Independence

Independence signifies the start of a new era. Starting out fresh and venturing out into unknown territories at times.

Today I made a new dish.
It has the softness of a Gulab Jamun on the exteriors and the yumminess of a Ras Malai rosogolla in the interiors.

I call it the Gulabo-Ras-Jamun-Malai :)

Come to my house, I will treat you to some.

Happy Independence Day to all.

Chappal

I love these.
There is a whole lot of nostalgia associated with these.
I think they are really comfortable to.

I love the hawai chappals.

To Smile or not to Smile

I like to smile.
Its effortless. Its joyful. Its helps in leaving a good impression. It releases tension. It inspires to let go of the worries.

I love to smile at kids.
The quizzical look on their faces, wondering why I am smiling makes me smile more.

and then..
they smile too :)

I have enjoyed this smile conversation with innumerable people. I love it.

So, did you smile today?

Spending time with oneself

At times I like to get pensive.
I just sit alone with myself. This would often happen around railway tracks (back in India).... or at beaches, lake shores, in temple premises or in the arms of the mountains.

This shot was taken during one of those pensive sessions. Back home, I was siting at the railway tracks crossing, recollecting my childhood days, where i would run from the village home and stand there.. at the very faintest sound of a train. I would then watch the train till it had completely gone out of sight. My joy knew no bounds when i did that. And I remember doing it countless times everyday.

So this guy comes and sits in front of me and doing precisely what I was doing. I looked at him, smiled and continued to go down memory lane. However his expression caught my attention. As he was just thinking about something it seems. I do not know what, I did not ask either as I wanted to let him spend time with himself.

I realise, that in our busy life schedule, we often fail to do this simple thing. Spend time with oneself. I wish everyone did that regularly.

A friend....

The other day at a bus stop here, I saw a sign. It said, "Find your best friend. Adopt a pet. " That struck me.
I mean they are actually promoting that you cannot be best friends with a human being? I mean, how lame is that!
I have never had a pet in my life. I guess people who have had one will be able to understand it better.

In the early morning when I took this shot, this guy was playing with his dog, who seemed to be having a great time splashing in the water. I guess the man was the dog's best friend.. or was it the other way round?

Sunrise

Since the day I moved into this house, I have been wanting to click this shot.
Every day morning I would be woken by the sun's rays. And I would think, I missed clicking the shot again.
The good thing about the sun is that it comes everyday and gives you a entire new chance.
Finally i was able to take that chance today morning.
Woke up at 4:30 ran to the beach... felt cold.. loved the cold sand.. breathed the freshest air ever in Chicago so far, and then witnessed a beautiful sunrise.
I love spending time on the beach.
And when there is nothing but the expanse of water front of you, the naked sky above you, and the cold sand beneath you... its a feeling that is nothing short of bliss.

This photograph is from the start of the morning.

Uncomparable

Watching children play..
smiling at seeing them laugh..
Priceless.