore let's celebrate and spare a thought for this tiny bird amidst us which has enlivened our surroundings for millenia.

Whisper of the Wings series.......10. Common Tailorbird

2010-03-19T18:33:00.006+05:00

Wiki says The Common Tailorbird (Orthotomus sutorius) is a songbird found across tropical Asia. Popular for its nest made of leaves "sewn" together and immortalized by Rudyard Kipling in his Jungle Book, it is a common resident in urban gardens...........

This one actually was not bothered by my presence close by.

I also love to watch its tail, i feel the tail is doing the talking !!

Getting interested in Geology

2010-03-18T16:38:00.005+05:00

Just like how Manish bhaiyya got me interested in birds & Ornithology, my cousin sister has been slowly introducing me to the nuances of Geology.

Last time when she was here, we trekked up to the Great Himalayan National Park, she had patiently got me hooked; explaining to me the various rocks & stones etc. When ever meet up we have lots to share. In my mind i think after schooling i will do Geology

Here is a poem she send me ( Sorry, author unknown )

Geology

Its the study of rocks
Mrs.........gonna rock yo socks
With the knowledge of the earth and its forms
I know yo brains are thirsty, so get ready for the storm

Its called the rock cycle and it goes round and round
Consider it a geologic merry-go-round
So hop on, cause this ride aint whack
And Ill take you to the middle of the earth and back

It starts with a rock getting weathered and eroded
They get eaten away like iron thats corroded
Wind, water, ice, and sulfuric acid rain
These can all reduce a rock to itty bitty grains

Called sediments, like dust in the wind
When their transportation stops, deposition can begin
Then pressure starts to build from the bottom to the top
Cementation and compaction form a sedimentary rock

Layers upon layers
We be findin bones and shells in dem layers
But when those layers get pushed down in the mantle
The heat and pressure that results is far too great to handle

Oh snap, wheres my sedimentary rock?
My sedimentary rock is now a metamorphic rock
Over years and years the rock is slowly changed
The molecular structure of the rocks is rearranged

As the metamorphic rock moves closer to the core
It flows into the magma and melts more and more
Cooling, crystallizing to an igneous rock
If you touch it while its cooling, you best drop it like its hawwwt!

The rock cycle (X4)

Fo sheezy, minerals be off da heezy
They dont ride the rock cycle, it makes em queasy
Minerals are found in rocks, sometimes shiny
Their crystals can be huge but they can also be tiny

Minerals are classified in many ways
By color, luster, hardness and the way they break
Yes, its true they can fracture like a bone
They can also cleave off into perfect little clones

Individual minerals have different color streaks
When you rub it on plate, it leaves a powder thats unique
Then theres hardness, it has its own scale
Developed by some dude named Moh, it cannot fail

It goes 1-10, with Talc at number 1
And Diamonds a 10 cuz its really hard to cut
Dont be knockin minerals cause ice is money
And guys, you know that minerals can help you get a honey!

Geology (x4)

Last but not least, is plate tectonics
Our planets crust is a little histrionic
There once was a time when the land was all combined
Into a super-continent called Pangaea, oh my!

Here comes a theory called continental drift
Pangaea broke apart cuz the plates began to shift
Shiftings what they do day in and day out
So volcanoes erupt to let all da stress out

Earthquakes can occur when tectonic plates collide
They can move apart, move together or side by side
I bet you didnt think that geology was tight
If you stay in school and learn your rocks, I know youll be aww-ight!

Whisper of the Wings series.......9. Purple Sun birds

2010-03-12T17:48:00.002+05:00

Sun birds are in full plumage during this season

through out the day i can hear their calls to each other

& they look too good while foraging on the flowers in my balcony

don't they ??

sketches series.....9. A Leopard resting

2010-03-11T17:13:00.003+05:00

Here is my sketch of a Leopard resting

its infact one of my favorites

Watchers of the sky....1. Changeable Hawk Eagle

2010-03-06T16:50:00.004+05:00

Watchers of the sky is a new series i am starting dedicated to all the raptors i have seen.

This is the first : The Changeable Hawk Eagle is an amazing bird and has a lovely

call.

These pictures that i have taken are from Corbett National Park.

The first is an adult and the second is a juvenile calling.

In Orchha, with the Long billed Vultures

2010-03-03T06:07:00.002+05:00

Orchha is a town in Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region. Orchha lies on the Betwa River, 15 km. from Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.

Mom has been there before & had seen the Long billed Vultures, so during the Holi break we took off to Orchha & i could not wait to see them.

We went by the Bhopal Shatabdi train and reached Orchha by 1:00 in the afternoon. After a sumptous lunch we went to our rooms. The balcony of our rooms looked out upon the river and i couldn't resist the temptation to take a little walk outside. I saw lots of bee-eaters and also a swallow sitting on the wires.

In the evening we had a little swim in the pool there, a very nice dinner and a good night's sleep.

The next morning was finally what i was waiting for, to go to the palace and see the vultures.

At first, I thought there would be a few vultures but by the time i reached the palace it felt as if there were a million of them. Every little ruin around, had at least one vulture sitting on top.

This was seriously vulture paradise. We came to this ruin that was like a courtyard with a tower on each side. As we approached it we saw a vulture on top of one of the towers and i got an amazing view of the bird. We then went to the other side to only find ANOTHER vulture actually sitting on its nest.

But guess what !! That wasn't it, there were two more vultures sitting on that same ruin. This was truly awesome.

