Mr. Weatherhog forecasts long winter

2nd of February which is the Christian holiday of Candlemas, is also popularly known as the Groundhog Day. It is believed that today when a groundhog emerges from its burrow, if it sees its shadow, then winter is going to be long and will continue for 6 more weeks. On the other hand, if it does not see its shadow, the winter will be short and spring is around the corner.

This year's star groundhog is a furry big little thing called Punxsutawney Phil hailing from a small town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania. Today when Phil emerged from his burrow after a long and cozy hibernation, he cast a shadow (since the day is bright today) and forecasted a long dreary winter.

So, as per our tiny little weatherman, I still have chance to wear some of the jackets that have remained untouched this entire winter!

Only in America

During our Christmas gift shopping spree, we went to this one store and got a couple of items, one for $10 and another for $25. We used a $10 off $25 coupon and with taxes, we got both the items for a total for $26.48.

Turns out, we ended up not gifting the $25 item to anyone. And since we ourselves didn't have any particular use of it, we decided to return it.

So, a few days ago I went back to the store to return it....and guess what, with taxes I got a refund of $26.49. That's 1c more than what we paid for! The $10 item we had got was completely free! The girl at the counter did realize something was wrong, but she couldn't do anything about it.

This can happen only in America!

Aamir likes ShamWOW!

I was reading the recent entries of Aamir Khan's blog....and one post Homeward Bound (Nov,06,2008) interested me. In that post he mentions about US tele-shop products and how they sell unusual stuff and how tempted he is to buy some of them.

One such product that he mentions is this piece of cloth with amazing absorbing power. I am pretty sure Aamir is talking about ShamWOW.

It has one of TV's most irritating salesperson ever featured in its advertisement. But every time the ad comes on TV, I end up watching the entire ad, no matter how many times I have already seen it or how annoying that guy is! I just dont know why! He is even worse than Billy Mays who normally markets a lot of similar products on TV, from Kaboom to Mighty Putty. Do check out the ShamWOW ad, if you haven't already seen it. Maybe you can explain to me why I get transfixed everytime I see it on TV?

Welcome 2009!

2008 has been a pretty good year for me. I got married to V, need I say more?

However, I do know overall 2008 has been a rocky year for many, and here's a wish (or rather a prayer) from my side that may 2009 be a better year for all, bringing happiness, cheer and prosperity in our lives and may it fulfill one's deepest desires.

Wish you all a Very Happy 2009!

Save Diki

As per my daily routine, I was scouring through the local Sikkim news sites when I came across this article about a girl with kidney failure who needs financial help for her transplant surgery. You can get more details from the article below.

If you are willing to help, please leave a comment and I will give you more details on the hows, or else you contact Pema Doma directly at the phone no. provided in the article below.


Kidney patient needs financial help
Staff Reporter GANGTOK, July 28:

Nobody knows what’s in her fate. But with both of her kidneys damaged, Diki Sherpa still has a will to survive.

The 26-year-old is a resident of 9th Mile in East Sikkim. Her father, Namgyal Sherpa being a simple Buddhist monk cannot afford the expenses for her transplant, though the donor is her own mother.Like all other young girls of her age, Diki had dreams of a productive and purposeful life till the year 2000 when she fell victim to life-threatening condition of kidney failure.

Mr. Biswadeep Dutta, who runs a hotel in SN Banerjee Road in Kolkata, has been her guardian angel. The Samaritan has been her caretaker providing her food and lodging in this unknown city. He runs around to pull all his sources together so he can help this ailing lady.

It was informed that just when all appeared lost and Diki was to be packed off to Sikkim on July 12, a family from Taltala gave her shelter. The Duttas had been frequenting the bodyguard lines to meet Diki ever since they learnt about her from doctors in Sikkim during a trip there in Sikkim in the year 2007.

Presently under treatment at Rabindranath Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Kolkata, her final hope is kidney transplantation that costs Rs. 4 -5 lakhs. Despite her mother Pramila Sherpa’s willingness to donate one of her kidneys to Diki, the major factor has been financial constraints. Dialysis has kept her alive which she goes for every Thursday but it is only a temporary reprieve.