I spent my afternoon sitting and taking pics & watching birds in and around the river & in the evening we went down to the river. Well, that is what we did for the next two days, just hanging out around the river, going to Orchha Nature Reserve & also swimming a lot in the pool, thanks to maasi, i learnt how to do the breast stroke

The Betwa river was lovely. We spent a lot of time along the banks, watching the river, the birds, the moon rise etc

Here is the list of some of the birds we saw

Long Billed Vultures…. Lots of them

Egyptian Vultures

Red Headed Vulture

Booted Eagle

Crested Serpent Eagle was always near by

Shikras

Common Kestrel (Female)

Green Bee eater active as ever & catching bees in flight

Cormorants fishing

Black headed Gulls & Swifts

Red Wattled Lapwings with chicks

Olive Backed Pipits

Rufous Tailed Larks

Tailor birds

Three different types of Tits

Blue Rock Thrush

Grey backed Shrikes, though never got it in the classic pose of sitting with its meal nailed in to a tree

Citrine Wagtail

Wagtail

Prinias

Grey Breasted Prinia

Chestnut Shouldered Petronia

A different type of Babbler

Lots of Sunbirds

Grey Hornbills

Pea hens & fowls

Flower peckers

Woolly necked Storks

Night Herons

Egrets

Spotted Owlets on a moon lit night !!

Finally as always all good things in life have to come to an end, so reluctantly we all headed back & me back to school !!

MBK vs MIS

2010-02-23T15:45:00.002+05:00

A tough football match

MBK vs MIS

In the end we lost 2 - 1

but we gave it our all !!

sketches series.....8. An Elephant grazing

2010-02-16T14:33:00.002+05:00

Here is a sketch i made some time back of an elephant grazing.

Whisper of the Wings series.......8. Black Rumped Flameback

2010-02-03T17:58:00.006+05:00

Friends !!

Introducing the Black Rumped Flameback

Nowadays it is a frequent visitor on my balcony, its movements are very different from other birds, the neck seems hyperactive all the time, like a ballet dancer or something. Very entertaining to watch.

The colours are just brilliant !!

Isn't it ??

31st Jan 2010

2010-02-01T18:43:00.003+05:00

Thanx every one for coming !!

Whisper of the Wings series.......7. Oriental Honey Buzzard

2010-01-28T17:26:00.004+05:00

There is always a flutter of activity outside my house when The Oriental Honey Buzzard comes. Panic button is pressed by all the resident birds, so its been easy to know that the OHB has come. This year i've had the maximum sightings of it

Whisper of the Wings series.......6. Golden Oriole

2010-01-13T16:05:00.004+05:00

Mom sees a fleeting colour of Yellow outside

Its a surprise visitor

& its a rare visitor

that too in winter

A Golden Oriole outside my window on a chilly, misty, foggy morning

Woh !!

Black Winged Stilt on canvas

2010-01-10T21:10:00.003+05:00

Made this painting a while back,

I call this painting "Foot Steps" !!

Off to Kechala, Koraput district, Orissa .........

2009-12-29T16:30:00.005+05:00

We are off to village Kechala, Koraput district in Orissa for our annual school trip.

Looks like it is going to be a good 40 hour journey, first part of the journey starts from Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 8.40 am in Samta Express, which goes through Bhopal, Nagpur, Raipur & we get down at Rayagada at 15.00 hrs tomorrow. Then another short train journey & then another short bus journey, then finally another by ferry to reach an island called Kechla !! Phew !!

There are 37 of us plus 4 teachers, we come back only "next year" on the 8th of Jan.

So it is Happy New Year to you all & wish you the best in 2010 !!

Adios amigos

Whisper of the Wings series.......5. Hoopoe

2009-12-28T16:18:00.001+05:00

Hoopoe very rarely sits on my balcony, probably i must have seen it only about a couple of times in the last 3 years.

But i can always see it flying around, the wings flap in the similar way as the Woodpecker. I also see it in the park opposite my house feeding away busily on the ground, with its long beaks.

This photograph is taken when the hoopoe was sitting on a tree just outside my balcony.

At the movies again...... 3 Idiots

2009-12-26T16:00:00.001+05:00

Was it 3 idiots or 4 idiots ?

If we include the professor also, then it becomes 5 idiots !!

I had enjoyed Munnabhai MBBS, so when i heard that the same director had made 3 idiots i wanted to go & see the movie. I wasn't disappointed, i quite enjoyed the movie.

The only unwanted part in the movie was the extended child birth drama, some how it did not make any sense to me, otherwise it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Lots of dialogues like the name of the dogs as megabyte, gigabyte etc, the definition of a machine among many other things were really funny, infact there were numerous laughter moments.

All of us had good fun !!

Merry Christmas !!

2009-12-25T11:24:00.000+05:00

Merry Christmas to all.
Me & my friend K, who is staying with me got this Christmas tree decorated, it does actually look good, some friends did come over in the evening, it was a cold evening at around 7 Celcius, we had good food, cake & just chilled watching some movies...........
Untill next year !!

At the movies again.... to see Avatar

2009-12-23T11:44:00.000+05:00

Me & my friends went to see Avatar. Overall i liked the movie very much, but the graphics & the 3D were too good.

Whisper of the Wings series.......4. Red Whiskered Bulbul

2009-12-20T10:52:00.001+05:00

Looks like a rock star !!

Red Whiskered Bulbuls are a frequent visitors on to my balcony, here is one of the rock stars !!

Whisper of the Wings series.....3. Rufous Treepie

2009-12-15T13:06:00.003+05:00

Rufous Treepie.

When this Dendrocitta vagabunda comes onto my balcony it is usually with a lot of announcements, all the 5 or so different musical calls are made. Its like look i am here or i 've come, every one else watch out or some thing like like that.

Whereas sometimes it sits very quietly on the Jamun Tree next to my house eating the small jamuns, sometimes one does not even realise it is there.

Its very difficult to say from male & female.

'Mirambika gang' at the Humayan's Tomb

2009-12-07T17:42:00.016+05:00

As part of one our school project on the Mughal Empire we headed to Humayun's Tomb last Saturday.

The complex has among many other tombs; a main tomb for Emperor Humayun & for his wife Hamida Begum.

Humayun's Tomb is a show piece of Mughal architecture & Persian gardens. The main architect of of this World Heritage Site was Mirak Mirza Ghayas from Afghanistan.

There are several monuments leading up to Humayun's tomb & one of the most prominent among them is that of the whole family of Isa Khan Niyazi, which predates the main tomb by 20 years, built in 1547 CE.

By the way, this handsome looking man is not one of the Mughals !!!

Infact he is one of our favourite teachers, he is known to us as Kavi bhaiyya & here he is introducing us to all these histories & during one of our breaks he is explaining a few things to us & also reminding us that we have not come here for gallivanting & to be bloody serious !! (& that was in his own words)

These are photographs of the main tomb, please click on it to enlarge.

The stairways are so narrow & steep, I wonder why !!

Even Humayun had died (some where else) when he fell down a stairs when he ran to be on time to attend prayers !!
The Charbagh (four Square) gardens, spread over 13 acres changed rapidly since 1556. The decline of the mughals was a contributing factor, since the capital was already shifted to Agra in 1556, then the upkeep of the garden was costly & almost impossible. Then the British took over, 'though around 1903-1909 the Brits did try to restore a few things.

Again during the Partition of India, Humayun's Tomb was a major refugee camp for almost five years, then again the gardens were unfortunately considerably damaged & also there was serious damage to the water channels & chief structures.
First the Archaeological Survey of India & now Agha Khan Trust for Culture have been trying to restore Humayun's Tomb back to its original glory, with all the gardens & the water channels. Infact there were people from Agha Khan Foundation to guide us during the walk.

We ended the walk with a shared & sumptous lunch (nana had packed some Veg Paella !!) & there was also a birthday cake which was cut for one of my friends !!

I did enjoy the walk.......... so, until next time

au revoir to all !!

Whisper of the Wings series.....2. Purple Sunbird (female)

2009-12-07T16:52:00.005+05:00

This is the Female Purple Sun bird, likes to come & taste a bit of honey from the flowers in the balcony.

Looks stunning against the red flower, isn't it ??

Sultanpur 29.11.09, with the Shrikes & Blue Throat among many others

2009-12-01T18:23:00.005+05:00

Its been a year since we went birding to Sultanpur, so when we heard that there was a trip scheduled i was thrilled

An Yellow Crowned Woodpecker was doing hide & seek with us

Just as we were walking i thought i heard a noise similar to somebody clicking away furiously on the camera, then i realised it was a Blue Throat. It was bang in front of me on the pathway, i crawled on my knees to reach closer to it.

Then some Lesser White Throats, Hume's Warbler's, Common Chiffchaffs kept us interested. So was an over flying Honey Buzzard & a Marsh Harrier.

A Roller bird was looking delightful as ever.

Then the Olive Backed Pipits captured every one's interest

So were the Red Avadavats, who were posing for us

And so with the Silver Bills

The Southern Grey Shrike was not even bothered by my presence !!

The Minivets made a stunning splash of colour

We also saw Black Rumped Flame back, Horn bills, Tree pies, Coucals, a Black Shouldered Kite sitting & preening away. Stone chats, Plain & Ashy Prinia, Large Grey Babbler, Shikra, Drongo, Indian Robin & Pied Bush chats also made their presence felt.

Partridge's made their presence with their lovely calls. I tried to click a Common Quail, but stood no chance !!

At the water hole there was over 2,000 water birds Common teals, Gadwals, Northern Shovelers, Grey lag geese, Bar headed geese, Common Pochards, Northern Pin tails, Coots & Wigions.

The resident water birds included the Common Moorhen, Purple Swamp hen, Great, Intermediate & Little cattle Egrets, Purple & Grey Herons, Black Headed Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Painted Storks. So were the White Tailed Lapwings, Wood sand Pipers. Barn swallows & Plain Martins looked busy as ever.

Here is a video of an Egret Fishing & enjoying its meal !

Just as we came out some one told us, Great White Pelicans have flown in & also there was a pair of Sarus cranes. But we were tired & hungry, so will check them out next time.

From 7 am to 12 noon we saw almost 60 species of birds, now isn't that amazing ???

Jazz with Eric Vloeimans yet again & a good bye......

2009-11-25T21:49:00.007+05:00

Was lucky to see Eric Vloeimans & Gate crash in action again. He was off to Japan after the concert.

I just loved their song titled Foot steps.

Here is a very poor recording from my mum's mobile phone (No Eric, her mobile was not the one which kept ringing !!)

Whisper of the Wings series.....1. Purple Sunbird

2009-11-25T16:30:00.007+05:00

In my Face Book account i had posted photographs of the birds which visit the balcony of my house.

It had in fact kicked up quite a bit of interest among my friends. So from today i start this new series, which i have titled Whisper of the Wings, which will be exclusive of the birds photographed from my balcony.

A special thanks is required to my drawing teacher Joy, who had gifted me a tripod, so my camera is always mounted & ready to capture the whisper of the wings.

We start off with the Purple Sunbird (male), a really busy bird, never sits still. I hope to capture the changing colours of this bird as the season progresses

At the Jazz Utsav with Eric Vloeimans et al

2009-11-23T14:04:00.004+05:00

For the first time i went for a live jazz program & i really enjoyed it.

Some of the musicians who performed are :

Eric Vloeimans who is regarded as one of the Europe's best trumpet players & the performance of his group Gate crash was simply awesome, Ulli Gudmundsson was also great on Bass

Wayne Krantz is one of the best guitarists

Anthony Jackson is one of the best in bass

Cliff Almond sets the mood alive with some of the best drumming

David Binney is supposed to be the one of the best saxophone players of present day

Brian Melvin ( Beatle Jazz), has a unique style in drumming

Andre Marcelli again is one of Italy's greatest drummers, he was amazing

Lorenzo Petrocca is known world over for his guitar playing

Amit Heri from India was also really good

I also enjoyed just watching some of them prepare for the show during the breaks, the way they set up their instruments & how they tune them etc

Until next year !!

sketches series.........7. Yellow Collared Lovebird

2009-11-21T10:31:00.003+05:00

This is my illustration of a Yellow Collared Lovebird,

i've only used colour pencils

Oriental Honey Buzzard comes visiting yet again

2009-11-20T16:45:00.004+05:00

Yippie !!