To add to her determination to live, the Sikkim Students Association of Kolkata, an association of Sikkimese students studying in Kolkata has come forward to help collect funds for Diki. “When we saw the people of Kolkata helping Diki after her case was reported in one of the newspapers, we too wanted to help her out,” said Pema Doma Sherpa, External Affair Manager of the Association while talking with SIKKIM EXPRESS today.

She further said that the rickshaw pullers, banana sellers, police constables in Kolkata teemed up to assist Diki financially. Back in Diki’s hometown, the student association is leaving no stone unturned to collect maximum funds for the patient’s kidney transplant.

“We want all the people of Sikkim to respond over the matter and chip in few rupees as Diki desperately needs our help. We hope that taking positive points from our initiative, the Sikkimese people will contribute heartily and make sure Diki Sherpa lives, Pema said.

Diki desperately needs more Samaritans to come her way. Only her medicines and dialysis bills amount to Rs 3, 250 a week. A year’s postoperative care will cost another Rs 2 lakhs not to mention the amount need for transplant. So far, the association has managed to collect about five thousand rupees from the students in two days, she told SIKKIM EXPRESS.

Although, the fund collection is unsatisfactory, Pema said that people have started donating some.

Those willing to extend a helping hand to Diki can contact Pema Doma Sherpa, External Affairs Manager of Sikkim Student Association of Kolkata or call her at 98743-50109. The lists of the names of the donors will be published in SIKKIM EXPRESS.

Sikkim Express:TUESDAY, JULY , 29 , 2008

Copycat!

A couple of days ago, I found myself with some free time. Not being able to think of anything else to do, I decided to do a little bit of ego-googling and this is what I came across.

Check out the writing in the post. Sounds familiar? That's an outright copy of my blog's description! Maybe I should take this in the positive sense and feel good about it, the fact that someone copied me. But I just can't help feeling outraged! If I can feel this way for such a small thing, I wonder how these musicians and movie makers feel when their work gets plagiarized.

Waiting on the World to Change

Lets start the new year with this wonderful song.

Good Bye 2007, Welcome 2008

More on the ACT hunger strike

Link to the article here

...and Sikkim weeps

Recently the State Government of Sikkim gave the go ahead to over 14 mega hydel power projects in the state. Six of them are planned in the Dzongu area which is the beautiful panoramic home to the indigenous Lepcha people of Sikkim and is a protected area.

As a protest to this, some leading Lepcha citizens, including members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS) and the Sangha of Dzongu have commenced on an indefinite hunger strike since June 20. Since then, they have been joined by many more people, from young to old, men and women to support their cause to protect the beautiful land from environmental damage. Its been 14 days now with 3 members already admitted to the hospital with deteriorating health conditions.

Please extend your solidarity and support to the satyagrahis by writing to them and spreading the word. You can find more details here.

Spring is here!!

Officially, Spring starts today. Yippee!!!

However, I am still confused how they can come up with the exact date and time. I mean, c'mon, did Spring personally make an announcement of her arrival??

But, I can live with that as long as someone promises months of sunshiny bright days :)

Wish you all a very Happy Spring!!

Some deal, huh?

Back!!

:)
Due to public demand, I kicked out my new template and got back my old one. I too feel more homely with this one. The change was the result of one sleepless night. Thanks for your comments :)

New Look

What say?

Happy V-Day!

Dear Friends,

Wish you all a very
HaPpY VaLeNtInE's DaY !!!

May all your days be filled with love of loved ones.

Love,
Colors :)

Its a Hap Hap Happy Birthday!

Happpyyyyyyyyy Birthdayyyyyyyyy

Ricky!!!!

Many Happy Returns of the Day!!
May all your weirdest wishes be fulfilled and the wildest dreams come true!!

Ricky, we all know you always come up with the best birthday surprise posts for everyone. Infact, had there been a Best Birthday Post category in the Blogerratti, I am sure you would won hands down. How can I ever forget the special and lovely post you wrote on my birthday. Well, for me, its a task impossible to write something that comes even close to yours...