Few days back

once again she came outside our house !!

Warnings were sounded out to all residents

Keep off me or .......

And these two bulbuls were also watching the action with us from our balcony,

wondering whats all this fuss about ??

Why you not taking any snaps of me ??

Untill next time, bye, bye OHB

and the bulbuls ........ sorry !!

sketches series.......6.Purple Heron

2009-11-15T17:15:00.000+05:00

The best way to liven up the backside of a book shelf is to do a drawing on it !!

Isn't it ??

That's what i did,

with an illustration of a Purple Heron !!

sketches series.......5. Racquet Tailed Drongo

2009-11-10T17:08:00.000+05:00

This is a sketch which i made a few years back of the Racquet Tailed Drongo, after seeing this bird in Pangot, Uttaranchal.

The Oriental Honey Buzzard comes visiting again

2009-11-07T16:30:00.006+05:00

For the last two years during these months, an Oriental Honey Buzzard comes outside our house. When this bird comes usually there are alarm calls all over from the the squirrel's & also all the resident dada's also get insecure & tend to hassle a new bird. All in all there is panic in the air when the OHB comes in.

Today morning i was in still in bed, suddenly i heard didi call out "Honey buzzard saamne baita hai," i jumped out of bed & there it was just outside our balcony. This one is a female, last year we had seen the male.

She started giving me the looks !!

When the crows were hassling her, she just opens her beak......

Then suddenly a Shikra swooped on her, look at her how she has puffed up herself & made her appear really big to ward off the Shikra. Unfortunately i could not get the Shikra in the same frame.

Then she went to another tree & again started eye balling me !!

After a good 25 mts she decided to go away

Tata, bye bye, au revoir, adios amigos.

Until next time

take care !!

At The Movies-again....

2009-10-21T18:09:00.000+06:00

I went with few of my friends to watch wake up Sid

it was truly amazing !!!!!!!!

i loved the movie.

then we went to "city walk" a huge mall next to the theatre

and after the movie we were just roaming around the mall

we had hot dogs for lunch

and doughnuts from M.O.D (Mad over Doughnuts) for dessert...

and then returned home after a awesome day.

Listen & watch Kya karoon here

At The Movies.......

2009-10-19T17:54:00.000+06:00

I went with my mom to watch Up the movie
and really enjoyed it.
it was a nice movie and if you have an option you should watch it
watch the trailer here

Festival of lights

2009-10-16T22:13:00.004+06:00

Happy Diwali to all.

That's my house on the top floor lit up with all diya's,

i.e a row of lamps,

since it is a festival of lights.

Cotton string wicks inserted in small clay pots filled with oil—

to signify victory of good over the evil within an individual !!!

No fire crackers for me

i hate disturbing the birds & dogs

In Landour.......... with the Mountain Hawk Eagle

2009-10-15T18:14:00.007+06:00

During the Dushera break we had gone to Landour. I liked the place, the small streets, the house where we stayed, which was infact overlooking a valley, the wooded areas were much less, so the walks were quite restricted, also Rhesus Macaques did sometimes look very aggressive, we tried to avoid eye contact, but also had to be careful at the same time, also the weather which suddenly changes from sunny, to cloudy & rainy & vice versa.

It was challenging to identify the Raptors. They just seem to arrive so suddenly & also disappear also equally fast. Of course the high light was to see the Mountain Hawk Eagle sitting in a tree in just 10ft in front of us. We were also lucky to see a pair of Black eagles in a very playful mood

And also the flying skills of the Eurasian Sparrow Hawk was just awesome & how she took on the crows which were hassling her.

The birds we saw & were able to identify are :

Mountain Hawk Eagle

Black Eagle

Eurasian Sparrow Hawk

Himalayan Griffon

Verditer Fly Catchers

Ultra Marine Fly Catchers

Dark sided Fly Catchers

Brown fronted Wood Pecker

Brown Bull Finch

Grey Winged Black Bird

Bar Tailed Tree Creeper

Green Backed Tit

Black Lored Tit

Whiskered Yuhina

White Throated Laughing Thrush

Striated Laughing Thrush

Scarlet Minivets

An empty house comes to life

2009-10-13T13:12:00.003+06:00

The house next to mine is C- 128 SE, ND, 17. It has been more or less an empty house.
An occupant of it has been Mimi @aka Matilda, a street dog which made it her house. Now she has five puppies. Me & my friends named them Chocolate, Mercury, Vapour, Mischief & Magic.

Now this empty house has become like a museum, with children coming morning & evening with food & milk to play & feed the puppies. I also enjoy playing with them & watch them play. When i come home in my cycle they are all there & they recognise me & come running.

But soon i'll have a problem if they start running after me to school !!

sketches series.............4. Goosander

2009-10-09T13:24:00.000+06:00

Here is a sketch of a Goosander which i did the other day !

Sketches series................3

2009-09-12T11:37:00.001+06:00

An Owl sitting on a fence !

A song in the making.........

2009-09-11T17:46:00.003+06:00

We have music time in school, me & my friends were trying to pen down a song, it goes something like this..... also my guitar teacher Rahul is helping me add the chords !!

I started out that evening
With a pencil in my hand
I don't know what came over me
I just can't understand

I sat down on the couch
With not a whole lot to say
Tired out by my thoughts
I'll just call it a day

Someone knocked this into my head
If the paper is blank it just can't be read
And the paper is still blank

The pencil & the paper
There no worth for more
I just can't write this crazy thing
and i just don't know how

09/09/09

2009-09-09T17:56:00.002+06:00

Something in today's date which looks unusual !!

Or is it ??

Infact it is the last of the same single digit dates for quite a while.
1001 years to be precise !!
Well, see you then.........

Onam........... 2009

2009-09-01T20:02:00.004+06:00

A few friends came over for dinner.......... that's Anand & Antara. The menu was :

Tomato rice,

Avial,

Pachadi,

Sambhar,

Ellisseri,

Pulichadu

& fried Surmai (king fish)

all on Banana leaves

till next year..........

The Falcon goes for the kill

2009-08-28T17:40:00.004+06:00

The biggest canvas i made
its sun set time
the bird is hungry
identifies the prey
swoops down at about 300 kms/per hour
feathers are splashed all over.......................

The Woodpecker on canvas........

2009-08-23T17:46:00.003+06:00

Went to B'bay for the weekend

good to be with my cousins

atleast for a few days

they did pull a prank on me by getting garlands etc to welcome me at the airport !!

only they can think of such things

ganapathibaba is always there in grandfather's Bandra house/vadi

since time immemorial

every day lots of people come

good food is cooked

more than 30 people will be there for dinner daily

for 10 days !!

my grand uncle wanted a painting from me

i did this Woodpecker for him

Okhla Bird Park with the Pied Crested Cuckoos !

2009-08-17T15:56:00.009+06:00

The EPL was starting, i wanted to watch Arsenal's first game, they won it style 6-1, by the time i slept it was 1 am.

But we woke up again at 5 am to go to Okhla Bird Park, with the Delhi Birders to check on the birds.

I also wanted to see the kind of destruction some politicians had done to the neighbouring areas in making all kind of statues of themselves, it all looked so weird like some Hooded Entities. It did look gross & sick.

Initially it was all Pied Bush Chats & a Coucal up close.............

then Green Bee eaters busy as ever !!

Then a stunner !!

It was the Pied Cuckoo !!

Here are some details about this very beautiful bird ..........

The advent of the monsoon has for generations been associated with the appearance of the Pied Cuckoo in many parts of India (Ali & Ripley 1987). The strong association between the Pied Cuckoo and rain is part of Indian folklore, in which this species is described as a harbinger of the monsoon. Ancient Hindu poetry refers to Pied Cuckoos as 'chatak', who live on drops of rain.

This one migrates to large areas across northern India around the Monsoon and has often been called the "rain visitor". It is one of the few migratory birds that come to the Indian subcontinent from Africa to breed. They move across the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean to reach India in May or June; records from Oman, Saudi Arabia and the Seychelles have been reported during the migratory season. Some believe that the bird uses monsoon winds to assist its flight during this migration. It breeds during June-August and leaves the subcontinent in September/October.

More details of migratory patterns can be found at Migrant watch

There were many Ashy Prinias........

A few Spot Billed Ducks !! What are they doing here in summer ????.......... well; may have missed the flight !!

Black Ibis, Black Winged Stilts, Black Bitterns etc were flying by.......... a lone Darter, a hungry King fisher & i did see a fleeting glance of a Golden Oriole.

It was a pretty short birding trip................ hope to go there again in a months time !!

Everything you need to know about Swine Flu

2009-08-11T11:03:00.006+06:00

Schools are getting closed down,
Newspapers are spreading panic.
& thankfully in our house we do not watch much TV !!
We cannot even cough or sneeze in class/school without somebody giving a suspicious look !!
What the hell, when we think that regular flu kills around 5 lakh people around the world each year.
So what is this hysteria about ??

So, here's an updated FAQ on Swine Flu:

1. How do people become infected with influenza A (H1N1) ?
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.

2. What are the signs and symptoms of infection?

Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying long standing medical conditions.

3. How soon can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.

4. What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.

5. How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

6. What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Presently there is no vaccine to protect against H1N1 Flu. Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

a) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
b) Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
c) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
d) Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
e) If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. However, if one is having any respiratory distress, one should report to a nearby hospital.

7. What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important:
Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness. .
Try to stay in good general health.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

8. Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is the recommended anti viral drug for the treatment of infection with the influenza A H1N1. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster.
They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). This medicine is presently available at designated government hospitals for all those who require it. It is to be administered under medical supervision.

9. What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms e.g. fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact local health care provider or designated govt hospital, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.
Hospital doctors will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. As per latest govt guidelines, isolation in hospital is going to be needed only for those who have severe disease, others can have home isolation.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids/eating food
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

10. Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork?
No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

DOs:
Wash your hands
Avoid crowded places
Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu
Get plenty of sleep
Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DO NOTs:
Shake hands or hug in greeting (???????????)
Spit in public
Take medicines without consulting a physician

For people who are sick:
Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible
Rest and take plenty of liquids
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
Seek medical advice if needed.

Sketches series...............2

2009-07-29T12:26:00.000+06:00

A sketch of a deer !!

My Birthday

2009-07-25T14:24:00.004+06:00

Finally .............finally I'm twelve !!

I called a few of my friends and we played in the park, had lots of Margherita's, Brownies, Doughnuts & Ice cream.

Then we watched "Night in the Museum 2" and it was really funny and everyone enjoyed.

To top it all I got an ipod nano & football studs from my parents, some very thoughtful gifts from my friends, phone calls from cousins & relatives and ofcourse good wishes from all of them.

Total Solar Eclipse

2009-07-23T18:42:00.004+06:00

On 21st night i was told this:

The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century will be cutting across India on the 22nd July 2009 passing on to China, then Japan finally ending over the Pacific Ocean.
13 different states of India will cherish the Total Solar Eclipse (TSE), while the rest of India will be enjoying the partial solar eclipse. The duration of totality for this eclipse will be 6min 39sec over Pacific Ocean.
The duration of totality over India will be in the range of 3min14sec to 4min21sec where as China will have a 5min 56sec totality.The last eclipse of comparable magnitude occurred in 1991, 11th July at Mexico & Hawaii.
The next total solar eclipse in India will be on 2034, 20th March cruising over the politically disputed northern tip of J&K. The next TSE in the mainland India will be on 2114, June 3rd.

Hence, this is the last opportunity for any one to view a total solar eclipse from Indian soil. Eclipse timings July 22nd, will be a day of two sunrises. The sun after rising will be eclipsed by the moon and rise yet again out of the shadow of the moon. The start of the eclipse in India will be around 5:30am reaching a maximum around 6:25am.