So, just wanted to wish you on your day. You have been the most wonderful friend one can have. Thanks for always being there for me, not only to patiently listen to my inane blabbering and bearing my PJs, but also to always give a listen whenever I am low...for cheering me up and giving me suggestions when I needed them the most. And of course, how can I forget the numerous surprises you have thrown in from time to time to show you care. I sure consider myself very lucky to have you as a friend. You are a gem of a person and I am sure there will be many who will fully agree with me.

Okay...now enough of compliments for the year :P Since its your day, I will let you bask in these compliments. Hope you have the most awesome birthday ever!! By the way....if you are wondering whats in the box....its a surprise :P Keep guessing, you will come to know soon enough!

Alright then....get going and enjoy your day!

Proud to be...

I cant help but feel proud about this news :-)

Oktoberfest..with a difference

This weekend Columbus, Indiana organized their years old tradition of celebrating Oktoberfest aka The Ethnic Expo. In this residents of Columbus belonging to various countries put up stalls to exhibit the food and culture of their country. Its a fun event extending for two days where people from surrounding counties visit Columbus. We used to enjoy it since not only do we get to eat good home made Indian food and food from other countries, but also get to see so many people. Staying in a small town like Columbus, you tend to miss the crowd and enjoy when there are more than 10 people within 4 feet radius of you.

Among all the food stalls put up, the Indian one is the most popular with people actually queueing up to buy the food and is also the stall whose supply gets over the fastest. The recipe and menu is decided by the Indian Asso and work distributed to various volunteers. Stuffs like poori and dosa is made right there on the spot while other food items are made at the volunteers' homes. This time, it seems due to the huge rise of the Indian population in Columbus, most of the desi food was consumed by the desi public themselves leaving very little for the rest of the crowd!

Apart from food stalls, they have stalls that sell curios from different countries. The Indian stall sell Indian clothes and bags and jewelries apart from other stuffs. They even have a 'henna tattoo' thingie. Cultural events are also organised. Normally the host country puts up variety shows but I believe this year other countries participated too. One of my friend with other females put up a dance on 'Dholi Taro' song...and it seems to have been quite a hit!

In last years Ethnic Expo, an interesting thing happened. On Saturday night, after everything got over, people were packing up the stalls. Our Indian people, fun that they are, had put on desi music and guys were generally dancing to the music while packing. Pretty soon some more joined in and the music got louder and the people started spreading out to the road outside the stall. Passers by stopped to look and soon everyone joined in. We had a party going on! The teens specially enjoyed our songs and learnt few of our desi thumka moves. We had a blast. This went on for about 2 hrs and once it got over, they were asking us CDs of our music.

It seems this end-of-session desi party is now going to be a part of the tradition. V told me this year too they did the same thing. Nice way to make desi presence felt..wat say?

Mystery Solved!

So the mystery has been solved. The CIO (Chief Investigating Officer) of blogs-ville Mr Ricky Singh has after all performed his duty...and that too, very well. After spending long hours...yes...didn't u notice he has been kinda absent from the blog world last few days? No? He has been seen everywhere? Oh well, that's Ricky for you...he seems to have more than 24hrs a day in his hand, isn't it? Anyway....where was I? Ah yes....so, after spending long hours for the sole purpose to quench the curiosity of the masses and to uncover the truth of The Case of The Missing PM, Ricky has come up with this report. But, being a true blogger at heart, his report reflects the writer that he is deep within. Here is his 55 report

Everyone was in conference room. Mannu approached Kofi Annan and asked, "May I go to the toilet, Sir?"
So, off he went...la la. Came back, no one was in the room! He saw Bush running towards the photo lounge. He realised..."Oh Shit, it's picture time". He ran but alas!! It had already flashed...

There maybe some who might not believe this report to be true. To prove it, we have confirmed reports as to why Mr. Bush was running towards the photo lounge. He too, like our PM, had to go. (Maybe it was something they served for breakfast that morning?) Only, Mr Bush's timing was just right and he managed to get back just in time for the photo session. Here, take a read:
The Rush

Where is he?

This picture was taken during the recent 60th United Nations General Assembly, the 2005 World Summit held in the United Nations Head Quarters, New York. This was the biggest ever meeting of world leaders in all times bringing together more than 170 Heads of State and Government. Our PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh attended as the representative of India, but he seems to be missing from the picture. Can you find him? Where was he? Is he the one who took the picture?