The eclipse will end around 7:30am. (All timings are in IST)

Yes, i was woken up in the morning & i had a glimpse of the Total Solar Eclipse.

In India it was seen best in Varanasi, it can be seen here

Wish you were here.......... chords by me !!

2009-07-21T18:24:00.003+06:00

These are the chords of "Wish you were here" by Pink Floyd, which i am learning !!

Wonder how it sounds ??

Good ??

-----------------------------------

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,

blue skies from pain.

Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?

A smile from a veil?

Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts?

Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?

And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,Running over the same old ground.

What have you found? The same old fears.

Wish you were here.

Raag Brindavani sarang on Bansuri

2009-07-20T11:17:00.003+06:00

Thaat : Kaafi

Time : Afternoon

Aroha: ni sa re ma pa NI SA
Abroha: SA NI pa ma re sa

In the Abroha the Ni is a half note

Sthai :

nisa rema resa rema pani pama paNi SaRe
/Sa - ni pa r e - sa -
- nisa resa - nisa - ni pa
sa - ni re - re sa -
- rema pa ni ma pa NI SA
SA NI PA MA PA NI SA RE
SA NI PA MA RE SA NI SA

Antara:

- mapa NI pa NI - SA SA
- NI SA RESA RE NISA NI pa
- NISA re MA RE - NI sa
SA NI PAMA PANI SARE
SANI PAMA RESA NISA

Welcome to Mirambika's 28th birthday !!

2009-07-15T14:43:00.005+06:00

Today is the 28th birthday of my school !!

'Guess there will be some good stuff to eat

'though we have to make some drinks like limbo paani & mango milkshake which is going to be awesome!!!!

many of the classes were performing plays and stuff like that but this time our class was asking some riddles to the audience and also telling them where things in school used to be.

Like me and my friend did about where the library used to be before, and other students did many other things like that.

More importantly, We had no classes & it was a free day and a lot of fun!!

Happy Birthday Mirambika!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sketches series.......... 1

2009-07-14T14:51:00.002+06:00

I took a break from working on canvasses.
I was enjoying doing sketches with just pencil.

Joining a professional Soccer club......

2009-07-13T14:21:00.001+06:00

After Edson Diaz left, some how i did id not enjoy the soccer coaching very much. So i had quit.

I wanted to join a proper, professionally run soccer club, where one can enjoy the coaching as well as get a chance to play lots of matches.

I had zeroed in on Simla Youngs. It became a reality when i joined the club on July 3rd. The first day was really tough, i barely could stand after the coaching !! But now i am fine & able to withstand the physical rigours. There are more than 200 of us training at the same time, of course we are divided age wise.

The practice fields are huge but not lush ( hard on the goalkeepers), So there can be four matches happening at the same time ( still there is space left for others to train). Every one gets a chance to play, plus each age group is attended to by two professional coaches...........

Already i feel i have learned quite a bit........... lets see how it goes !!

At the movies.......

2009-07-12T18:22:00.005+06:00

Yesterday with my friends i went to see Ice Age 3

We enjoyed it very much

Watch the trailer here

By the away an important part of going for this movie was......

For the first time we went for a movie alone,

without any adults accompanying us

nana dropped us at the theatre

but we came back home on our own

by a rick

Yippie.......we want to do it again !!

Raag Durga on bansuri

2009-07-11T23:10:00.005+06:00

Learning my second Raaga....
Raag Durga on teen taal ( 16 beats)
Thaat : Bilawal
Time : Late evening
AROHA: sa re ma pa da SA
ABROHA: SA da pa ma re sa

STHAI:
sa mama re pa -- da ma pa
+/da -- -- ma -- re s a--
da sa da re -- ma re ma
da ma pa da Sa dapa mare SA

ANTARA :
da ma pa da SA -- pa da
SA -- SA SA DA RE SA --
da SA RE MA RE SA DA SA
da ma (pada SARE MARE SADA PAMA RESA)

Green Barbet

2009-07-09T09:33:00.002+06:00

Its hot (42 C) & humid

most of the plants in our balcony have got burned

We have three bird baths on our tiny balcony

The Green Barbet usually comes in very quietly

but this time i was lucky to see it up close

Save Okhla Bird Park

2009-07-07T09:38:00.003+06:00

Okhla Bird Park is something which makes Delhi unique. No city in this world has the kind of birds which we see in Okhla......... but sadly this one small, tiny heaven is also again under
threat.

Readers do please sign this petition created by delhi birder Shri Anand Arya.

Thanx !!

Holidays have come to an end......

2009-07-02T12:12:00.003+06:00

I went to Bombay for 3 weeks and really enjoyed my time with my cousins and relatives. I played a lot of cricket, football and games I went out to a lot of malls, restaurants and to Nehru Science Centre, I watched a lot of movies like Dil Chahta Hai, Dostana, Home Alone etc and just had fun with all my relatives and a very special Labrador called Mischief.

The i came back to Delhi, reluctantly......... to do home work before school reopens. Plus the heat & power cuts were quite too much, school reopening got delayed for a few days because of all this, plus i got a few more days to do home work.

Now, in just a couple of days the holidays will come to an end....... sadly.

I actually don't know, I have a strange feeling....
I am sad because i will not be free anymore but i am kind of looking forward to meeting my friends.
When one has a long holiday and one is not travelling & one kind of just sit around and try to finish homework at home and that's pretty boring. Even though i have been cycling and playing a lot of cricket and football with my friends in the colony.

So when i think of it, its kind of more fun chatting with my friends, playing with friends at school(even though one has to study also !!), than sitting at home and studying the whole time.

So infact i am kind of looking forward for school.

At Camp Himalayan.......... by Ankit

2009-05-25T10:31:00.004+06:00

This is what my friend Ankit had to write about our trip

My review :By Ankit
Day 1
On the first day, mom, dad and I came down from our apartment to the bus at around eight o'clock. It was a night journey.
We were delayed reaching the camp by about 4 hours because of the driver who was driving like a snail. When we got there then we met Sumit uncle and we told him about the journey. We had lovely apple juice.

After we talked for a few minutes we went to our rooms. After freshening up I went to Kabeer's room and we played name-place-action. Then Kabeer and I took pictures of a few birds. I didn't get any but Kabeer got quite a few. There was a yellow billed blue magpie who made us chase it above the camp and then below and then above again.

Later all of us went for a walk to see the temple and the sunset. I got nice pics of the sunset. Then we came back, had dinner and slept.

Day 2
The next day we went to the national park. Well not exactly the national park we only managed to reach the entrance ! We started by the bus and from a point got off and got on to jeeps and after a point again got off and started to walk. It was quite a long trek but it was fun. We went down to a river bank near the entrance to the national park and ate lunch. There was a very nice waterfall over there. And we came back to the camp freshened and then had dinner and slept.
Day 3
The next day we went for "river walking" near Sumit uncle's house. We left by bus and then we got of a little before his house and start walking along the river the river. It was tough but fun. There were many big and slippery stones so my pants tore. It tore very badly. When we got to Sumit uncle's house to my relief my mother had got an extra pair of pants. After spending fifteen minutes in Sumit uncle's house we started walking along the river again. There it was even tougher and I fell quite a few times so I was totally wet. Then we came back to a place where Gopi bhaiya had got us lunch. After lunch our parents went to Bahu to see the sunset.
We went to the camp. We waited till our parents came back and when they came back we had dinner and slept.
Day 4
We went to Jalori Pass. We went by bus and then we got off at a place and started walking. When we got there we saw a very beautiful view from there. It was great fun. After seeing the fort we came down half way and ate lunch that Hem Raj bhaiya had got. When we got down we ate Maggi at a dhaba. Then we got back freshened up had dinner and slept.
Day 5 (THE FINAL DAY)
On the last day we had breakfast and left for home. We had lunch in Highway Treat instead of having at Highway Restaurant where we were supposed to have lunch. We had dinner at Nik Bakers in Chandigarh. We had trouble finding it. After that we got on to the bus and it was night so half of us slept. In the end we reached home 6 hours late.

------------------------------------
Thanx Ankit for writing & i hope we will have many more trips like this together !!

A song for you........... hope you like it !!

Camp Himalayan.......... with the Grey Himalayan Bulbuls

2009-05-22T03:01:00.002+06:00

Had lovely sightings of these Bulbuls, they were so pretty as usual !!

Camp Himalayan........... goodbye for now !!

2009-05-21T02:49:00.003+06:00

Well all good things in life have to come to an end............... i guess !!

We left the next day morning after breakfast saying very fond farewells to Gopibhaiya, Hemrajbhaiya and Sumit uncle.

After a long tiresome trip (17 hours) stopping only at a Highway dhaba for lunch and at Nik Bakers, Chandigarh for dinner we reached Delhi finally at 2:30am !!

Now after a couple of days at home.............. 'am off to Mumbai to be with my cousins for a couple of weeks !!

Camp Himalayan........... to Jalori Pass

2009-05-20T02:25:00.001+06:00

I had to wake up early again as we were going to Jalori Pass. The drive again was very pretty through shrubs of Wild White Roses & Blue Iris's

We started off and I kind of dozed of on the way but suddenly I wake up with my mother saying: Stop, Stop, Stop to the driver. I got to know it was some kind of a yellow bird she had seen on the road. I then saw it in the tree and it was awesome. I got some pics but they are not totally clear but we all remembered the unique beak. We got back in the bus and I took out the bird book and tried to identify it. It was a black and yellow Grosbeak (male and female).

We reached Jalori Pass and trekked up to Raghupur Fort. It was a tough trek though Ankit and I had done it during the school trip. We spent a lot of time there and we had lunch, trekked back to Jalori Pass and drove back to the Camp where we were greeted by a storm.

We had dinner and went to sleep- our final night in the mountains. (Sigh !!)

At Camp Himalayan............. with Badsha & Maya

2009-05-19T02:01:00.000+06:00

We are going to Giagi today to do " river walking".
I know i will be meeting Badshah & also the small pup Maya.............

I cannot wait !!

We stopped before Giagi and walked down to the river. Badshah came with us too and it was real fun finding your way through the rocks and water. We went half a kilometer and then climbed up the bank to Sumit uncle's house and rested for a while then went down back to the river and continued with our walk.

But this time the 5 month old German Shepherd puppy Maya also joined us and we walked another km in the water and then turned back. Maya was so excited, she was barking all the way, sometimes she was shivering because of the freezing water.

Finally after we reached back, with some bruised skins & tired bodies.........we had such a lovely lunch at the river bank and then were playing in the river when suddenly Sumit Uncle dunked me and Ankit in the water....... oooops

I was seriously wet and had to wait for my T-shirt to dry.....................

Camp Himalayan ...... Thirtan River

2009-05-19T01:45:00.000+06:00

Imagine after such an exhausting walk,

to be able to find a spot like this where one can dip one's feet in freezing water

& also actually have a sumptous lunch

It was just awesome.....................

Camp Himalayan........... to the Great Himalayan National Park

2009-05-18T01:08:00.000+06:00

I cannot believe it.............

We are going to go to the Great Himalayan National Park today and were all set to leave at 8:00 am with packed lunch and all. Gopi bhaiya and Hemraj bhaiya the caretakers of Camp Himalayan came with us. We went till Gushaini in the bus as then the road became too narrow for a bus to go.

We hired a Sumo which went for another 2 kms of motorable road. We then began our trek

to the gate of the Great Himalayan National Park which we thought ( by mistake) was close but actually it turned out to be a long uphill 7 kms walk. The walk was really beautiful through the forests & next to the Thirtan river. But it was exhausting. But when we reached it was really wonderful, as we had lunch on a rock perched in the Thirthan River. It was one of the most beautiful spots one can ever imagine.............................

There was a huge pool and a big waterfall with a water spray cooling us each time there was a breeze. We finished lunch and went on through the gate of the Great Himalayan National Park just 10 meters in and came back out as we had a long way to get back. We saw a lot of birds on the trek- Barbets, Bulbuls, Flycatchers and some Raptors.

On the way back we stopped at a Rainbow Trout fish farm, it was cool and some of the trouts were huge. We reached back at camp at 6pm and had a bonfire with soup and a yummy dinner.

I had a bath and finally sleep......................

At Camp Himalayan...................

2009-05-17T00:33:00.002+06:00

I've been to Camp Himalayan before for a school trip & i had thoroughly enjoyed it & had the time of my life.

So this time i was going with my parents, my cousin sister from Mumbai & my friend Ankit and his parents (my grandmother was going to come too but unfortunately she fell ill & did not feel up to the long journey). We set out from Delhi at 8:00pm. We were going in a 9 seater private bus we got really late getting out of Delhi because our driver didn't take the proper route to exit from Delhi. Infact we took 16 hours instead of 12 because of the cartoon of a driver who was driving very slow & he did not know how to drive in the mountains. My father infact wanted to drive many a time !!

Well, we at least reached our destination- Camp Himalayan at 12:30 pm the next day. A Himalayn Griffon swooped below our eye levels as we entered the camp. We met Sumit Uncle and talked to him for a while and went to our rooms. One of the first things which stuck me was that the camp was looking totally green compared to last time i was there because then it was winter and all the apple trees were bare. Whereas now it was summer !!I remember from the lounge I could see all the cottages clearly but now most were submerged in greenery.

We had lunch at 2:30 which was really good especially the daal.

All the parents went to rest but Ankit and I went around the camp with our camera's watching birds. We saw a lot of small birds and we were trying hard to get a clear picture but they kept moving & were so busy all the time (though we finally did and i even found a nest the Grey Tit was using).

Then suddenly the Yellow Billed Magpie popped out of a bush. I call this bird the chalaak dada because it flew up the mountain so we chased up the mountain trying to get a photo and then before we can do anything it happily swoops down the mountain above our heads as if to say "goodbye slowpokes" while we are standing there helplessly. Later when I didn't have the camera, it was sitting on the apple tree next to me happily. But when i do have the camera it flies away.

We finally got our parents up from their slumber and went for a walk which was quite nice. We went around the village we saw the fields full of Jowar, Green Peas, Garlic & Potatoes.

But it started raining and a storm was brewing so we had to hurry back. We had a real good dinner & went back to our rooms and slept well in the lovely mountain.

Infact i am quiet- happy to be here.

Also infact i cannot wait for tomorrow, because we are trekking to the Great Himalayan National Park !!

To Camp Himalayan. Once more !!

2009-05-15T19:31:00.000+06:00

14th May was our last day at school before the summer break, tomorrow we leave for the Camp Himalayan................... yet again !!

Raag Bhopali

2009-04-29T11:24:00.001+06:00

I've re started my flute (bansuri G scale) classes & i am learning Raag Bhopali.

AROHA : Sa Re Ga Pa Da Sa
ABROHA: Sa Da Pa Ga Re Sa s

Here is a composition that i am learning in Teen taal (16 beats)

STHAI
SA SA da pa ga re sa re
+/ga - pa ga da pa ga -
ga pa da SA RE SA da pa
SA pa da pa ga re sa --

ANTARA
ga - ga ga pa pa sada pa
S A - SA SA DA RE SA -
da - GA RE SA da p a -
ga pa da sa da pa ga -

Seen an Asian Fairy bluebird & a Draco ??

2009-04-08T09:24:00.001+05:00

Nana had some work in Kumta, Uttara Kannada. Since i had a week off from school mum & myself joined him for a couple of days.

While walking in a farm suddenly mum called out & said Hey look : Its an Asian Fairy bluebird.

There were two of them, so for the first time i could see these beautiful birds up close. Though i had seen then in a distance in Thatekkad.

Then we saw this amazing gliding Lizard, Draco :

It goes up a coconut tree then checks out for small insects while on the way top, then glides to the bottom of the next tree to repeat the process.............. amazing.

We also enjoyed the beauty of the Aghanashini river.

The Kumta beach was also nice & quiet. The waves were also not rough, so i could play a lot in the water, plus there were some rocks to climb.

Saw a lot of Brahminy Kites & Sandpipers. Also lots of big size live Crabs on the rocks.

Good bye Peace group !!

2009-03-30T10:57:00.000+05:00

Another year is over for me at Mirambika. For two years we had Baren bhaiya as our class teacher, now we will have some one else.

Peace group so far has been my best year in Mirambika, thanx to Brainy (Baren bhaiya) & to all my other teachers & my dear friends

During our Annual day we sang Incomplete, by Back Street Boys

Empty spaces fill me up with holes
Distant faces with no place left to go
Without you within me I can't find no rest
Where I’m going is anybody’s guess
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete
Voices tell me I should carry on
But I am swimming in an ocean all aloneBaby, my baby
It’s written on your face
You still wonder if we made a big mistake
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete
I don’t mean to drag it on, but I can’t seem to let you go
I don’t wanna make you face this world aloneI wanna let you go (alone)
I tried to go on like I never knew you
I’m awake but my world is half asleep
I pray for this heart to be unbroken
But without you all I’m going to be is incomplete

Thanx Brainy & a song for you !!

For my maasi !!

2009-03-29T10:22:00.004+05:00

Ever since i started my Art classes my maasi has been pestering me to do a painting for her !! Since i was not getting my act together, she must have run out of patience, she had even threatened to cut off my supply of Lasagne's (maan !! That thought itself was scary since I just cannot imagine life without her lasagne !!)

Well, finally i got this completed for her.

Every time i go to her house she always has awesome food laid out & sometimes everything about her revolves around making food, eating, enjoying awesome food together etc. So i made this painting based on an image of a lunch we had at her place some time back. I did take a long time to do it, infact a few months to be precise, because of the small & finer details.

I hope she likes it & hangs it some where in her house !!

But more importantly i hope to get a life long supply of Lasagnes !!!!